Re: NOT FLUFF/mileage

[Chris Paus <paus@micoks.net>]

I understand the difference for awards, points, etc, but overall mileage
should accumulate whether it is 25, 50, 75, 100 or whatever.

chris paus and *

At 11:39 AM 3/12/98 EST, CMKSAGEHIL wrote:
>I originally posted privately to Becky in response to her inquiry about
why LD
>miles are separate, but since several others have jumped into the fray, I
will
>repeat to ridecamp what I told her.  (Sorry, Joe--I thought your answer was a
>bit cold and heartless, even though I agree with the separation.)  Anyway,
>here's what I said to Becky:
>
>As I understand, the separation of LD miles from longer miles is to encourage
>people to step up to the longer distances, and to emphasize the fact that LD
>rides are really TRAINING rides to prepare one for the "main event" so to
>speak.  The main reason for offering career mileage for LD's at all is to
give
>those who are unable to move up for their own reasons (physical or
>psychological) a goal to work toward and some recognition for their
>participation.
>
>If you have read my previous posts on the subject, while I feel that LD rides
>are a very important part of our sport, they are a PEOPLE distance, NOT a
>horse distance.  I have yet to meet a horse that needed LD rides to get going
>in this sport but I have met lots of wonderful PEOPLE who would not be
>involved if not for LD rides--either they have handicaps that simply won't
>allow them to participate at longer distances, or they aren't sure that they
>can dive in head-first and try 50 miles the first time out of the box, and
>need anywhere from one to several LD's to build their own confidence
levels or
>physical capabilities to the point of doing so.
>
>I still strongly support the idea that those who CAN move up should be
>encouraged to do so as quickly as possible, and feel that the current ruling
>is appropriate.
>
>Hope this helps.
>
>Heidi Smith, DVM--Sagehill Arabians (Oregon)
>
>P.S.:  For those of you who have written since Joe's post--I encourage you to
>move up, see if you don't think it is a different world then, and post
back...
>
>
>