COTH Get Creative Article

[dags]

@NoSuchPerson

And they did that because they perceived that it was to their benefit to do so. And I think they were probably correct. Whether or not it was to the benefit of the middle class was irrelevant to them. And that’s how life works, whether we like it or not.

Actually, that’s how capitalism works, not life. We’re kinda confused about that in this country.
And before this goes off the rails, I am very much pro business, but obliterating 80% of your client base is not good business.

Access to the top being limited by money is nothing new in sports, but there’s still healthy participation at the bottom, because without the bottom there’s no pipeline to the top. This is where we are being very short-sighted. Sure, maybe the billionaires can keep playing in their sandbox, but where are their trainers supposed to come from?

[fivestrideline]

@dags

Actually, that’s how capitalism works, not life. We’re kinda confused about that in this country.
And before this goes off the rails, I am very much pro business, but obliterating 80% of your client base is not good business.

Access to the top being limited by money is nothing new in sports, but there’s still healthy participation at the bottom, because without the bottom there’s no pipeline to the top. This is where we are being very short-sighted. Sure, maybe the billionaires can keep playing in their sandbox, but where are their trainers supposed to come from?

I wish I could like this post 37 times

[supershorty628]

@Amberley

I don’t know a single young pro with that kind of experience anymore. Not one.

Perhaps because more people can’t afford to play at that level because the rated shows price so many out and those divisions don’t exist at schooling shows

[NoSuchPerson]

@dags

I am very much pro business, but obliterating 80% of your client base is not good business.

My point, which I don’t seem to be getting across, is that the people who are making these decisions do see it as good business. They do not think the same way you do. They do not look at it and think, “Well, we’re obliterating 80% of our client base and ruining our business but we’re going to do it anyway.” They run the numbers and conclude that they are best served by following this path.

You don’t have to agree with them, but they are the ones making the decisions and nothing I have seen suggests that they have any real interest in addressing what you perceive as a problem. And as the person quoted in the beginning of the COTH article illustrated, most of them don’t seem to even be capable of understanding why you perceive a problem.

I’m with Ms. Glavan - explore what you can do with your horse within the constraints of your budget and available time. The A/AA circuit doesn’t need or want us unless we’re prepared and able to get with their program, so why waste time fretting and complaining about it?

[RAyers]

There are those of us who love showing and jumping big fences in a competitive environment. Yet the “so what if it is so expensive” absolutely destroys my ability to to what makes thing fun. If the only place I can do what I love is rated or FEI at some ludicrous expense for 6 minutes in the ring, the sport has priced out the middle class, easily.

Yet that attitude of “so what” prevails until the masses walk and create a new competitive environment.

[MadTrotter]

What I’ve also noticed is a lot of pros withhold knowledge, and the vast majority of people are stuck at the end of the beginner phase. For various reasons:

1. I think for younger pros, they’ve never developed students beyond a certain point, even if they themselves can ride to that level. 2 skill sets, riding/teaching.

2. The horses have gotten so expensive. There is little appetite for risk in pushing comfort levels in an higher division/level. And so have the shows. So pros will not go out there with anything less than students who are really polished, on a horse they may have spent thousands to inject and massage etc.

If the top levels are nothing but trust fund babies and a chosen few charity peons, the quality of athlete will suffer. I think we can already see that. It’s just numbers. Smaller pool, fewer natural talents to be developed.

3. It’s the bread and butter. More students,
   same program, no need to tailor anything.

4. People just have a whole lot less time. Even if they have the money. People don’t ride their own horses as much.

When I was training at similar levels to Amberley, the trainer got on when the horse was rearing and dangerous. There really wasn’t such a thing as a training ride unless you broke your arm, and usually then it was your barn friend.

I don’t know the fix to any of this but I personally don’t miss “serious” showing. I wish there was more of a “club” culture in this country and will always encourage people to try hunting or adult pony club if they have it near by! I know if I lived in an area where it was show-focused H/J program or Western sports, I’d have my KWPN cutting cows in a heartbeat.

[NoSuchPerson]

@RAyers

until the masses walk and create a new competitive environment.

And that’s the solution right there. I have no delusions that the people in charge care about what the masses want. They clearly believe that they can run viable competitions without us. So we need to create a system that meets our needs.

I feel like that is already happening in some areas and disciplines. Western and Cowboy Dressage, for example. Working Equitation. There are also areas where local, unrated circuits are thriving because someone saw that the market was there and stepped up to address the need, e.g. Horse Show Ventures in Atlanta and Pensacola and Horse Shows in the Park in central Florida.

[Night_Flight]

In my area, the local, affordable shows seem to have died out because the trainers stopped bringing their students to them. They insisted on the newest, most perfect footing and facilities, and were willing to trailer their clients 2 hours away for it, rather than 10 minutes down the road to the local shows. I didn’t get the impression that it was the clients making those decisions since no one from those barns attended the local shows, therefore likely a trainer-level decision.

