Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Fastest time for the Biltmore 50 was 4:32.    Fastest time for the  
Draw I 25 was 2:48.  Malibu 55 was 7:04 and Malibu 25 was 4:06.    
Those are first place times.  A minimum time cap for new riders means  
that they are on notice that they should **not** be trying for a  
"win" on their first few rides.  It has no effect on anybody else.

Yes - there are first time riders on experienced horses that are  
capable of going fast.  Yes - there are first time riders who do  
their homework, and show up with exceptional, very fit horses capable  
of going fast.  Is it going to hurt them to do a few slower rides?   
The idea is to protect the horse when the rider **hasn't** done their  
homework.

Right now - all RMs and vets can do is to caution folks at the ride  
meeting, and talk to them at the vet checks.  As long as the horse  
meets criteria, and isn't lame, that is about it.  Being able to  
say:  "if you don't slow down, you are going to be DQ'd", gives them  
an additional tool - one that a rider bent on impressing everybody  
might even listen to.


On Nov 8, 2007, at 1:19 PM, sherman wrote:

> IMO, having minimal ride times that applied the same to all rides  
> would
> be meaningless due to the varied terrain of the different rides. It
> would also be a nightmare to have each ride set up with different
> minimal ride times to take terrain into account. I have to agree with
> Truman, this is not a huge national problem that needs a new set of
> rules to control inexperienced riders who don't take the time to  
> educate
> themselves or don't pay enough attention to their horse.
>
> The idea of a different colored vet card or even just a BIG  
> NOTATION on
> the card indicating new rider status would give the vets a prompt to
> talk a little more as they are examining the horse and tell the  
> rider to
> take it easier if they felt the rider was riding too fast for a new
> rider. OTOH, sometimes, first time riders are at rides with incredibly
> fit horses that have been loaned to them by trusting friends and they
> could easily continue on at a faster pace.
>
> Kathy

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