Re: Pulled at the finish and ego, etc.

Luke Steele (luke.steele@fujitsu.com.au)
Mon, 9 Dec 96 12:27:29 EST

In Australia there is a type of endurance ride called 'Elevated' or
'Graduated'. The competitor enters for the maximum distance of the ride (100
km or more), but has the option to retire after a successful vet check at 80
km or greater. The horse and rider are credited with distance only, no
points are credited for annual high point awards. If the rider chooses to
continue at the 80 km or greater checkpoint and subsequently vets out, the
earlier distance is forfeited.
In the ride on which I originally posted, there were options at 80 and 115
km, distance only and the maximum distance was 160 km. Had I chosen to
continue after the 115 km mark and vetted out, the 115 km I had completed
successfully would have been forfeited. As I did retire at 115 km my points
were forfeited, but we retained the 115 km distance credit.
The elevated ride concept was introduced to encourage riders to attempt the
greater distances, with an 'easy' option of earlier retirement (at least 80
km) and retain the distance credit. A lot of riders ride for distance only,
and are happy to be able to retire from the event when they feel they or the
horse have had enough, and still gain a worthwhile addition to their career
distance total.
The elevated ride option applies only to a few rides in the calendar. In
Victoria it applied to 2 rides of 120 km and one of 160 km. There were 20
rides on the calendar this year.
Hope this is of interest to the list.
Regards,

Luke Steele
luke.steele@fujitsu.com.au