Re: Endurance "Newbie" Ground Manners

[Janice Taylor <JANUSTUDIO@compuserve.com>]

Melanie,

Great post.  I am an occassional volunteer and can tell you sometimes the
vets and vol. are in real danger of injury.  I've been stepped on and
shoved and crowded and nearly overrun by uncontrollable horses while the
rider/handler seemed oblivious, as though this were excepted behaviour. 
Puts them in a really bad light while the well mannered/trained horse is a
pleasure and presents a much more professional attitude.
Any ideas as to how to educate the competitors?  And I don't just mean the
newbies.


Jan

>I cannot emphasize enough the importance of volunteering for a couple of
rides
if you haven't ridden in a ride.  Crewing is good also but you can learn
the
importance of good manners if you do p&r's or help in any way with the vet
staff.  Volunteering is important anyway and it also gives you more of an
appreciation of the ride management team and all they do for this sport. 
Its
a great way of giving back to the sport.

Go and have fun and learn.  Good luck and happy trails.

Melanie in AZ<