I shoulda gone to the meeting

[Terri]

I got the newsletter from my riding club this weekend and found the following tidbit from the minutes to the last meeting:

The subject of gaited horses was discussed and decided that they are welcome to attend HRC shows with stipulation they will be limited to Walk Trot Division and prohibited from the games classes. If the horse is able to canter, they may compete in the cantering classes. The exhibitor's attire must match the division, traditional garb will not be acceptable.

(the bold and italics are theirs not mine)

I am assuming that what they mean by "traditional garb" is Paso show clothes (which I don't have any anyway). But the western, hunt seat and saddle seat can wear their traditional garb??? And this means If I stick a western saddle on, then they must neck rein? I am also assuming that "if able to canter" means we can't largo instead of cantering. I guess I can live with most of this. I have no problem showing them that my Pasos can do anything their horses can (neck rein, canter....whatever) - not sure my kids can though. Well that will just take some practice/lessons/ etc....But what is really annoying is what the heck is the deal with the games division!!!!!!!

I know I should have been at the meeting, and guess I should make an effort to be at the next one to correct this. My horses/kids are just as likely to break gait or mess up in the games division as theirs. Just cause their gait is smoother doesn't mean we will win. Some horses have smoother trots than others. And what about my 1/2 paso. She trots sometimes.

What do you think? What are some points I should raise?

[Linda Y]

Sounds awfully discriminatory to me. I sort of agree with the garb in the division thing...if you show in western pleasure, for instance, you should have to use all the equipment for that class. But no gaited horses in games is ludicrous! Why is that? Because the gaiting horse may whip the tar out of the trotting/cantering horse? Makes no sense!!

[Laura S]

I think it is normal for most shows that if you enter a trotting horse in walk, trot classes, then you aren't allowed to enter in the walk, trot, canter classes. You can only do one or the other. What do they think traditional garb is? I guess I would ask that, because it sounds like they are misinformed. Traditional garb is only in fino classes. If you were to wear show clothes for the classes you would enter at a PFHA show it would be pleasure attire which is basically pants, shirt and vest with a white paso fino hat. The kids wear about the same, but some will wear a bolero type jacket and helmet. And not being allowed to enter the fun games is just plain evil!! What are they afraid of? LOL!

[CarolU]

They might be talking more about Peruvians where the traditional garb is quite different. I can't see where a Paso Pleasure outfit is particularly "traditional."

Is there an All-Round or High Point award at these shows? That might well be their real reason for discriminating.

I think I would write them and tell them that if they hope gaited horse people support and attend their show, that they eliminate the rule about the games, or have separate games for gaited horses if they are worried about fair competition from the gaited horses.

You always have a choice in these things...even if the choice is to boycott LOUDLY.

[swaite]

Wow - no games? That just makes no sense - It is supposed to be fun for ALL!

[Lois York]

My daughter shows "saddle and harness" division. She CAN'T show in walk trot...then in a canter class, either.
I don't LIKE they're stipulation of no games, even if you don't show gaited...that's JUST not NICE!!!!!
Thinks you is right Linda....'fraid of some whoop a$$ fer sure!

[Fuego]

On the "garb" issue, perhaps they are implying that if you show your gaited horse in an English class, the traditional English "garb" is to be worn.
Paso Finos, as an example, are often shown in an English saddle at the PFHA shows but the required costume is greatly different then the traditional English riding "garb".
Basically saying that they want 'traditional' Western and English clothing and breed specific "show clothes" that varies from 'traditional' is not acceptable for their show.

As far as no gaited horses in timed events........ that seems as arbitrary as saying no Palominos allowed in the English Pleasure class. ???????
I could understand requiring a western saddle for timed events. Perhaps this rule was based on the false assumption and generalization that all gaited horses are rode in an English saddle only.
It makes no sense to me....

[Laura S]

And they start out saying a discussion of gaited horses came up. Well, that could be tennessee walkers, foxtrotters, mountain horses, peruvians, the things that tolte (can't remember name?). But then when they say traditional garb will not be acceptable, that makes it sound like they are really targeting the paso fino. So are they talking all gaited horses? Or just paso finos? Does that mean they will not let a tennessee walker in the game shows?

I'm glad I'm not you Terri, I'd be really really mad!

[Fuego]

Is it possible that this saddle club is trying to include and welcome gaited horses, but are doing it from a perspective of great ignorance about gaited horses?

Maybe they have good intentions...

