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

On Thu, 24 Oct 2002 12:36:27 EDT, FASTGraphic@xxxxxx wrote:

>In a message dated 10/24/2002 9:15:20 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
>jlong@xxxxxxxx writes:

><< I'm sure the Lewis family believes that they are not abusing the
> child.  Nevertheless, I believe 100% that the child is being abused. >>

>I understand that is just your opinion...and we all know about opinions being 
>like .......... well, you know.  But that is a horrific charge.   You seem so 
>adamant about this.  What happened?  Did a junior rider place before you in 
>your last ride?  Or do you just really  hate kids?  Child abuse??????  And 
>based on what expertise do you make such a damning charge?  None?  Thought 
>so.  Have you ever raised children?  How are they doing?

Can we please try to keep this from becoming a flamefest?  That's why
I took pains to point out that I'm sure the Lewis family does not
believe they did anything wrong; it is not my wish to criticize them.
I'm concerned with the future, not the past.

Juniors of many ages have placed ahead of me many times ... usually
because I was sponsoring them.  I say a five-year-old riding an
endurance ride is child abuse because, no matter how capable and
mature they may be mentally, there is no way that young and small a
body can ride astride a horse that many hours without damage.  If you
have medical sources that dispute that, I'd like to see them.

Also, of course, because of the inherent dangers in the sport and the
inability of ANY preschooler to deal with many of them.





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