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RE: [RC] you know... -- A Ridecamp History Lesson... John Parke - Linda CowlesTruman said... I also remember when a timid guy asked about riding his Icelandic Pony in an endurance ride and it was you (Linda) and I that told him to "go for it." I think that John Parke now has over 6000 miles on that pony. Truman, I tried to find Johns first couple posts to Rec.Eq in the archives, because THAT is a great story!! Folks, John sent this very hesitant message to Rec.Eq (a huge all breed / all discipline chat group) saying that he had bought "these ponies" for his family and the family lost interest in them. This guy said he knew little about riding or horses, but he loved taking them out on the trail... And, John wondered, could he ride them in some sort of competitive trail events... The silence was heard around the world... Wow. A man rides ponies. A*N*D he wants to "compete" on them. <....gasp...> So... Truman & I suggested started... We suggested that he have a vet examine his horses <ahem...> ponies - from a distance trail riding perspective, and if the vet said they were built for it, to start slow and do what he could do as well as he could do it. We coached John as well as we could being on line, giving him cautious advice, encouraging him to do well. I lost track of John for a while. Some time late that I was at the Reno Convention, and a guy walked up to me in the main hall after one of Susan G's papers. "Hi, Linda? Are you Linda Cowles? Wow... I really wanted to meet you - I'm so glad you're here! I'm John Parke, do you remember me? I wanted to thank you for all of your help and support. That meant so much to me - thank you!" I smiled and shook his hand "Hi! Really good to meet you!" Pausing I thought, "John Parke... John Parke... Who is John Parke? I remembered the name and knew I liked this on-line person, but... Who was he?" Meeting a net friend for the first time is weird! He caught my expression and said "The guy with the Icelandic's... The ponies?" "Oh" I thought "wow... the guy with pony's. At Convention. Cool!". I was still naive to feel that a pony is a pony is a pony. "John! I exclaimed, "I'm so glad you've come to convention! There is sooo much to learn here!" I fell into my John-Coach persona easily, the mentor getting her stride, "... So you decided to come to the convention! That's Great!" "Well..." John started, sheepishly, "I was actually invited to come." "You were invited?" "Yes" he replied, grinning hugely "I'm this years Regional Heavyweight Distance Champion" THAT is one of the best stories I have to tell. Linda Cowles Horse 'N Hound New, Used & Consigned Tack & Stable Supplies 9155 N. State Street #13 Redwood Valley CA 95470 phone 707-485-0347 fax 707-485-0453 Kadence@xxxxxxxxxxxxx =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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