Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Marta,

Please don't judge all riders by one person's post.  I could tell you many, many stories of riders, from back-of-the-pack types to top competitors running at the front, who have stopped to help other riders in trouble.  These acts often don't make it to Ridecamp, but the stories get related around among riders at rides, and I'll bet darn near everyone here on RC could tell you of someone they know who has either helped, or been helped, by another rider who interrupted their ride to do the right thing.  I've had people stop and ask if I was ok when I've gotten off to pee, and they've stopped and waited so I could mount my rather hyper horse.  Five years ago my horse stepped in a hole and fell during a 50, sending me to the ER.  Two riders stayed with me until the paramedics arrived...and they took care of my horse, taking him back to a nearby cattle pen and untacking him.  And I've been on the receiving end of other kindnesses as well during the 8 years I've been in the sport.  So don't worry...should you need help, chances are your fellow riders will be there for you.  :)

 

Dawn Carrie, Texas
 

On 8/9/07, Marta Kozlowska <martank@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

It seems to me that each rider has an obligation to stop when they see
another rider or horse injured or needing help. I've read either here,
or on another board,  one of those who heard Roger fall (or cry for
helP) and didn't stop, explain that she and other riders who were
along with her decided to keep going to the next hold (Francisco?) to
let them know there is a problem b/c they didn't think they could help
if they stopped. I think that's a lame excuse.  Someone and their
mount is laying somewhere injured off the trail. I bet he'd appreciate
if you'd at least stop and keep him company until the help arrives.
There are enough riders there to share the tasks. Let someone go for
help and someone else stay. I have to tell you that thus far from what
I've seen and heard, I find endurance riders are very competitive and
not very compassionate, which is shocking since the nature of this
competition is such that you are alone in the woods or desert
somewhere and it is your fellow riders who will most likely be the
ones first at the scene of any accident.
I've heard stories about riders refusing to stop to allow the other
rider in their two person team to adjust a loose girth, knowing well
that the horse wouldn't stand still long enough while it's buddy
disappears down the trail.

I'm just glad that so far I didn't get into trouble on the trail
leaving me helpless and relying on other riders:(

Shame on these folks!

Marta

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