The rider is Laurie Ledbetter. The woman behind is her mother, Cherie Briscoe. Laurie is riding one of Doc's progeny. Doc was the recently deceased Arab stallion Cherie owned and rode for decades. Laurie rode Doc as well before her accident several years ago. Doc is in the AERC Hall of Fame. He had some 14,000 plus miles in endurance competition. Remington and I rode right next to him for probably 1,000 miles at various multi-days over the years. He was built like a truck, the most substantial Arab I've ever seen. I used to tell Cherie he looked like a cutting horse with coiled power in every direction. Cherie tells me Laurie's horse is even stronger than Doc. Cherie is very small. Laurie is even smaller. The only adult rider I know who is smaller than Laurie is my wife, Marilyn. From seeing Laurie right next to 4' 9 1/2" Marilyn at rides and social events, I would say Laurie is 4' 10" and maybe 4' 11". Again from comparison to how she looks next to Marilyn, I would estimate Laurie at less than 100 lbs. The only thing Cherie loves more than her horses is her daughter. People in endurance all would agree that no one is more careful with a stallion than Cherie. Laurie was an incredibly talented rider and one very tough and funny lady before her accident on an ATV. She has been trying for years to rehab herself and train a horse so she could ride again. Her mother wouldn't let her do it if she didn't think it was safe for both horse and rider. Frankly, I trust that tiny Laurie under her mother's supervision caused less harm to her big strong horse than some listmembers might cause to their Icelandics with whatever they do. Those of us who know Laurie were terribly saddened to learn about her accident when it happened and her struggle since then. I am absolutely thrilled to see the video and see how far Laurie has progressed. With all his accomplishments and recognition, by far the greatest thing Remington ever did was carry and take care of my disabled son for fifty miles on his only endurance ride 11 years ago. I would cut off my right arm for my son to ride with me again. I would have no reservations about putting him on one of my horses even though it might be harder for them. Sometimes horses do noble things even if it means they bear a greater burden. From watching how Remington took care of my son 11 years ago, I think they know it. Folks, please find something else to snipe about. John Parke Solvang, CA
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