>>>>> What upset me the most about the day was Alex's coach had entered her in shows that were above her ability--Alex has only been doing cross rails and the occasional low verticle. Wouldn't you know, the very first session at 8am, where Alex was 2nd up were mostly verticles higher than Alex had been practicing and Gat refused them all-the judges excused them from the ring. Alex came out in tears, ready to go home.
Virginia, I'm out of town, but I downloaded my e-mail when we went for coffee. I'm not sure when I'll synch again and this will go out, but man, that STEAMS me! Of course you don't know all the class rules - no one would at first...but you have a coach, right? You pay this guy for hunter lessons....? And THAT'S what he did to poor Alex? In the words of Dr. Phil (who actually annoys me), WHAT WAS HE THINKING?!!! The rule is that you ALWAYS show at a level below which you are schooling? Not only should the kid/pony be very prepared for their class, there's always the "show nerves" factor. You NEVER, EVER enter classes above the level you are schooling. Ever. That goes for adults too! Did the show not have some flat classes? Emily's teacher had her enter flat classes only for the first 2-3 (maybe more, can't remember now) shows. I think by that time, Emily was schooling over verticals. So, she went, got her nerves steadied, had a few bad moments, but still managed to have a little fun...then the instructor had them up the ante into some actual jumping classes. >>>> The session after that seemed to have even higher jumps so I told Alex's coach that Alex just isn't comfortable with the height as she hadn't practiced them enough. I'm about to cry for Alex. Of course she didn't have fun - who would have? We all get nervous when we do something new. Most of us get nervous doing something in front of a crowd. But to do something more advanced, beyond what she'd been doing and in front of a crowd? Oh, if he were closer, I'd have to go have a serious chat with him. Now showing will probably NEVER be fun for her and Gat, thanks to his poor advice. I'm not into showing as I've said many times, but I am very pleased with how the gradual progress and success, with some embarrassing moments thrown in, really built Emily's confidence. I HATE that Alex got that ruined for her. Please give her a hug from me! >>> In the halter class leggy, showy horses got ribbons--not our beautiful, stocky Gat (who trotted along beautifully while Alex ran along). Ok, I don't think the definitions would be THAT different in Canada than in the USA, but did this coach of yours tell you that halter classes are conformation/suitability classes? That's the very definition of the class, so of course the long-legged horses would place better! I sooo clearly remember when we were in your place and I didn't know all the subtle innuendos of what each class was about - BUT we had an instructor to help guide us as to the meanings and who'd give us her opinion as to the suitability of a given class for Emily and Thunder's level at the moment. I don't think I know of an Icelandic, none that I've met, that I'd enter into any halter class for hunter type horses. It's simply not how our horses are built! It doesn't mean that they can't DO the job, it's just that they aren't the "ideal" type of horse for the job. Many, many times, though, the "ideal type" individual doesn't prove to actually do that much better. But, he should have explained what that class was for, before you wasted the entry fee. GRRR! On the other hand, did they have "showmanship" classes? Some of Emily's shows did, and some didn't. Here, the showmanship classes were sort of equal playing field for all the kids. They didn't need the perfectly conformed type...all they needed was the willingness to have their horse spit-shined, and the ability to work to get the horse to do the ground course as described. The kids were scored on things like how clean and neat the horse was, how clean the bridle, how squarely the horse would stop, and how accurately the horse would stop at a designated point - things the kids could practice and master. Emily occasionally entered showmanship classes, but she never entered halter classes. I hope Alex feels better by now. I hope she'll try again, but only if she's prepared next time. Give her a hug...and give that coach a good swift kick in the knees... from me. Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
