ride completion time

[Carol Fisher <cfisher@sonic.net>]

I like Steph's proposal regarding extenuating circumstances, as
it gives ride managers reasonable guidelines for discretion and takes
away the aura of favoritism/unfairness when exceptions are made/not
made.

A few years ago I started Las Vacqueras with a friend but I got got very

sick with unbelievably painful stomach cramps about 5 miles into the
ride. I could barely move let alone ride but she hung with me until we
managed to get to a place where we connected with staff and they arrange

for me to be trucked back to camp and have someone ride my horse back.
She continued with her ride, but she had lost hours taking care of me.
When it came to the last short loop, she had very little time left and
so she asked ride management if she would get a completion if she came
in after the cut-off time.  She was told yes, as long as she didn't fall

behind the drag riders.  She did get in before them, but then was told
she was getting the completion award (some small item like a brush or
something) but not the mileage.  She was very upset, she would not have
pushed thru that final loop for a free brush!   And I felt very bad,
because she and her horse were in fine condition for a very respectable
completion ...