[RC] Standardbreds - Rides 2 Far
> So I have always wondered if the reason that Arabs do so well in > this
sport > is because there are so many Arabs,
Hey Carolyn,
If you start asking around, you may find that most of us "Arab people"
used to be "Appaloosa People", "Quarter Horse People", "Tennessee Walking
Horse People" etc. I was *determined* to compete on an Appaloosa and
ready to argue with anyone who wanted to discuss it.
Now that I look back, I can sort of compare the experienced riders
reaction to my reasoning to being sort of like a big dog that is getting
growled at by a puppy... they could have let me have it but they didn't.
*I* was the one looking to debate, not them. They were wishing me luck,
but any hesitation on their part to encourage me I was making the right
choice was interpreted as prejudice towards my chosen breed.
Finally, I shut up and listened to *one* statement. I was asking a guy
who was very successful on an Arab about an Appaloosa endurance horse
that was for sale. (Since mine that I was positive was going to be the
greatest endurance horse ever hadn't panned out). His comment was, "He's
a good horse, he takes a lot of riding to be in shape". That right there
summed up the difference I discovered in the 2 breeds. The Arab took a
lot less riding.
As a person who is 5' tall, can handle a hot horse, an Arab was a pretty
logical choice for me and there wasn't a very rational reason not to ride
one I also finally accepted the fact that I'm a blue eyed Irish/Scottish
American and will never turn Nez Perce. Certainly doesn't mean I would
tell anyone else they have to have one...but if they asked, I'd say, " in
general, they're the easiest to train for it"
That said, it's pretty easy to see why some people would like to ride a
breed they feel like they fit better...size wise, or temperment wise.
Lawton Johnston crossed Standardbreds & Arabs and had quite a few good
100 mile horses. I'm looking for something sturdy, slightly lathargic &
small for Bekki Crippen my handicapped friend and it's O.K. if there's
App or QH..or Mustang.
Finally, there's just some people who like to be non conformists. I've
been there too. Probably one of the biggest problems I've seen the
non-conformists have is that the endurance riders are so accepting of
other breeds that the nonconformists don't make the big entrance or cause
as much of a stir as they'd hoped. Heck, there was I believe a SHIRE
that did one ride I was in. Talk about something that stood out!
Everybody was really friendly to her and full of questions. Certainly
didn't see anyone trying to make her feel out of place!
P.S. My region has a lady with a shetland pony who has done 1000 miles of
LD bareback. Good luck out nonconforming her! :-)
Angie (who drove through Shelbyville today and has seen a thousand
Tennessee Walking Horses!)
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