Re: Death Visits Ridecamp

["Kirsten Price" <splash@dakotacom.net>]

I am glad to see that most responses to Howard's story have observed the
"people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" motto.

The only public comment I want to make about Howard's experience and story
is this.  For better or for worse, we've gotten to know Howard here on
Ridecamp... perhaps better in some ways than most other regular
contributors.  Howard ain't perfect, far from it, just like the rest of us.
The difference seems to be that Howard is ready and willing to hang his
imperfections and errors out there for all to see.  Unlike many others, he
is prepared to publicly admit his mistakes and take responsibility for them.
He has done this twice now that I can specifically recall, three times if
you count the retraction of the statements about ride vets. This is a rare
and, IMO, exceptional human characteristic.

Whatever his many shortcomings, Howard is the kind of guy I'll ride the
trail with any day.  And I think he's a far better trail partner today than
he was before the disasterous ride with Dance.  The road to experience is
pretty damn rocky with lots of big holes to fall into.  The even bigger
downside is that our equine buddies pay the price for our failures in
judgment and knowledge.  I know I learned a cheap lesson from Howard and
Dance.  While I'd rather their experience had never happened, I am thankful
Howard was willing to share it with us.  My horses thank him too.

Thanks Howard.

Kirsten, Splash and Soleil

Kirsten Price
James E. Rogers College of Law
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
splash@dakotacom.net