Events
Groups
Rider Directory
Market
RideCamp
Stuff
I recently worked a ride. The RM brought a home scale for the
weigh-in. We asked for all tack (saddle, pads, bridle, breastcollar,
etc.) and all rider gear (helmet, coats, chaps, etc.) used at the
start. This included anything that hung on rider or horse - packs,
waterbottles, sponges, easy boots (unless now on the foot). Food and
water consumed were considered still on the scale - we joked about
weighing in before hitting the latrine. This was a low stress,
friendly ride so we didn't get all worked up about every little
ounce. Plus I had a hellacious time reading the scale - it wasn't
digital - so it wouldn't have mattered. And it was hard for some
people to stand there on the scale piled with all this gear!
At rides managed by this RM weight division is declared for each
ride. So if you are borderline, you can bump up in winter or down in
summer according to gear. Hopefully you are not carrying so much
dead weight that your division will change just with warmer clothes.
At this last ride we discussed if it is better to err up or down a
weight division. It would be much better to say you are lighter than
you are. That way you penalize yourself by competing against
lighter riders rather than competing unfairly against heavier
riders. See, women had it right all along! Never tell your real
weight!
These are the comments and experiences of a rookie. Maybe you will
get better help from the "old hands".
Linnea
****************************************************
Linnea G. Skoglund, Ph.D.
Dept. Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
970.491.6950
970.491.3862 (fax)
skoglund@lamar.colostate.edu
****************************************************
Events
Groups
Rider Directory
Market
RideCamp
Stuff