RE: [RC] The Meaning of Endurance Riding - CarolLHorne
Some thoughts...
will the rest of the world eventually be
more like the US? as their riders mature, their experience grows? Will they
value the horse and rider that log thousands of miles as much, or more than the
horse and rider that win championships? Will they compete less and complete
more?
or will we eventually change? as our next
generation of riders grows up with a more global view of the sport
and perhaps set their sites on International competition, championship
victories? or will our sport split, into Endurance Riding and Endurance Racing ?
Are they compatible? AERC seems to try to embrace both styles - awarding high
point riders and horses as well as high mileage and career achievements. is this
sustainable?
thoughts? It would especially be fun to hear
from some new folks out there -
My opinion -
I don't know what the rest of the world will
do. I do know that I had hopes/dreams of maybe competing in an FEI ride
someday.....who doesn't dream....but with the cost of the entrance fees,
passports, this fee and that fee it is unobtainable for me. I will have to
stick with AERC, which is just fine with me. I have been riding off an on
for several years in between having my two daughters. AERC allows me to get my
competitive side out. It is my passion. I may never compete in a
hundred mile ride....but it's like a carrot to a mule...it keeps me going
trying, hoping and dreaming of eventually completing a 100 mile ride and finally
being able to call myself a 100 miler. I would rather be called a 100
miler then a Champion Show "whatever". I love Trail riding and I am able
to pass it on to my children. You can't do that with showing, you can't do
it together for hours at a time, laughing and joking and learning
together. I was able to share with my oldest daughter her first 25 mile
ride this past year and we have goals of many rides this year and hopefully our
first 50 in a few months.
I have not been to a ride held at the same
time with FEI, so at this time I can't compare and give an opinion.
I hope AERC can grow and expand to be able
to support everyone and keep everyone happy. I enjoy things just as they
are, but everything must grow and to grow things need to change
also.
