Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

man, don't ever change your subscribed reply-to address!

> From: Lynne Glazer <lynne@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: June 21, 2006 10:06:53 AM PDT
> To: LSimoni197@xxxxxxx
> Cc: johnt@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, Ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [RC]   USEF, Tom Johnson & damaging speculation.
>
>
> On Jun 21, 2006, at 9:19 AM, LSimoni197@xxxxxxx wrote:
>
> > John,
> >
> > I most definitely appreciate your and Steph's efforts to keep us  
> > informed on what is happening in the International area of Endurance.
>
> IMO, international endurance is a different "sport".  Much  
> different than our derivative from the original format such as  
> multi-days and LD.  We can only have so much "influence" on that,  
> as despite our origination and dominance in its early days, it will  
> continue to evolve into something "else".
>
> > My opinion is that AERC should have stepped up years ago to keep  
> > more control over our sport, even in the International arena.
> > In the earlier days of AERC, many of the members became devoted to  
> > our sport because it was not like or affiliated with "show  
> > politics and superficial extras."  In fact, the best horse could  
> > "win" because he was the best, without being judged by individuals  
> > who may have personal prejudices.  The finish line was the judge.  
> > Many individuals were able to compete in AERC events without  
> > needing to buy the saddle, the silver, the trainer, the clothing,  
> > the fancy trailer, or even the fancy well bred horse.  Any rider  
> > could succeed with a good horse and the dedication to condition it  
> > well and learn all they could.
> > People who could not afford the show circuit could afford  
> > endurance, and be winners as well.
> > I am personally sad to see the changes.
>
> International competition is never going to be affordable on the  
> basis that individual competition is at our AERC rides.  We *still*  
> have a sport *here* where a first place or BC finisher needs  
> nothing special in trailer/saddle/trainer/clothing/breeding,  
> Lynge!  A lot of sacrifice and expense is required by the  
> individual with world competition aspirations.  I've watched  
> Carolyn Hock's progress over the last several years--work, family  
> sacrifices--and even getting a bigger trailer so that she could  
> make it to those faraway demonstration rides and required clinics,  
> etc.  And this year despite great performances, she did not make it  
> onto the team or alternate list.
>
> As far as being competitive or not, Barbara--you certainly  
> understand that people that race are competitive--you see that at  
> your own ride, those who ride to race and those who ride to  
> complete, and in that latter subset trying to achieve their own  
> personal goals that day, whether that is better metabolics, happier  
> horse, less rider discomfort through gear changes, whatever.  I am  
> "not competitive" either but enjoy my horse's increased expertise  
> and confidence, and our melding even further into a partnership  
> through the miles.  I do not begrudge those who ARE more  
> competitive their side of the sport, though caution them that this  
> is a sport run by volunteers in terms of their vet check attitudes,  
> but I digress.  When managing rides that had a money aspect, I saw  
> the change in the attitude of some of the participants--and imagine  
> that at the international level, that intensity and outside  
> scrutiny must be enormous.
>
> Re horse age:  I am concerned to see a 7 year old horse on the  
> team.  7 years old!  Doing 10 hour 100s!  I know the rider is very  
> experienced, but dang--that horse isn't done growing yet.  I am not  
> a fan of rules except to protect the horse--and wish we had a  
> minimum age for international competition, especially since we know  
> these are fast courses.
>
> Lynne


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=