Endurance rides are many things to many people. One of these things
is a race, and they have been races since before the AERC was even
organized. As you admitted in your own second paragraph, those who
wish to race can race, those who seek to test themselves and their
horse against the trail can do that, and those with still other goals
can pursue those.
Why race if you're in 17th place and moving up to first is
impossible? Many reasons. AERC rides have five divisions; maybe
you're racing for first (or bonus points) in your division. Maybe
you're just trying to finish as high up as you can. Maybe you are
just trying to beat one particular rider, out of a friendly (or even
unfriendly) rivalry.
It is not for us to judge or condemn another rider for racing,
whatever his position and whatever his motivation, as long as he
does not hurt his horse.
Besides, the situation at the gate could just as easily have happened
to the front runners. It was a legitimate question.
For the record, I believe that although the first group was under no
obligation to leave the gate open for the following riders, as long
as they were within a few seconds of arriving it was good courtesy
and sportsmanship to leave it open for them -- and for the second
group to close it. If the second group actually complained about
having to close the gate, when the first group could have just shut
it in their faces, then I believe they were exhibiting bad
sportsmanship.
-----original message follows---------
> From: rsantana@rsantana.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
> Mike,
> I see that your are a vet. I have to disagree with you and find it
> disturbing that you say riders are in a race when they are in 17th
> place! Endurance horse sport was never meant to be a race! It originated
> as a challenge to horse and rider. It is the riders who have turned it
> into a race. And there is still only one first place (winner) position!
> What good could possibly be served by racing in from 14th or 17th place?
> You're not going to make it to first place with only 5-6 miles to go.
> Why stress the horse that much? Save him for anther day when first may
> be in the sight.
> The AERC went through this whole "to finish is to win"
> versus "the race" thing only a few years ago. The points made at that
> time was that we ride for our own reasons, be it challenge of the trail
> or to seek personal glory (the horse doesn't have an opinion here). One
> group should not diminish the other's reasons for participating in
> endurance. The racers felt the finishers were challenging their right to
> race and win. The finishers felt the sport was becoming too race
> oriented and the rides were putting emphasis on the win. I personally
> find endurance riding fun, a great way to ride trails I never would
> ride, and challenging for me and my horses.
>
> Ray Santana
> University of California at Davis
> Medical Center
>
--Joe Long "There are more things in Heaven PC/LAN Manager and Earth, Horatio, than are Calhoun Community College dreampt of in your philosophy." jlong@hiwaay.net (Shakespeare)