ridecamp@endurance.net: RIDE MANAGER'S PHILOSOPHY

RIDE MANAGER'S PHILOSOPHY

Randy H Eiland (renegade12@juno.com)
Mon, 16 Jun 1997 13:41:28 -0700

The following is part of an article I wrote for the Ride Manger's Forum
in Endurance News when I chaired that Committee. After reading several
of the recent ridecamps in reference to "endurance rides", this seemed a
very timely article, once again. (The original article was written by
The Duck and was entitled, "RIDERS OF THE LOST DUCK...A PROPOSITION TO
REAL ENDURANCE RIDERS" )

"Perhaps this is the place to define how most Ride Manager's and
Endurance Riders view the sport. It is a challenge; each new obstacle is
something to overcome with individual initiative, not something for' Ride
Management to overcome for you'. Some Endurance Riders are not unlike
the young explorers of the early days who, as they floated down the great
rivers on their way west, were tempted into the many caves along the way
to "wrestle the bear". It would have been no sport to have wrestled the
bear if you were always guaranteed a happy ending....but if and when you
emerged from the cave, you had met the unknown and you had conquered it.
Some caves contained two bears for added enjoyment.

The Duck and most Ride Manager's, being old bear wrestlers themselves,
believe that 'management exists to offer you a challenge, not to help you
thru every possible obstacle'. Many Endurance Riders today compete only
to race their machines: they don't want surprises. They prepare their
mounts and themselves beforehand and they want a guarantee that the event
will be predictably exact. Due to the magnitude of most Endurance Rides,
and the peculiar nature of Ride Managers and their attitudes toward life
in general, Endurance Rides are usually short on guarantees and niceties.
The barest essentials need only be provided; cave, one or more bears,
freedom to succeed, more freedom to fail, awards on exit. The trail will
be well marked........

Naturally, we will have a qualified veterinarian. In fact, he was the
most qualified Vet we could find...and he will attempt to advise you on
getting your horse safely thru the ride, but he doesn't have the faintest
idea how to bring an overused and abused horse back to life. He will do
everything in his power to help you, But your horse's safety and welfare
depend upon you alone!

There you have it, not only a Proposition to Real Endurance Riders, but a
Proposition for the Way Real Endurance Rides Should be Approached."

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