A lot of folks pull off the big ring and put on a bash guard if they are doing a lot of log hopping kind of technical stuff. I find that the only times I use my big ring are on something like a long gradual descent. Most of the terrain I ride is too variable to use the big ring very ofter... I keep mine for decoration.
DH/free riders usually only have two rings in the front.

shows you who I"m hanging out with these days....