Re: ridecamp-d Digest V98 #988 "Is this what Y'all think?"

["Wolgram" <bkwranch@cmn.net>]

I'm not an AERCmember but I have done five LD rides in the last two years,
and it is my opinion that LD should never be a "race to win"....I don't
really consider the distance "introductory" like I do the fun rides, but I
consider the limited distance a training distance for both the horse and
the rider.  I personally don't like to see top ten finishes given as I
think that encourages the racing; I'd personally like to see something like
top 5 best condition or the top 10% LD best condition regardless of time
(or maybe within a certain minimum time, although it is my understanding
that, say, a horse and rider who come in before me, should get more points
on BC, all other things being considered too with the vet judges)...in
other words I don't feel that a horse that comes in dead last but before
the maximum time should best condition ahead of a horse who comes in a lot
sooner and is in as good or better condition...
I don't think that times should be published for LD but I know personally
that I like to know my time just so I can see if I improved my time on that
ride but every time I have asked they have told me.