How about 35's?

[PLOUGH1@ix.netcom.com (KIMBERLY PRICE)]

>Angie wrote:
I hear a lot of 25's say they think they shouldn't be left out of
awards...just because they don't have time to train as much...  I 
wonder how they would like to be one of us "also rans" who complete 50s 
year after year, just out of the awards.  We could drop down and clean 
up, but don't want to.  We don't ride for awards.  I see nothing wrong 
with doing 25's forever if that's your thing.  But I also see no glory 
whatsoever in bragging that you win them.

Now I'm in trouble
Angie and Kaboot 
****************************************
  **** Not with me Angie, you are only saying what you meant to say.

  ****I’ve done a lot of thinking this pass winter on where to bring 
Mystery to next. We’ve done two summers of easy 25-30 mile rides, 
endurance and training rides. The first year I realized I needed to 
give him more base conditioning and I needed to learn to control an 
excited horse.  This year we had some successful 25’s but ended it with 
a sore back for him from my old argentina saddle.  

 ****Last fall I decided I’d like to do more 25’s, but be competitive 
at them.  Top 10 a few and then move up.  But I also was appalled on 
how a competitive 25er acted when she “lead” the group of us, about 10 
riders, who were stuck on a beautiful single track trail in the High 
Sierras.  She trotted very fast over switchbacks that had dry, light 
powder brown dirt hiding the sharp granite stones.

****I ended up getting away from this group, but also notice everyone 
else kind of let their horses take up that pace and follow her right 
along.  Later on, I talked to her awhile and found she was very good 
and competitive at 25s, and had no desire to jump up to 50’s..they were
just more than what she wanted to do for whatever reasons.

****So I thought, should I too become competitive in 25’s, and build up 
speed, before I jump to a 50?  But no, 25’s should be training rides, 
and the 50’s should be started out nice and slow and learn some serious 
pace.  So, I’ll do another 25 at least to make sure Mystery is in 100% 
top condition and then head for a slow 50.

****BUT, wouldn’t it be nice to have something around 35 to go that 
extra 10 miles and see how we all do, maybe even be competitive?  The 
Gold Country 30 was 30 miles although the recycled shirts say 25, and 
that distance was just right for me.  Not saying I’m wimping out by not
going from 25 to 50, but many of the 50 milers I met also tell me it is 
a big jump from 25 to 50,so why not?   Let some of the more experienced 
or competitive 25ers go further.  Hey, like Ride Managers don’t feed 
off chaos or something!

***This is just a thought to play around with.  Dont send me 2 pages 
plus telling me how horrible an idea it is!  It is only a "what if..." 
<g>

***BTW, gotta tell ya, if I ever did win a 25 and my HORSE was in 100% 
condition, I’d be damn proud.  But I wouldn’t be if I were running him 
down hills with hidden rocks or if he was sore and miserable.

Kimberly (playing on the net again ..its either rid’in, work or 
raining!)
& Mystery (ha!  I’m not stupid enough to run on rough ground..in fact, 
I’ll walk if you like!)
& Provo the Proud (I’m dirtier than you are...ha, ha, ha, haaaa, ha!)
Black Mountain Ranch, Pt.Reyes, CA  ......where the whales jump & the 
birds dive