Ridecamp: [RC] where we get our inspiration

Ride stories are fun to read... we live vicariously through
another's eyes.  Stories that inspire, motivate, educate as
well as entertain. Who hasn't read a good ride story and
wanted immediatly to go out and ride their horse! This can
be both good and bad, as we have seen with Howard's
stories..lol. For me they are purely entertaining.
  I just can't stress highly enough to those just starting
to find a mentor. It's one thing to read about it and a
whole 'nother thing to actually do it. Let me tell you, no
amount of reading can prepare you for the reality of that
particular ride at that particular time on the horse you
have under you for that day (ie his mind set).
 I was very fortunate that both of my mentors just fell
into my lap. The first I found teaching a clinic "endurance
101". I attended wanting to sharpen my young
horsepreparationskills in prepration for CTR's. I wasn't
really expecting much (at $15 for an all day clinic) I just
wanted to get my young horse in a group of riders on the
trail. I walked away with an interest in new sport and a
friendship with an incredible person that was eager to
share her knowledge and help in any way she could. My other
mentor is the result of RC! Getting the opportunity to ride
with this gentleman and being able to pick his brain was an
incredible experience! I just wished we lived
closer...sigh.
  Both of these people share my training philosophies, this
is what drew me to these individuals in the first place. I
feel in looking for some one to immulate this is very
important, that you are pretty much on the same page in
your basic horse training goals. Another thing these people
share in common is the desire to give back to the sport
through inspiring and edcuating us new people.
  Some people inspire without even realizing it. The last
ride I did, I had the good fortune to ride a stretch of
trail behind a very well known endurance person. Watching
her was an edcuation in itself. I found myself watching her
aids and how the way she rode really helped her horse.  I
felt my body unconsiously emmulating hers, even later on
after she was long gone on down the trail. 

 For these people and the others like them I am very
thankful.

 This day of thanks I would like to read mentor stories of
people who have inspired you.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Penny



--- DVeritas@xxxxxxx wrote:
>     If it is the purpose of "Ridecamp" to share
> information and experiences ......

Their advice is invaluable and should be
> read and reread.
>


> 


__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.
http://mailplus.yahoo.com

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

 If you are an AERC member - PLEASE VOTE in the Director at Large 
 and By Laws Elections.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=