What is the main conflict in The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey?

This book focuses mainly on Jaxom and his white dragon, Ruth, and the struggles they face. Young Jaxom will have to figure out whether he will become the Lord of Ruatha Hold or a dragonrider of Pern.

The story begins with Jaxom and the description we get of Ruth. Ruth is the only white dragon there is, and he is also much smaller than the other dragons. Jaxom feels conflicted about the fact that he is too young to be Holder of Ruatha but also unable to fly with the other dragonriders because it is too dangerous for the only heir to Ruatha to be in battle against the Thread that fall from the sky.