Re: RC: Juniors on ERs

[Farafix@aol.com]

Stephanie,

Speaking from the perspective of having sponsored a good friend's daughter on 
a few CTR's, it is a responsibility for the adult.  I had a lot of fun, but I 
had a bit of a scare when Melissa, who'd been asking how much further we had 
to go, dropped her helmet on the trail.  That's when I realized something was 
wrong.  She was a lacrosse player & I thought was in much better shape than 
me, but being a kid, she hadn't been drinking early in the ride & got 
dehydrated.  Since it wasn't my kid (who would have been whining long 
before), I hadn't realized that "how much further" meant "I don't feel so 
good."  Fortunately, we were just a 1/2 mile from some spotters so I got her 
to some transportation.  A rider who'd been pulled at the midpoint offered to 
ride the horse back.  My poor friend saw her horse come into camp with a 
strange rider before her daughter made it back to camp in a 4wd!
The next ride, Melissa was on a drinking schedule.  She didn't get 
dehydrated, but had to make several pit stops. Fortunately she wasn't as 
bashful as kids her age can be, & was ok with a large tree to hide behind!
Could you borrow a horse for yourself, especially for your daughter's first 
rides?  Maybe someone has a horse that they'd like to get some conditioning 
on.  She might be more comfortable with you along, especially if she is a bit 
shy, rather than riding with a stranger which might turn her off to the sport.

Good luck,
Nancy
Md


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