New Website PICS ADDED!

[horseyfolks]

Sam and I have been working on a website for almost 7 weeks and we finally got it to the point that, while not complete, there is enough to publish. To be honest, between being sick, very busy, and my normal procrastination it took as long as it did. If able to work only on the site it would have been up much sooner.

The site is meant to be many things.... information, answers to new drivers questions, humorus, and interesting. It will be a large site and there are multiple pages we are still working on. They will be posted as we get them done. If there is something you want to see or have to contribute please let us know.

I would also like to hear about mistakes (including spelling and grammer) or anything else that needs to be improved....

http://www.teamsam.net

Don

[pricestory]

Welcome back. We missed you.
I like the site but agree, take out anything that may come back to bite you.
And I guess I take up too much room, VBG.

[ironbessflint]

Well I'm glad you got something going!! I was very worried when I hadn't heard from you after the last bit (all of which you're welcome to use, of course!)

Jess

[Ashemont]

Sent you an email with my suggestions - but I definitely think you should remove the personal info on Sammi. Even as an old crippled lady I wouldn't dare put that info about MYSELF out there :eek:

[I.Run.Track011]

I would take the personal info off too, but a great site other than that. I liked the pictures!!

[MySparrow]

Welcome back. We missed you.
I like the site but agree, take out anything that may come back to bite you.
And I guess I take up too much room, VBG.

I love the website and the heart behind it. I sadly agree that personal information about Sami should be reduced to a bare minimum. I know that most kids have much more info than this on sites like Facebook and My Space, so I can understand that Sami would feel comfortable being so candid with her readers. I don't know that Facebook and My Space are that much safer than a public website, but at least participants must register (I think!) to read individual profiles. Now that my kids are 18 and 23 I'm less vigilant about their internet lives. Even so, I still maintain membership to all the sites they are in (again, I think!) and drop in occasionally to keep an eye on things. But you can't "spy" on visitors to a public website.

Sami, maybe you could convert this page to facts about how you got started in CDE, your first pony's name, what you're working on now, what you have to do to achieve your goals, what you think about when you approach an obstacle, what it feels like to go really fast in a marathon vehicle... That would be personal and germane without being provocative to the kinds of people who prey on our young.

I think you can safely keep most of the "my favorite CDE" stuff. In fact, that is a great way to make the site personal and characterful without revealing too much about this precious person to a too-often-cruel public.

You might have a page for the "site watchdogs" -- Don, Rose, all your trainers and maybe a very large dog with teeth -- to make sure that visitors know Sami is protected and guarded.

I love the interview with Sterling Graburn and will look forward to more. In interviews it's always tough to encourage the subject to give answers that are longer than the questions. But it's worth the effort to do so, and you'll get better at that as you go along.

On the home page, all of the captions like "Pita and I" should read "Pita and me." When in doubt, trying saying it without the other individual: "this is a picture of ?I? or ?me?". This is a mistake I correct again and again and again ad nauseum with our J-school grad writers!

As someone who has never driven a CDE, I will find this a useful and attractive site. Keep up the good work, y'all!

Dale

[lorilu]

HI! Cool site. I agree with all the comments about personal data. It's not a nice world out there in 'net land.

Could you have a "links" page, with some links to the competition sites, and maybe the Stride site, too :) ?

Looks like you'll be a busy girl!
Two grammar comments... fix first sentence, delete either the "many" or the "also" in the second sentence:

"This is a schedule of the major shows WHERE I plan to compete. There are other smaller schooling shows available also and I will be attending some of those here in Florida."

Give a carrot to Ellena for me.. hope to see you around!
Loretta

[War Admiral]

Agree re personal info. Also, a spelling and grammar check would be great. The "and I's" are driving me crazy too. And (sorry, this is a pet peeve of mine, as a former music critic who DID have to know this) - please take a look at a Bruuuuuuce CD cover for the correct spelling of his name... ;)

[Happy Feet]

Hey Don!
Looks great only had a few moments to look it over. I think removing the personal things are probably a good idea, maybe an accomplishment page... I liked the earlier suggestion about addign how she got into CDE/driving in general, Maybe a little info on eachhorse she is currently competing...

[Cartfall]

I just finally got to see Sami's page. The personal information there is limited, so personally I think there is no need to change it. I know I am in the minority here, but I know how Sami is surrounded by people who know, love and protect her. Sami is celebrating her individuality. Knowing Sami as I do, I know that she is aware of what goes on around her. When I clicked on the email me---it goes to Don.

The Interview is a well written, thought out paper. Good job, kiddo.

How you got into CDEs would be a great story!!!

Well done, Don and Sam.

