If it is the purpose of "Ridecamp" to share information and experiences as they relate to the sport of Endurance racing/riding...
If it is the purpose of "Ridecamp" to share what each of us has learned over the years, over the miles, from the horses, from each other, from our successes, from our failures, from other riders...
...I think all that happens for riders who, due to the circumstances of their lives, "ride" vicariously through the rides described on Ridecamp. And, I hope one day many of them can ride an endurance ride in their region, or out of their region successfully applying what they've learned to "get them there."
If someone relates their experiences at rides that don't always end up well for the horse, their aspirations or goals, much can still be learned from that, too.
It can be difficult to read about struggling horses, horses out of control, riders with egos out of control, horses suffering unexpected trials on the the trails...but all that is part of the fabric of this forum, the nature of this sport.
Often, it seems to me, that the riders who have "succeeded" in this sport, on a variety of horses, in a variety of regions don't spend the words necessary to help convey what it is that they have learned, experienced and survived while growing in this sport.
Many do. Their advice is invaluable and should be read and reread.
Of those that do, they don't seem to "sensationalize" their rides. They relate the trail, the horse, the day, etc. in hopes of helping new riders, veteran riders, et.al., to learn about trails, conditions, shoeing techniques, etc. and their effect on the day. Exchanging information.
I wish we could continue to that.
It may not be as "entertaining" as hyperbole, metaphor and allegory, but it is invaluable.
There are members of this list, who, when they care to relate their experiences in Endurance, relate information gleaned from the number of miles and years that could almost make that information "empirical" in nature.
I'd hope they would continue to help newbies (and veterans), especially those newbies who consider themselves "veterans"...
...though their horses know the difference.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING...
Frank Solano
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