Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

In response to:"AERC is trying to distance itself from the 
*concept* of racing. Longevity and lifetime mileage are worthy 
goals but both can easily be achieved in other organizations where 
absolute placing is not the criterion for an award. "

I'm speaking for myself here and not as a BoD member in saying 
that while I strongly support the concept of longevity and 
lifetime miles - I think racing is a fundamental part of our 
organization and should remain so.

Many of us are goal oriented - myself included.  Racing is one of 
those goals for some.  Even a person like myself in the bottom 
third of the finishers can still be thinking about who else is a 
MW and where am I placing with respect to them.  I pay attention 
to others in my wt division and use my horses strength in pulsing 
down quickly to gain time in vet checks.

So even us back of the pack riders can be "racing" to achieve our 
goals.  My horse's strengths are a low pull rate, reliability, and 
we ride a lot of miles each year together.

Take away "racing" and this sport would lose some of its interest 
for me and I think for a number of others.

There are a lot of others who simply like to ride new trails, see 
the countryside, and socialize with their friends.

There's room for all of us in this organization.

Mike






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