Re: Apprenticeship

[Chris Paus <paus@micoks.net>]

NOt all newbies run down their horses! Most of us pamper and baby them and
probably don't push them to their full potential! There are some speed
demons out there, but from my experience, they have done a lot more rides
than I have and are comfortable tearing around the countryside. I abhor
them bringing in a lathered, hot horse, but when I have commented to other
riders about them I've learned that so and so has been atthis for years.

On the flip side, mentoring is a great way to go and I think that many
veteran riders do it without there being a formal program. Certainly I have
a couple of individuals to thank for getting me adn Star through our first
year. We got some good coaching and one woman even risked missing her
completino to help us when she saw we were in trouble.

chris paus & star

At 07:10 PM 1/28/98 -0500, Linda S. Flemmer wrote:
>How about experienced riders "adopting a NEWBIE" if a ride runs a loop
>together.  Do some training rides together.  Speak at riding
>clubs/scouts meetings/4H groups.
>
>If we don't like seeing inexperienced riders running down their horses,
>how about educating them in a non-threatening manner.  (mentoring)
>
>We've brought quite a few folks into the sport this way - they're still
>riding the same horses many years later, still enjoying their rides.
>
>Linda Flemmer
>Blue Wolf Ranch
>Bruceton Mills, WV
>
>
>