ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: #1(2) endurance-digest V1...

Re: #1(2) endurance-digest V1...

Sweau@aol.com
Wed, 12 Jul 1995 22:45:55 -0400

We had no problems with the 25 mile limited distance concept of placing at
the Swan Creek Ride (first 25 miler I've ridden in over 3 years - my daughter
was riding her first ride and I wanted to go with her, so I opted out of the
50). ANyway, Dr. Jeff Adams and Dr. Rae Birr had placement sheets for each
of us who finished the 25 mile limited distance endurance ride and we were
judged on weight carried, finishing time, P&R parameters met, etc.
Everything was taken into consideration on an AERC Best Condition Evaluation
Sheet. That way, everyone saw where they were as far as scores, etc. I
finished 4th across the line, but 2nd overall due to the condition of the
horse, weight carried, vs other riders, etc. We thought it was a great way
to present the 25 mile rides, since we have so few of them in UMECRA
(Michigan especially). We want to continue 25 mile rides here to help bring
on new horses, riders, etc. and we felt that the way this particular ride was
scored, it encouraged intelligent riding and not racing for 25 miles. The
concept of scoring was explained at the rider's meeting on Saturday night and
no one was uninformed of how they would be scored if they chose to run their
horses 25 miles the next morning. I heartily support this way of "judging"
25 mile rides and applaud the ride management (Jeff and Julie Abrams) for not
rewarding "first across the line". They awarded based on the BC sheets ONLY.
Junior riders were a little put out because of the weight differential, but
maybe AERC would like to look at a junior category scored the same way. Any
thoughts??

Linda Sherrill
Justus Arabians
...dedicated to the Davenport Arabian...