Re: RC: Our Sport

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 3/31/00 8:27:20 PM Pacific Standard Time, Tivers@aol.com 
writes:

<< And this is what's wrong with the "To show up is to win" credo. Nobody 
 bothers to prepare his or her horse properly, just shows up and gets 
 applauded for doing nothing special--other than posturing as having great 
 concern for the well-being of the horse by riding at the back of the pack.  
 
 If anyone REALLY gave a damn, he or she would prepare his horse for athletic 
 performance, >>

The vast majority of riders prepare a great deal to ride to finish.  There is 
not a thing wrong with riding to one's level of preparation, and being 
cognizant of exactly what that level is.  It is difficult to prepare for 
international competition (in fact, impossible to be selected for same) 
without competing first, and competition on some level is essential to 
building the horse to his potential.

The experienced riders can certainly skip the "novice" level--no need to 
learn the ropes at LD's because they can do that part at home.  And certainly 
a great deal of fitness can be achieved at home.  (And indeed, must be!)  
However, there is no substitute for actually getting out in competition and 
having to cope with the stresses, etc.  That is part of "training."  And 
there is no shame for not caring to push on to higher levels--if one is 
content to ride at the level for which one is prepared, then one is not 
endangering one's horse and one can complete what one sets out to do.  

The concept that having a different goal is "mush" is some sort of 
elitism....  And the idea that the "completers" don't prepare is simply not 
in touch with the facts.

Heidi