Volunteers

["RONALD SANCHES" <ronbarbara@thegrid.net>]

One of the very best ways to learn about the sport of endurance is to
volunteer at
a ride.  Acting as timers, p&r folks and vet secretaries,  helping set up
vet checks
or any of the other many tasks required to successfully manage a ride takes
lots of volunteers.  They cannot be thanked or appreciated enough for
giving up
their weekends to see that a ride goes as smoothly as possible.  It is a
great opportunity for learning about stress related problems our horses
experience, strategies riders use and a great way to observe everything
involved with this sport.  The next ride you enter,  thank the people that
are manning gates out in the middle of nowhere,
taking your horse's pulse early in the morning or late at night (on l00's)
in any or all
types of weather.  They are at the last vet check until the remaining
horses pass
through, and  are at the finish line with a smile when the last tired horse
and rider
cross it.  Managing a ride takes lots of time and work to organize before
the ride
even starts.  What makes it so much less stressful is all those wonderful
people
who offer to help and keep their commitments on race day.  And of course,
they
never have to deal with rude riders or get stepped on by unruly horses,
etc.  Without
them, this sport would be in sad shape.  Thanks to all of you!  Barbara