Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I really really really don't want to fan the 'is it endurance?'  
flames, but ...

>>OK, call me an endurance snob, but this irks the crap out of me.  
Now "Endurance" is 12 to 22 miles???? The MOST you can do is 22  
miles?   I think I was the only one to comment when the  British Pony  
Club decided to recognize endurance and I was happy they did it, but  
they need to call this "hacking" or something>>

Angie's comment is from the perspective of a 'real endurance rider' -  
somebody who knows that there is a big difference in a 10 mile ride  
and a 25 mile ride, and a 50 mile ride, and a 100 mile ride. Somebody  
who has experienced the difference. No doubt the farther you go, the  
more demanding it is, and the tougher the horse and rider have to be,  
and the more importance has to be placed on training and preparation.

but...

from a 'sport' perspective, and a 'marketing' perspective, there is a  
great deal to be gained by being inclusive. Bringing everybody into  
the sport equals members, revenue, sustainability,etc.  And -then-  
people can sort themselves into the 'challenging' vs. 'not  
challenging' categories once they're doing The Sport.

if you look at other equestrian sports, and other endurance sports  
such as running and biking -  few make the distinction between  
'endurance' and 'not endurance' based upon the number of miles that  
any given event offers. It's more typically sorted out by 'ultra' or  
'training level' or 'novice'.  But it's generally the same sport name.

I personally feel that we could gain a lot by removing the  
distinction from our vocabulary in the general sense, and then using  
it (the distinction) sparingly in the more specific sense. (e.g.  
calling LD 'training level' or 'introductory' level divisions of  
equestrian endurance).

Steph




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