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[RC] Lynne's Norco Post - Ridecamp GuestPlease Reply to: monica bennett mbennett_pcr@xxxxxxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ========================================== Here's Lynne's original post that went out today. I agree that it is a tragedy to lose a ride manager like Lynn. Having only put on one ride myself, it was a real lesson as to what it takes to put on a ride and all the hard work that it entails which is transparent to the riders. And that was for an existing ride that had been going on for over 20 years! Lynne has gone out of her way to put on a brand new ride (Bar H Boogie in 2003) and then to follow it up a year later with a multi day ride (2004). My heart goes out to her and I hope that she regains her optimism and energy. She?s been a wonderful leader and contributor to the Pacific South region in countless ways; from ride management to saddle fitting to newbie advice to ride photos etc. etc. Though I don?t know her well, she has my respect and I know we?ve lost a great deal when someone like her gets fed up and backs out. It is a real shame. As riders, we should always hold ourselves accountable first and foremost. If you have a bad day or ride, there?s always another. Taking it out on a ride manager or anyone else for that matter is fundamentally wrong. Due to normal ride logistics, I never got the chance to participate in one of Lynne?s rides. I always thought there would be another chance in another year. Lynne, if you are reading, I?m very sorry that you?ve born the brunt of rider frustrations. You don?t deserve it and you certainly didn?t earn it. Please hang in there and enjoy your horses. I hope to see you on the trail. Thank you for all you?ve given to the sport, you?ve been an inspiration and I know you will always be, no matter what you decide to do next. Monica & Inde Lynne's post to So_Cal_Endurance group at yahoo.com OK, after the online feedback form I got today from AERC, no Norco and maybe no more Bar H Boogie. If anybody wants to see the feedback they can e-mail me privately, they contradict themselves and it's not all that credible, but hey, you're welcome. I'm burnt out. That's why I took so long to submit the results of BHB to AERC, but they've had them since last week. Y'all be nice to your ride managers, volunteer at least once a year. Bring your own human water. Be prepared to deal with centralized horse water. Be aware that ride management may not be able to circulate a water truck on a Saturday night when they have water troughs to fill on trail for Sunday's ride. And that volunteers work really hard to make sure trails are well-marked and re-marked. Don't wait till the last minute to enter rides, or if you have to, give mgmt a heads up. Take responsibility for your own horse's condition and ride accordingly. Don't expect ride vets to notice when your horse is in trouble. Don't be so competitive that you overlook this. Don't expect your horse to be able to get horrible scores and still top ten. Make sure that your tack fits the current shape of your horse, it's not your saddler's responsibility to check your gear. And on that score, adjustable saddles don't adjust themselves. In fairness, I'd already decided over the last weekend that there would be no Norco this year. One of my key people lost his teenage daughter to a senseless, alcohol involved MVA a couple of weeks ago, his heart isn't in it and mine isn't either, added to the effects of the two fires in the riverbed and the amount of work involved to both manage the trail and the admin side. Of course, someone else can put on Norco. I'd be happy to put you in touch with the ranger for the area. Have a great ride season. Maybe later this year we'll see you out there. Please don't bother trying to change my mind, because it's not gonna happen. Thanks to everyone who has supported my rides in the past. Lynne ===========================================================Of course things aren't perfect, perfect doesn't exist on this earth. Doesn't mean we won't go on trying to get better at what we do. Besides, if everything was perfect today, what would you do tomorrow? Slamming each other doesn't get anything done. ~ Dot Wiggins ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ===========================================================
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