Incomplete resume:
I am a humble back-yard endurance rider that found this sport more than 20
years ago in the form of CTR's. I was in love with the people and their
attitude (especially after years of CT, dressage, H/J, foxhunting, etc.) I
have never been, never will be rich enough to be a snob... Hence, at this
date, I have ridden over 6000 miles in competition (more CTR in the 70's and
80's and now almost all Endurance). I was educated at M.I.T. (believe it or
not) but gave up the loftiness of such a label to pursue what I loved...so in
1980 I started manufacturing equipment for endurance riders and have been
doing so for 16 years now. I travel all over the US (not much out
west..would like to do more) from ride to ride and trade show to trade show
with my mobile store and my horses when I can so I can ride as well. I
deeply love this sport and the majority of the people in it. I don't know
how to quit it (and don't want to). My expertise is based almost solely on
experience as I have ridden the 25 CTR's and the one day 100's. I rarely win
and am sometimes lucky enough to make a top ten. When I have time to train,
and my horses are fit and can be quite competitive..but most of the time I am
along for the ride. I have learned many things from watching others and
myself do things badly..and learning from it...again, and again, and again.
I used to publish a small magazine, but time constraints forced me to
discontinue. As you have seen, I love to converse on the subject dearest to
my heart and am more than glad to share what I have learned...good and
bad..my gross errors even more so than my victories. If I am an expert on
anything, it is talking and inserting my foot in my mouth.
Teddy
P.S. I have been active in this sport more recently as a non-rider..getting
involved in FEI, etc..I have served on boards and committees and most
recently (and currently one of the Eastern Time Zone reps to AERC
International). Business has grown to the point that the personal rewards of
competition have taken a back seat to supplying an increasing number of trail
riders with goods. Not all bad...I do miss the riding ..but at least I am
still with the people and sport that touches my soul. I am lucky enough to
have a "paid hobby".
P.P.S.: I met Tom (ti) more than ten years ago when I picked up his first
"Fit Racehorse" book..the ONLY book I have seen that addresses equine
exercise physiology on a level that is not only understandable, but more
directly applicable to what we do than anything else I have ever read (before
and since)...I lost track of Tom who is perhaps more of a gypsy than I am
until recently. Susan I never knew until this list became so verbal. There
are a good deal of others on and off this list who have much to
contribute..no matter what their credentials..most express a deep care and
concern for our horses and our sport and I feel priviledged to be a part of
it all.