Reprinted from Endurance News, March 2008, monthly publication of the American Endurance Ride Conference, www.aerc.org, 866-271-2372
Admittedly, this is a delicate topic for AERC members.
I think the good news is that, generally speaking, badly-behaved riders are few and far between in our sport; in fact, some ride managers to whom I speak say they have never had an issue with a difficult competitor at their ride.
However, tales — both anecdotal and official — have brought this issue to a head, and the Ride Managers Committee has spent countless hours discussing and e-mailing one another about how we can support ride managers who may have to deal with what we have (less than fondly) begun to call “BBR.”
Please understand that my own personal philosophy about managing an AERC ride is that it’s my party, organized by my family and my friends, and that I run it within the guidelines that AERC provides, make sure that everyone has what they need to safely get around the course, and beyond that, the theme, the atmosphere, the party favors and — let’s face it — the cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, are up to me.
Every year, folks are openly invited to attend my party — it’s entirely up to them to choose whether or not to come. If someone comes to my party and can’t follow the party rules, well, then as far as I’m concerned, they can’t come back to my party.
Fundamentally, endurance rides exist based on the hospitality and efforts of ride managers, and ride managers should not be subjected to the abuse of BBR.
My own philosophy aside, let’s look at the issue from both a preventative perspective as well as the steps that can be taken if you’ve encountered a BBR.
BRR: a definition
First off, let’s define a BBR. As United States Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart said in 1964, “I can’t define pornography, but I know it when I see it.”
— It might be someone who is verbally or physically abusive to vets, volunteers or other riders.
— It might be someone who shows blatant disregard for fundamental, published ride rules, repeatedly violating them or showing disdain and little effort to comply.
— It might be someone who refuses to pay the ride management, treatment vet, or farrier (or make good on a bad check within a reasonable period of time).
— It might be someone who is abusive to their horse, circumvents rules, cuts trail, creates a serious safety hazard for other riders/horses/staff or otherwise abuses the privilege of competing in an endurance ride.
— It might be someone who shows no respect for the property at the ride camp, the holds, or the trails secured for the event.
— It might be someone who dabbles a bit in each of these areas of bad behavior, and who generally presents an unreasonable challenge to the ride manager and/or staff.
Prevention
There may be some ways to nip the behavior of the BBR in the bud. Certainly all ride managers have their own personal style and level of comfort with direct confrontation, but if you have a BBR returning to your ride, or one you’ve witnessed behaving badly at another ride, or who has garnered a BBR reputation, it might be worth taking a quiet moment to chat with the person to let them know that the behavior (and be specific) will not be tolerated at your ride.
Many BBRs simply get caught up in the frustration or excitement of competition, leaving a league of disgruntled volunteers and vets and ride managers in their wake.
I tend to be a pretty upfront sort of person. As evidence, one sweet local rider once came up to me and sheepishly confessed: “Patti, you know, I’m a little bit afraid of you.” At first I was horrified, and later, was left doubled over in laughter. As a ride manager, I think it’s a little better to be thought of as a tyrant than a pushover, not unlike a sixth grade teacher. (Draw your own analogies here.)
Frequently, a BBR is embarrassed to be called out on their behavior. They apologize, and can be counted on for exemplary performance for at least some period of time. If that’s not your style, why not chat with one of your regional directors or another local veteran rider to see if they’d be willing to have a heart-to-heart with your BBR? I can think of at least half a dozen riders in my region who I think could tactfully take on this task.
The key here is being proactive, and having the conversation take place in a low-key or even lighthearted way. Let the person know they have a clean slate at your ride, but that you’ll be watching them closely based on their reputation or past behavior. Folks tend to respond better when they’re not already wound up in the heat of the moment and are given the benefit of the doubt.
Other pre-ride tactics
Be upfront in your ride flyer. What additional rules do you have at your ride to ensure safety and order? Put them in writing.
What are the consequences for bad behavior? My own ride flyer makes this statement: “Please bring your best manners and sense of humor. Our best friends and families make this ride happen and we won’t tolerate nastiness. Bad behavior may result in disqualification at the ride manager’s discretion. This ensures everyone has a great time, gets to giggle a lot, and no one cries!”
Additionally, this is a topic we bring up in the pre-ride briefing, including the potential for disqualification at the ride manager’s discretion. I include specific instructions for not running over my dad, our official in-timer.
Forewarned is forearmed. (No one has run over Dad yet.)
Responding to bad behavior
Let’s say that despite your best efforts, a BBR rears their ugly head at your ride, then what? Use the systems that the AERC has put in place!
If the behavior involves a rule violation (and you have evidence), disqualify the rider.
If the behavior involves abuse of a horse, work with your regional director and the Welfare of the Horse Committee to ensure the issue is addressed.
If the behavior involves breaking a law, contact your local authorities.
If the behavior, in your opinion, constitutes adequate reason for Refusal of Entry per Rule 4.1 (see AERC Rules & Regulations), document the facts, then notify the rider, preferably in writing, that they will be denied future entry to your ride. This is your right based upon the documented facts. (Your party, remember?)
No one, except perhaps the BBR, expects the ride manager to tolerate such behavior — certainly not AERC, certainly not the vets or volunteers or land owners or horses or other riders who may also be subject to their abuse.
Please don’t assume that you are powerless in such situations. Contact your regional director or any member of the Ride Managers Committee on your options, if you’re unclear. Unfortunately, we have some experience with dealing with these issues. If all else fails, consideration can be given by the BBR and/or management to utilize AERC’s protest procedures.
While this is an unpleasant topic at best, it’s important for a ride manager to be prepared for the not-so-fun parts of managing a ride.
Then we can all get back to the party and the “GBR” (Goodly-Behaved Riders) who make it all worthwhile. Happy trails!