Re: Limited Distance Program

[Maggie Mieske <mmieske@netonecom.net>]

Though I am still fairly new at this, my impression for my area is that the LD is
still kinda new around here.  I came in the middle of the season and I think there
were only 2 offered in Michigan though there were a couple others offered earlier in
the year that I didn't make.  I don't know how the changes will affect how many LD
rides there are next year...I hope there are more.  I think my horse benefited by
starting out in ctr and then having the opportunity to go to some rides where we did
a 25 ctr on Saturday and then a 25 LD on Sunday... I believe his performance truly
improved... only problem was that after he had a taste of the LD, he really had a
problem when I tried to pace him for subsequent ctr's.  He now wants to go and I know
we will have to do a 50 again and he is probably going to be way ahead of me.... but
I think the people up here like the LD's... the guy who finished in front of me came
from out of state (IL or IN?) and I think he was a "career" LD rider.  He was a nice
guy and his horse did a great job... he was helpful with advice and told me as time
went on, my horse, too, would learn to come down and relax (I think his came down in
like 1 or 2 minutes!).  Anyway, I agree with you and Leigh...
Maggie

Truman Prevatt wrote:

> Leigh's observation is a good picture of the situtation in the SE region.  The SE
> has had several years of experience with placement in LD's and several years with
> the 60 pulse to finish.  What we have found is while some people race for the
> most part the average speed for the winners of the 50 are faster than the average
> speed for the winner of the LD.  We have not seen the problems "problems with
> racing 25" that many people seem to fear.
>
> What we have found in SERA is by the inclusion of the LD riders as part of our
> family, everybody has benefited.  While not everyone in the SE is happy with the
> BC policy for LD SERA set several years ago, it too has worked out quite well.
> So based on our experience I don't think the changes in the LD program is an
> indication of the apocalypse.
>
> Truman
>
> Leigh331@aol.com wrote:
>
> >
> > over 7 hours, so she raced the whole thing also. The greatest majority of LD
> > people trot, trot, trot. I have consistantly placed "middle of the pack" for 6
> > yrs. Most others do also. Racing in the SE LD rides is really not much of a
> > problem. The winner of the Carolina 30 this year did the ride in close to 3
> > hours.
> > Leigh