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[RC] to finish is to win?or not??? - JonniI do understand what you are saying Kim, and I think that many riders at one time or another have got caught up in the "competition" either for coming in "fast" at a ride, or some sort of year end award or points, that they get blinded by what their horse is telling them, and they push it beyond its capabilities to try to reach that goal. But a statement of " Those that are going for a win, on a horse capable of a win, will typically pull their horse if it bonks--no need to punish a valuable horse that is having a bad day for whatever reason" seems to be saying that those who have a horse capable of "winning" a race value their animals more than those who just ride to finish. But I have found those who get blinders on to what their horse is telling them, either a "winner" or slow back of the pack rider don't value their horses any differently. If they are going to be competitive and push an animal, it does not matter...they will do it anyway. And those that listen to their horses, and pay attention to what it is telling them, and pull it if they feel it is just not right, even when they have a vet saying "the horse looks fine", usually do not have any kind of monetary value in mind for their horse when they pull. They value their horse as a partner on the trail, and the hopes it can go another day on said trail, at what ever pace they choose. Only some of the very high end riders, at international type rides might consider the value in terms of monetary, and not partner on the trail. But most of the riders I have met who do ride to win, who do race the big races, still think of the horse first as a partner, not a commodity. Lets face it. There is not much money to be gained in Endurance riding, unless you are selling horses overseas for big money. That is the big difference in TB flat track racing, and endurance. Our horses are not just a piece of equipment that is needed to try to earn some money for the owner. For most riders in endurance, the horse is more than that to them...and THAT you often can not put a price on. Jonni =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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