ridecamp@endurance.net: Respect

Respect

Victoria A Thompson (toriandsteve@juno.com)
Sun, 28 Sep 1997 13:32:23 -0700

I don't know how much weight this is going to carry, especially since my
endurance experience is much heavier on the crewing side than the riding
side; but here goes. I always ask my riders how they plan on riding
their race and where they hope to place - and I will say this with all
due respect for every type of endurance enthusiast out there - I have a
great deal more respect for those riders that tell me they only want to
do as much as their horse is willing to give them on that day than those
riders who respond with a "top 10". I like to think I give the best care
I possibly can to all my horse and rider teams, but, while I love to see
my team top 10, I take a great deal more pride in the ones that come in
dead last happy and healthy than the ones that come in top 10 totally
fizzled out. Of course, the very best is when they come in top 10 and
healthy and happy (re. Suz and Kooter at Tevis).

All this banter about weight and handicapping and fairness just sort of
rubs me the wrong way. If you're so concerned that the amount of weight
your horse is carrying is preventing you from winning, go on a diet; and
don't ever ask me to crew for you because I've pretty much stopped
helping people with the attitude that winning is the only thing. Type A
personalities belong on football fields and tennis courts, not where
animals are depending on you to keep them healthy. Weight alone is not
the limiting factor in endurance riding. Training, education, and savvy
can overcome any obstacle.

Just my .03 (inflation, you know!).

Tori

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