So, what you are saying - in contrast to what I understood from Bruce's post, is that in a case such as this, the ONLY option is to file a full, formal protest if Ride Management doesn't want to take on the job of talking to or educating the rider. ?That there is no other way to have the situation addressed outside of the formal protest mechanism. ?There is no way to initiate a lower-key feedback mechanism in order to educate a rider about expected trail manners, or horse manners, etc., similar to what the WOTH committee does for horse welfare issues.
That really seems to just ask for problems to be ignored until something pretty drastic happens -- and what happened here seems pretty drastic to me. ?I sure hope that next time, this mare doesn't grab hold of a junior on their first ride.
On Jan 28, 2008, at 1:35 PM, Laura Hayes wrote:
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As far as sanctions are concerned.? I realize that everyone wants a system where they can protest an action (for that is how AERC is set up) without actually protesting an action.? Then, they would like to remain anonymous....
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If the action has to do with horse welfare, there is a system - let the Welfare of the Horse committee know and we will look into it, and you can usually remain anonymous.? If and when you have something of that nature, I will discuss it in person with you.? If the action has to do with a violation of the rules such as unsportsmanlike conduct (such as biting another contestant)?cutting trail or other violation of written rules, you must go through the Protest and Grievance process, and no, you can not remain anonymous.? On a smaller, but as important,?scale, RMs have the ability to impose rules other than those written in the AERC manual, provided they are in writing before the ride.?
