Jim--
I wouldn't presume to counsel you on your riding. You may need to
coach me on the peeing up a rope thing, however. Sounds like the voice
of experience speaking.
You have many years in the saddle, and experience as a horse
trainer. Arguably, you have more horsemanship experience than many on
this list or in the sport itself. But, bad things sometimes happen to
good people and good horses, yourself included. The point I was making
was that, it's easy to make conclusions regarding what a rider is doing
by glancing at their ride record, or witnessing their riding habits
briefly at a ride. Chrystal's ride record belies her experience and
preparation, and, as such, she probably doesn't need our advice, unless
she asks. On the other hand, you have campaigned for severe punitive
rules for riders perceived to override or abuse their horses, and
indicted the Board and the HWC as ineffective and indifferent to the
safety of the horse for not having passed such rules. Yet, your record
reflects instances wherein you would be fully targeted under such
rules, punished, censured and publicly humiliated. Did you really have
YOU in mind when you proposed these rules? Or, do you see yourself as
an exception, and that your pulls have reasonable explanations that
mitigate the need for severe punishment--that your rule proposals are
for other riders with similar records?
I agree with Patrick that this should remain a sport of personal
responsibility. Not a police state. It's a hobby, for crying out loud.
The HWC has a mechanism whereby we will accept informal complaints and
address concerns with riders who are brought to our attention by other
riders. I can't remember the last time we received one. This doesn't
mean abuse isn't occurring, it means our members need to be as willing
to step up and report abuse, as they are to campaign for more rules. If
anyone witnesses what they feel to be abuse of a horse in any manner,
the thing to do is report it to the vet on site, to the HWC, and file a
protest if need be to to the P&G Committee. Each case will be
investigated in detail, and in the case of protests, customized
penalties are doled out in proportion to the offense, if the rider is
found culpable.
By the way, Steph is an excellent horsewoman, who rides with her
horse's best interest in mind. She is an articulate, knowledgable lady,
and has probably logged more global miles than anyone I know of
witnessing and participating in all levels of our sport, and reporting
her experiences back to us. She supports the "backyard" rides, and is
developing a very nice collection of "Turtle" awards lately. She is
welcome at my campfire anytime. As long as she brings the beer. Dr Q
