ridecamp@endurance.net: LD RACES???

LD RACES???

RUN4BEAR@aol.com
Tue, 10 Jun 1997 20:36:09 -0400 (EDT)

In a message dated 97-06-10 18:06:33 EDT, you write:

<< On another note: It is this negative attitude and the RACE mentality,
which has discouraged me from continuing on in endurance. It was very
different 10 years ago and I enjoyed the rides. Now it has become so
competitive that I see more and more people abusing their animals and
each other. It is obviously my choice not to participate, but I have
also heard many others complain about this shift in attitudes and
their unwillingness to continue participating in the sport. >>

I'm with you....I've been an AERC member for almost 25 years and seen the
changes. Remember the days when there was NO limited distance? I learned on
long judge pleasure rides and CTR's. I BECAME a rider and horseman.

Now, we have 25 mile RACES??? Hey, don't tell me AERC says they are NOT
races, cause everybody (well many) treats them as such. We let LD riders in
'cause they don't want to LEARN by doing NATRC or ECTRA or UMECRA. We say we
need them to help pay the bills. Hell, WHO paid them BEFORE LD rides?

I am not aginst LD, I am against HORSE ABUSE. I see it at EVERY ride I go
to. And, mostly by LD riders. There are GOOD LD riders and bad just as there
are GOOD 50/100 mile riders and BAD. But the BAD 50/100 mile rider's horse
gets pulled or does not last. The LD horse that is pushed TOO FAST TOO SOON
often never sees a 50 or is the very horse that is treated on his first or
second 50.

Just as we say a 100 miler is like 3 times a 50, a 50 is like 3 times a 25.
A 'hole 'nother ball game.

I say, keep LD, but put a minimum time for completion...say 4 hours
(dependant on terrain? or is that asking too much?). It is a RARE horse/rider
who is not ready for 50 but IS ready for 8 to 10 mph. If you MUST RACE...go
to the racetrack or join the UAE Marathon team.

My $.02 worth and sure to open another can of worms. But since I will be
gone for ten days, I'll let all of you fight it out.

Teddy

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