ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] Jr. riders
[endurance] Jr. riders
Samm C Bartee (bartesc@mail.auburn.edu)
Tue, 14 Nov 1995 11:06:14 -0600 (CST)
The subject of Jr. riders can be a touchy subject for a lot of people. I
think (my opionion only) a lot of people just don't take Jr.'s
seriously. The kids are our future, and we really need to give them a
chance, just like someone gave us a chance. Are we worried about being
slowed down? More than likely, a Jr. will want to go much faster than we
were planning on going anyway. Are we worried about complaints? Have
you ridden with 1/2 of the people out there? Jr. riders know nothing
about complaining. I believe with a little knowledge, people can have a
very good Jr./sponser relationship going down the trail. I know a lot
of my rides have been made a lot richer by seeing the trail through the
eyes of a child.
Here in the southeast, I know of several rides where a sponser has just
ran off and left the Jr. One case was at least in the vet check, and
the Jr. was able to find another sponser and complete the rest of the
ride. ONe of the most serious cases was a real stunner. The sponser
rode into camp and promptly told the mother of the youngster that she got
off and tightened the girth and did not see the kid, so she came on into
camp. She also stated that she thought something might be wrong with the
kids horse. Well, all turned out ok, as someone else brought the kid
into camp safely. Ride management made it sound as though everyone
involved would lose points if a big deal was made about it, so it was
swept under the rug. I wonder if something had happened to the kid or
the horse......
My whole point in this is not to point fingers, or to place blame, but to
just say that Jr. riders deserve more than they are getting. Most people
can't afford to keep two or more horses going, and some parents are not
physically able to ride, so sponsering their own kid is not an option.
Why should that kid be penalized just because he or she is not old enough
to ride as a Sr.? I tell lots of parents that I will sponser the kid,
and if there is a problem at the vet check, then we can make other
arrangements, this has worked many a time, and usually with little or no
problems.
There is a whole nother world out there with a jr. by your side, yours or
someone elses, and I think that anyone who tries it once will see what a
wonderful thing it is. I will always treasure my jr. riders, and my most
memorable rides included Jr.'s. Give it a shot, what have you got to
lose? I doubt any time:-) and you will gain a whole new perspective on
life!
APPY TRAILS
SAMM C. BARTEE someone who sponsers, and stays young!
AUBURN AL
THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA!!!