Re: [RC] ATHLETE defined - some riders are athletes, some aren't - Charles
I understand your point. How do you view
the horse and rider combination? In an earlier message you said:
"But, riding
doesn't make YOU the athlete. The horse is the athlete". I think you are partly right. Just because someone
rides, doesn't mean they are an athlete. But, a rider can be an
athlete. Similarly, a fast running horse isn't automatically an
athlete, but it can be.
According to www.m-w.com (Merriam Webster Dictionary online)
Athlete is defined as: "a person who
is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical
strength, agility, or stamina". As my wife says
"Riding is more than being a passenger on your horses back". Riding is a
skill, it requires physical ability (strength), agility (jump up on a horse and
duck below that branch, and don't fall off when your horse turns on a dime and
gives 9 cents change), and stamina (I hope I hold up till I get home).
Still, the definition doesn't go far enough.
For instance, a month of lessons doesn't
make someone an athlete despite getting some modicum of skill. I
ski (snowboard) regularly, yet I would be the first person to say that
I'm not an athlete. Even when I was at the top of my form in skiing and
could ski any trail all day long, I was never an athlete. I was just
engaging in an athletic activity.
The real question is at what point do you
become an athlete?
If you look at the etymology of Athlete, Merriam Webster says: Etymology:
Middle English, from Latin athleta, from Greek athlEtEs, from
athlein to contend for a prize, from athlon prize,
contest
The moment someone becomes an athlete is the moment they contend for a
prize. We can debate what prize, or if a personal goal is enough of a
prize. For instance, my personal goal of getting me and my horse fit
enough to enter an LD before the end of the year shouldn't qualify me as an
athlete (a major accomplishment as anyone who knows about the body builds my
horse and I share, and my lack of riding experience and ability).
But, people who have dedicated their lives to a sport, who enter
competitions, and who are contending for prizes (gold medals? cash? fame?
recognition? etc) clearly are ATHLETES in the complete meaning of the
word. Horses who go out wanting to win (for whatever it is a horse
considers a prize) are athletes.
A rider can be an athlete. A horse can be an athlete.
Perhaps Mr. Webster can better say what I'm trying pathetically to
describe.
Athlete: n. A person trained or skilled in acts or games requiring physical
strength, agility, speed, etc,
This describes the horse in any event very well. It does NOT describe
the rider...nor does it describe a shooter. I'm a gun hunter (pretty
good shot too) and would not describe myself as an athlete because of that
fact.
But, I respect the fact that others don't agree.
Susan Young
Casey, Princess of Pink, LIW, RRHA, RHS Semper Obliquo (Always aside)
Glenndale Grace Farm, Ft Gibson, Oklahoma U.S.A.
"Ride on!
Rough-shod if need be, smooth-shod if that will do, but ride on! Ride on over
all obstacles, and win the race!" - Charles Dickens (1812-1870)
Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo!
Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, and more
