ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] Re: Show Horses

[endurance] Re: Show Horses

Shannon Loomis (loomis.102@postbox.acs.ohio-state.edu)
Mon, 6 Nov 1995 20:12:02 -0500

"Just because a horse is a "carriage" horse doesn't mean you don't ride
it, that it can't do trails, that it can't this or that or most of
anything else. A "best of breed" does best what that breed can do, but
that doesn't mean that all of that breed is best at that one thing any
mroe than all tall people are good basketball players" Diane Matthews

hello,

I know, I know. My neighbor has a Saddlebred that she has trail ridden for
years. I never meant to offend anyone in the first place. My original
remark was completely a throw away, not meant to start all of this. Please
forgive me, I'll never say anything like this again... I understand that
just because most Saddlebreds seen are Park horses that is not all they can
do. No more so than Standardbreds are capable of nothing but trotting in
circles. I am not that narrow-minded, nor that prejudiced. I was merely
trying to make a point!!!

What I enjoy so much about trail riding is that you don't have to have the
"perfect" horse (which used to mean only Arabs) to do it. Any breed is
capable of sending individuals to the top of distance riding; Arabs, of
course, still leading the pack. All I am saying is that the number of
individuals doing this seems to be decling in many breeds, especially those
focusing more on showing than performance.

Whimpering under my bed, because I had no concept of what my fingers were
getting me into. Next time, I'll try to make sure everything gets routed
through my brain first (no promises though, sometimes my brain is on
vacation and the fingers take over)

Shannon Loomis and Quail Meadow Star (still an ex-show horse, but not so
sure he should mention it)