On Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:16:28 -0400, you wrote: >What is the point of running horses on ice when there is perfectly good >footing available for a show?
Well, for us in the UK, it got 1200 people to see Icelandics who otherwise would not have. We've held British championships every year for a couple of decades and rarely get more than 50 or 60 spectators at best. So - the spectacle of it got people to come and watch, people who may well go on to become Icelandic horse owners. It was advertised primarily in the equestrian press, so a large majority of them were horse people. As to the footing, it was interesting to me to see exactly how the horses went on the ice. The studs dug in around half an inch, with a little bit of forward movement (ie the holes were slightly slanting, not straight). It actually looked very much like the sort of print the horses make on firm sand. Here's some written feedback the organisers received today: RSPCA: We are very happy with everything we saw, how the horses were managed and found nothing that would concern us for another time. The horses look well cared for and safe on ice. Blue Cross Horse Ambulance service: If only all of our events were like this. It is unusual for us to be able just to sit down and enjoy the show. Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes"
