Re: AERC completion time rule - feedback wanted

["Kathy Myers" <kathy@nvolve.com>]

Hello everyone!

Haven't quite caught up here, but I already have opinions
too.  First, if you look back in the archives, you'll notice
that *I personally* had to be set straight about the ride
time rules.  That vetchecks are included in the total 12
hour cut offs for 50's.  Somewhere back there I did post
a summary.  And, once I understood the rules and they
made sense to me, that was fine.  I can live with the game
as long as the rules are there and equal for everyone.
Also, someone pointed out that in fact the holds are part
of the total ride time since the horse is resting.  If you
think about it, it makes a lot of sense.

Things that bother me:

Seeing ride times in Endurance News that are 11:59... what?
NO VET CHECK?  HA!  Newbies at rides that post a max ride
time of 10:19 because of an hour and 40 minutes of vet
checks are going to feel cheated.  I'm not a newbie and I
feel cheated.

People who don't allow for extenuating circumstances.  I mean,
like, if I've paid $1500 in entry fees and horse rental and
travel expenses and buckle hope and then I need to help pick
a rider and horse up off the trail or someone with ride management
*tells* me to take the wrong trail! or there's a huge line
at a vet check because sh*t happens and I lose two hours and
still finish only 15 minutes late and it's no skin off anyone's
nose then I'd really like to see my name in Endurance News and
wear that buckle.  Especially if the horse is in the same shape
as when I picked him up.

My Opinions:

I don't mind rules as long as they apply to everyone equally.

I don't mind being told I don't get my buckle or completion
at Tevis because no one over time did.

If I can hobble along on a 50 on an old broken down TB ex-racer
in 11 hours total time even after getting off the trail TWICE
then geez, what is anyone with an Arab complaining about anyways?

If I decide to ride a broken down TB ex-racer and I can't make
50 miles in 12 hours and I don't go out and pay $2500 for an
Arab that has already done 50's in 7 hours total time that'll
save me $5000 a year in horse care expenses then what do *I*
have to complain about?

If I know to look for ribbons and I miss one that's right
there (3 actually) and I have a ridemap and the sun is shining
and I'm over 6 hours for 25 miles, or 12 hours for 50 miles,
or 24 hours for 100 miles, then what do I have to complain about?

I like tough rides.  If we only make Robinson flat the first
year than maybe that's worth $1500.  Cheeper than some universities
and a lot more fun.

Steph, I like what you are thinking of.  We need to look at the
history of the sport and remember where the rules came from
before we change anything.  If the current rules as they stand
*can* take care of your ideas, then IMHO there is not a need
to suggest changes.

Dear AERC reps, ride managers, friends and neighbors:  Don't
fudge the rules.  Period.  Decide what they are going to be
and stick to them.  Thanks.

delete soapbox;
commit;

:) - kat myers
in San Mateo (No.) Ca. with Magnum the TB ex-racer
"Where did all the buckles go?  Long time passing..."