[RC] - Tamara TaylorFrank - that is so true. I remeber when I was 14 I was testing my C2 level in Pony Club. There were only 3 or 4 girls testing that year. One of the girls had an tall, leggy, elegant, expensive warmblood. She travelled around in her parent's huge rig with a groom and all the latest show gizmos. I was so envious. We had to borrow a small rusted trailer to haul my homebred Arab x QH gelding to the test. After the dressage portion of the day the testers applauded my efforts as they could tell I had put in my time and effort with my horse. They thought he was the sweetest thing and he glowed with elbow grease and it was apparent that I'd spent hours upon hours with him. The girl with the warmblood failed her test. He was a gorgeous horse but it was obvious that the work put into him was not done by her and they were not a 'team'. It really opened my eyes that day and I think it was an important lesson for me to learn when I was only 14. Keeping that in mind I continue to keep on trucking with a meager university student's budget and the same homebred gelding. And ya know what?? I wouldn't sell him for $1 million. Some things money can't buy. Tamara Taylor Saskatoon, SK CKC Boxers and Versatile Sporthorses http://www.angelfire.com/blues/redhorse/index.html --- Frank Wrote: Barbara, What you've written about Banner, in my opinion, comes from the central core of truth which runs through all horses. That you were (are) able to "go in there" and find it certainly says quite a bit about your understanding of horses. The "investment that matters", can never be monetary...we all know of great amounts of money spent on horses who (for whatever reason) did not fulfill the owner's dreams and the horse's ability. We also know of horses and riders who have achieved great things, though a small amount of money was spent in acquiring that "special horse". The investment that matters is the "truth" you located/recognized, understood and have found YOUR WAY of applying. The investment that matters is based in the emotions we as riders face, come to terms with and do not encumber the horse with until we have dealt with them, pared them down to their essential ingredients, and THEN ask the horse to "come along with us" as we learn what it will take to make our combined effort a pleasurable and safe one. From that investment, a "team" happens, and a life together, doing whatever, is realized. Thanks for your post...it was a very important one in my estimation. ---Frank =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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 Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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