October 27, 2011

Okay...Not so eloquently put...

  • I love my EN's and look forward to it every single month.
  • A better way to have stated my feelings on articles would have been to say that I don't always find articles applicable to me at that moment, and sometimes I do (and I want more...so sue me).
  • The rest my friends, was firmly tongue in cheek as to solving the worlds problems on my second cup of coffee.  No need to hang me from the nearest tree, or drag me behind a running horse.
It would have been better to say what I do like about the EN's and what I don't really give a rat's behind about.

LIKES
  • Articles like Beat the Heat in the July 2010 issue.
  • Pacing in the December 2010 issue.
  • What your horse needs ...after a ride.  February 2011 issue.
  • Diagnosing equine muscle disorders  June 2010.
  • Are you ready to move up to 100's  April 2010
  • Being the best you can be takes time May 2010.
  • 100 mile horse recognition program October 2011.
Yes, I did read the Stagg Newman and Crandell articles.  Good articles.  But I'm still very much a beginning rider, okay?  I started this sport on an unbroke horse, barely able to balance in the saddle.  I've fought a lot of fronts.  Thought I'd finally "got it."  Then "it" was jerked out from under me.  The loss of Phebes in my riding world has made me witchy and moody.  What can I say?   The EN's is the highlight of my month, and I have piles of them.   But I will stand by my statement that not every printing has an article pointed straight at the newbie.  In a sport wanting to attract more of us, that would be a good idea, even if the information was reprinted from "old" back issues.  I have noticed that in the past two years articles have much improved in length and scope and pertinence (relative to me).    

But I also stand by
  • I would not die if the cover wasn't glossy, or if every issue wasn't in color.  It is the stuff between the covers that I enjoy.  I like to read about some of the experts in the sport.  I enjoy concrete articles on specific factors of interest (selfishly) to me, and I like to check the standings for LD mileage.
  • My interest is pretty much ZERO in international riding.  FEI, what-ever.  I just don't care. It is a major part of the sport but has no appeal to me.  My needs are more basic.
  • If electronic media or a subscription fee would help the AERC I'd be feeling flexible about that.
For the record I apologize if I sounded "snarky" about EN's.  Honestly I was trying to put forth some grim humor and it fell on its face.  Stuff happens.

~ E.G.

3 comments:

  1. I would comment on the earlier post, but I'll add it to this post instead. I'm not going to address all the other issues, but just one that I know all about (as a graphic designer who has done lots of magazine design): glossy paper is not adding to your cost. Recycled paper is THE most expensive paper you can buy. The paper EN uses on their interior pages is a mid-to-low quality paper, the cover is nice but not extravagant. If the paper gets much worse it will not reproduce images (you'd just get nice ink-bleed blobs). Magazines are sooo expensive to produce (which is why so many are going under) and some of the cost is carried by paper, but there is ink, press time, labeling, delivery (and post office is not getting cheaper).

    Off my soapbox on that aspect.

    I am only an aspiring endurance rider, not even in real training yet. And still I love EN, the inspiration, the ideas. Even if I am not "there" yet, reading stories from the greats (and all the regular riders too) about everything from training to nutrition to organizing your trailer, has been so educational.

    An experienced rider sent me the last 15 years of EN. I cherish them! Looking back on the old issues (and not just laughing at the clothes and hairstyles) there is still so much valuable info. Without those old print magazines I doubt I'd be as inspired.

    I don't think you should apologize though, "snarky" or not. Opinions, we're all entitled to them. And I think out of all these discussions will hopefully come something productive.

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  2. Please do keep in mind that this week most of my postings were in response to comments/and my thoughts about things over on RIDE CAMP.


    Really what it will boil down to is this:

    If the organization wants to survive and flourish, especially in economic downtrending it will involve
    C-H-A-N-G-E.

    I don't know what flavor that will take. But bigger heads than mine are certainly talking about it. Be it the publishing costs of the EN's, ride entry fees, membership dues, allowing the combined option of LD/Endurance miles, yada yada yada...

    The same angst was produced some years back when folks wanted to compete in their gaitered boots. At that time I suggested allowing hoof boots and giving a point penalty for covering the pastern, and OMG! It was an eruption of volcanic proportion. Guess what? you can now use the gaitered boots and take a small point deduction.

    Opinions as they say are like, well-you know. We all have them. I have a lot of them! But how acceptable an idea/opinion is depends on how "accepted" the person having it is by the group that will be affected. I'd like to think that we can share thought processes without demeaning others, but I'm usually wrong!

    On issues that matter to us I wonder how many actually write the BOD concerning how they feel about any prospective change? (Those folks hold the reins of rule and policy change.) Probably a small minority unless it involves the holy grail of LD miles vs. Endurance miles. Which I did write the entire BOD concerning my views (whatever they are worth) and my opinion is just that, my opinion.

    For the most part change is not the end of the world. Especially as it pertains to an organization that is for "fun". At least if the motto holds true that TO FINISH IS TO WIN.

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  3. Irish,

    I failed to say so, but thank you for posting how you feel and why. I appreciate that you did so without feeling the need to cut me down at the same time. I appreciate that, a lot!

    ~ E.G.

    ReplyDelete