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RE: [RC] re: 100 milers...speed vs. tradition - Ranelle Rubin

Well said, Steph! I think there are enough of us who are willing to ride
the ride the horse needs on that day and not let our ego get in the way.
Those who are not will be getting new horses every few years,
unfortunately..:(


Ranelle Rubin

-----Original Message-----
From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of StephTeeter
Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2004 10:19 PM
To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [RC] re: 100 milers...speed vs. tradition




-----Original Message-----
From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Cindy Collins
Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2004 7:07 PM
To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [RC] re: 100 milers...speed vs. tradition


 I truly believe that
there is a division in philosophy between folks that do FEI and those of
us that got into this sport to get away from that type of hype and
rules. It doesn't mean one is wrong, but that most of us are not
attracted to both.  You are an exception.  Just my two cents.  Cindy>>

This is probably true for most of the AERC membership. I think that
around 1 in 10 members are doing 100's, it's a relatively small group.
I'd love to hear from other 100 mile riders on this. My suspicion is
that many of the 100 milers fade in and out of the FEI scene - depending
on having 'the' horse, and on other life factors. When I think look at
some of the names of the top riders doing FEI this year, and aiming for
Dubai - they've been around the block a few times, doing Tevis, ROC's,
OD's etc. Basically going for the challenge and the urge to excel, at
whatever the venue.

My point in piping up is that I do feel that there are some that would
like to see FEI separated from AERC, and it worries me. We are a small
sport, a small community of riders with more similarities than
differences. And at the 100 mile level, the differences are even fewer.
I honestly haven't seen any data or stats to back up the claims that the
faster rides are harder on horses. Foolish riders are hard on horses,
and one can be just as foolish on a tough mountain course as on a flat
desert course. And regardless of the course, or the venue, every rider
can choose their speed. We had almost as many riders do the AN 100 in
the 12-16 hour range, as in the 8-10 hour range. And a high completion
rate with no metabolic pulls. And the scenery isn't all that bad either.
(do I sound defensive :)

Just please don't try to drive away, or separate, the riders that are
following International trends, or just trying to be the best in their
sport by one standard - some of you might have been doing the same thing
10 or 20 years ago. We change - but the sport really isn't changing that
much. It's always been a 'finish sport' for some, and a 'race' for
others. Even traditionally. It's a bit of an odd sport we have, where
even though it is a timed event, and we are rewarded with top tens,
first to finish prizes, extra points for going faster than others - it
is a stigma to call it a race, and stating 'to win is to win' would be
near heresy... It's as if the collective conscience of the sport is
afraid that if we call it a race people will get stupid and feel that
they 'have to' race.

Just ride, do what you like, protect our horses, and be tolerant of
others with different goals.

Steph

(I'll ride any horse, at any speed, on any trail, and enjoy it just as
much either way. But those few times where the horse, the trail, the
day, the luck, all converged with a 'first to finish' have been very
very special.)




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Replies
RE: [RC] re: 100 milers...speed vs. tradition, StephTeeter