ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Gate into holds...

Re: Gate into holds...

RUN4BEAR@aol.com
Thu, 29 May 1997 09:52:09 -0400 (EDT)

In a message dated 97-05-28 23:34:27 EDT, you write:

<< One thing I forget to mention in my ride report about Camp Far West.

The way they ran the vet checks.

You came in, were given a time and had a half an hour to vet in. You vetted
and P&R'd at the same time. Your hold time started from when you came in
and were given a time, NOT when your horse met criteria. Also, the last
'out' vet check on this ride had pulse criteria at 68. I think that along
with the 1/2 hour to come down at the lunch vet check allowed it to be a
real race.

On other rides I've done, we come into the vet check and first thing we get
our horses P&R'd. As soon as our horses pulse reaches 60 (standard for most
rides around here), you get your 'time'. That is when your hold time
starts. Then you have your hour hold time to vet in.

It seems to me that it is much more fair to the horse to get his full break
after s/he reaches criteria. What do the rest of you think? As far as I
know, this is the first ride I've done that I remember them doing it this
way.

I think this type of system allows the horses to be run too hard and doesn't
allow the horses with the best recoveries an advantage, which they have
earned by arriving at the ride better prepared/conditioned. Is there a
reason why all AERC rides are not done the same way?

Happy Trails,

Karen
& Weaver 700 miles :)
& Rocky 100 miles :-)

>>

Somebody goofed in my book. The way you describe it, they did NOT use a gate
into a hold. Most rides do for the very reason you state. A straight hold
after arrival is unfair and give the "good" recoverer an advantage on time,
but hurts in the long run since that horse will have less rest/eating time.
I haven't been to a ride in ten yeard that did anything BUT a true gate into
a hold.

Teddy

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