Fw: Limited Distance Progam suggestion

["Linda Fisher" <kenlyn@idcomm.com>]

Please respond to ride camp.

----------
> From: Linda Fisher <kenlyn@idcomm.com>
> To: ride camp <GUEST@ENDURANCE.NET>
> Subject: Limited Distance Progam suggestion
> Date: Friday, March 12, 1999 11:33 AM
> 
> I have recently read a proposal from a friend about his idea for
Revamping
> the Limited Distance Progam. What do you think?
> 
> I've been reading and listening for sometime about the Limited Distance
> program.  Below is a proposal for your consideration:
> 
> 1.  Eliminate the term "Limited Distance".  Sanction any ride over 25
miles
> as an "endurance ride".  Any ride less than 25 miles is a FUN RIDE, not
> subject to AERC sanction.  A Fun Ride may be held in conjunction with an
> endurance ride.  
> 2.  First ten places (finishing) in each weight division = 50 points. 
All
> other placing = 25 points.  Finishing parameters should be the same as
50's
> and 100's with the exception of the recovery at the finish;  30 minutes. 
> This should apply to any distance less than 50 miles.	
> 3.  Horse age should be the same as 50's and 100's , 5 years or older.   
> (He believes this creates a good learning atmosphere plus will buy the 4
> year olds another year.  We will always have "ego racers".
> 
> Why should you carefully consider this proposal?  Because in the big
scheme
> of things...the larger picture...we will be united, and that's where our
> power lies.  Our strength will be essential over the next 10 years.  The
> current issue of 'who is' or 'who is not' an endurance rider will appear
> foolish and sill in comparison to the loss of trails.  I do not have an
> answer to the trail dilemma.
> 
> I think it is important to keep AERC's name in front of land managers to
> let them know we exist.  Even if only 25-30 people show up to do a 25-30
> mile endurance ride.  I believe this is an effort, even our duty to the
> sport, to preserve trails.  The side benefit is to have as many people as
> possible say "I'm an endurance rider", "I want to help",  "I'll give
money,
> time and energy to maintain or obtain trails".  If all I have to do to
> enlist them in this army that we need is to call them an endurance rider,
> give them credit and points for whatever distance they ride, I'd do it
> because we need their help, their money and their contacts.  This might
> produce a strong cohesive group of people that could focus on a common
goal
> of taking on the bureaucrats that seem determined to take our trails.
> 
> .......My friend has a point:  Have you ever heard of anyone bragging
about
> being a "Limited Distance" rider?  I personally have horses that have
many
> hundreds of miles of "limited distance" rides under their belt that have
> never gotten credit yet I paid my entry fees.  His proposal would give
both
> horses and riders credit toward their lifetime mileages and we would all
be
> in the same program.  We would not have to have separate year-end awards
> for "limited distance" since points are points, mileage is mileage, and
> they all count.  
> Quit whining and make constructive suggestions.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=