From:
dixie midnight
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2002 11:03
AM
To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [RC] Green Horses
At the risk of getting really jumped upon, if a rider cannot control
their horse at a start, cannot control the horse's speed at all gaits, has a
spooker, or otherwise ill-behaved horse, then the horse AND rider are not
well-trained, and are, by definition, green.
Green horses need to
understand what is expected of them. They do not gain that knowledge
by osmosis. And there is no such thing as a "wound-up" breed of
horses.
These horses need time with their riders who need to KNOW how
to bring the horse to the level of performance that is acceptable on the
trail, around camp, at the start, around other horses and horse-rider
teams.
-----------------------
Karl:
I can tell from those paragraphs right there, that you have never ridden
in an endurance ride or even, and some would say especially, a Limited
Distance Ride. Cause if you had, then you wouldn't be saying what
you're saying. Why do I say that?
Because, that's the damn beauty of the sport! You don't get it
because you haven't done it. For some of us, this is what makes the
whole thing so darn exciting, invigorating, and enjoyable, if not sometimes
a little scary. Anybody can play at our game. Anybody, including
you, Karl. Anytime you want. Just show up with your horse and
get thru that pre ride vet check, and you're in. We don't want no
stinking rules, we don't want no levels of ability set on us or our horses,
we just want the clipboard lady to say, "Giddy-up and GO!"
If you want to be judged and graded on your riding ability enter
Competitive trail or the Show Circuit, or, hey, stick with what you are
doing already. Even FEI endurance has levels of
competition, that may be more your cup of tea. But, endurance,
American style, is based only on one thing. Survival of the fittest
(most fit to continue), nothing more, nothing less. You take it
one loop and one vet check at a time. The process thins out the green
riders and the green horses very well, one step at a time. I have yet
to see a rookie horse and rookie rider win, and continue to do so on a
regular basis, a 50 mile or longer ride. I have seen 25 milers do it,
although it is rare, but not 50's. The system seems to work quite well
just the way it is. And, if a rookie horse and rider win anything, it
usually means they have prepared for the ride very well.
I'm afraid you just don't get it, and you never will, till you try
it. Do it just once, and you might understand our game a little bit
better. If it wasn't so damn exciting, I wouldn't bother writing about
it or going on like I do (on and on and on and on). I love the thrill
of endurance. And, sometimes, just thinking about the experience,
especially the start, with the green riders right next to the seasoned ones,
gets me out of the bed each and every morning.
If the idea of this bothers you so much, then don't attempt such a
thing. It might not be for you. That's kind of the point;
the sport is not for everyone, and it was never designed to be so.
It's for the brave of heart (and being a little bit crazy sure doesn't hurt
none). It's why I use the words "pure," and "free," when describing
endurance. Because it is; and it's one of the few things that has
survived, into the third millennium, with such a description. Join us,
one time, before you criticize or try to offer changes to our game.
cya,
Howard (I just love the start of a big ole crowded endurance ride; what a
rush!)
