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Re: [RC] kids and horses - Truman Prevatt

Joe Long wrote:

No, there is no "magic number."  The best we can do is set some reasonable
minimum, based on our expertise and experience.  I think NATRC has it about
right with their 10-year-old minimum, and maybe even 12 would be best for
endurance.  But six or seven DAMN sure is too young, for any child.  The SERA
has used eight years old for their minimum for over ten years now, and it's
worked very well.  So I can accept eight years old for AERC.



Joe,

It has been at least 20 years that SERA has had the 8 year old min age. At our annual meeting this Jan I brought the issue up for discussion and debate among the members. There were three options, keep it as is, modify it or abolish it. The vote was to keep it as is and the vote was unanimous - not a single no vote to be heard.

Is it the correct age - it may be a little low NATRC has a 10 year old and at least one state 4H has 9 years old for the equestrian program as the min - but 8 has worked for us. As far as the AERC I'm not going to address it as specific age since the argument becomes very emotional very fast and when emotion is involved - logic suffers. First there has to be a consensus that a min age is in the best interest of the AERC.

What I do believe is that in a region with a lot of fast, flat, large rides such as the SE where a horse can get away from even the most experienced rider in a nanosecond, it is the right thing to do.

Truman


--


"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein


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Replies
RE: [RC] kids and horses, heidi
Re: [RC] kids and horses, Joe Long