Ridecamp: Re: [RC] [Guest] Young Riders/Sponsors

>
> Karen Nelson knelson@xxxxxxxxxx
>
> Merryben and all-  For those of you who have enjoyed your endurance rides
> with only yourself or other adults for company, you have no idea how
> difficult and mind-bending it CAN be for a sponsor of a
> junior(s).

>From anothe Karen, I have taken my kids (both at several times, and sure do
know
how stressful it can be!)

> What hasn't even been discussed is all the preparation, packing, loading,
> unloading, setting up camp for multiple horses where sometimes the junior
> is so small or young that they are incapable of helping you, so everything
> excalates in your level of responsibility.

You know, in my opinion, if they are just there to be packed on a horse,
they don't
belong there.  My kids did not get to do endurance rides, until they COULD
help
out, set up camp, and be able to totally care for their horses.  Their
horses came FIRST.
If they did not understand that, and be able to take care of the animals
hay, mash and
water, then they had no business riding it that far!!!  They had to
understand and commit
to getting their horses out on a regular basis. If they are too young to do
that, then
they are NOT endurance riders. But, again, this is beside the point.  There
is no argument
that sponsors of junior riders have extra responsiblity.

> As for the damage to legs, bones, ligaments, etc.of young riders, I can
> only wonder what damage is happening to the youth who spend most of their
> lives on the couch watching TV.

Again, there is some sensible middle ground here, why are you comparing one
extreme
to the other?

 There will never be a large enough thank
> you for the Merrybens and Karen Chatons of AERC who go out of their way to
> support new and often young riders.

I DO agree with that!  I wonder if Merryben and Karen C,. ever ponied
juniors on rides.

Lets also remember that the junior rider in question (5 or sub 5 doing a 100
mile ride), was also
competing, at age 3, in 2000.
Karen S.
 Karen Nelson #4299
>
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>  Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
>  Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
>  Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp
>
>  If you are an AERC member - PLEASE VOTE in the upcoming By-Laws
>  Election!!!! (it takes 2/3rds to tango!!)
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

 If you are an AERC member - PLEASE VOTE in the upcoming By-Laws 
 Election!!!! (it takes 2/3rds to tango!!)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=