Largo Racers

[CarolU]

I posted on the Largo Racing Forum a few months ago, the choices we have to make on the race. I haven't heard back from anybody.

I have to get back with Stephanie and CJ by the first of the year. So IF ya'll still want the race, I need your opinions/decisions. Otherwise we'll go with CJ's original suggestion.

If you've forgotten or lost the link, it is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PasoLargoRacing/

See you there!

[motorgypsy]

Carol please check with Lindsay Campbell because I think she is now in charge of exhibitions and is very supportive of the largo race. If it is to be an exhibition perhaps stabling off site would be an option??? Five stall is of course too few because I would hope after getting nine last year that we can get even more next year.

[Ed Tafelski]

Hi Carol
Just curious, we went through a series of gyrations last year and I thought we had came up with a good set of rules. What happened to those?
Ed T

[pnalley]

I would rather the show hold it. I wouldn't spend the money to travel if 1) it could be canceled 2) no National Champion status ( I realize there are no points etc)

I feel if we want to be taken seriously we must act as though we are serious contenders. That means being treated the same as the rest of the competitors.

[CarolU]

Hi Carol
Just curious, we went through a series of gyrations last year and I thought we had came up with a good set of rules. What happened to those?
Ed T

CJ

[Boyd R]

I think what Ed was refering to is that the rules you all came up with should be resubmitted.

[Moniece Dickerson]

I think i'd rather the show hold it.I would LOVE to ride in it in the future!Moniece

[LynnG]

If the Largo race is to have national championship status, shouldn't it be the same as other national classes? If you want to increase its credibilty, why want exceptions from other classes to qualify? You would need to qualify and abide by the same rules for entry, and have regions offer this as a class.

Exhibition? then not by the same rules. Give it some serious thought which direction to go.

[CarolU]

It boils down to two choices really. We can do it as exhibition with any rules we want (and that means SOMEONE has to organize it every year and make sure it happens), or we can have the show put the race on with their rules...which right now are a mix of ours and theirs.

And yes MG's, I've been in contact with Lindsay and Ed, and they are very supportive, but the onus is on the Largo group to decide.

What I will say is that I'm not planning on attending Nationals this year, and that means that someone else will have to organize on the ground there. So, unless we have a volunteer to do that, I see the decision to go with show management is pretty much made already.

And Lynn, it was an "official" class, but that was voted out of the rule book at the last membership meeting. There is no rule change proposal to put it back in, so it would be at least 3 more years before it could be an "official" class again. I don't think the Largo racers want it to be 'official'...at least as it was written before.

[PasoPerson]

Answer to why shouldn't class be the same as all other "official classes" ...

When it was originally submitted as a Rules Change Proposal, its purpose was to be exactly like Get of Sire and Produce of Dam, i.e. that you would not have to enter until after you arrived at Nationals ... but before the start of Nationals.

Both GOS and POD are "regular classes", just have allowances to enter differently.

And if you have tried to follow the rules for all of the new classes they are holding now ... you will see that there is no such thing as "regular rules" anymore, for all intents and purposes.

JMHO

[stella]

I'm glad I finally got my new computer and am online again to see this post....and I agree with pasoperson, resubmit what we had.
If you're not going to Nationals this year Carol, I'll see what I can do about at least helping org it, but CJ will be having a fit if I'm in charge....not sure if that's a good idea or not! Having a co-helper as a buffer zone, someone he'd be more apt to "make nice" to, might be helpful! But, I can be there to make dang sure it goes on, as planned!

[Mellifluous]

I can help this year. No-one really knows me so I make a great buffer!

[Trail Rider]

If you make this an official event with strict rules then it will not be a fun event. Almost every horse in the largo race this year would have had to be excused. You can have a fun event or official event, I do not think you can have be both. If I entered and my horse stayed in gait and one that broke gait won I would be upset.

I think you need to decide which you want and if it is an official event then stay in gait. Otherwise keep it like it is and have fun.

[CarolU]

Everyone needs to decide SOON. I am not planning on attending Nationals again - unless and until the rules for abuse are enforced the entire time on the show grounds, not just the few minutes the horses are under the eye of the steward and judges.

If we go with our own 'organization' and add it to the schedule as pure entertainment, someone needs to volunteer to organize it there and get the entries set up on the grounds. Ruebin made the flag poles, I paid someone to make the flags and blankets but this hasn't happened. I will see if she is still planning to or will tear up the check. In which case we'll need another seamstress (Leigh??) to make them (I was paying for the materials and shipping).

Decide soon....

[motorgypsy]

We can help out also so Stella, Mel etc., just please tell us what to do??? We're for resubmitting last years rules.

[stella]

I liked last year's rules setup, too...I think you CAN have fun AND be "official!" being I've ridden in a few of the old largo races that were. Having some rules make it clearer as to expectations of participants, and therefore easier for people to have some goals and work a horse properly, enough ahead of time to condition it to be able to stay in gait, that fast, that long( a mile, which is considered distance and not sprinting even for TBs).

I think most people that like the truly extended largo, would prefer the horses stay in gait during the race, even if its "for fun." Just goes to show, its not all that easy to perform well, either.

[cowboy ed]

absolutely, stella. what would be the point of having a largo race, if staying in gait was not emphasized? your statement about preparation is essential to this. if someone wants to participate in the largo race, they should darn well have themselves and their horse properly prepared for it when they get there.

[paintedhorizon]

I'd like to help if I can!

[Trail Rider]

At the Nationals the rule was that if you broke gait that you had to stop until told to proceed I think. I think I saw 2 or 3 people stop at the beginning. After that it did not seem to matter if you were in gait or not. I am not saying that people were not trying to stay in gait. It is hard to do if your horse is hyped up as most were.

Why have the rule and not enforce it. If it is not enforced then it is all for fun and that is fine. I enjoyed watching even though the rules were not being followed. I did not notice any participants getting upset about the way things went.

[stella]

Good Michele, you KNOW I'll take you up on that....I already told you, I'll likely have a horse for you to ride in it too, and help get ready!

Thanks Ed! Personally, I cant help but think this whole "up in the air til last minute" stuff about the largo race EVERY year the past many years, is deliberate - to not be able to make a fun-to-watch, but WELL PRESENTED event, featuring a gait that hasnt been seen in the showring in over a dozen years. It IS a bonafide gait, and needs to be presented as such.
It shouldnt MATTER if we get points or not, just that spectators, and other people newer in the breed that have never even seen this facet, should see it "done right," if its to be taken seriously as a gait. There are plenty of people breeding horses capable of this for non-show events for whom it is also important to be taken seriously, and have these horses VALUED, as the bonafide, WELL-GAITED Paso Finos that they are......and they should have the OPPORTUNITY to PREPARE for the show, just like ANY OTHER horse going into the ring there has had.....knowing ahead what to expect, what to do, once in the ring.
After all, it IS a FUN GAIT to ride, and to watch, even when you have to work at it!

[Mellifluous]

Amen Stella!

You can count me in as a helper!

[paintedhorizon]

WOOHOO!!!! :lol:
Good Michele, you KNOW I'll take you up on that....I already told you, I'll likely have a horse for you to ride in it too, and help get ready!

[motorgypsy]

And we're getting our guys in shape and hoping Brandy will be rehabed by then. She'll smoke'em all!!!

[stella]

see..we're having fun already!

[paintedhorizon]

I'm having fun just DREAMING about it! :lol:
see..we're having fun already!