Over the course of this subject, several things struck me as reality that
simply cannot be discounted simply because someone has a passionate desire for
something out of reach as of yet. Firstly, according to the ride records one
poster added, this junior does not have the experience or credentials to be
riding Tevis alone, and so her idea of what is real comes into question. Thsi is
one reason why we have parents at this age:).
Secondly in such a litigous society that we live in - especially
California, where no one takes personal ersponsibility for anything, they just
sue, it is completely understandible that the management of Tevis does not want
to take a chance, and hedge the bets that the whole of Tevis "rides" on, on the
tipping of scales in this kind of an issue. I wouldn't. Even a most competent
rider of ANY age, but particularly a junior wanting to compete in a venue not
yet available to them, opens up a huge liability issue. It is sad, but we can
thank those who have been in recent eyars quick to sue when something didn't
suit them in their personal choices. I would hate to think that Tevis could be
negatively impacted for years and even decades to come because one person
crow-bared their desire into the system. This is why we have
management!
Htirdly, and perhaps most significantly on a personal leve, it is about
time we teach our youth and children the difefrence between a right and a
priviledge. Riding at ALL, having horses, competing in any discipline, shoot,
driving a CAR - all these are PRIVILEDGES, not RIGHTS. Sometimes - just
SOMETIMES - it pays to remember this. Most of the time, one has to earn his or
her awy into it, by viture of age, experience, success, and the like. Other
times, it may simply not be available to a given segment of desirous people for
a while - or ever. Just as I would tell my own daughters, count your blessings
that you get to take part at ALL and stop whining about what you DON'T have. Is
there a possibility that COurtney will NEVER ride TEvis? Absolutely (though with
her persistence, she will likely do it at the first possible moment, and I hope
she is truly prepared then:)) If she NEVER rides Tevis, life goes on and she is
still abundantly fortunate and blessed to even be able to ride and be with these
beautiful creatures, and most likely will still be most fortunate to still be
able to compete at any level.
I am reminded by this of the golfer with a handicap who pressed for "fair
treatment" - and yet at the end of it all, no one really sees him as playing on
that level playing field because he now has a distinct advantage over his
competition (even though I never saw golf as terribly athletic, I am told that I
am SO WRONG:)!). What bothered me was that, for the sake of one's own pleasure,
oen would take issue with a system, more in this case than in pro golf, that is
intended to both proect the riders AND the horses from injury and even death as
a result of poor judgement, immaturity or lack of experience. As I tell my
daughters - "how AMAZING that you, at YOUR age, can be SO MUCH SMARTER than I
am! How did you DO THAT???" Patience is a good thing - that in itself is a mark
of maturity.