I’ve often wondered if it’s because of our social media culture where you are bombarded by photos and videos of perfect horses in perfect environments and some feel that what used to be the norm for most of us in terms of horse show venues is now unacceptable since they’ve spent so much time looking at things that seem better.

[Tiramit]

Like many people, I began riding as child because it was fun and exciting. I loved horses and the chance to ride a lesson horse back then held all the mystery and emotion of Alec with the Black Stallion. Just grooming horses was exciting. Later on, after showing no loss of enthusiasm, my parents built a barn and horse care became a big part of my life. I spent every extra hour in the barn practicing everything from bandaging to braiding–everything about the horse was interesting. In the summers or during vacations, my friends and I would pack lunches in saddle bags and head off on the trails for a day and get into all sorts of fun trouble. We showed most weekends and took lessons weekly, yes, but shows were never our ultimate goal. It was always about the fun of “horses.” The same horses that sported braids and won ribbons one day could be found galloping in a mock race the next–and loving it as much as we did.

While I did show heavily as a junior all the way through my 20s (in all 3 rings up to a/o jumpers), I count myself as lucky that showing has never been my primary motivation. I’ve never stopped riding and training and still school multiple horses on most days and ride in clinics here and there, but I haven’t shown in over a decade. And that’s totally OK with me. My horses live at home with me and they’re part of my life and family. The other day I left work early and took one of mine on a long ride through a park to enjoy the fall foliage and beautiful weather. It was rejuvenating in a way showing never was. Without showing, I’m able to take very nice vacations that almost always incorporate some riding. Last year we spent a week riding horses over the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu which was much more fun than sitting around for a class at a horse show! For me at least, it’s always been about being with horses and the adventure and freedom that came with riding.

It seems like the sport has moved away from that last part. It’s lost the fun in that never-ending pursuit of the blue and tri-color ribbons. Winning today requires so much of a person in both money and time that it leaves next to no room for anything else–unless one can afford a team to take on much of the work. Speaking of the not wealthy working amateur, it’s unsustainable for any of us to spend vast amounts of free money and most vacation days on horses shows. Who wants to live that narrow and stressed a life? Not me.

I do miss showing, but not enough to sacrifice financial security and all of my personal downtime. I’ve soured on what showing has become, from the over-the-top fees to the long travel times to reach them to the ridiculously tedious schedules (last time I showed, my horse and I had to wait for almost 2 hours while an empty ring was held for a trainer. Ridiculous). A sport can’t always take, take, take and only give back or cater to a few. For many of us, riding is a hobby that we fit in around work, family, and general living. Why do those on the inside think it’s right for us to practically kill and bankrupt ourselves just to be in their presence?

I do wish the major horse brands would clue into and act to help solve the problem. I’m talking about the brands that NEED the masses to stay in business. I wish they would take a stand with the show world that demands their sponsorships. I’d support a brand that would say, “I’m with the people who actually buy my products and my dollars will no longer support you (show world) until you find a way to make this work for them as well.” Wishful thinking.

[Willesdon]

As an outsider looking in, a person who has had horses in my life for as long as I can remember and who has ridden them on multiple continents, what strikes me, from reading COTH, is the insane level of commitment that American showing appears to demand in terms of time and money. I read peoples’ stories and I wonder when on earth they have time to sleep. Or have a family life. Or a social life outside of horses. Or time to just sit still and enjoy owning such an amazing creature. Holding down four jobs to pay for a horse is considered a mark of virtue, proof of adequate ambition and desire. The showing culture seems to be work really hard, spend loads of money and do whatever the trainer tells you to do. One of my most memorable / favourite ever COTH responses was a plaintive little comment: “I’ve just bought a fancy new horse but my trainer says I’m not allowed to ride her for at least the next three years”.

As the USEF is a membership organisation, it seems slightly odd to me that members don’t make demands of the Federation and ask for more shows that are appropriate for “normal” people.

Ahh, but money talks.

[Bonnie2]

So maybe some of this energy could be channeled into creating new competitions that fill these unmet needs. Instead of complaining about someone else’s sandbox make a new one. Or find happiness in a different sandbox. Ranting online without action doesn’t solve anything.

[fivestrideline]

That’s a pretty aggressive response. I mean this is an online forum, most of what we do is “rant” or discuss. It’s not like we are talking about abuse here or safe sport, we are talking about being priced out of horse shows

@NoSuchPerson

Horse Show Ventures in Atlanta

GHJA is thriving - Cheryl & Co sells out almost every show, HSV fills, even HJ Fox has branched out and ran at Wills last weekend if I’m correct. That said, the local C shows that used to run at barns in the area (vs just GIHP, Wills, Chatt, and now Poplar) have disappeared as recently as this year. Britches and Boots was the super small one or two day unrated show circuit that died when some of the above organizers started running whole series at the parks.

