It is not up to us to decide what price to put on
each ride that a RM decides to do. It is RM's decision. And that is
how it should be. I have a sneaking suspicion that I am one of the longest
enduring distance rider around, my first was in 1970. I am still
going. I go to a ride based on how much it costs me to get there, will the
old motor home make it, do I like the trail, and will it be marked well enough
that I won't get lost. I have no desire to do 50s anymore, I have no
desire to play the comp game, I do enjoy the LDs. I can get thru them and
not hurt so very much. I am still part of the gang, I still ride the
trails I love, I still get to visit old friends and make new ones, and if the
Fat Pony is up to it I can still WA HOO on trail. I can still sneak out
and do surprise vet checks on the comp riders (they hate me), and of course I
can eat Ben and Jerry's when I am done. It just doesn't get any better
than that. And above all, I met Truman in MI a couple of years ago, he is
really a very nice guy who takes great care of his horse. His wife is nice
too. In fact I have met very few bad apples in this sport and for the most
part I have met nothing but nice folks on trail. I will admit I have no
fear of telling someone if I think they should wait while my horse drinks, I am
just not very quiet anymore when it comes to my horse's care. I can hear
it now "jeanie, you have NEVER been quiet!" Well I have always said,
endurance riding, competitive riding, distance riding, LD riding, whatever one
wants to call it, it is supposed to be FUN, bottom line. Above all, I
don't care what I get when I am done. In fact, I don't stand for BC when I
do LD cause I think it is meaningless. But if a newbie or someone has been
around for awhile and is doing LD, I tell them to stand for BC for the
experience. I don't pay what 50s pay when I do LD, I am glad I don't have
to. I am guessing that I would pay the same if I had to. But then I
might not go to as many rides either. It is a moot point. The one
putting on the ride, doing all the work, gets to choose what the cost will
be. Love it or leave it. Jeanie