I would add one more picture--flying Pita at GA in 2006 at the water hazard. :lol:

[horseyfolks]

I have added a picture gallery to Sam's site. If I have left anyone out of the gallery it's because I haven't gotten in touch with you yet for permission to post your photo. If you are not there and don't mind me posting your photo e-mail me please.

http://www.teamsam.net

Don

[RidesAHaflinger]

Don, The Haffie Brothers and I are honored to be included among 'Sam's Friends' pics. :D It brings back happy memories of the National Drive 2006. :yes:

Hope all is well with you and that you and Rose aren't missing Sam too much. Looking forward to hearing about her big adventure when she returns!

Karen

P.S. The website is great!

[kearleydk]

Thanks for including a couple of the boys and I in the gallery. We are honored to be friends of Sam.

Had a great day today. Made good progress on the Church/barn. Pony Clubbers were on the farm all day practicing for upcoming rallies. Drove the 4 through the toughest of the trails and never got hung up on anything although little Onyx had his nose in the bushes more than once.

Will do a little driving for the Pony clubbers tomorrow.

I'm working on the next act and have decided to use Kiyan rather than Arman. Kiyan's devilish bad boy personality leads him right into tricks. In 2 sessions he has learned to pull my hat off and not give it back. Of course he knows how to bow. The hat trick will morph right to pulling a bandana out of my pocket and taking my whip away on slightly different cues. He's a pain sometimes but he really puts his little brain right to work trying to figure out what I want him to do. Boredom and inactivity do not sit well with him.

Dick

[pricestory]

Dick, a year almost ago now, I was in Aiken at Muffy's. She had been having a circus trainer come in and work with the ponies, especially the young ones who needed a job. She was thrilled with the results in giving them something to do.

[BabyGoose]

All I can say is Sam is one lucky gal. She is so fortunate to be able to be involved and learn so much from great trainers! Would have loved to have done that (or be doing that sigh!!!)

Great webpage. Not sure about the personal info. I hate to think that there are people out there that would use info like that for bad stuff, but I know they are out there.

[hobbyhorse23]

The website's looking good! I agree with giving them something to learn. My mini Kody has been introduced to tricks this winter since his surgery and now does rearing, bowing (well, we're working on it), steps up onto anything and everything I point him at, shakes hands, and has learned a perfect whoa-stand for obstacle in-hand as well as regular maneuvers like pivoting and sidepassing and cavaletti work. He could learn to pick pockets, steal hats, count, smile, or nod in about five minutes because those are things he already tries but I don't really want him learning that those behaviors are a good thing! :lol: At least the rearing I can see coming and easily head off with a reminder to whoa-stand, which he also gets rewarded for. How sneaky of me....:D

It really has made him much more interested in cooperating with me on the ground and kept his winter frustration level minimal. He does miss his driving though; time to get him back in the traces.

Leia

[horseyfolks]

I'm glad that many of y'all like the site. I am proud that we got it done. We have wanted a site for a while now but one thing or another, it just never happened. I used to do websites with a very old HTML Editor called Claris but that program doesn't even run on my computer now. After doing my homework I found a way that allowed Sam and me to be totally creative and at the same time simple enough for even me to work with.

I considered all of the suggestions as to what needed to be done to make it better (I fixed all the grammer and spelling mistakes :yes:) and I re-thought the personal info issue. After talking it over with Rose and Sam we decided (as I'm sure you noticed) to leave the content in question as it is.

There are a number of reasons for our decision. First, I would like to say that Rose and I thank y'all for your concern for Sam's well being. It says a lot for the overall atmosphere and solidarity of this group. It is also why we would like to share this explanation with you.

There is no information on her site that has not already been published in a number of articles in major magazines and newsletters. There is no info that can be used to directly contact Sam privately. We do not even keep a home phone (land line). With the exception of this board, the CD-L, and Haflinger Friends, Sam spends no time on other chat groups. On the already mentioned boards she rarely does more than read and lurk. She will share an opinion with me which I will post for "us" but I would be surprised if she has posted directly more than 4 or 5 times. Actually, the only time Sam spends on line with her own computer is for research for term papers and such.

Sam is very mature and well grounded. Those of you that know her personally know she is not a flighty kid who is easily swayed or directed. She knows what she wants, how to get it, and is not shy about the process. She is moving in an adult world and has the self esteem and confidence to be comfortable there.

Rose and I have raised Sam to make decisions and be responsible for them. As she has gotten older the decisions have gotten more complex and important. The text content is one of Sam's decisions. She knows there is a "bad" side of life, she has been exposed to it in small doses since she started school at 4 years old. She also knows there is a good side.