[Terri]

Yes, they DO have good intentions! They are really just trying to figure a way for the gaited horses to fit in, but are fumbling it. And yes they are targeting Pasos. Pasos (MY pasos) are the only gaited horses to show up at their shows. My Rio in particular is well liked by many in the club. And up to the part about the games I thought they were making a pretty good stab at making the show adaptable to my horses. I suspect, and again I wasn't at the meeting, that some H/J types were worried about gaited horses in the games division because they would precieve it to be an unfair advantage. They have a hard enough time competing at "sit a buck" with the western pleasure horses. But again, I should have been at the meeting, I could have explained that a smoother gait doesn't always win and in fact some of those nice slooooow western jogs are hard to beat. Maybe those horses should be banned too, to make sure the big trotting warmbloods can get a ribbon in egg and spoon. I'll talk to the club officers.

[motorgypsy]

That is dumb!!! We do allbreed shows quite often and gaited horses are always allowed in games. Now if the PARTICULAR game is gait dependent like egg and spoon or ride a buck the easiest thing to do is give two ribbons - one to best gaited and one to best trotting horse. That way they can both be in the same class at the same time and have lots of fun which is the point of games anyway. If the game is NOT gait dependent like poles or barrels there should be no discrimination at all. You can always offer to furnish some ribbons for the gaited winner if they whine about the extra expense.

As far as attire is concerned we wear either western (Kyle does) or "paso pleasure" attire but I wear full seat black English riding breeches tucked inside my English riding boots rather than over the boots and my velvet helmet. I've ridden in a dressage saddle and an Aussie/English and not had aproblem with either. In fact I won a Western pleasure Go as You Please in English Attire on my aussie saddle with an App judge against 13 paints, QH's, apps and a couple of other gaited horses.

As far as neck reining according to our barn owner who is an all breed judge, a western horse ridden with a snaffle bit with no chain or strap may be ridden with two hands. If you use a curb/shank bit you must use one hand only and the other must not touch the horse or saddle - BUT if your paso fino responds to leg and seat cues you don't have to worry about neck reining because they do fine. Just use the leg the judge can't see if you need to give a major cue. They're supposed to be fun but still we always do our best, really groom our horses and wear something pretty flashy to show them off. Here people take them VERY seriously.

[Terri]

The problem with 2 sets of ribbons would be that the most pasos we've had show up for a show was 2 1/2. All from my barn. So they really are trying to accomodate me. So I don't wanna go making alot of waves, promising more pasos and then again only have my puny barn be the only pasos showing up again. I am really better off playing nice and going along, but I really would like to try egg and spoon.

Oh, and I've been told that if we are in an english saddle and english attire, we should post. So we have gone the western route and that works fine for us, Rio and Mico both neck rein okay. But I wonder if that makes the western folks feel kinda weird. I mean picture a western pleasure class with a bunch of low neck appys and qrts, slowing jogging around while my Rio with neck up, laps them several times. Doesn't seem right, does it?

[motorgypsy]

But it really doesn't matter if there is only one paso if it is allowed to compete in the games even if there is a different award for gaited horses. This would be fair for all because they wouldn't have to compete with your pasos but would get to see them in the games and see how great they are.

They'll get used to having the breeds mixed in classes. The speed difference really isn't a problem if everyone's polite and they all have been at our shows. And if your paso is not in gait and does not behave perfectly no matter how flashy he is he won't win with a decent judge. A good thing about allbreed shows also is that there is a really high standard of behavior for horses them and it's good for us to have to meet them.

It's fun and interesting to see all the breeds together. We have Arabians, pasos, Rocky's, saddlebreds and TW's in with QH's, paints and apps. A certified allbreed judge judges each breed according to its own breed standard within the framework of the particular class restrictions. The horse who meets their particular breed standard the most closely in the gaits and actions required by that class (in our case they were Go as You Please so it was a variety of gaits) wins. I was just lucky in the Western Pleasure class because my mare was letter perfect and she's gorgeous. Probably won't happen again in my lifetime!!! ;-) ;-) ;-)

[Laura S]

Well, it is all a learning experience for all! Maybe you could check out another clubs rules on gaited horses and let your club know that these rules are more acceptable. I'm sure eventually it will be what is appropriate, but just takes time. Good luck!!

[CarolU]

Hmmm, I assume they are also going to ban QH's from the timed events because of their unfair advantage??? What about banning those in western saddles from Musical Tires, because it is easier to get on/off? Or banning horses under 14 hands for the same reason? Ban horses taller then 15hh from the Hunter and Jumping classes, because of their unfair advantage?

