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

OK, guess I must pipe up now!

I'm a NATRC rider that also rides LDs and several AHAHO CTRs during the year.
There are rides I wouldn't want my youngster on no matter how well 
trained/old her horse is. But, there are others that I'd gladly take my 
coming 6 yr. old granddaughter on. I would love to start her on NATRC, but 
alas we have to wait another four years. I can only hope I am still able to 
climb up on a horse then. <g> I would like her to start in NATRC because of 
all the great things it teaches a new rider of distance. The only thing I 
find strange is that in NATRC a junior may ride without a sponsor, but must 
have one in camp. Hmmm. I have to say though, that those jr.s that need a 
sponsor have always had one, and those that don't need one are fine on their 
own, at least here in Region 5. Parents and grandparents are making those 
decisions very well.
I do like the idea of a child qualifying for the higher mileage. It is a goal 
for them to shoot for and an accomplishment when those goals are met.
I can't imagine my granddaughter sitting in the saddle for fifty miles, much 
less one hundred, but that doesn't mean there aren't those that can, 
obviously.

Granny Jan/Rider,  Paige/Jack

In a message dated 10/26/02 3:34:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
tpranch@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

<< I noticed that none of the NATRC folks have said anything on this thread.  
 
 Our rules allow riders age 10 and over to compete.  It's a rule that has 
been tried and tested but so far, our National BOD has not changed it.  
 
 Of course, we start our rides by timing riders out at 15 or 30 second 
intervals, but you still have excited horses, ready to move out at the 
beginning of a CTR.  I think our age requirements allow for young riders to 
compete and control their horses. 
 
 Gretchen Patterson
 NATRC, Marshall, TX
  >>

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