RE: Endurance??? Definition, Relativity and Perception

[Barbara <madill@teleplex.net>]

The whole issue of what is "endurance" could be solved if endurance rides
where time was the variable deciding factor -- the "constant" being
acceptable condition to go on -- was called "Endurance Riding Against
Time", if the REAL label, Endurance Racing is so unpalatable.

THEN -- competitions where condition is the variable, BUT the ONLY thing
being judged, and time is the constant or is irrelevant (doesn't even HAVE
to be constant -- wouldn't have to have a minumum)can be labeled
"endurance" when they span two days or are greater than "x" for a single
day's ride (50 miles sounds like a good distance to qualify as Endurance).
Shorter rides could be a "training" division in either competition, but I
would advise against having anything shorter than 50 judged on speed as the
deciding factor.

FINALLY -- competitions where condition is the variable AND other factors
are part of the overall scoring can be called Competitive Rides...
regardless of the distance.

From the standpoint of Relativity and Perception as to what constitutes
"endurance", so much relates to speed and distance compared to the
experience and condition of the competitors (both equine and human)

If you've never ridden more than a ten mile ride at a 2 1/2 mile pleasure
pace, then FIVE miles at 6 MPH constitutes ENDURANCE.

Back to my soap box -- how about all of the sanctioning long distance
organizations getting together to draft a SIMPLE guideline of rules so that
ALL of the types of long distance could gather mileage that would carry on
as a horse and rider move up through levels of increased effort?

It used to be that rides were grateful that ANYONE took the time to put on
a ride in challenging country....  

Perhaps it should be a prerequisite that all riders have to work certain
levels of a ride (including management) as part of end or year award
qualification. I do believe a lot of the "nickel and diming" I've deleted
recently (somewhat like arguing the number of angels on the head of a pin)
would not even get written!

Anyone wanting to flame me, you might as well do it privately, because my
next post is to Unsubscribe from Digest -- again -- and  yes, Stephanie,
you're right!

Barbara Madill