Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Egypt's flirtation with endurance (I wish it had been more) was rather disappointing in some respects, but for the first two years we had a group of young vet students come to our rides to work with the experienced vets.  Watching these kids grow made up for all the damage that the UAE did to the riders.  They came, shy and insecure, but 3 rides later having survived sandstorms while walking horses in and waiting in the middle of the desert with a drip to allow a horse to get in (told you it ruined the riders!), sleeping on pool chairs to be there at 4 am, these were some wonderful kids.  A great gang and I was so proud of them.  One has gone on to be able to work in the UAE with the foreign vets to get some real equine experience.  There is nothing in the world you can do that is better than to open someone's eyes.

Maryanne
Cairo, Egypt
On Thursday, Jun 12, 2003, at 16:40 Africa/Cairo, Milinda Ellis wrote:

> This was a great post, Lisa!
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> Back when I was an animal science major, I made arrangements for a group of students in the freshman [general] animal science class at Texas A&M to come and volunteer at the Armadillo ride.? The prof. was giving the class "extra credit" opportunities and I approached him to ask if an endurance ride qualified for extra credit.? After explaining/clarifying to him, I had to stand up before the class of 350, explain about endurance riding in general, this ride in particular, tell them they wouldn't be paid but they would be fed (and we all know college students will do just about anything for food!!!).? I warned them about the accomodations (sleeping in an enclosed horse trailer on fresh shavings -- I wasn't taking any horses this time) and porta-potties...? Quite a few volunteered and a surprising number actually showed up.? Maybe they initially signed up for the 50 extra credit points, but they all learned something and went back to tell all our classmates.? Some were city kids who'd never camped. Some had never been around horses.? Many were aspiring to attend vet school or medical school.? We had a really good time and they did too!
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> I'll approach Dr. Hesby again when the fall semester starts -- because he asks me everytime he sees me whether there are any rides being held close-by...
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> Ride managers:? don't miss out on this type of "untapped" resource for?ride volunteers.??Also check with vet schools to get some of their students or techs to come and help.
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> Milinda Ellis
> Beargrass Cleveland Bays
> Jewett, Texas
> ?