--- In [email protected], "Virginia Tupper" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > In the halter class leggy, showy horses got ribbons--not our > beautiful, stocky Gat (who trotted along beautifully while Alex ran > along). >
I wouldn't really worry about what the show people think, I'm sure Gat did look great. When I was young I wished that I could show, but my parents just wouldn't support me in that, in the long run it was probably for the best. I got to go to one show, and that was because it was held at the boarding stable and we didn't have to trailer anywhere:) When I did get to show later, in my late 20's, it took about two times to turn me off of it. Not that I didn't do well, that had nothing to do with it, out of 3 classes I got two firsts, but it's the competition that turns me off, (poor sportsmanship of other people) it's really much more important to have a good relationship with our horses, let our horses be our judges, that's when we really know whether we are doing well or not. Spending time with our horses should be a joy, somehow competition has a habit of stealing that part away, that kind of pressure doesn't go well with really becoming connected to my horses, not for me. I've had fun doing a fun show since then, but overall the spirit of it was FUN, not so much hard competition, not so much pressure. I think an obstacle course might be fun, but it's connected to what I want to do with my horses on my own time, more like a test for the two of us to see how we are coming along, so it's not that I think nobody should do showing, but I do think our time with horses should be fun. Kim
