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Re: [RC] [RC] horsemanship learning NEVER ends---was CTR Thumbs down - Deanna German

Tracey, this definitely isn't personal, but I feel like I have to respond.

One of the things that I've learned from being a distance rider, crew and
ride volunteer is to not judge anyone else's horsemanship, especially if
they are "getting it done." I learned that there are a gazillion means to
the same end (a fit horse that can go down trail many more days) and some of
them conflict directly with what other people are doing, yet the end result
is the same.

I learned to never judge anyone having metabolic or soundness problems. But
for the grace of God, go I or whatever that saying is.

I learned that every time I moved up in distance or speed that some new and
unexpected challenge (often many challenges) popped up. I bet the same is
true any time someone starts a new horse.

I learned to appreciate the old and not-so-old campaigners who are racking
up completions be it in CTR, LD or endurance.

I learned that a person can do everything "right" and still have things go
very, very wrong. I also learned that a person can do everything "wrong" and
never have obvious problems.

I've learned not to "poo-poo" CTR like I did when I was getting started.
(Right, Sylvia?) CTR gave me a good base. I played the CTR game to win a few
years back, but now I'll just take my completions, thank the manager, the
vets and the volunteers and go home very happy. :-) Same with LD or
endurance.

And, heck, last ride I did, I learned that my mare will pee dark red about 5
or 6 hours after eating a couple of handfuls of alfalfa pellets for
breakfast -- she just didn't need the extra calcium and was excreting it in
her urine. (This lesson required a panicked consultation with the ride vet.)

Hey, I even know of a pretty accomplished rider who lives in Michigan who,
EEK!, doesn't ever feed beet pulp! >ggg< (Jeanie knows I adore her and that
I think she deserves her own pedestal.) It works for her. I can't argue with
her years of success.

Take care.

Deanna



Tracey wrote:
Well said Deanna!  That is what I like about both CTR and Endurance is that
I am contintuallly learning...and so are folks who are much more experienced
than me.  Just because someone was in 4H does not mean their horsemanship is
bad....but I doubt they know all there is to know either.

Take a good look at the pictures posted from Tevis and you will seen that
quite a few of those riders could still stand to learn a few lessons in
horsemanship.  Not knocking them as they are at the "top of the sport" to
even ATTEMPT such a ride...just saying there isn't a one of us that couldn't
improve their horsemanship in one area or another and to think otherwise is
being closed minded.

Tracey


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