So many topics within the AERC seem to go round and round. One of those topics is limited distance and best condition. In a 50 mile or longer endurance ride best condition is awarded based upon vet score, ride time and rider weight. Many are opposed to offering best condition in a limited distance event because they don’t want to turn the shorter distances into a ‘race’. If you take time and weight out of BC on a LD ride, then you are only left with a vet score which makes it hard on a large ride for the vets to do a best condition exam on every single horse. I personally think that the AERC should think very carefully before adding any additional rules that make things more difficult for ride managers. It’s already hard enough to put on rides and requiring additional work for management is something that should be avoided if at all possible. Give each ride the choice as to whether or not to offer an official LD BC award or not. The Tevis does not offer an official AERC BC award, why not keep the flexibility that we now have?
Either way, if it really matters to you and you ride AERC rides you should let your director know how you feel.
Wise words written by The Duck can be found on the XP Rides and Sunrise Ranch Rides websites about limited distance rides and riding versus racing.
Endurance Riding Versus Racing Excerpt: I believe that ride managers should make clear to prospective entrants just what kind of event they are coming to. XP Rides and Sunrise Ranch Rides emphasize riding over racing. We offer meager awards and give no recognition to placing in the various divisions. I submit that the ride itself is the reward. We stress the responsibility of the rider in caring for the horse and use the services of veterinarians to help the riders get through the event safely. Our approach has worked well for us in the past and we hope that it will continue to work for us in the future.
The Duck’s Views on Limited Distance Events Excerpt: Like the billboards say, “Speed Kills”. I feel that it is absolute insanity to require horses to be five years old to go fifty miles, but allow four year olds to race twenty-five miles. That rule, in my opinion, shows a fundamental flaw in the thinking of the AERC.
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