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Re: AERC completion time rule - feedback wanted



Hi Steph,

You raise an interesting point:  When does ride management have the
authority to grant completions to riders who fail to meet the
requirements of AERC Rule 6?  	(Note: Rules 5 & 6 are cited below for
your info.)

Instead of a new rule, you might turn to AERC Rule 6.1 for the answer:
"A competitor must pass all veterinarian criteria for completion; a
competitor who fails any of the other completion criteria [of Rule 6]
should be pulled from Top Ten placing but may be allowed a completion,
if in the opinion of ride management, the violation was not intentional
and did not result in making the course easier or shorter."

The last sentence is clear: "... if in the opinion of RIDE MANAGEMENT,
the violation was not intentional and did not result in making the
course easier or shorter. (Emphasis added.)"  The plain language of the
rule says the ride manager's authority is unilateral and not need any
other approvals.

I supose there are some who might argue that going over-time regardless
of the reason was an intentional act and therefore excluded from the
ride manager's authority.  However, this line of reasoning probably
doesn't pass logical muster.  I'll try to explain with an a few
examples.

At the recent Las Vegas Ride some of us stopped to assist MaryBen who
had broken her knee in a fall.  It took almost an hour to get her
stabilized, to splint her leg and to arrange transportaion to the
hospital.  Our INTENT there was to help a fellow rider, not to purposely
violate a rule.

Another example might be a ride using a trail for the first time. 
Suppose  this winter ride had eight hours of daylight.  Ride management
assumed that all riders would finish before dark.  Accordingly, ribbons
when put out at daytime seeing distances and no provisions for
glowsticks were made.  In mid-ride management realizes a few riders are
moving along at a 12 hour pace (which is their right under AERC Rule
5.2).  Management also realizes that because of the exceptionally rugged
terrain, it's too late to mark turns with glowsticks or ribbon the last
part of the trail for riding in darkness.  Many riders got lost in the
blackness but eventually found their way to the finish, cold and
hungery, but across the line.

These riders had the right to assume the trail will be reasonably marked
for low light conditions.  Ride management failed to meet these
expections.  Should they be penalized for a manager's error?  Rule 6.1
give ride managers the right to avoid such an unfair result.

I know that some might say that this could get way out of hand.  The
answer to that concern is that although this rule has been on the books
for a long time, it is seldom used.  Further, completions are filtered
though the ride manager's exclusive discretion.  If the ride manager
abuses her discretion, then the regional sanctioning director certainly
has the power to consider past acts in granted future approvals.  (Opps
I forgot, you now wear both hats!)  

Anyway, these are not official AERC policies, just my personal lunchtime
thoughts about your note.  Back to barn....

Ramey


Misc Quotes:

AERC Rule 5 states:  

5.	The ride must provide a specific amount of time (total competition
time) which will include all stops and holds, and within which
competitors must complete the ride to qualify for placing or completion.
	5.1 There may be no minimum time limit for completion.
	5.2 Total competition time will be according to the following
prescription: 6 hours for 25 miles, 12 hours for 50 miles, 24 hours for
100 miles, and other distances to be according to the chart in Appendix
A.
	5.3 Riding time is the time used by the competitors to complete the
course, excluding all hold times, and is the time used for AERC ride
results.
	5.4 There must be a pre-designated marked finish line perpendicular
across the trail.

AERC Rule 6 states:

Completion requires meeting all of the following criteria: 
	a. All riders and mounts must be present and accounted for at the start
of the  ride.
	b. Properly entered in the ride.
	 c. Obeying all the rules.
	d. Following the prescribed course, and doing multiple loops in the
correct order.
	e. Passing all control points.
	f. Passing vet check requirements
	g. Finishing within the prescribed maximum tine.
	h. Not being disqualified.
	i. Meeting criteria at post-finish-line check.
	j. Meeting any other criteria prescribed by ride management
	k. Not having been paced or prompted by an unentered, withdrawn, or
otherwise unauthorized equine, vehicle, or a person other than another
entrant. This does not preclude the ordinary support services of
attendants or pit crews. A crew may accompany their rider down a public
road in a support vehicle (unless there is a ride management prohibition
against it) provided they do not push or haze the equine.



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