Re: Cash Prizes

VMAXEPT@aol.com
Wed, 4 Dec 1996 22:48:01 -0500

A great point paper Bob (Morris).
Yes AERC and some ctr rides ECTRA have been offeing great awards for
years... and yes riders have tried to cheat..most of them are gone.
The great horses ridden by the great riders will do well no matter the
reward. but why not a prize for the best that day.
As Bob said some riders wont go to a ride because it gives no awards or
crummy awards. I liked the bare-bones rides.. lower cost.
As long as the vetting is proper and done without concern about the finish or
who the rider may be, the sport will be protected.
Case in point WEG, the vets took out some VIP riders because the HORSE was
done, who cares where they came from. The vets did their job. No horse was in
major trouble but one and he is ok.
Look at the 3 day at the Olympics, talk about money. The horses ran well none
hurt and only few were treated. Two riders were tossed out for excessive
treatment at a fence..
We do have the contols in place to prevent horse abuse from the paid rabbit
rider.
We have better contols than anyother Racing sport (horse).

About the only thing I would do at a big 'prize' ride is durg test ALL the
horses before during and after the race. AT least TELL all the riders I was
going to do the testing.
It will hamper the questionable riders.

So let it go on. If the riders will support this type of ride then it is
where they want the sport to be. There may be two types of rides .those that
give no awards (Tee Shirt?) and the money or large prize rides. Let the
riders choose.

Roger R