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RE: [RC] [RC] FW: Fireworks as a begginer ride - Kitley, Carrie E Civ USAF AFSPC 30 MDSS/SGSLF

Same situation at Malibu in May.  There were A LOT of bikers and hikers out on 
the trails that day (I don't blame them, it was beautiful!) but the majority of 
them were very accommodating and polite.  A few people on bikes actually 
stopped so they wouldn't scare the horses but our horses were just focused on 
their business for the most part.  I thought it was nice of them to stop 
though.  What was so puzzling to me was, the amount of people that were out 
hiking and biking on that trail with no water!!  Evidently, the rangers ended 
up having to rescue someone for heat stroke.  I couldn't imagine doing that 
hike w/o water.  Silly kids!  Our drag rider on that LD was also one of the 
Rangers and the poor guy and his mule had to go up that mountain twice.  Once 
as the drag rider, once as a rescuer.

Carrie 
<\_~
// \\

carrie.kitley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx?


-----Original Message-----
From: Barbara McCrary [mailto:bigcreekranch@xxxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 3:06 PM
To: purplehorsebarn@xxxxxxxxx; SandyDSA@xxxxxxx; D'Arcy Demianoff-Thompson
Cc: Kitley, Carrie E Civ USAF AFSPC 30 MDSS/SGSLF; jsrha@xxxxxxxxx; 
ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [RC] [RC] FW: Fireworks as a begginer ride

Last year on Fireworks, I was he first rider in a group of two, when we 
encountered three bicyclists on a blind turn of a single-track trail.  My 
horse, who is not generally a spooker, slammed on the brakes.  The first 
bicyclist said, "Damned horses!"  Had I thought quickly enough I should have 
said, "Damned bicycles!" but I've never been a master of the snappy retort.  
Fortunately, the issue did not escalate.  I just explained that horses often 
are not accustomed to meeting bikes on a blind turn.  I hate dual-use trails, 
but if it came to a show-down, we all know horses would lose, because there are 
generally more people who ride bikes than ride horses.  Sigh....

Barbara

       ----- Original Message ----- 
       From: Lynelle Robertson <mailto:purplehorsebarn@xxxxxxxxx>  
       To: SandyDSA@xxxxxxx ; D'Arcy Demianoff-Thompson 
<mailto:cest.mon.virage@xxxxxxxxx>  
       Cc: carrie.kitley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; jsrha@xxxxxxxxx ; 
ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
       Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 10:15 AM
       Subject: Re: [RC] [RC] FW: Fireworks as a begginer ride

99% of the mt bike riders Ranelle and I have run into are very polite and we 
try with each meeting to educate the bike riders on how to pass most horses 
with out incident which is: when coming up behind a horse and rider call out 
let the horse and rider know you are coming. Give us an opportunity to turn our 
horse around to face them or even dismount if horse is really spooky. When 
bikers on coming towards us we say "Good morning how are you doing..." Engage 
them in conversation and they can ride on by no problem. Always we thank them 
for there patience and trail ediquette. The more we educate the other trail 
users the safer we will be. Now, for the occassional jerk(if the aformentioned 
doesn't work) I remind them that equines have the right of way legally in parks 
and forrests and that if we are injured due to there stupidity I will sue them 
and own everything they have. That seems to get their attention. Funny story. I 
was riding along the WS trail at the river at 7:30am thinking I was alone did 
some training excerises with my mare. Riding only with my seat and legs moving 
her back and forth. A rude little man can sooming up on a mt bike with out 
saying anything. So, I said all you had to do was let me know you were behind 
and I would have stopped or moved over. He told me "I was weaving and to move 
my fat ass over so he could go by" keep in mind this is a fire road 2 car 
widths wide. So, I said "have a nice day and I hope you have a flat tire" And 
guess what I found about 1/2mile down the trail? Yep mr nice guy changing a 
flat tire. If looks could kill. I laughed so hard I almost wet my pants. What 
drives me crazy are people on horse back with their dogs running loose. That is 
dangerous. I am now caring a squirt gun filled with vingar or lemon juice. If 
they do not controll their dogs they get it in the face. That also seems to get 
their attention. I try to kill them with kindness but if that doesn't work then 
I get verbal.

--- On Thu, 6/26/08, D'Arcy Demianoff-Thompson <cest.mon.virage@xxxxxxxxx> 
wrote:


       From: D'Arcy Demianoff-Thompson <cest.mon.virage@xxxxxxxxx>
       Subject: Re: [RC] [RC] FW: Fireworks as a begginer ride
       To: SandyDSA@xxxxxxx
       Cc: carrie.kitley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, jsrha@xxxxxxxxx, 
ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
       Date: Thursday, June 26, 2008, 9:03 AM
       
       
       Well, in all fairness let us consider that the OP sent that post as a 
private email.  I know I have not been cognizant, at times, when I have a 
response to an email privately.  As such have inadvertently reposted to the 
group rather responding to the OP!  With that in mind we all should probably 
look past the OP's input and address a very serious issue, as Sandy as stated, 
and that would be manners on the trial.  Sandy is absolutely on the mark with 
her post.  I have seen, not only on the endurance circuit, but rather, trail 
wise, some riders, have no manners.  So, how do we address this issue most 
affectively?
        
       What, for example, do most of you, experienced endurance riders, do 
when you come upon, and/or have been affected by an ill mannered rider?  What 
do you suppose the protocol should be?  As Ranelle can attest - I do not have a 
quiet voice (number of years in the Air Force) and have not failed to use it 
when necessary on the trail to avert a disaster.  Most, and usually they are 
mountain bikers, realize they would or could have put a horse and rider in 
jeopardy, are polite and apologetic.  Especially when I ask them to consider 
the fact there may be many NEW riders to the industry and as such may not have 
full control of their horse.  I don't know that I have ever come across an 
impolite rider on the trail - yet!  Usually they know before I have to turn and 
look at them that they are in the wrong and apologize.  
        
       However, I would like to hear lots of input on your own situation 
analysis, from your own experiences, how it was or could have been best 
handled!  Thanks!  Thank you Julienne, Carrie, and Sandy for opening up a great 
and timely topic.
        
       D'Arcy
       
       



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Replies
Re: [RC] [RC] FW: Fireworks as a begginer ride, Lynelle Robertson
Re: [RC] [RC] FW: Fireworks as a begginer ride, Barbara McCrary