Re: [RC] [RC]AQAH vs AHA (was AHA Sweepstakes Program from the horses mout... - SandyDSA
In a message dated 11/26/2005 8:19:03 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
circlenat@xxxxxxxxx writes:
Just
with the AHA showring the more popular stallions get the most
mares
Herein lies a HUGE rub - the most "popular" stallions really and truly are
not - NOT - representative of the best of the Arabian heritage. In 32 years with
this beautiful breed, the strange proclivities for "snaky necks", "extreme
heads", "tabletop croups", trotty and stretchy and level and ....well, you get
the drift. Far too many stallions garner dozens and even HUNDREDS of mares each
year because they were what, NAtional Halter Champion when they were 3 or 4
years old last year? This may prove well-advertised popularity, but give me a
proven athlete with type and a top notch mind an day...over trotty, snaky,
tabletop, extreme....and if one's horse is not comparable in these areas, the
Sweepstakes fees are exhorbitant. Take a look at the disbursement of moniees in
the program and you will see where the priorities lie. Perhaps the fees should
be set relative to the discipline or frankly, the number of foals actually put
on the ground. I don't know - all I know is that we will never - NEVER -
nominate a stallion as the program is now, where an athlete of top blood and
type really has little chance to earn back a notable part of the costs of
raising and training and competing him or her in our sport. Makes no economic
sense. $3000 buys a LOT fo hay around here:)
Sad, so many of the auction horses that we have seen over the past 25 years
have been get of National Champion Halter stallions...many could be had for $500
as 2 year olds. And we think endurance has it bad!:)
San (who breeds kind athletes, with proven mares and gentlemen
stallions)
