I think that our sport has the same good vs bad participants as any
other sport. There are a few that are really bad and a few that are
really good, and most of us fall some where in the middle. The difference
is that the bad ones can hurt their partner who does little complaining.
I've seen folks that have ruined a horse - literally run it into the
ground. One of these horses was a wonderful stallion who after one
ride had to be put to pasture, and never ridden or breed again because
his heart was in ruins. That particular rider had been warned at many
rides that she was over riding the horse, and at this ride had been
told to slow down. It did no good.
I've seen a novice rider not going too fast on a not very well contiditioned
horse come into a vet check and get pulled because something wasn't
quite right. Back at the trailer the horse coliced and major work
was done. It was heart breaking to watch the girl sitting by her
horse crying. She had done what she had been told and still had a
problem. Horse came out OK.
I've known one person who came into the sport and ran several horses
into the ground. He'd just use up the horse, pick another, use it
up, etc. He eventually came around to working with just a couple
of horses, and use them well. I still don't like him, but he's
not a complete ass any more.
And I've known many people who are the first to see a problem with
their horses and pull the horse even though the vet thinks it could
go on.
So we do have the "bell curve" of people. Some are more competitive
than others. The great thing about our sport, is that the non-competitive
people still *win* by completing. Competition doesn't mean they
are demanding too much of their horses. Many of the most competitive
people do everything for their horses, listen to their horses, and
do their darnest to come back next time in addition to trying to win.
I think that what we have to do is teach the new comers as well as
we can and as well as they will listen. When we see a potential
problem (with any rider), point it out to the rider in a very positive
way, and suggest a solution. You can't determine how the person will
react, all you can do is your best.
-- Wendy\|/ /\ -O- /**\ /|\ /****\ /\ / \ /**\ Here there be dragons / /\ / \ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\/\/\ /\ / / \ / \ / \/\/ \/ \ /\/ \/\ /\ /\/ / / \/ \ / / \/ /\ \ / \ \ / \/ / / \/ \/ \ / \ \ / / \/ \/\ \ / \ / / \ __/__/_______/___/__\___\__________________________________________________
Wendy Milner HPDesk: wendy_milner@hp4000 Training Development Engineer HP-UX: wendy@fc.hp.com Mail Stop 46 Telnet: 229-2182 3404 E. Harmony Rd. AT&T: (970) 229-2182 Fort Collins, CO, 80525 FAX: (970) 229-4292