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Re: is this fair?



Agreed. Even though Star and I are just starting out, I was quite proud of
our first 25. I ached for days afterward. Other horse people, even
foxhunters, are in awe of distance riders, even those of us who do the baby
rides. I want to get to the 50s, my horse can do it, but I have a herniated
disk in my back and have to take it easy at times. I also have to work full
time to support my horse habit, which cuts into my riding time!

If other people look down on us because we don't do the farther distances,
then so be it. I am riding to see how much my horse and I can accomplish in
a way that keeps us both healthy and sound for many years.

chris paus &star

At 12:00 PM 1/22/98 EST, SandyDSA wrote:
>In a message dated 98-01-22 03:58:17 EST, you write:
>
><< 25 milers aren't looked down upon by the organization 
>Yes they are in some circles - evidenced by the time it took to GET any kind
>of goal/reward system for the LD system.
>- in
> fact they even have a distance program aimed at ltd distance events! 
> (It would take a HECK of a long time to reach the endurance mileage
> program's award levels at 25 miles per ride!)
> 
> Not everyone wants to or can do 50's or 100's.  It is a personal
> choice.  I was at a ride a couple of years ago where the 50 milers were
> told that they were "riding half a ride" - talk about insulting! >>
>Yes this is insulting and we hear it a lot - I always scratch my head
thinking
>- this is a 23 year old horse here. I consider her continued participation a
>minor miracle. Of course, for many reasons, just as you said, not everyone
can
>prepare to comete in the 50s and 100s etc. Children and jobs come to mind. My
>husband has stated, "what do these people do for a living that they can be at
>all these events?" I am curious too. I think it does come down to priorities
>and I feel that my daughters will be grown before I know it and so they do
>come first. Only one likes horses at all so to drag the other along makes us
>both miserable. I don't wnat to go to the mall with her either. We conpromise
>at times, but I don't think that works well in preparing a horse for 50-100
>miles. It does work for 25-35 miles. BUt to be demeaned for a chocie is
>insulting. Frankly, all those folks I rode with and showed with and agaainst
>in the past 2 decades couldn't ride even 20 miles without dying in the
saddle,
>so truly, even 25-35 miiles is admirable to the VAST majority. Respect where
>respect is due would be a great motto - besides to finish is to win, which
>doesn't specify distance. :)
>san
>
>
>



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