----- Original Message ----- From: Ed Roley To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, February 07, 2003 4:24 PM Subject: [RC] Horse Decisions/Suggestions Please 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
