Nationals Largo Race

[CarolU]

I posted an update on the Largo Forum. Those interested need to go there and DECIDE what they want to do about the race.

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/PasoLargoRacing/message/116

[Terry Wallace]

Well..not to start a fire.....BUT..... it really seems as if there is little interest in a Largo race...no matter what show it is.

It wold seem the perogative is to create more interest, get a LOT more people behind it...or it will never be "successful"....

Sport Horse would *seem* to be a much better venue than anything PFHA...

Dontcha feel like you are beating your head against the wall sometimes on the Largo race expectations?

[CarolU]

Yes Terry, I do. We have a good Largo race at our show, even have a grudge match this year... :lol:

The complaint ALWAYS is that those who scream loudest for a Largo Race, never show up to race. I can certainly understand the show orgnaizer's sentiments after trying to get the Nationals race going for 3 years.

But I think the biggest problem with it is that the PFHA show ring now is entirely geared to one type of horse, today's short-strided show horse. There are no classes (except Trail and 'maybe' Western Pleasure) for the longer strided big largo horses. There is no incentive to go to a show, pay for a full weekend's stall, drug fees, etc. for one non-pointed class that is never well organized. Yes, I think Sporthorse is a better venue for recreational riders and largo racers. I am pretty much giving up on PFHA shows for my horses.

[Pasogirlz]

Well..not to start a fire.....BUT..... it really seems as if there is little interest in a Largo race...no matter what show it is.

It wold seem the perogative is to create more interest, get a LOT more people behind it...or it will never be "successful"....

I agree....we talk about it all year, but both shows that I've been at that had one....we were running around looking for participants....why is that?

[SandyMM]

I agree....we talk about it all year, but both shows that I've been at that had one....we were running around looking for participants....why is that?
At the few shows I've been to recently, the largo race - while fun - was a joke as far as gait went and showcasing a true largo. At one show, the eventual 'winner' broke constantly but was never called - I don't believe the vast majority of the volunteer judges could spot a horse out of gait anyway. The horse I watched never broke gait, had a fair largo and came in last in the heat. The horses ahead of it broke repeatedly, didn't lose any time or distance, and went on to the 'finals'.

I spoke to PFHA office last Friday and they said that the race would be 'entertainment' this year and that any horse who actually participated in the race would get a free stall. Only one person had inquired about the race as of Friday. I said we would have two horses there. They gave me Stephanie Livingston's cell Ph#, but I was never able to get in touch with her. Marilyn Norton who is collecting the Nationals entries knew nothing about the free stalls. PFHA kept repeating IF the horse actually participated in the race, the stall fee would be waived.... ?

[Terry Wallace]

Sandy..get it in writing! Remeber all the controversy of the PFHA saying one thing...but doing another in the end....when it comes to Largo racing.
;-)

[Mellifluous]

If the stall is free and if I can wait to bring the horse until Thurs or Fri, I would be willing to enter Phoebe. We probably would not be competitive, but it would be one more warm gaited body to participate in the race and keep it alive. I will call PFHA today and alert them to my interest. I will see if I can get them to send me a written guarantee of the stall being free and things such as that.

[SandyMM]

I will see if I can get them to send me a written guarantee of the stall being free and things such as that.
What concerned me was the fact that they said several times... "IF your horse actually races in the race..."

They also mentioned 'heats'...

I suggested that they back out the cones a bit so the turns weren't so sharp - a problem in previous 'races' as people dove for the inside and horses crashed into each other ....... and broke gait....

I think there were a lot of horses that should not have been entered last year at Nationals because the owners (or the horses - not sure which were to blame most) were not able to maintain safe behavior....

[CarolU]

CJ said last year that they would comp 5 stalls MAX for the Largo race. You still need ONE PERSON to coordinate it with Stephanie.

[Mellifluous]

I thought Stella and PH were going to be coordinating this year's largo race?

[motorgypsy]

That's what they said and they were going to participate in it also.

[Kerry W]

:question I've had several conversations with Stella, in the past and very recently, and she is planning to take a horse to participate in the race, but as far as organizing it, she's been consistent in her sentiment that she has passed that baton....having fought that battle (among others), for years. ;-)

[motorgypsy]

I thought it was Michelle that she had passed the baton to and that Stella had said she was going to help her out???

[Kerry W]

I think Carol U had the baton last, which was sort of scary for CJ http://www.realitytvgossip.com/forum/Smileys/default/scaredy.gif, so not sure who ended up with it. He may have buried it somewhere. :shock:

[Barbwire]

Kerry, I love the scared emoticon. :D

[Kerry W]

:D Thanks! I had needed one for a long time. Lucked into it one day. :lol: It's a bit more appropriate at times, than: :shock:

[paintedhorizon]

I am going with Stella but not riding. I'm more than willing to do whatever, I just need guidance.

[Pasofinoguy]

I hope everyone has a good time. I dont like the new largo race stuff. If you want to enter you should be able too.