My love for NATRC wasn’t an instantaneous thing. Over the years, I have slowly and steadily come to love NATRC and that love continues to grow. I came to this sport from endurance riding. I was first attracted by NATRC by its people, and the people involved in this sport continue to be what I love most about NATRC.
I first learned about NATRC when I joined a CTR e-mail list. I discovered that these CTR riders had a wealth of information about conditioning and feeding for distance riding, and that they were totally willing to share their information, even with an endurance rider.
I was so impressed with the people that I met on that e-mail list that I decided to try a NATRC ride. What a disaster! My endurance trained mount was outraged that I was making her “lose” this race! However, two of the same people I had met and been impressed with on the CTR e-mail list were at this same ride. They urged me to continue the ride, encouraged me when I was upset with my horse and spent a lot of time helping me.
I met another person at that ride who went out of her way to help me, not just at that ride, but afterward as well. She began riding with me on a weekly basis and found a “sane” mount for me to use at another NATRC ride. I had a much better time at that ride. I still preferred endurance riding, but discovered that I really and truly enjoyed the people in NATRC so I began coming to more rides.
The more rides I went to, the more people I met, the more I enjoyed those people and this organization, and the more I came to love NATRC. Since I have joined NATRC, it has been the people involved who have consistently endeared this organization to me and to my family.
Since I have joined NATRC, so many people have done so very many kind things for me and my family. When I first started, one rider let me ride her exquisite horse so that I could see what a ride should really be like. Another rider who really prefers to ride alone gave up riding “her” ride to stay with me and help me when I was having difficulty. I have had people focused on getting their National Championship stop at a ride and offer help. A third rider loaned us his National Champion mare (losing a year of breeding her) so that my daughter could have a safe and fun first year in NATRC.
I love that you can count on NATRC members to be kind and to help those who need it. I love that NATRC members put being kind and contentious ahead of competing. I love that family feeling at rides. I love NATRC because of the wonderful individuals who make up this organization.
To learn about NATRC and competitive trail riding, visit www.natrc.org. Come Ride With Us!
PART 4
For the final article in this series, an endurance rider (and now also a competitive trail rider), Rhonda Levinson shares her experiences interacting with the people of NATRC.
NATRC welcomes riders of any equine breed, including grade, and
from any discipline
www.natrc.org
40 / Sport and Trail Magazine
DRAWN TO THE SPORT Part 3
Rhonda Levinson
started, one rider let me ride her exquisite horse so that I could see what a ride should really be like. Another rider who really prefers to ride alone gave up riding “her” ride to stay with me and help me when I was having difficulty. I have had people focused on getting their National Championship stop at a ride and offer help. A third rider loaned us his National Champion mare (losing a year of breeding her) so that my daughter could have a safe and fun first year in NATRC.
I love that you can count on NATRC members to be kind and to help those who need it. I love that NATRC members put being kind and contentious ahead of competing. I love that family feeling at rides. I love NATRC because of the wonderful individuals who make up this organization.
To learn about NATRC and competitive trail riding, visit www.natrc.org. Come Ride With Us!