It’s the same thing in other places with rated shows vs B/C shows. There are some decent little unrated barn series going here in NC, that I will support if I ever get a horse going - and that’s the key. I’m an amateur with a trailer and I’m there to have fun and get the horses out. With lesson horse barns (the past support structure of unrated local series) disappearing, maybe some schooling shows aimed at the amateurs more than the kiddos would have a niche?

[mvp]

@Bonnie2

OK, I’ll be the devil’s advocate. Why “should” we be able to afford rated horse shows? There are many lovely ways to enjoy our horses, which the author and the people here have discovered. No one is railing about the cost of Mazeratis or oceanside real estate. If it is a super important part of your life (whatever “it” is), you work to make it happen. If the joy derived isn’t worth the work it requires, reallocate your resources. Law school isn’t cheap and required many hours of intense application. For many people that would be out of reach. For many people horse ownership is out of reach. Let’s all be a little less angry and spend that energy on things that bring us joy.

I hope there is joy to be found in staying in one’s station as you recommend.

[RAyers]

That is why I support local and unrecognized competitions. I choose rated competitions based on my friends and family who are going.

I also am involved with the governance of my discipline utilizing my skill set in the best way I can. I refuse to give money to the FEI due to its corruption and refusal to actually adhere to its mission statement.

So, no, I don’t just rant.I am actually involved with the sport.

[NoSuchPerson]

@fivestrideline

That said, the local C shows that used to run at barns in the area

A tangent… It’s kind of depressing to drive through areas around Atlanta and see all the places that used to be nice little farms and lesson stables but are now being turned into (very expensive) subdivisions. Honestly it’s a little surprising to me how much horse activity still remains in the area and how many kids are still in lesson programs and going to horse shows because sometimes it feels like everything rural is being gobbled up.

[Bonnie2]

Nope. Suggesting work for what you want. Some things will take sacrifice, some compromise. Some will be unattainable.

[Bonnie2]

[quote="fivestrideline, post:35With lesson horse barns (the past support structure of unrated local series) disappearing, maybe some schooling shows aimed at the amateurs more than the kiddos would have a niche?
[/quote]

I’m lucky to live in an area with lots of schooling shows. Well run and full of entries. My only point is that horse shows don’t run themselves. It is hard to get a show started and keep it running. And horse people are generally very busy! Who wants to run a horse show? Not many of the writers here. I just have a hard time understanding why a magic someone should be responsible for my good time.

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

I don’t think anyone here is asking that their horse showing or horses be subsidized. I think people are just pointing out very real economic pressures that make it difficult to be in horses at all, much less show. It’s harder to find lesson barns that give lessons on school horses if you can’t afford your own on the most basic level.

It’s hard for people with horses–especially people riding certain disciplines–to find horse shows where they can have an enjoyable experience, be judged fairly, and give their horse a positive experience off-property without paying more than a minor home remodel for a weekend.

And if people point that out, then sometimes they get pushback that, “well you must not really be serious and a true horseperson if you have zero in your retirement savings, aren’t working three side jobs/offering to work for free for your barn owner/ are spending money on what most people would consider necessary expenses.”

It’s just an acknowledgement that pulling back from showing or even horses in general isn’t always because the person isn’t “serious” and doesn’t “want it.”

[Irene2022]

I hope the rule change goes through that makes it so USEF only has a single rating (spoiler: it won’t). I know a bunch of people in my area who would love to go to cheaper, more accessible regional shows but instead choose to go to national shows (and fewer of them because of budgeting). They don’t want to split points and our regional shows have light participation in the area so they’d rather spend the money to compete against good company rather than in a division against maybe 2 other people.

Personally, I wish the local and regional level shows had more opportunities for upper-level riders. Europe has training shows that have fences 1.30+! But (in my area) if you want to show above 3’/1.00 you have to go to a regional show and at or above 3’6/1.10 then a national show.

It doesn’t solve all the problems but would be a step in the right direction for giving people more options.

[mvp]

@Bonnie2

Nope. Suggesting work for what you want. Some things will take sacrifice, some compromise. Some will be unattainable.

Well before this discussion can go further, we need to distinguish between a “necessary” and “sufficient” condition. In this case, it is necessary to have a work ethic; it is not sufficient.

Americans just adore conflating the two so that they can deny-- and even support-- a wildly-uneven playing field. I don’t see why that benefits most of the people most of the time.

To continue to read and think critically, I think the author of the article (plus everyone reading and even the author of the “well… get creative” advice) would acknowledge that some things are unattainable. That’s true, of course, but it misses the point. Same goes for compromise and effort, heck even the “blood, sweat and tears” triad.

But the point of the article is that there’s a point at those for whom all of these ingredients might add up to success are dishing out futile advice to people for whom it most likely will not. Why is that advice helpful? I don’t get it.