Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

So true, Truman
Perhaps we need to get Disney to put out Bunny's movie so people can see 
what incredible heart the Arabian has. You can't believe the feedback 
I've gotten about Bunny from non horse people-- he endears himself to 
them. I'm going to see if animal planet will show it--- anyone got any 
connections or know a contact person there--- or on Oprah??? Who says 
heart-felt stories have to be just about PEOPLE! We need to get more 
movies out there that show the Arabian as an incredibly smart and gentle 
companion. Even my friend--- a die-hard anti-Arab person (was into 
t-breds and Standard-breds all her life and we just don't talk about 
breeds when we're together) said that Bunny shocked her--- that an Arab 
could put up with what he did and keep on going!
That's the kind of good press we need to put the stereotype of the crazy 
Arabian behind us!
Bette and Bunny (who wants to be on regular TV now)

Truman Prevatt wrote:

> I suspect  there is not enough growth in distance riding to turn a 
> decline around. To grow you need to indentify a growth area. The 
> number of starts at AERC rides is has grown only about 10% over the 
> past 4 years was virtually flat between 02 and 03. Yep we have a few 
> more people showing up at some rides but that seems to be ofset by a 
> few less at others. CTR seems about the same.
>
> Even if there were good healthy growth in endurance - it would not be 
> enough to make much an impact on what seems to be the issues facing 
> the AHA.
>
> >From what I've witnessed over the past 10 years the growth is the 
> average recreational trail rider. In the places I ride there has been 
> an explosion of trailers riders. They are not riding Arabs - a few 
> apps, a few quarter horses but for the most part they are riding 
> gaited horses and have no interest in "spooky hot headed Arabs." This 
> is your "distance market." Most of the people ride often and quite a 
> while when the ride. I think there is a lot of reason for the 
> popularity of the gaited horse to this market. First a person with 
> little experience in riding but the desire to ride can get on a gaited 
> horse and have fun from day one. They don't bounce because they can't 
> post, they don't need to take lessons to go out and have fun. I would 
> have no problem with putting a new rider on Rocket (and have) and 
> taking them out on a trail ride. I would in no way put them of my 
> Arabs. With Rocket we can rock on and they don't bounce - they get a 
> grin from ear-to-ear because they are having fun. On an Arab and 
> trotting horse in general they would mostly struggle at first.
>
> How does the AHA play in the recreational horse market?  First they 
> might be to work on the horse's image and promoting the "high headed, 
> fire snorting" halter horse image is not helping one bit. That the 
> image they are sending about an Arab and most recreational riders want 
> security, safety and a good time - that's what has to be promoted 
> about Arabs.
>
> I'm a member of the AHA and would like to see it grow and prosper.  
> However, there is a changing demographic and horse ownership and there 
> was a crash of the IRS created bubble in Arab market (where farms near 
> Ocala were selling yearling Arabs for $50,000 and the next year after 
> the change in IRS law, could not give them away) in the '80. Both of 
> these seem to be having an long term negative impact on the AHA.
>
> I don't know what the solution is but clearly what they are doing now 
> is not working. Maybe they should call up some of the gaited horse 
> organizations and talk with them - their ownership is growing 
> gangbusters.
>
> Truman
>
> Lif Strand wrote:
>
> > world.  Showing of Arabians has had it's time to prove it's worth to 
> > the breed.  Anyone can see where it has gotten us.  It is time to 
> > focus on the Arabian horse's tried and true specialty:  Distance riding.
>
>
> --
>
>    "It is necessary to be noble, and yet take humility as a basis.
>
>     It is necessary to be exalted, and yet take modesty as a foundation."
>
>  

--
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians
Home of Bunny and 16.2h TLA Halynov
who lives on through his legacy Hal's Riverdance!
http://www.arabiansporthorse.com

Always remember: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." (George Carlin)



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