Hi Guys,
first I want to mention what a "great" time the Glass Mt. ride was waaaay
down in S.W. Texas... 600 mi. from me in South Texas... beautiful scenery &
wildlife... (even got to see the old buffalo roaming the ranch), &
absolutely incredible trail markings. I must admit, I was worried that a
first time ride manager would attempt a 3 day ride, but they pulled it off
beautifully... then I was afraid that they would immediately burn out... but
the Dinkleman Family is a glutton for punishment... they're thinking of a 5
day for next year.. so watch for it in your ride book... you won't be sorry
you made the trip... its an awesome ride. Challenging, but totally do-able.
now... for the Jr. Issue... Having been called a little league mom & one of
those pushy parents I welcome the opportunity to set the record straight. I
had two daughters... Rima a '79 model, & CeCi a '82 model. Children only do
what they really want to... Rima always had to be pursuaded to ride at
all... CeCi couldn't be kept off. By the time she was toddling well, I had
to watch that she didn't sneak up on napping horses & climb on their backs.
She was riding alone by 3, & entered her first 15 mi. competition at 4, a 50
at 5 & won several that year, did the Big Horn 100 when she was barely 6.
People thought I was awful until they saw her make a bee line for the
nearest tree to climb upon completing her 50 milers. The only reason she
ever got whiney was if we were going to slow or she thought she was missing
too much "kid" action back in camp. (See the July '01 Issue of Western
HOrseman)
We finished the Old Dominion 100 in 2nd & 3rd (she could have won, but my
horse couldn't stay up), when she was 7. She was a special invite (only
horse person) to the Runner's Awards meeting due to her cheerful interaction
with the runners as she encountered them thru the 100 mi. ride.
Once when lost on a cold & rainy 100 Miler in Alabama (her dad was sponsor
on that one), the trail had been lost, Pat was off trying to feel for
hoofprints with his hands on muddy ground, when she cheered him by saying
"Don't worry daddy, u'll find it!"
She could handle every horse she ever mounted. It was eerie, cause some of
the tuffest spookiest horses became lambs under her tiny little body. Nope,
didn't put her on nags... she wudn't have it... she wanted a light handler &
a go getter.
She won two Ntl Championships at 7 & 9, then again at 18.... last June she
won her 1st FEI Masters Ride in Canada. She's 20 now & even though she
doesn't compete as often as she did, her love of competition is just as
strong. She probably has more innate knowledge on the sport of Endurance
Riding than most adults can hope to learn in a lifetime. Now ... she's the
one who's chastising me.... slow down mom, let's be sure & finish this
race.... pretty funny, 'cause anyone that ever rode close to us in the old
years knew my most oft used phrase was "Slooooow Dowwwwnnn CECI!!!!
Now, I will say, I haven't seen too many other 4 or 5 year olds like Cliffy
or CeCi, but they're out there... don't punish them just because its hard to
imagine kids that young being able to do it. I've seen 8 - 9 year olds that
I still can't imagine doing 50, heck, I've seen 30 year olds that won't ever
do it... Its not a matter of age... its a matter of mental.
The completion lesson one learns in Endurance, the toughness & the
tenderness toward animals will serve them well the rest of their lives.
Danger... sure, but CeCi broke her arm when she was 4 on a swing set, got a
bone infection & almost lost her arm... life is too fickle to be overly
protective. I can tell you that from my perspective too... I've had many,
many accidents and most of them were just that... not a matter of being
careful... s---- just happens. Don't panic with your kids, give them a
good base in horsemanship & let them enjoy.... IF they want to. If not,
there's other things... how 'bout your crew??? nah, just kidding. But
please folks... believe me, the small fry that's riding are doing it on
their own... I tried like the devil to coerce Rima into riding more.... just
didn't happen... & I finally gave up even trying. We all know that the
Endurance "bug" is all encompassing for some people... if you don't have it,
you're normally cured after one 50 miler... adults or children. So for
those that have the "bug", just let'em ride...
Dare AERC # 25 22,000 miles & counting
Darolyn Butler-Dial & Mark Dial
CYPRESS TRAILS EQUESTRIAN CENTER & HORSEMAN VIDEO SHOWCASE
Proven Endurance Horses for Sale or Lease.
Adventure Trail Rides * Boarding * Training*Lessons *Parties
Represents: Sharon Saare Saddles, Professional Choice, Advanced Biological
Concepts, & KM (Human Electrolytes)
ADVOCATE :THE WHOLE HORSE TRIM (Barefootin")
21415 Cypresswood Dr. Humble, Texas 77338 Ph: 281 446 7232 Fax
281 446 0113 Toll Free (800) 228 8768
e mail: darolyn@xxxxxxxxxx <mailto:darolyn@xxxxxxxxxx>
www://home.swbell.net/darolyn/
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