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[RC] LD: Whats in a name? - Jon . LindermanI love the LD debate that comes up right about the time people get lusty over year end awards, because its always about "fair".........geez what is fair? Since we don't like being labelled "limited" I am here to assert I don't like the label "heavy weight"? Perhaps the same lawyer who lectured us about LD treament being discrimminatory last year will help all us HW riders to file a class action suite for the same reason. Lets just stir up as much discord in an otherwise wonderful sport. I am amazed how many people pass along x-rays, oncology reports, and evaluations from neurologists as to why they are a bigger mess than everyone else. Half the humans trotting out are not fit to continue. I know full well that people I ride with have minor to major health issues: heart surgery, breast cancer, joint replacement, arthritis, jesus the list goes on..........so please don't assume that we are simply "lucky" and don't have issues you have. Not everyone who rides 50's & 100's is a childless self-made philanthropist in perfect health! Is it fair that there was a lovely well attended awards meeting for 25's a couple weeks ago, but a near empty camp when I finished in the dark, shirt sizes already picked thru?! To finish is to win. I finished so in my heart of hearts I won, I'm satisfied. Years back my horse did a 15 mile Novice CTR going home with ribbons for 1st, GC, and best of breed, as well as a bucket full of treats, clippers, etc. On our 1st 1 day 100 we got a 3rd place ribbon and a smile, not even a t-shirt. So guess which ride I a most proud of? Is it fair that someone gets 11th place in a ride where there are 100 starters while some hack like me gets 7th in a 100 with 9 starters? I mean afterall its "easier" to top-10 a 100, just find the ones no one goes to! BTW its also easier to get 1st HW and lets not forget its easier to win BC as a HW. So you will easily win and get BC, carting home a treasure trove of goofy t-shirts, buckets, coolers, porcelain trinkets, and of course AERC points if you simply drive to do a 100 no one else attends carrying more than 211 pounds. Oh, you might want to do a little bit to make sure your horse is ready to carry 211+ poounds for 12+ hours, but that should be a minor issue. Let me also say that sometimes when I have been riding I'll come upon a friend doing a 25 & they will make some comment about getting out of the way for a "real" endurance rider. I am quick to point out, no.........I am sharing the trails and the day just like them. I don't think I am entitled to more on the trail, in camp etc. Things aren't proportional to mileage. Its a sport where opportunities exist to do everything from bringing the old trail horse out for a 25 once or twice a year, to Ntl/Intl level competition. Ride the horse, thats what its about. Jon
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