Re: Re: Re: Re: Uh-Oh! The LD thing again

["Dyane Smith" <sunibey@sisqtel.net>]

Maggie,
Would you accept Heidi's distinction between a true endurance RIDE and a
true endurance RIDER?  Even if you characterize yourself as a newbie, I
would say that you are a true endurance RIDER but that the LDs are novice
distances?  Does that sound fair to you?
Dyane
N. Ca

----- Original Message -----
From: Maggie Mieske <mmieske@netonecom.net>
To: GESA BRINKS <gesaeqfx@pe.net>; superpat <superpat@gateway.net>;
<Dbeverly4@aol.com>; <Howard4567@aol.com>
Cc: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Monday, November 01, 1999 6:08 AM
Subject: RC: Re: Re: Re: Uh-Oh! The LD thing again


> Here goes:  I am a newbie.  By my own definition.  I have  alot to learn.
> Next year will be our 3rd ride season.  My horse EARNED his BC on the 25
LD
> this summer.  I know my horse and what he can do...I spent a year and a
> half conditioning him before I ever went on a ride (not to mention the 2
> years I put in on him ten years ago when I was first interested in
> endurance but couldn't swing it and ended up having to sell Jonathan after
> our house burned down).  Sometimes the term "newbies" is used in a manner
> on ridecamp that I find uncomfortable.  I know I have more to learn and I
> think there are plenty of "experienced" riders who could learn a thing or
> two as well.  I use all my sources....other riders, vets, ridecamp to
learn
> what I feel I need to know to be a competent endurance rider!  I doubt if
I
> will EVER stop learning or at least wanting to learn all I can to do a
good
> job with my horse in all aspects of endurance.... feeding, training,
> equipment, conditioning....I expect to be in this sport for the long haul.
> I DO ride 20 + mile conditioning rides at home to prepare....for all
> distances!  I have done fifties, hope to do a 100 when my horse AND I am
> ready and in the meantime, I plan to have fun doing 25 LD and I consider
> myself an endurance rider.  Not just because of the distance involved but
> because of the time and effort I put into taking care of my horse and
> preparing for the longer haul.  And that idea about top twenty being
> scored....most of the LD I have done here in Michigan places the top 6 and
> does BC scoring just like a "real" endurance ride.  I was third on the
ride
> in which my horse got BC.  Another rider wanted to RACE in.... I let my
> daughter go on ahead of me (we were within one minute of each other) cuz I
> knew she and her horse could cross first.  They did.  (These 2 are
destined
> for 100s).  The rider who RACED us in came over 2nd.  His horse's pulse
> came down fifth.  I happen to think we rode a smart ride and learning
these
> strategies, even on a 25 is good prep for the 50s.  You cannot lump all LD
> riders into a newbie category.  I have a friend who plans to start doing
25
> LDs next year....she has been riding since the early 70s.  She is hardly a
> newbie.  But she loves endurance more than CTR and cannot do the longer
> distances.  I think we need a check on some of the arrogant attitudes I
see
> on ridecamp lately.
>
> Maggie Mieske
> Mieske's Silver Lining
> McBain, Michigan
> http://www.netonecom.net/~mmieske
>
>
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