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"Failing to complete a ride should not be a stigma on anyone. It can
perhaps be hard to square that with "To Finish is to Win," because
obviously the rider who does not complete hasn't won anything. The rider who
gives up his chance to win in order to protect his horse is to be commended. We
commisserate with him, having worked so hard only to not realize his
goal that day, but he has realized the far more important goal --
going home with a living horse, a horse that will be back to try
again."
I wish there was a formal way to commend people that show what I consider to
be true horse'person'ship, who know their horses so well that they can pick
up potential problems before anyone else and act accordingly. Maybe having a
fit, healthy horse tomorrow is reward enough. At the Australian Quilty, the
head vet made the point that it was a true achievement just to BE there, to
have trained and qualified a horse to that level takes a lot of ability,
persistence and patience.
I think it would be good also, to have a system where it could be recorded
that the rider knew there was a problem with the horse, even if officially
the horse didn't make criteria and was therefore "vetted out". That would
encourage riders to understand their horse better, and also (perhaps) to
view the vets less as an enemy who was policing their ability to continue.
Maybe changing the terminology to "unsuccessful completion" or the like
would help there!
I say - Congratulations to all who have a go!
Anne
Western Australia
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