Ridecamp: Re: [RC] [RC] Very young riders in AERC rides

OK, this is one heck of a double edged sword!

I was one of those lucky kids whom was born in the saddle.  This topic scares me. 
(along with tons of other feelings)  I have been riding independently sense I was 3 and I can tell you, I broke more bones at home (being a kid) then on the trail.  I was 7 (almost 8) at my first AERC event.  I was 14 when I did my first 100.  I gave up 4H because I felt more and fell in love with endurance.

I agree whole heartily that 5 is very young to do a 100, but who am I to tell a parent that they CAN'T let their child do it?  I know it has been a LONG time sense I was a junior.. But isn't the mileage requirement for a junior to be allowed to ride unsponsored 500 miles?  So why can't we do the same thing with this topic?  

Say (for example) a junior rider has to have at least 100 miles of LDs to be eligible to enter a 50 mile ride? (and) A junior rider has to have at least 400 miles to be eligible to enter a 100 mile ride?  100s take stamina, strength, guts, ambition... the list is endless.  Things that MOST (not all) children just haven't mastered yet.

I may be way off base here, and it sure as heck isn't going to be the first time someone disagreed with me.  I just don't agree that we should put an age limit on this.  Juniors endurance riders will someday be our adult endurance riders.  Why do we want to tell them they can't do it because they are to young?  HOG WASH.
When Colton is ready, by golly I will be too, and I hope AERC excepts him with open arms.  Everything I learned as a junior rider, wasn't always from my parents, but also from all my ADOPTIVE ride camp parents.

Just my 2 cents.
Jinnifer Plummer #2625