newbies

[Mateef@aol.com]

Regarding a format for newbies at rides: Once again this is a very individual 
matter.  
I have been raised with horses, did the show ring thing for 30 years before 
finally taking the plunge into distance riding.  A local vet I knew had 
vetted some rides and pointed me in the general direction of where to even go 
do a ride.(There was no "Ridecamp" that I knew of. It was 1990)  It was a 25m 
CTR in WV.  He assured me it was a good first ride.  I called the number on 
the ride flyer for an entry and mentioned to the ride secretary (Peggy 
Burgess) that I had never done this before but was interested in trying it.  
On her own, she sent me a large manilla envelope with photo copies of 
articles that had been in Trail Blazer on conditioning with a brief outline 
on riding schedules for conditioning.  When I got to the ride, I felt well 
cared for by management as well as other riders.  Because of this overall 
warm feeling, I was totally and completely hooked and haven't been in the 
show ring since.  

THAT is what distance riding is all about to me.  You guys are a great bunch 
of horse people and I hopefully have given back by volunteering at rides when 
I can't ride (for whatever reason) and helping recruit other newbies.  

Sallie and Matty
NE Ohio


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