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Re: [RC] Horse Decisions/Suggestions Please - Jim HollandHmmmm...Ed, IMHO, this is a no brainer. Unless your ultimate goal is to see how fast you can go and see how often you can win, then stick with Sawyer. It ain't about you...it ain't about the horse...it's about BOTH of you. The bond that develops between you over many, many miles is what it's about. It doesn't matter whether you finish first, middle of the pack, or last. You get to know each other intimately. You know his quirks and limitations and he's comfortable with you. I think you would lose the very thing that's epitomizes the spirit of "Endurance"....miles and miles on the same horse. I don't ride other people's horses, other than for fun...or just to show a training technique. After all the miles and time in the saddle, at some point there's a "feeling" that occurs...and your post indicates that you know what I mean. I wouldn't trade Sunny for the best Endurance horse in AERC. He would not only give his all...but everything if I asked....it THEN becomes a "responsibility" for each of you to take care of the other and a "trust" develops that words can't describe. It takes a long time to develop that bond...but you will "fer sure" know when you get there. Sounds to me like you're there.... Jim, Sun of Dimanche, and Mahada Magic Ed Roley wrote: My daughter is 17 and has stated she is ready to sell her horse because she is not riding and has little interest in riding. Her horse is a beautiful 16H T-bred(Sadie) which has done hunter/jumper (up to 4') stuff and has done a handful of 25's(fast horse, usually 2:30 or less on 25's with daughter on board, FW). At Lexington last year she was 2d BC behind me but I have nearly 100lbs on her! We cannot keep a horse which isn't being "used" so here comes the decision. Wife says I should sell my horse and train and ride Sadie for 25's and 50's. My horse is a grade(Sawyer),15H, (no clue what kind of horse) which I have had 6 yrs and been doing 25's & 50's on(only 350 miles of endurance). We finished 3rd HW division at Nat'l Champ 2002 ride in a race to the wire with 2d place (guy bigger than me on T-bred which could be Sadie's twin). I have an emotional tie to Sawyer but do see the advantage of riding a larger, faster horse(would have had a shot at 2d had I been on Sadie at the end of the NC). Here is another factor. I am not a "trained" rider. I got my horse, got on and rode. Sawyer and I have learned together about what we want to do. I have noticed the few times I have been on a well trained horse (Sadie is one of them) I tend to give them too much leg and they want to go! I probably will ruin Sadie in regards to her good training if I end up being the one on her back all the time(my daughter learned to ride correctly). Now all of you experts can throw your 2 cents in and help me make a decision! Thanks, Ed Roley =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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