Hi again HASBEEN...

I do accept what you say about mitigating some of the overall costs. Nevertheless, to pursue your sport actively, you would have to acknowledge, necessary costs like a Horse Float, feed, stabling, on going Vet. costs, 'tack' and many other very necessary expenses. All of which will need to be outlaid, to ensure the proper care of your horse.

With your twenty acres too, many of those who live in the city, (the 'burbs'), some barely have a backyard let alone facilities suited for the ongoing care of a horse ? Mate, I'm not trying to deprecate anything you've said, it's just you being a very practical bloke, able to turn his hand at anything, most teens couldn't hammer a nail, let alone organise suitable stabling facilities for a horse ?

You're a man of the land, a very capable hand at most trades. Imagine if a young 18 years old kid from an inner Sydney suburb, in which he must remain. He sought both your help and your practical counsel, telling you he's always wanted to pursue a sport involving Olympic Horse events. He'd have it all in front of him, don't you think ? Instead, if he chose Rugby League/Union as an example - he'd need only togs, jock, boots, and a big heart ? I'm sure you see what I'm suggesting.

For sure o sung, I said it was possible, not easy. Becoming a high achiever at anything is never going to be easy. Most who take up rugby league or union, never go further than junior or local level, & of course have no desire to go further, when they take it up. Most of our sport is for relaxation rather than making a business of it.

To go far will always require some money. One of my daughters was a walk racer, competing at school, & little athletics level. She won a couple of championships but that was expensive.

Just taking her to these events in places like Townsville, & Adelaide actually cost a lot more than local show jumping & Eventing. It would have cost quite a lot more for interstate equestrian events of course, but that daughter was more interested in her studies, so kept it reasonably local only.

You have quite a remarkable family, eh HASBEEN ! I accept what you say, nothing worthwhile is ever easy - a parable to suit every occasion, for sure.

It's indeed a great shame that some of that homespun judiciousness of yours, is regrettably unavailable for a wider audience that is a far more deserving and impoverished cause ? One would never know ? Perhaps your sage advice might just keep some hapless youth out of gaol for awhile ?

Dear O Sung Wu,

Once again Thanks for your kind words.

Dear Danielle,

The following link may be of interest to you.
It fully supports the valid points you've raised:

http://www.stylist.co.uk/people/foul-play-why-is-there-sexism-in-sport#image-rotator-1

Lee Breedlove broke the land-speed record in 1965 and Jessie Combs smashed it in Oct. 2013.

Dear Hassie,

Of course there are exceptions to every rule.
Determination and talent can sometimes triumph.
That's what makes it all worthwhile.

Thank you, Foxy, the linked article said it all.

Perhaps women's football would be more about skill than about brute force and aggression.

I also wonder if the supporters of women's football would scream the same sort of abuse from the sides.

Traditional football and supporters - not a "pretty sight".

Dear Danielle,

I think that some women spectators (and participants)
can be just as aggressive
as male participants/spectators in any sport.
I still can recall being at one of my son's school games
on a Saturday - and expecting the game to be just a
"fun" game. There was a woman sitting next to me watching
the game who became very excited and became very aggressive
with screams of "Kill the red-head!" She continued yelling
out to her son (who was on the opposing team)
until I realised that
the only "red-head" in the team of my son's school was
my son! Well, I politely asked her which
kid was her son, and she pointed out this very overweight
child. I'm ashamed to admit that I then began yelling
to my son, "Get the fatty!" She stopped her yelling,
and moved away from me. It was my first experience of
a "friendly" school game. Needless to say, I learned to be
more controlled in future games after a long lecture from
my son. ;-)