RE: [AERCMembersForum] Re: [RC] 100 Mile One Day Rides - Jim Holland
Joe, I don’t think we NEED to fix it. I am all FOR the
extra points for a 100. As you pointed out, I would just like to see more
rides offer a distance between 50 and 100 to give riders a “smaller step”
and maybe find out more about their horse (and maybe themselves) without worrying
about a “crash and burn”. I can attest to the fact that failure
on that first 100, for whatever reason, is a somewhat traumatic experience, and
you lose a lot of confidence and wonder if you should try again. If I
could have more 75’s first, ( I did one…Hallelujah) I would have had
much more confidence, had the opportunity to learn more about my horse’s
capabilities, (and mine) and been a lot better prepared when I DID attempt that
first 100.
Jim, Sun of Dimanche+, and Mahada Magic
From:AERCMembersForum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:AERCMembersForum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Joe Long Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2005 12:23
PM To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; AERCMembersForum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [AERCMembersForum] Re:
[RC] 100 Mile One Day Rides
>Hmmmmm...T, I don't agree. I would like
to see MORE rides, especially if >that rides doesn't get enough participation in
a 100 or offer only a 50, >offer an "alternative" distance,
such as a 75 or 80, perhaps including an >elevator option. I see lots of advantages to a
75.
This is so true. I have long wondered why we
don't see more 75 mile rides, it is an excellent distance. I would rather
have done a 75 with Sanshra before attempting his first 100, but there were none
available for me to ride.
I wonder if it isn't partly a case of unintended
consequences? One of the good things the AERC did to try to promote 100 mile
rides (as well as recognize the level of achievement they represent) was to give
them a 50% bonus in points. But that makes a 100 mile ride worth so much more
in points than a 75, that maybe it's discouraging the 75's? Just a
thought, if that's true I don't know how to fix it.
