Saturday September 11 2010
Yes, there is a lot of French beaurocracy involved in getting a French endurance license to ride just 20 kilometers.
On the other hand, if I happen to get hurt riding in Sunday's 20 km ride, or if I happen to get hurt in any endurance-related activity, during a ride while training anywhere in France (and possibly elsewhere - I haven't confirmed that, though that seems somewhat unlikely) from now until next September or December (for at least a year), I am covered by insurance.
And while it may seem ridiculous that I can only start out at 20 km here, despite being overqualified in the US, the system also serves to protect the horses. An inexperienced rider can't just go out and ride a qualified horse 160 km, nor can a horse go out and just start on a 160 km ride without working his way up. I can hear some saying That's Takin My Freedom Away, but, it does prevent some unhappy scenarios for horses who would not be capable of completing a ride without problems. We all have seen that happen at some point.
My 20 km ride starts at noon tomorrow, and it's about 1 1/4 hour's drive from here.
Here's Richard putting on Dougal's glue-on boots behind.
It's a slippery slope here in the USA.
ReplyDeleteRecently the USEF tried to set restrictions in dressage limiting riders to lower levels until they earned qualifying scores to move up. There was a groundswell of protest. The only real danger of a horse/rider competing in a higher level would be an exhibition of bad or lack of/training. Even the highest level test only takes about 7 minutes in the arena.
However, such restrictions might better apply in three day eventing, or perhaps endurance where the danger to horse and rider increased proportionally as the difficulty of the levels increase. In both cases, the safety of the horse is important.
Something to ponder, but I do like that insurance coverage!
It's a slippery slope here in the USA.
ReplyDeleteRecently the USEF tried to set restrictions in dressage limiting riders to lower levels until they earned qualifying scores to move up. There was a groundswell of protest. The only real danger of a horse/rider competing in a higher level would be an exhibition of bad or lack of/training. Even the highest level test only takes about 7 minutes in the arena.
However, such restrictions might better apply in three day eventing, or perhaps endurance where the danger to horse and rider increased proportionally as the difficulty of the levels increase. In both cases, the safety of the horse is important.
Something to ponder, but I do like that insurance coverage!