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[RC] Sportmanship! - D'Arcy Demianoff-Thompson--- Jessica Cameron <jjcameron@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: simply have nothing better to do but sit around and bring down one area of this sport w/out looking at the big picture and facing the issues that surround the entire sport. Point well taken Jessica. Isn't that what good sportmanship is all about...setting a positive mode/attitude no matter what part of the industry you participate in? Lead by example - now that is a strong and powerful statement - which could work in either direction depending on negative or positive input. We have a saying in the training/boarding part of the industry...'trainer' sets the mode! If there is a trainer at your facility - guaranteed their attitude is going to set the pace for the general boarding populus. Why, because they are viewed as the 'professional' above the stable owner. Well, I see in the Endurance end of the sport whether it is AERC or FEI the horse and rider set the mode. Teams set the mode! If you don't have a good attitude to lead by example your industry FAILS! Not only for the individual but the horse as well. How many bystanders, sitting on the fence, wanting to participate but don't because of the 'click' mentality that prevails. How many Tevis veteran's are out there working hard to bring new people into the endurance world to coach through Tevis? How many mentors are out there? Life endurance coaches? When I watched an FEI tape of Becky Hart in France a number of years ago -I was blown away. She set a tone for me that has prevailed throughout the years. She could have criticized the Austrailians, that year, for the horrible pace they started with. How they broke their horses down. They didn't win, as most of you know, Becky won. The constant care and consideration for her mount and herself set a precedent for me. I knew I was not going to venture into endurance until I could devote 100% of my time to the horse! I didn't want to just get a horse ready and 'see' if the horse and I could do it. I knew I wanted to be in the sport not just a participant of the sport. I knew I wanted to be a positive example in this industry. I may not get to where I want to go. I do know that with a strong backbone, strong commentary and reassurance from endurance 'professionals' I'll have a better chance of achieving my goals. Whereas I would not if I was to listen to the negative commentary that seems to prevail here sometimes. Therefore, I submit a challenge to anyone that feels they have all of the answers and know what is best for everyone: Go out and become a mentor and bring at least one new person into the industry that will, at the very least, compete on the national level. Preferably on the international level. How would we know of your accomplishments...when the awards are issued and that rider says, "I'd like to thank my horse and my mentor (insert your name here), without whom I would never have gotten to this level!" Stepping down off of my soap box now! D'Arcy L. Demianoff-Thompson liberty4640@xxxxxxxxx ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sponsored Link Rates near 39yr lows. $420,000 Loan for $1399/mo. Calcuate new payment. www.LowerMyBills.com/lre =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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