RE: AERC completion time rule - feedback wanted

[JERRY BARFIELD <barfield@primenet.com>]

Hello Heidi,
I hope people don't think that we are starting some kind of mutual admiration society, but I agree that any decently conditioned horse can make the current cut.  I might not take a hard line on LD as that should be a training ground where people learn what it is all about, but if you are going to do an ENDURANCE RIDE then do it.  If you and your horse are not ready to do a 50-do another LD-same when moving up to the 100.  Increasing time limits would also put an added burden on ride managers and they have enough problems as it is-we surely don't need to run any of them out of the game.

Jerry Barfield
Southwind Arabians

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From: 	CMKSAGEHIL[SMTP:CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]
Sent: 	Monday, January 12, 1998 2:12 PM
To: 	step@fsr.com
Subject: 	Re: AERC completion time rule - feedback wanted

Hi, Steph--

I personally have VERY STRONG feelings about the completion time rule.  I
think the current blind eye that is turned toward it is DEPLORABLE and that
the fact that AERC does not stick to its rules and DQ the riders who don't
make it in makes us a laughingstock at times.

As to extenuating circumstances, I feel sorry when bad things happen to good
people, but that is the breaks.  A rule such as you propose sounds nice, but
it is a foot in the door for a situation that is already, in my opinion, out
of hand.  12 hours to do a 50 is sufficient to walk and jog the whole thing,
given a horse with a decent walk (the most neglected gait of our endurance
horses, in my opinion), and likewise on 100's.  AERC already has a clause
where ride managers can postpone the ride for a day if there are acts of God,
intolerable weather, etc.--perhaps this should be used more.

I hope the time limit rule stays in place and that AERC somewhere gets the
guts to enforce it--otherwise, where is the challenge and what have we
completed?  We become just another long trail ride if there are no standards.
(Kinda like the dumbing down in the schools--poor Johnny is a nice kid, and
showed up for school every day, so sorry he was only able to earn 65%, but we
should pass him because he tried so hard....)  Nothing says ride managers
can't give completion awards and cudos to such folks, but please, no AERC
completion credit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Heidi

Heidi