I first would like to thank the past EDRA volunteers, particularly Terry James who ended up steering the ship through some pretty rough waters- and doing a great job of it. Next, I would like to thank the new blood stepping up to carry on leading this great group toward great things.
Now is the time for the group as a whole to pick up the ball and run with it, grab hold of the reins, pickup the rope and pull together- whatever metaphor u chose. The core group of EDRA doers could use YOUR HELP in some manner. Whatever help you decide on, take pride in it and do it to the best of your ability!
Using myself for an example- this year I will be pre ride clinic coordinator and nugget writer. If anyone has ideas for clinics or has a great idea for a pre ride clinic they would like to plan I am the guy to contact. When should you contact me? How about now! The quicker we get the pre ride clinic schedule dialed in the better clinics we will be able to offer.
About my other duty of nugget writer-
These will be available on the EDRA website to EDRA members only.
These are thoughts gathered from thousands of miles ridden and thousands of hours of horse interaction by me! I don’t claim to be foremost expert on anything, and likely won’t have any science to back it up. Only years of above average success, which have been enhanced from nuggets from other riders and nuggets gained through experimentation.
In my mind a nugget doesn’t have to be a big as your fist to be worthwhile. In fact I think in this distance riding deal a thousand tiny nuggets combined are usually what separates the winner or the finisher from the unsuccessful.
Be a sponge, in the best possible way. Observe riders, and horses who are successful. What are they doing that you can use and benefit from? On another note, every horse, and rider is different. For example- to adopt a trading program that Val Kanavy used to win multiple world championships likely burn out or sore a horse that is not bred, conformed or prepared for that intense a program. Use your noodle, experiment and observe the results.
Anyway, as usual this note is getting long. I will leave you with 3 sketches that I plan to use for the first NUGGET! Of 2021.
Can you guess what the subject is?
What is going on in these sketches?
Have you seen all these positions used by distance riders?
Which position do you feel is generally optimal?
So many questions!
We will talk soon, and remember-VOLUNTEER TO ENHANCE OUR GREAT EDRA GROUP!