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This reply leaves me wondering "What does it
take to set up a clinic, or a ride?"
That is what does it take after the requisite
attack of insane thought along the lines of "I bet I (we?) could set up a ride
right here ......"
Mandatory physical items:
A location such as a park or private property
with trails or some sort of facility (like a covered ring maybe). Water
for cooling or drinking. Bodies to do work. Trucks to haul supplies
(water?).
Money to pay for those things that must be paid for
such as advertising, vets(?), prizes, food, etc.
Nonphysical items:
Charisma: You have to convince people that
they should let you hold your event on their property using their
facilities. I've seen many a message here about getting people to agree to
letting your ride or event cross their land. You have convince people to
volunteer their help. You have to get people dedicated to the idea of
the event happening, and boost their morale when there is a setback.
Persistence: You have to be able to take "no"
for an answer again and again until you get someone who says "yes". You
have to keep trying as people who said they'd help back out, or as things
change.
Determination: I'm sure that many a proposed
ride or clinic never happened because someone got frustrated and gave
up.
Organization: You have to be organized at
least to the level that many things will happen at once. You have to
delegate work but make sure it happens. You have to do many things at once
(convince sponsors to donate, while at the same time making sure Teachers, Vets,
etc. will be attending, advertising is placed with enough lead time, mark
trails, set up seating, and a thousand other details)
Desire: You'd better want this to happen,
cause if you don't, it won't.
Time: Need I say more.
Things that are nice to have, but not
necessary:
Experience: Experience in setting up events
is a good thing and probably helps. People who've done it before know what
pitfalls to expect and what hazards to avoid.
Many conferences are set up by companies that
set up conferences. The person who sets it up (gets a venue, finds
speakers, etc) doesn't have a clue about the conference topic, nor is it
needed. Instead, they have researchers who look at what person is
generating interesting press, or see who is active, or controversial in the
organization. Then, they call around to these people and see who is
willing to come speak, or if they aren't willing, who would they want to
see.
I figure it could be the same with a ride or a
clinic (especially a clinic). You see who is available to speak, and you
read a bit to learn who is doing interesting stuff. In this instance, you
may ask a few people here on Ridecamp for advice on who should
speak.
I don't see any reason why someone couldn't put on
a successful clinic or ride despite not knowing a thing about Endurance
Riding.
Personally, I think Amanda may have made a good
start by asking questions about who would attend and would speakers come,
etc.
Charles
PS: I once joined a juggling club. While
trying to learn juggling 3 balls, I was given tons of lessons, lectures,
and advice. I gave the same lectures and used the same tricks and
advice on other people so they learned. I can't count how many people I
taught to juggle before it finally clicked for me.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, December 13, 2002 1:30
PM
Subject: Re: [RC] Re: [RC] Ride
shortages: EVEN LONGER
Let me get this straight, Amanda.
You are considering organizing a clinic on
distance riding. The experience you would bring to this enterprise is
that you once set foot in an endurance ridecamp as a casual,
last minute, add-on "crew member" who admitted she didn't do much of
anything except toss a little water and look around
camp.
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