On May 23 I rode a brand new ride, the Turkey Creek Trot, based at Whitehaven Arabian Horse Farm, near Bishopville, South Carolina. It was hosted by Martha and David Lucas and their farm manager, Trisha Dingle.The trails were well-marked, the water stops were well-supplied, and it was nice to have the vet checks in their indoor arena. We did get rained on a little, so were thankful for the dry place to trot our horses out.

I had one of the best days I've had in a while. Most of my grandchildren have gotten too old to ride with me as their sponsor. I had the privilege of riding with an 11-year-old, Kallon Johnson, and a 14-year-old, Casey Rounds. We rode the 50-mile distance together.

I was so proud of the girls. Neither one complained about anything the whole way. They did a good job with their horses, and were very polite when we passed other riders, asking to pass on the left or pass on the right. When they were in front of me, they signaled the turns for those of us behind them.

The two girls were especially gracious on the final loop. My knee started hurting, so I could not maintain a steady trot. We changed our pace to intervals of walking and trotting. They were very patient with me, and cheerfully rode the pace I needed.

Two of my granddaughters, Heather, 14, and Alexis Rae, 15, made me very proud, as well. They both started the 50 with their mother, Michelle Hancock. After the first loop, Heather's horse was a little off. The vet told her she could bring the mare back and possibly go out again. She opted for the best interest of her horse, and did not go back out.

Alexis had never done endurance before, not even limited distance. She only started riding horses this year. She fell off a horse and chipped a bone in her wrist about a week before the ride, but insisted in riding anyway with a cast on her arm. After seeing the X-ray, my son allowed her to ride. Alexis completed the 50 miles in good form, riding with her mom.

Alexis was tired, but very happy, and said that she proved herself to be as "tough as Granny." She has resolved to ride more so that she will be in better shape for the next one.

Riding with juniors is what keeps me young. I recommend it to everyone. After all, they are the future of our sport, and they need good experiences on the trail to get started right. If a youngster can get a horse and herself (or himself) fit enough to complete a ride, no obstacles in life will stop them.

Having watched Christi, Amanda and Jamie start out with me as 8-year-olds, and observing them as they grew and matured -- both with horses and in all other ways -- I have seen the benefits of endurance riding on their character.

We hear so much in the media about troubled teens. What children need is something that can keep them occupied, both mentally and physically. Endurance gives them that outlet. The horses become their partners, and they learn the responsibility of caring for this other life form.

The fact that youngsters, as small as they are, can get a large prey animal to cooperate and carry them the distance builds self-confidence. They learn that communiction with the horse is key, as well as caring for it. At the vet checks, in the crew area, they grab sponges, and work hard to cool their own horses. They learn how to take pulses and how to prepare the horses for competition as well as how to care for them during the rides.

I have met many junior riders over the years, and the best rides I've had have been when I've sponsored juniors. Where we place is never the issue -- our goal is safety first. We usually start a few minutes late. Once we get out on the trail we hit a steady pace, and more often than not work our way up in the standings, depending on trails and other factors.

Juniors have a fresh outlook on life, horses, and trails that we older folks have ridden many times. It's fun to ride with them.

I tell everyone that the rules are simple:

1. The horse cannot get hurt.

2. The rider cannot get hurt.

3. Both must have fun.

Everything that I ask them to do on trail is with those rules in mind.

I want to thank every junior rider I have ever sponsored for the opportunities they have given me. They are truly our future, and with good sponsors giving them the right kind of trail experience, the future looks very bright. n

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