Finally, Sam has been taught to stand up for herself (and others) by living her life the way she wants to do it. Whenever one gives up something they want to do because of fear of a tiny minority the terrorists have won. I am not trying to make a political statement here or start a debate. I am simply explaining the thoughts behind our decision to let the site run as is. I know many of y'all probably disagree with this line of thought but it is simply an explanation, not an attack.

We hope y'all continue to enjoy the website. In the near future we hope to add a CDE glossary, reports on specific venues, pictures and maps of hazards, and product reviews. Just about anything CDE related. Please let me know if there is something we should add......

Don

[RidesAHaflinger]

Sam is all that Don says and more. There is no need to worry about her safety based upon the content of her website. Of course there is every other reason to worry about her, just from the standpoint of the angst a devoted and loving parent normally feels about the welfare of a child that means more to them than just about anything else on earth. :yes::eek: But I don't believe the information on the website compromises her safety. She's blessed with parents who are raising her with the right balance of protecting her vs allowing her to grow up. She's intelligent and mature way beyond her years. I would imagine her parents have told her all about internet scams and boogeymen and, knowing Sam, they only had to tell her once in order for the information to sink in. :D

[des]

None of the information about her likes and dislikes compromises her safety. It's the location information that could compromise her safety.

I now know where she will be on specific dates in time and I know what she looks like because there are pictures on the website. It would be possible for me if I were a kidnapper etc. to find this child on those dates if I wanted to find her.

It only takes a moment in time to destroy her life as she knows it whether she lives or not.

[Cartfall]

I now know where she will be on specific dates in time and I know what she looks like because there are pictures on the website. It would be possible for me if I were a kidnapper etc. to find this child on those dates if I wanted to find her.

It only takes a moment in time to destroy her life as she knows it whether she lives or not.


des, if we live our lives in fear of what might happen, we have no life. Sami would not go easily with someone as her parents have stated. They feel comfortable enough to post her schedule. Let them be.

We who know Sami personally cheer her on and share her adventures. Having shared some of that adventure and watched a young teenager mature into a lovely young woman of incredible talent as a driver,my life has been enriched.

Don, I haven;t seen the updates yet, but I am sure they are great. Will go see if you put in the flying Pita picture!!!!

[cinder88]

Nice site...

A question...what type of cart is the one in the picture under "Friends 2" with the heading Barbara and Eynstein...? (I think I spelled that incorrectly..)

Thanks! Cinder

[ironbessflint]

des, I see the point you're trying to make, but the same could be said with FAR less information. Point being...I say I know of a 16 year old driver from Florida who's VERY competitive on the CDE circuit. Well, that there is enough, right? HOW many CDEs are there? Not many. Wander around a few in Florida and you'll find her soon enough.

Also, there are no meta tags coded on her website, nothing to pull it up on a search engine with some random key words. Really, you'd have to know her name to even FIND the site. And if you know that, you probably know where to find her as well. Not to mention the fact that she's not going to shows alone!

I'd be FAR more concerned about all the details she doesn't have listed on sites like MySpace and Facebook than this site that only other drivers will happen on...

[Cartfall]

Nice site...

A question...what type of cart is the one in the picture under "Friends 2" with the heading Barbara and Eynstein...? (I think I spelled that incorrectly..)

Thanks! Cinder

Cinder, I thought it was a Hardwick Teeter Totter, http://www.hardwickhideout.com/

It is not, but they are similar

Sorry. It is nice though.

[kearleydk]

Des, Your post got me thinking. I agree with Don. We must NEVER allow fear to rule our lives. We must do our best to protect against the fears but draw the line at NOT doing what we want to do. I think this is particularly true for our young ladies. It applies to all sorts of fears including the fear of being seen as "too smart."

Now the rest of the story. I am AMAZED at where parents dump off their kids so they can do something "important" without them. Almost any type of club or sporting event will have a fair number of kids dropped off and left by the parents. I used to see this at soccer games and now I see it at Pony Club. Mary and I have raised 2 kids and have Annie pretty well started and I can tell you there have not been many hours that the kids have been out of our sight or earshot. On the other hand there have been numerous parents quite content to leave their kids at our house for extended periods of time (like days or even weeks). We are flattered that they think we are such good people but the casual delegation of kid supervision blows me away.

Now to draw this back slightly to driving, I've watched Sami at several events. It is rare for her to be out of sight from Don but all the time there are a number of other people who know her and have her in their peripheral vision. The same holds true for Annie. Others are aware of where she is because they know how closely her parents watch. If they see the kid without the parent it is odd enough to make them look twice.

Bob Giles quote "pick your worst nighmare and attack it head on."

