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[RC] Mentoring Thoughts - EdI do not see mentoring ever happening where the experienced rider would have to ride with the new rider. I say that because I have never rode a ride (25-50) where I could ride the pace of another horse the whole distance. He has always either wanted to go faster or slower than other horses. What could possibly work would be a system where experienced crews volunteered to be set up with inexperienced riders and their crews so those who have been around could assist, teach and advise at the checks and even keep an eye on the horse. Also, marking the inexperienced horse/rider team with a colored ribbon (green?) may be useful so those with experience may keep a helpful eye on them on the trail intermittently. Ride managers could have a place on entry forms where those with experience could indicate they wouldn't mind volunteering their expertise and crew to help like this or could identify them at ride meetings (in the SE the new riders have a short meeting and the volunteering mentor crews could "hook up" with them there). Our first 50 found me getting Sawyer into trouble at the first VC. Joe Shoech saw I was having trouble and came over to us and helped us through the VC. No one asked him, he saw a need and filled it. Joe and his wife, Tamara, continue to be the newbies advocates in the SE. There are many out there who I am sure would help as long as they could still ride their rides and enjoy their time. I don't like the sound of "mandatory"! People like to help and people like to be helped and advice is better received when it isn't forced on them Just thoughts. Ed Roley & Sawyer (the sun is shining, it supposed to be near 60 this weekend-we're going riding!) ============================================================ You don't have to be a 100-mile rider or a multi-day rider to be an endurance rider, but if you want to experience the finest challenges our sport has to offer, you need to do both of those. ~ Joe Long ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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