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[RC] Trail trash tirade, with apologies - MarineraSomeone wrote to Ridecamp...The LD crowd are some of the nicest folks to meet, and the attitude of some of these high-and-mighty 50 folks (many of whom probably haven't completed a 100) regarding the presence of LD riders is surprising. As a matter of fact, the behavior of some of the 50+ mile riders I've encountered on the trail has done more to steer me away from this sport than a bad day on the horse could ever do. This really gets to me and I know it has been hashed and rehashed ad infinitum and we are all sick of the subject so I hope not to extend it too much. The L D’ers who feel they are looked down upon, who seem to find that all “high and mighty" 50 and 100 milers are rude are going to have to start naming names because I do not know to whom they are referring and I really want to know. Trail Trash Kathy Copeland, who never rides anything except L D’s is one of the most knowledgeable horsewomen I know. Why? Because that is her choice. In spite of her lesser mileage, she is very highly respected. Trail Trash Barbara White, with 28 Tevis Cup buckles in a drawer someplace, rode an L D last weekend and is going on another LD in two weeks. Why? She doesn’t have a higher mileage horse at the moment and she loves the LD rides. I find it interesting that Trail Trash John Crandell, who is probably one of the best riders our sport has ever produced, did not feel demeaned by riding L Ds each of the last few years which are the years when he was also winning Tevis, Old Dominion and a National Championship. Trail Trash Becky Hart, three time World champion endurance rider, was actually seen on an LD ride a few years ago. As was Valerie Kanavy, two time World Champion, so I guess that makes her Trail Trash. I know all these people personally. I do not think there is a snobbish, “I am better than you because I've ridden further” bone in their collective bodies. The majority of L D riders are nice people. Some, however, seem to have imagined insults problems that I believe occur only very rarely. Next time the accusation is made, I want to know the names of the offenders. If you don’t know the names, get the numbers off the horses' butts. I will track them down. I heard a good quote the other day I really like. I do not know the origin. “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It is about learning to dance in the rain.” We need more dancers. Julie Suhr P.S. And I am tired of the Welfare of the Horse Committee and the Protest and Grievance Committee being nefariously accused of misconduct, failure to perform, cover up and worse. I see them as dedicated and hard working voices of our horses. ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
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