Quote:If the phone number list is so bad why doesn't the stats show it

Quote:For many equestrian enthusiasts, April marks the start of show season after a long winter of staying home and adjusting the basics.
April has also been designated Alcohol Awareness Month by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. This year coincides with a new analysis that casts doubt on more than 40 years of research, much of it funded by the alcohol industry, that claims moderate drinking has some health benefits.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence has concluded that many of these studies are flawed and that the opposite is true – drinking alcohol does not do any health good, and that alcohol can actually increase your stress and anxiety levels ...neither of which contributed to a successful season of the rodeo! While adults enjoying a glass of wine or beer can be a relaxing way to end a day at the show, I want to address what the adult amateurs on social media and the barn aisle say about drinking to soothe the nerves and it works in sports.

The equestrian world is unique in that seniors often train and perform with their much younger peers. I am a 59 year old adult in the same hunter group as my 18 year old barn mate. I have been honored to spend time with barnmates and competitors spanning the fifties and sixties. I often find myself being the oldest contestant at a horse show (and sometimes the oldest person at a show!), and I've begun to listen with a more discerning ear to amateurs jokingly within hearing range of their youngsters A story about alcohol and horseback riding in "Peering Together."

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I worry about the example we set for our children and teens in the barn and at the rodeo. I don't know if teens sitting with their adult barn mates and watching them drink will affect their behavior when it comes to drinking, but I don't want to risk it. There is enough information in the world to tell kids that drinking is fun and normal. Ironically, amateurs often joke that alcohol relieves their anxiety about riding and performing, when the opposite is true. While many people cite drinking to relax or to help cope with everyday stress, a quick Google search will link you to many reputable studies documenting alcohol (a drug classed as a depressant) associated with increased anxiety and depression causal relationship between.