>>>> sometimes I wonder if you do ever ride your horses like 5 times a week for at least 1 hour to me it sounds mostly like you are playing around with them in the paddock but what do I know don´tlive anywhere near you
You know, I've thought about this line of reasoning, and I think it's time I said something. I've noted before that often times when someone on this list brings up a point about show riding that we don't like, the list gets slammed for not "really" riding our horses. It's like it's a form of bullying, I think. In the first place, I think many or most of us DO ride our horses...but what if some on the list don't? Would that mean that person couldn't legitimately see problems in the show-style riding? Heck, I'm not a professional basketball player, and I can certainly see when a player fouls another player, or when he travels with the ball. I can see when the ball goes out of bounds. I can see when a player scores. I don't need to be a professional in my personal riding skills to know what skills I want to AIM for. And I'm certainly capable, amateur rider that I am, of knowing what "skills" I don't want to emulate. Despite what some would imply, it is QUITE possible to ride the horses AND be a good horseman. It doesn't have to be a choice. For a lot of us, it's not ALL about riding, it's not all about speed. I might ask you some of the ones who imply that we don't ride, about the relationships they have with their horses. I ride. And, I play with my horses, from the saddle and on the ground - and I'm proud of that, and of my friends who share this joy. Karen Thomas, NC
