23/05/2023
Very true!
Pyramids, broad bases, and the intimidation of unfamiliarity factor---
GMHA (Green Mountain Horse Association) in South Woodstock, Vermont was originally founded to promote all horse activities, but most specifically trail riding. But that was back in the era before intense traffic, when it was actually safe to head out on back roads, no longer true in many places.
Over the years, GMHA has seen trail riding participation drop, drop, drop, while some other sports that take less physical space, such as dressage and even eventing, have grown.
But the area around GMHA still has great trail riding, and in an attempt to rekindle interest, they have come up with the idea of “Starter Rides” described here:
"New for 2023- Starter Distance Rides!
Come learn and try out a Distance Trail Ride!
We are introducing a series of 3 Starter Distance Rides to the 2023 Calendar. The purpose of these rides is to introduce new riders to the sports of Competitive Trail (CTR) and Endurance rides.
The ride will include an introductory ummounted session with a CTR and Endurance ride expert to introduce you to the concept of the sports, how horses are judged (based on their condition), the vetting process, answer any questions and more.
The unmounted session will then be followed by a 6 mile trail ride, with judging before and after the ride."
I can remember when the entry level for the sport of eventing was Preliminary, a hard and daunting level to most. But back then there were sports like fox hunting that prepared riders. Even so, it soon became apparent that a lower entry level was needed, and so the Training level came into being.
But even Training was too difficult a level for many, and so along came Novice. Then later, Beginner Novice. And EVERY TIME a lower level of difficulty was introduced there was “level shaming,” as if only the tougher levels were “worthy,” whatever “worthy” means.
What the shamers missed was the pyramidal reality, that in order to support a tiny peak, the sport needed a very large base, and those same riders or drivers who looked down on “lesser” riders and drivers also forgot the rule of numbers and how “cream rises to the top” is based on sheer volume.
If a sport has only 100 participants, perhaps 1% will rise to the top, and 1% of 100 is just one sole person. Whereas if a sport has 5,000 overall participants, that 1% becomes 50 top level competitors, and so on.
When people make fun of those who “only” jump hunter courses that are two feet high, “only” ride at the beginner novice level in eventing, “only” ride limited distance in endurance, they are quietly damaging those sports, because they are forgetting the rule of the pyramid.
The goal is to create allies, and the best way to get that done is by creating a welcoming and nurturing atmosphere, rather than being an exclusive little clique of arrogant-appearing insiders.
The good news is that when GMHA conceived the idea of these Starter Distance Rides, they hoped for maybe 10 entries, and they already have 30 signed up for this first one in May, to the point that they had to cut off the closing date. Bring people in by making your sport a Welcome Wagon. Push them away, keep them away, by creating exclusivity. It’s only common sense, which, as has so often been pointed out, is not that common.
