Gosh Virginia, this just makes my heart hurt, and just reinforces my disdain for show stuff! First of all, and I dont care WHO wants to PRETEND this aint the truth--- I dont care WHAT level of showing you are involved in there are politics, local favorites, trainers who are in with the show promotoers etc. and just think about it--- thats just human nature.
One of our local 4H judges travels all the way out west etc to judge and won't judge any AQHA shows anymore because he says it just makes him sick that the kids who win big shows are the kids that can afford the 3000 dollar show outfit, the 6,000 dollar saddle, the 10,000 hypp positive horse, on and on. And when I let a little girl show my jaspar at halter the judge actuially leaned and asked her "just what kinda horse IS this" and there he stood in his shaggy winter coat all spiffy, but the others were all sleek and polished from being kept 24/7 stalled in three blankets with electronically timed lights making a false impression of shorter days so they wouldnt grow a winter coat. soooo. I think Alex should either say forget it and find a more equitable way to compete with horses (its fun to do things with our horses and getting them ready for an activity is so good for us and our horses) OR she could get mad and get even, beat them at their own game. It was her first show, she learned a lot I bet! maybe enough to get even :) Janice-- yipie tie yie yo
