Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

We sort of do this in Minnesota.  We offer novice competitive rides of 10-15 miles.  The novice riders are sent out with an experienced guide or two who sets the pace and shows them what to do and basically talks to them about distance riding and answers all their questions and offers encouragement.  Riders are not required to stay with the guide, but they nearly always do.  (Note that since this is competitive, not LD, there is no incentive to beat anyone else to the finish.  In the Midwest, many riders ride comp for a year or two and then move to LDs or 50s.)  In the Midwest, we usually have 2-3 day rides, so often the experienced guide is someone who competed on Saturday and wants to stretch their horse's legs before the trailer ride home, or who rides their "other" horse.

IN RESPONSE TO:

What about, instead of creating more rules, critieria, or work for the vets, all Novice riders 
(as defined by # of completions, rides or miles, etc) are required to ride with a Sponsor just 
like the Jr. riders do?  First (or second or third) timers, or those stepping up to a new distance 
would follow the same rules that the Jr. riders do: ride WITH an experienced adult.
 
For those that arrive at a ride w/o a sponsor, one could be found at the ride.  
Ride Management could offer an incentive, like a free ride entry, to those experienced riders 
willing to Sponsor a novice.  Yes, it's like babysitting, but it's also an opportunity to educate and 
introduce people to the sport in such a way that they will have a fun, safe ride, and maybe stick with it 
in the future--just as it is for the juniors.  Those that do not stick with their sponsors can be 
pulled at the vet check before (hopefully) they've had a chance to get themselves or their horse into trouble.
 
Just a thought...
 
mel

--

Want an e-mail address like mine?
Get a free e-mail account today at www.mail.com!