Educate the newbies (was unidentified subject)

["Maggie Mieske" <mmieske@netonecom.net>]

I was not the one who suggested a 20 minute presentation (whew, I'm still
smoking here) but I did say that at a "mock" distance ride that our local
club held, we put together a handout and I did say, yes, it cost
money....my own, in fact.  So I'm not a ride manager but I do understand
they have a lot to do.  I gave completion certificates, awards for
divisions and high point overall (We also marked the trail) and though we
took donations, more went out of our pocket than in.  We wanted our friends
and neighbors to have an experience and learn about what we do, how and
why... Ideally, people should take responsibility to learn about endurance
before they do it...I DID.  But not everyone will and I appreciate the vet
and RM who takes time to answer questions and educate people.  There isn't
anything wrong with that. (perhaps in EXPECTING it but I suspect more vets
would rather take a few minutes to educate than to treat a horse in
trouble)  I imagine that few minutes (5 or 20) will save a few horses from
some serious grief.  That's what I like about our sport...we look out for
each other.  Your suggestion for someone (a rider) to volunteer to do a
presentation/handout/whatever for newbies is a good one and I firmly
believe that if there is something needs doing/changing/improving, then
riders should be the ones to take initiative and do something.  Perhaps a
couple of experienced riders could volunteer to do just that thing... a
presentation or demonstration (but earlier as most ride meetings are late
and riders want to get to bed and sleep afterward).  There are no
complaints here about ride managers or vets from me...  but the fact that,
in spite of my reading and research before my first ride, I was still
confused and overwhelmed doesn't mean I shouldn't have my questions
answered or be helped out at a ride.  Heck, we need newbies... especially
small rides who have a tough time breaking even.  We not only want them to
learn about our sport, we want them to like it enough to keep coming back! 
The "let 'em learn on their own first" attitude is detrimental to the
spirit of our sport.  
Maggie 
Michigan

----------
> From: Lynette Helgeson <helgeson@lansford.ndak.net>
> To: Maggie Mieske <mmieske@netonecom.net>
> Cc: UnionJune2@aol.com; Dbeverly4@aol.com; alison@hirschcompany.com;
ridecamp@endurance.net
> Subject: Re: Unidentified subject!
> Date: Monday, September 27, 1999 9:29 AM
> 
> There are a million things that a ride manager has to get done
> before and during a ride. And all of these million things cost
> money. Too
> many small rides lose money. The vets work hard and are
> underpaid. But
> now you guys want more from the RM and the Vet? Someone to give
> a 20
> minute presentation? that all sounds great, but who is going to
> do it?
> It would take time to get the material together and cost money
> to print
> it out. I have been to rides that have material printed out for 
> education for the newbies. But these same people are standing in
> front
> of the RM right before the start of the ride, asking a lot of
> questions.
> I doubt that they even picked up and read the info. sheet. Just 
> think about it. If these people came to this ride and did not
> bother
> to learn about what they were getting into before they got
> there,
> do you really think that they are going to take the time to read
> some
> printed sheets right before the ride? 
> 
> I am not saying that there are not people who would. But I think
> that it 
> is the riders responsibility to gather information and learn
> about endurance
> before they do a ride. Not the RM's or vets responsibility to
> teach them.
> If someone wanted to compete in dressage, do they just show up
> to a horse
> show and compete without any prior knowledge or experience? Is
> it up to
> the judge to teach them dressage while they compete? Or the
> sport of soccer
> or football? Endurance is a sport, a contest. People need to
> educate themselves
> before they compete. That is what Allison did. And that is the
> purpose of CTR. 
> But please do not put that on the shoulders of the RM, they have
> enough to 
> do already. I think that before all of you riders start making
> suggestions as to what the RM should be doing, put on a ride
> yourself, become a RM. Then you will be in the position to say
> what you think RM's should be doing. 
> 
> And if you still feed strongly that there should be a
> presentation for education at the next ride. Then put the info
> together, have it printed out as a hand out, and tell the RM
> that you will do the presentation. I am sure that the RM would
> be delighted
> with your help. 
> 
> Lynette, 
> who has helped to put on a ride, and would never dream of asking
> the
> RM to do more then what they already have to do.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=