When I see finishing times for a 25 mile
ride under 3 hours and a little over 3 hours for a 30 mile ride, this tells me
that there is not a time constraint to condition enough for a longer
distance. Basically, what it really comes down to is a difference in
philosophy within the sport. Some riders think of an LD as just an
endurance ride that is just a shorter distance. Others think of LD as a
"training/conditioning" ride or a distance to ride because of a variety of
reasons ranging from their own limitations to their horse's limitations -
temporary or permanent. I just think it is just an interesting
commentary in regards to the direction this sport is taking when you
see 50 to 60 horses entered in LD and only 20-30 entered in the 50. When I
look at completion times it is quite obvious to me that many of those LD horses
would be capable of completing a 50 mile ride. From the completion times,
they are certainly not using these rides as novice or
training rides to move up but using them as competitive
events. I guess my point is that for many it is a choice to
stay in the LD division. No amount of "cheerleading" and "pep talks"
are going to inspire these riders to move up. Excuses for not having
enough time are just excuses. For those that want to move up,
they will make time to condition and/or they will choose to ride a 10-12
hour 50 as opposed to choosing to ride a faster
25. Don't think I am bashing LDs with this post. I
pretty much see the same thing with the 50 mile/100 mile events. I would
say that most riders make the choice to stay at the 50 mile level even thought
their horses may be capable to complete a 100. The only difference
between the move from 25/50 and 50/100 is that there are probably fewer 50 mile
horses capable of moving up to the 100 mile distance than 25 mile horses who are
capable of completing 50 miles. The same comparison could probably
be made about the riders. The point is it is a choice most of the
time not a necessity.
Kim Fuess
AERC #6649
Well said Cindy. That is the point that I tried to make
earlier. It isn't about riding their legs off....but just getting
some time in and letting the ride itself be part of the conditioning. I am
a fair weather rider....I HATE cold weather...main reason I live in Alabama, and
then I still complain about cold. So, if I ride in the winter, it *might*
be one weekend or so along. The rest of the time, the ponies are doing
just that....resting. But once you have them in shape, go to a ride each
month or so, they will hold their conditioning. And I also work full time,
have a family, have to get Joni to Cross Country meets, take piano lessons
myself, and so does Joni, live on a working cattle farm with a hubby that is
responsible for ALL of that and driving a school bus, have aged parents living
down the road from us, a broken vertebra and two shot knees. IT CAN BE
DONE.
