Re: Educating the newbie

["Michelle Rowe" <michrowe@frontier.net>]

I have a couple of observations, an asbestos suit, and a latte (so I can
type faster) so here goes.

1. Someone compared it to football games, or soccer, or dressage in that the
rider needs to show up prepared.  Yes, the rider should be prepared.  Dang
it, I wish people were always as conscientious as they should be.  I know
where to find a Dressage instructor.  How do I find a CTR or Endurance
coach? Well, I did find one in truth, but it's because I was already
connected via the Internet and a very nice lady volunteered to help me out
with questions I might have.  Also, I had bought a horse from some really
great people who host CTR rides and they patiently put up with my 10 million
questions.  Lots of people don't have that sort of advantage/in road.  How
do we help those people?

2. As far as riders helping you during the ride, I had experienced people
warn me not to put cool water on my horses hind quarters when I sponge
because he'd cramp up, and another person tried rather passionately to
convince me that my Foxtrotter should not wear a breast collar (although,
later this person's saddle slid back 4" on a good hill  - nearly enough to
fall off of her Foxtrotter).  My point is that education is going to be at
least consistent if it comes from a vet or judge rather than Joe HorseExpert
at the ride who may or may not have good advice to give.  :-)  Geeze, on
your first ride everyone else seems like an expert.  As much as I would love
to give a pre-CTR clinic myself, I know I am not experienced enough to do it
this year.  After next year, that's certainly something I would like to do.
Maybe part of the cost of being a first time rider is paying an extra $10 or
$20 for a manual or presentation that addresses all the important points
that every rider should know.

I did pick up lots of useful stuff at the ride, but Ridecamp and the CTR
alias have been the most useful sources of info for me because there is so
much good advise you can pick and choose what works best for you.

If our goal is helping riders that aren't connected to this wealth of
information, I believe the biggest impact we can have is going to be on
those people who are just starting out.  Even if it's just generating an
atmosphere where they *feel* like they can ask questions and they know who
to ask.  It's easy for me to ask because curiosity overcomes what little
shyness I have (I'm sure you've all figured that out about me by now).  It's
not that easy for some folks.  How do we help those people?

Just my $.02.

m


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