It does seem that
we should be able think of some kind of an official
mentor/sponsor program to make sure the first time riders are sponsored.
The Jr.s can't ride without a sponsor, and we have some really
experienced Jr.s riding. Can't we come up with some way of
mentoring/sponsoring riders for the first few rides, till they at least get a
little bit of a clue, before they are turned loose. I hate it that a horse
died. But Really, when the first time rider is so ignorant of the
consequences, whether they care or not, it seems that we could come up
with something. I feel that allowing a first time rider out there alone is
carrying the "rider responsible for his horse" policy a tad to far, and is
just asking for trouble. Ya gotta pass a drivers test to drive a car.
Jockeys need their papers. Everything requires some kind of certification . But
we can go race the crap out of a horse with no proof of having any clue at all.
As an organization we do have the responsibility to educate. Which
we do work very hard at, and do a great job. Its all out there for the
taking! But we never know if they have read the stuff, listened to the
lectures, or asked the questions till the horse is to late dead. If we had an
enforced first time rider sponsor RULE, ( Geze I do hate that word)
Say a log book, that a sponsor would have to sign off on, for a set # of rides.
And if the sponsor didn't sign they would be DQ'd. No
completion. people with the true spirit of this sport at heart will
do well and not mind the log book at all. The first time riders that I have
helped out in the past were darn grateful to have a little moral support. They
are often nervous, don't know quite what to do, and feel like an
outsider. People who are the wrecks waiting to happen, that are out
there for the wrong reasons will probably get pissed and not come back. Good.
I mean surely we can come up with an acceptable workable plan to
protect horses, educate people and improve our image, the 'very important image
of the AERC and our sport. You all know that every time something like this
happens it is only more fodder for the anit everything people.. Sponsors could
be volunteers. Allot of older riders ride pretty slow, and I for one would
be happy to tag along with a new person. I am sure allot of us would. We try to
educate, we try to help, but as long as we do not have any way of knowing if the
person has learned anything or even gives a crap, pre ride, we are open for
trouble. As far as I can see the only way to find that out is with a log
book and sponsors. Or something. Unforeseen things happen to the best old
riders and horses. But a first time rider killing the horse is, I
think something that could be prevented. Annie G.