As long as they are banning everyone that has any kind of an advantage, then what they are doing is fine. But, I suspect that is NOT what they did.

Write them a letter.

[Terri]

I talked to a board member yesterday about it. She was very annoyed and said "You wanna know what happened!!!!! I'll tell you what happened!!!!! some people are afraid they will lose to you!!!, they even wanted you to wear hunt seat out fits! and claimed the Pasos should trot so the rider can post. I told them Paso don't/ or shouldn't trot and they said oh yes they do! I've seen it". I asked if they lose in egg and spoon to the westren pleasure horses and she said "oh, yes, all time, why not ban them" she said it was mainly a matter of greasing the squicky wheel and encouraged me to show up at the Feb meeting (next open) and politely reopen the subject, most knowledgable members are on our side. So I think we will straighten this out before show season. I like most members of the club, their shows are fun (non rated) and LOTs of horses and area horse people come. We are mainly dealing with a small group that happened to show up at the october meeting and complained and got their way. Like I said, I shoulda gone to the meeting, it would have been different.

[CarolU]

Oh for sure...people like this would NEVER say anything to your FACE!

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr :evil: :twisted: :evil: :twisted: :evil: :roll:

[Minouri]

Terri,

Am I a member now? Drag me along to vote for you if you want. I'm not really into the club thing....except for the parades......but if you can use my vote to your benefit just give me notice and I'll be there.

[TrueStepPaso]

Yeah..and I'm joining in January for sure. PLUS, I have a Morgan too, so they definetely can't argue with me...I've got BOTH sides of the "story"! ;-)

Terri, I should warn you. I've NEVER gotten along with show brats...they are gonna LOVE me. :twisted:

[Abejita]

Oh, and I've been told that if we are in an english saddle and english attire, we should post
Ok I am somewhat ignorant here so correct me..but in dressage you sit the trot right not post? So ride in a dressage saddle..its 'english' but doesnt require posting..see what they try then..

[Terri]

Well now Abbie, lets not go picking fights, I don't think we have to. Most of the club members I know are NOT show brats, in fact they are great people. You met Bobbie and her morgans on Saturday, she is super! and we do have lots of fun. There is just always a handful in any group that doesn't know what they are talking about and demand their way. Our goal is to be that fun group of paso ppl that everybody likes. I don't think we will have any problem getting back into the games. And notice they didn't get their way about forcing us to trot or post or wear engish cloths. It is a good club and the shows are lots of fun.

[CarolU]

I don't know, I think Abbie could take em! ;-)

It would probably help your cause to see that they are chasing away several Paso Fino owners, rather then just one.

[Minouri]

Terri,

I will say that one of the women tried to lure me to really join....more than pay the fee. She spoke of more parades and trophies. It does sound like they want more members. If so, it doesn't hurt for them to hear what potential or new members feel.

[Terri]

it doesn't hurt for them to hear what potential or new members feel.
Absolutely Ruth! Just want to be careful "how" we express our feelings. I think it is a great club, trying to move "forward". They do lots of parades, shows, trail rides...etc. We "gaited" horses are just new to them and don't fit their old patterns. This is a huge opportunity to present our horses and their owners in a very positive light to the local horsey folks. Oh there will always be some who refuse to see anything new or different as good, and they are usually busy chasing points for some year end trophy :roll: , but they are usually a small group.

The open meeting is in Feb, I am going just to talk and ask questions and reopen the subject of gaited horses. I've already talked to a bunch of members and so far I haven't run into anyone who thinks gaited horses shouldn't be in the games. So it is just a matter of educating a small minority without annoying some of the long term entrenched members.

[Minouri]

Terri,

Don't worry. We will not ruffle the feathers of anyone. I can understand your concern. You really enjoy that club. Crazy Paso Fino people with as much brio as our horses......we could seriously rock the boat.

I'll get Abbie drunk before the meeting. Then we'll sit in the back as quiet as mice till you ask for our vote.....(giggle...snort).

You know I'm kidding.... :shock:

[Terri]

Abbie drunk and quiet as a mouse? that I would like to see!

I am sure you will both be welcome members of the club. Tell Abbie she is not allowed to throw popcorn.

[Minouri]

But, Terri, she only uses the kernals as punctuation for her important points. It helps people pay attention.

[TrueStepPaso]

:lol: Yeah that!

Don't worry Terri...I'm not going to pick fights. Its only that "small group" that will get back what they give out to me....thats all. :twisted: