Limited Distance
SlowRyder@aol.com
Tue, 28 Jan 1997 23:14:21 -0500 (EST)
What is wrong with admitting or stating that horse/rider teams that compete
at the 100 mile distance are accomplishing more that horse/rider teams that
compete at the 25 mile distance or even the 50 mile distance. A successful
100 mile horses has succeeded at the ultimate challenge in this sport and
should be acknowledged as doing so. No one will ever convince me that
completing a 100 miles in one day is equivilent to completing 25 miles. I've
done both and it takes a special horse and a lot more preparation to get
through a 100 miles. Life isn't fair...if you ride limited distance because
of family obligations, because your horse is only capable of completing that
distance or by choice you should be acknowleged for what you have
accomplished but you are NOT competing at the highest level in endurance.
I would also like to mention that when a ride manager allows 50 milers
to vet in front of 25s it is usually because the 25 is being run as a
training ride and the 50 is being run as a race where time is a factor.
Unless you want ride managers to charge more for limited distance entries so
25s can have their own vet I think that limited distance riders should allow
50s to vet first. If you are there only to condition what does it matter if
you are held up a few more minutes?