ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Endurance Riding (under saddle-not in hand)

Re: Endurance Riding (under saddle-not in hand)

Truman Prevatt (truman.prevatt@netsrq.com)
Tue, 25 Mar 1997 11:18:43 -0400

>REPLY TO 03/25/97 02:31 FROM ridecamp@endurance.net: Endurance Riding (under
>saddle-not in hand)
>
>
>Bruce from Downunder
>Queenslander
>boverton@tgpi.com.au
> For a long time now I have been quite concerned that the sport of
>endurance RIDING is not being conducted on a level playing field. Some
>riders are consistently running beside their mount while others for many
>reasons never dismount during the ride. The sport is intended to be a test
>of the horses fitness together with the riders ability to RIDE in a manner
>to get the best from the horses ability.
> Over to all you endurance riders, young, old, crippled, experienced,
>beginners, male, female, sick, sorry, conditioned or just a good rider
>please chew over this and have your say.
>
>--------------

I have to disagree with the premise above. IMHO endurance riding is the
test of the horse and rider team to cover a set milage. It is a team
effort. Some people run with their horses, some tail up hills, some lead
their horses down hills - that is all part of the sport. If you chose to
stay on your horse then that is your choice. There are many reasons to
dismount, one being safty. I have ridden 100's where the trial had large
overhanding limbs. When you put my six for carcass on the top of a 16-2
horse I am a lot more sensetive to overhands than a 5 foot featherweight on
a 14 hand horse. In these areas I will get off and jog and walk after
dark.

Also some of us upper middle weight and heavyweight riders have to give our
horses a break because of the inherent disadvantage of weight. If the
playing field is not level it is the fact that a mandatory min weight of
say 175 to 185 pounds is not required. I pull this range out of my ear
since that seems to be about the average of all the riders (plus tack of
course).

Truman Prevatt
Sarasota, FL

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