tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963277636652034473.post8474103784596658634..comments2023-09-09T05:35:11.672-07:00Comments on Boots and Saddles: EN - July editionMelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16627065628317652042noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963277636652034473.post-24874832057357829232011-07-27T10:31:04.909-07:002011-07-27T10:31:04.909-07:00Oh, in that case: yes, absolutely. I ride for co...Oh, in that case: yes, absolutely. I ride for completions only anyhow, so it wouldn't change my strategy at all!AareneXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17569818745110332355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963277636652034473.post-56458969828899880852011-07-26T18:39:25.407-07:002011-07-26T18:39:25.407-07:00Aarene - the completion only ride designation was ...Aarene - the completion only ride designation was an idea to be able to gain access to designated wilderness and other land that does not allow for organized competition events. If the completion only designation was used solely in these instances, would you be in favor of it? Ca has several of these areas but I'm not sure how wide spread they are around the country.Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16627065628317652042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1963277636652034473.post-10120371166415784562011-07-26T18:01:27.139-07:002011-07-26T18:01:27.139-07:00re: Young Riders
I wholeheartedly endorse the noti...re: Young Riders<br />I wholeheartedly endorse the notion of a YR division (and I would happily dispense with the weight divisions if doing so would help to pay for a YR division). Here's my reasoning:<br /><br />YR's are generally still dependent on a senior rider (or group of riders) in order to compete. Many YR's in my region are enrolled in school, are also working at least part-time, and do not necessarily own their own horse. They may be "catch riding" or have a designated mount owned by someone else. Most YR's in my region also do not have their own truck/trailer rig, and thus are doubly-dependent on somebody else in order to compete. With those restrictions alone, most YR's are "out of the money" when competing with adults. AERC has noted for years that our membership population is aging. In order to recruit and retain members (and also re-attract them later in life) I think it's important to recognize the achievements of young riders. Other equestrian disciplines already do this--and their membership shows it. We aren't talking about a huge population...but we are talking about a population that is (and will be) important to AERC in the future.<br /><br />LD/Endurance: I'm conflicted too, but in this case I'm inclined to let sleeping basilisks lie. <br /><br />Completion-only rides: I'd like to see new rides be designated as "completion only" for the first year, to give new ride managers a chance to learn the AERC ropes...but I'm not sure that creating a catagory of "completion only" events is needful. It's easy enough for a rider to screw something up during the competition and be awarded "completion only" points already, and the vast majority of us only ride for miles and not year-end awards. Seems like it's making a hoop to jump through where no hoop is needed....JMO, obviously...AareneXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17569818745110332355noreply@blogger.com