tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891367666970376785.post4223740009382772486..comments2024-01-01T08:22:39.808-08:00Comments on Laying The Foundation: The Greatest DilemmaSFTShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14155830531219245152noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891367666970376785.post-77558516956402915822009-11-12T14:50:07.390-08:002009-11-12T14:50:07.390-08:00LD, considering the present financial dilemma AHA ...LD, considering the present financial dilemma AHA actually finds itself in, one would think it would be a worthwhile consideration.<br /><br />One thing our club is going to be doing next year is offering a "Seniority" award to horses older than 15 who are shown. We haven't worked out the details, but I envision it to be a high point sort of program for owners to enter their horses in and gain recognition.<br /><br />Maybe if it's a success it can be something other clubs add to the mix. :)SFTShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14155830531219245152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891367666970376785.post-35427712673123304932009-11-12T13:44:58.018-08:002009-11-12T13:44:58.018-08:00TBDancer, that is why I always preach that we don&...TBDancer, that is why I always preach that we don't need to rush young horses in order to get them into the show ring.<br /><br />Actually, in most breeds snaffle bits are allowable in English classes, with a few exceptions. Arabian Park horses older than five must be in a full bridle and I believe with Morgan flat saddle horses they have restrictions on snaffles versus double bridles, though I have not looked them up in the rulebook.<br /><br />It sucks that the horse industry has to be all about money. I'd much prefer if it was actually all about the <i>horses</i>...SFTShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14155830531219245152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891367666970376785.post-86117626967946181782009-11-12T04:21:58.284-08:002009-11-12T04:21:58.284-08:00Thank you, the Senior Horse competition is such a ...Thank you, the Senior Horse competition is such a great idea. Wouldn't the AHA make more money in the long term by encouraging more longevity in performance horses? I mean, they'd be getting their cut from horses that are able to show year after year after year...The current attitude of "instant gratification" sucks.littleBADdoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05791341726719471852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1891367666970376785.post-38002801519516312092009-11-10T06:23:57.147-08:002009-11-10T06:23:57.147-08:00Excellent advice here, and I totally agree. When I...Excellent advice here, and I totally agree. When I showed AQHA performance back in the 70s, a horse was considered a youngster (and snaffle bits were acceptable) to age 5. In the English classes back then, snaffles were permitted "forever." I'm sure things have changed since then, but the point is, there is no rush. Yeah, there were futurities, and plenty of people I know rushed their youngsters to qualify for them, but the oldsters just kept on chugging because they were ridden carefully as youngsters, the way they should be cared for.<br /><br />Too often the young and BIG horse is deemed "ready to go" (racehorses, as the most egregious example) and ridden too hard for too long at too young an age. Warmbloods are also "strappers" as youngsters and ridden to levels their baby bones and joints aren't ready to cope with.<br /><br />Sad, really, but you're right--money rules.TBDancerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03889066602819359591noreply@blogger.com