[des]

You're right everyone, we cannot live in fear. However we can take necessary precautions. One is not revealing location information about our children. A predator doesn't care about her name. They will look for certain things to find a child to prey upon. Some won't even care to instigate a discourse with the child. I'd never presume to say what a predator will do or won't do. It's just best to reduce the attack surface by not revealing location information. Girls in general have a reputation for being "horse crazy". That in itself should give everyone pause. Myspace, facebook and the like aren't the only places that a predator might look. To assume makes an "ass" out of "u" and "me"

As for meta tags being the thing a search engine will use to find a website. Most search engines don't even use them anymore. Search Engine Optimization includes much more than metatags. The links in this forum post have already allowed google,yahoo and others to find the website through the webcrawler software search engines employ. Depending on the competition for the subject matter it may be only a small amount of time before the site generates a ranking via the search engine's algorythm. These algorythms use multiple factors to combat spam and determine authority of a site as well as relevancy to a search.

I'm not here to scare anyone. I'm just stating facts. If the parents feel comfortable enough and spend time watching over their children as kearleydk says there probably isn't any problem. It's rather unfortunate that we have to be so protective of our children. The world isn't like when we were children.. where we could run about wherever we wanted without fear... and where our parents knew what we were doing before we did it.

[horseyfolks]

First, I would like to thank all involved in this thread for both their concern as well as support.

As Des has pointed out about the times, it's not your father's Oldsmobile anymore. One can never be 100% sure about many decisions today but Rose and I feel comfortable with the way the site is.

cinder88.... I had to get in touch with Barbara for the answer to your question about her cart. The cart is locally built near Ocala, Fl. by a man named Buddy Morris. He is a very small manufacturer selling most of his vehicles before they are finished. I believe he builds carts as a sideline because he does have a "real" job. Barbara recently purchased a Kutzman Marathon Carriage (4 wheel) and decided to sell her cart. She sold it very quickly locally. Buddy Morris is located in Anthony, Fl. and his phone number is 352-867-1717. I understand his carts can be built to any size and his prices start about $700. Please check with him for actual price as the pricing info I have is 2nd hand through Barbara.

Cartfall... I do have the "Flying Pita" photo sized and ready to put up. hope to get it done this evening. I am also adding a "CDE Glossary" page. I will be adding words and phrases to the Glossary page as I go along and remember more.

Sam has been calling and checking in with us every couple days. She is having a great time and is just as excited as the day she left. Her one complaint (if it qualifies as a complaint) is the food. She does not care for wine or sauces that are made with wine. She also is not a huge fan of cheese. She has been trying everything new but she is about ready for "normal", as she puts it, food. Sam has learned that she is NOT a Truffle fan :no: :lol:! She also does not care for Coq au Vin, Pate, Foie Gras, or Quiche. She does like Pot au Feu, French Toast, Creme Brulee, and Crepes. French Toast is considered an Entree or main course and she really likes the sweet french toast and also the Baked French Toast.
She absolutely refuses to try smoked, salted, or Gravied Horse Meat :no::no::eek:! She did say she is looking forward to a "regular" breakfast with Pancakes or Biscut and Gravy :lol: :cool: :D! She is, after all, a Southern Girl!

Sam has a brand new Canon Digital Camera for the trip. She took a 2 Gig and a 1 Gig SD Card which allows her to take 3000 photos. She has already taken 600 and has a whole week left in Paris. I'm hoping for some nice photos.

Don

[hobbyhorse23]

Oh, so THAT'S where Sam snuck off to! How neat to spend New Year's in Paris. What model of Canon did she get?

Leia

[MySparrow]

I'm late coming back to this thread, but I love the added pics, and would be quite honored to be included if you're interested in any pics of my gang.

Thanks for including us in your life, Don!

[horseyfolks]

Dale, I called you but no answer so I figured I'd call back and never got around to it.... I have a nice photo of you, John, and Sparrow all ready to go. Thanks for the permission!

Leia, we bought her a Canon PowerShot A560. She wanted something small enough to fit in her purse that would take nice photos and video. The Canon is about 2 inches high by 4 inches long by 1 inch wide. That's an estimate, I didn't actually measure it. Bought it through Overstock and I read all the customer reviews before I bought it. It had a better review than the Nikon or the Kodak we were looking at.

It seems to be a pretty nice little camera. The price through Overstock was fantastic!

Don

[hobbyhorse23]

I've got the Canon A700 and it's wonderful. I want the A720IS that came out later as the image stabilization helps, but the A700 has much faster continuous shots. I look forward to seeing what Sami took!

Leia

[Ashemont]

I've had my SD600 for almost 2 years and I love it! It's so small I can easily carry it anywhere and it takes wonderful pictures.... and video :D Measures just 2' x 3-3/4" x 3/4" with 6.0 mega pixels and a great zoom! Super for capturing motion shots of the ponies :yes: