Although I don't agree with those that would like to see a de elevator ride, I have to say that this has been one of the most civil controversial discussions on ridecamp. I have learned a lot from reading the comments on the pro side of the discussion. But one of the flaws I see in the de elvator concept is that if a horse is pulled after a certain point because of a lameness or a metabolic problem the rider is still rewarded with some type of completion. The rider either made a judgement error in how he/she rode the race or he/she ran into a bit of bad luck. A de elevator actually takes away the safety net for the horse because the rider has the added confidence that he will get credit just in case he makes a judgement error in his horse's ability. When a rider chooses to continue on an elevator ride he is saying my horse is fit to continue to the next distance and I am so sure that I am willing to give up "credit" for what I have already completed to take this horse longer. In a de elevator - the rider wants a do over. He is basically saying I bet my horse could go 100 but for whatever reason he was only able to go 50 even though I thought he could go longer and I took him further then his capabilities that day so let me pretend I never left the last vet check because now I know he can't do a 100 today. Are you sure you want to start rewarding this? I know that the suggestions being made by members promoting a de elevator are only thinking about a rider that wants to try a longer distance, rides a smart and strategic ride, and for whatever reason has a bit of bad luck that day. His horse hits a rock and comes up lame....or the horse inadvertantly hits the wall and won't recover. But where is the horse's safeguard in a de elevator for the rider who decides it is worth the gamble or risk to run the *hit out of his horse that day because even if he can't make the 75 or 100 mile goal he can get miles or credit for what ever is completed. What about a rider who knows his horse isn't quite right at 50 miles but decides to go to the next vet check and then pull so he can get credit for the miles completed. If you don't buy the arguement that it is philosophically wrong to get credit for something that isn't completed successfully perhaps you might be able to recognize that this may not be in the horse's best interest. As I have said before, there are no guarantees in this sport that one will be successful at a particular ride or race at any distance. Riders need to be able to accept that concept without a carrot like mileage credit for miles ridden when a horse is pulled from that particular event and the distance entered is not completed successfully.
From: Ridecamp Guest
<guest-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [RC] De-Elevate
Please Reply to: Karen Nelson knelson4299@xxxxxxxxxxx
or=
ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
==========================================
Karen,
My understanding of the current Elevator rule is if
you decide to elevate you are riding for completion
only, you are not eligible for Top 10 or points.
Wouldn't your concerns be alleviated if the de-elevate
was for completion only?
Best Regards, Pete in TX
