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[RC] Re:Steph's post on Int'l level competition - Ridecamp GuestPlease Reply to: Mary Howell mkhowell@xxxxxxxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ========================================== Steph, thanks for your summary on the state of international endurance! I appreciate your helping us stuck in the States learn what our sport is like in other countries. Your recent description of crossing the surging Malaysian river in the pouring rain and pitch black dark made me feel as if I was there! (and stirred memories of the treacherous, rocky Shenandoah River at 1am on the OD100 ) I applaud the diversity of our sport in other countries, including the 7 hour ride times common in the Middle East, and have personally experienced the extremes in finish times: from a 4 hour 50 -- to needing all but 17 minutes of the 12+ hour allotted time for a challenging 55 miler in Virginia mountains. It was nearly 3 am when we crossed the finish on our first OD100 (an exceptionally hot, humid day), but Shiloh has also zoomed through a fast, flat 100 in 10 hours. Which did I like more? The shorter rides are a bit easier on the rider and crew but the best memories seem to come from the longer rides. Classic endurance, to my way of thinking, is a partnership between the rider and horse that involves a good bit of thinking and smart decision making, whether the trail is fast or technical. I was very upset last sumer that the "13 hour rule" robbed my friends at Pine Tree from having that ride count for international credit. I don't disagree that there should be some form of speed eligibility requirement, but this cannot be arbitrarily the same # of hours for all trails and all conditions. I'm no expert on the evolution of rules other sports, but I'm sure they also had some degree of trial and error as they evolved. I do think endurance is progressing as a sport. And, for the time being, its still a sport in which an average ordinary person, maybe even one with a full-time career and family, can have a chance at top level competition. Getting to rub elbows with my heroes and their great horses has been one of my favorite things about endurance. Best wishes to everyone aiming for Aachen! Mary Howell in SE Virginia =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 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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