Re: RC: Re: Looking for a horse

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/16/99 2:30:17 PM Pacific Daylight Time, jferris@cwa.com 
writes:

<< Why is "being judged" such a big problem? I fail to understand why most
 endurance riders have a fetish against "being judged" >>

I have to agree with Jim--what's the big deal?  Although admittedly the NATRC 
judging is more than I care for, most CTR's don't have the obstacle work, 
etc., that NATRC rides do.  But as Jim says, the skills needed there SHOULD 
be learned by every endurance prospect long before he ever sees a 
competition!  In NATRC and in other CTR formats, the horse is judged very 
much like an AERC horse is judged for BC.  The rider learns to pace (VERY 
important for endurance) and learns where his horse's strong points and weak 
points are, as well as how to better care for his horse.  To some 
competitors, CTR is the "ultimate" sport.  To those who are more suited to 
endurance, CTR is still a wonderful learning experience as well as a more 
controlled format for starting young or green horses.  Jim is right that 
endurance riders who started out with CTR often are much more successful than 
the average--a lot of that can be attributed to the education gleaned from 
CTR's.  Don't knock it 'til you've tried it!

Yes, I prefer endurance, but I started with CTR's as did many riders far more 
illustrious than I.  If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't change that 
beginning one bit.

Heidi


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