 |
[RC] Questions for Steph - FXLivestockSteph,Perhaps you can answer these questions as you are probably the most experieced US riders who has experienced endurance first hand around the world. 1. Do you know which other nations/countries that award cash as an award or reward riders with monetary compensation for where they place? Is this common place in other parts of the world besides the UAE? 2. Which National programs or national organizations have programs set up that recognize completion/longevity/mileage goals in similar ways as AERC? Also, which countries base their national program on a "racing" philosophy as oposed to a riding philosophy? As far as the new countries getting into endurance, are most basing their National programs on UAE style racing or incorporating a recognition program that promotes longevity and/or horse/rider teams? In other words, are National programs being set up only to facilitate a stepping stone for high level international racing? Also, how many nations have set up their national recognition programs to be parallel to the FEI philosophy and rules. For example, not recognizing a Top Ten but putting emphasis only on the first three placings? Emphasis on rider or horse not rider/horse team? 3. Also, does "technical" course in other nations really mean the same thing as "technical" course in the US? From what I have learned is that although many foreign courses may not be a flat, groomed, sand, track as in the UAE, many of the "natural" obstacles that we normally see in our rides would NEVER be used or allowed in an endurance race/ride in some other countries. 4. If UAE endurace style racing is not common, popular, or accepted in the rest of the world, why are we constantly bombarded with news, ride reports, articles, coverage etc. on UAE style racing. Just looking at the ridecamp archives, endurance tracks, world news, on Endurance.Net other than US news and stories from AERC riders the reports from the UAE dominate. Isn't understandable why ridecamp subscribers could have a skewed perception of endurance in the rest of the world if most of their information comes from endurance.net? Kim Fuess AERC #6648 ? "Assuming that big money has more power than the voices of AERC, just?why do we have to play this game at all?? Riding in foreign countries, riding with foreign riders, started out to be pleasant and a fun interaction with folks from other countries around the world.? When did it become derailed and morphed into what we are seeing now?? If AERC's philosophy of riding with protections for the horse cannot be imposed on USEF and FEI, I vote for pulling out completely and telling the rest of the world that this is not the game we want to play.? And I don't care if others think this is sour grapes.? We feel differently about our horses...they are friends and companions, not expendable machines.? Grump, grump... Oddly enough, I've been watching this game going south since 1987...little by little by little. ? Barbara ************** It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL Money & Finance. (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf00030000000001)
|