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RE: [RC] [RC] [AERC-Members] Make it Happen/Angie? - David LeBlancI can name a whole bunch of mentors I've had, but there ain't a single one of them who taught me anything during an actual ride. I can. I usually learn something most rides, and I've found I learn a whole lot when riding with really experienced riders. One ride a while back I was with 3 people that had over 20,000 miles between them and I'm still grateful for the opportunity. Maybe I'm just luckier than most. Any time I get to ride with even one person with a lot more experience teaches me something. I'm not naming names, but y'all all know who you are. It was all during training rides, sitting around a campfire, a tidbit of advice here and there to help solve a problem [snip] All that's helpful, too. I just can't see the value in mentoring "at the ride". That's really a lot to ask of someone whether they are highly competitive or not. It might not work for you. Of course, if you've only done 4 AERC rides, you might change your mind later. I'm really grateful for the people that have taken time to teach me things, both on the trail and off (including here). I feel like if someone wants to learn I ought to pass that along. It might be a lot to ask, but what comes around goes around. And I'm an adult and have the option of telling someone they're asking too much. Get your mentoring before hand, come prepared and try to find someone compatible to ride with if that's your thing. But don't expect someone to hold your hand and keep you and your horse outta trouble. Mentor != parent. The job of a mentor is to give advice, hopefully when you're ready to learn. It isn't about hand-holding. This is what I mean about patience. Teaching hasn't ever made me much money (adjunct faculty means you work nearly for free), but it is certainly one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. One of my best professors told a great story one day - he didn't do enough research, so the administration made him teach more classes. "What they don't understand", he said, "is that I LIKE to teach." Mentors are out there and they are willing to give of their time. But the newbie must be willing to listen and follow through and not be too eager to just enter an event. One of my biggest early learning experiences was crewing. My friend told me I'd learn more from crewing than riding and he was right. But I'd already entered 2 rides and had a better idea of what I needed to learn. People learn by doing, by watching and listening, and by reading. Different people learn better one way or another, and it can vary from time to time and one topic to another. Although I can see some problems with the suggestion, I think it is an interesting one. I hear a bunch of people complain about newbies doing this, that or the other thing screwed up. We ought to put our money where our mouths are and at least give them a good opportunity to see how to do it right. Folks running up front are probably not the best ones to do this (not because they're not doing things right - it's because they're busy). I know I'm not going to try and worry much about someone else while I'm going down the trail really fast. If I'm going to teach anyone anything, I'll shoot for back of the pack that day. I can see problems, but I can see some solutions, too - new rider, new horse, and now there's a few of them? Start late. Maybe even make a deal with the RM where newbies can start 15 or 30 minutes late (and get extended time on the finish). Bunch of horses acting like nitwits? Limit the size of the group. Experienced rider doesn't have the horse for the job that day? Pick someone else. Plan on doing this in advance and bring a calm horse. This might be hard to do, but most things that are worthwhile aren't easy. ============================================================ Common sense should also be a part of the decision making process. If you see someone who doesn't have any, hand them your tool box. ~ Lisa Salas - The Odd Farm ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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