Wonderful pics! Congrats again to Sam & AJ!
I’ve been a long time lurker on this forum, and perhaps this is not the best first post. I’m sure it will not make me popular with many of you.
However, remember, for the most part, how things are presented on the Internet may be much different from what happens in real life. We are only getting the facts presented to us.
Why jump all over Free Westy? We are all allowed to voice opinions and thoughts.
Personally, I’ve been involved in driving for awhile. This sport should ultimately be about putting our horses and ponies first and giving them the best care possible. They are our partners and do what we ask of them, quite willingly when you think of what that entails.
When a competitor comes into the vet box at a major competition and her pony’s temperature is 106* plus (after the walk section), you would think they would put the pony first and withdraw, especially when the vets are concerned for the pony’s wellbeing. Not go onto to compete on Section E and set the fastest times in the hazards. Especially considering that the pony was sick at a CDE just a few weeks earlier.
This was a subject of much discussion with those who saw it. No matter how far you drive or how high your goals are, your equine partner comes first. Personally, I feel this young person has quite a bit of pressure placed on her with this World team bid.
Understandably, everyone on this board that knows Sami is proud of her, most of all her father. However, remember that many CDE participants, from competitors, to officials, to volunteers, read this board and are interested to see how certain CDEs and results are portrayed, especially after seeing things like the above happen.
There are many excellent drivers at the Advanced level, in addition to the talented junior drivers coming up the ranks. Good luck to everyone.
Interesting. Are you speaking of the young lady that is the subject of this thread, because I didn’t see this mentioned in the OP’s posts, or anywhere else – other than your post – that this had happened. Perhaps I missed it in another post elsewhere???
Not to undermine your concern, but… if the vets had felt it was a serious concern, they are obligated by the rules to have pulled the horse (pony) from competition. The fact that they didn’t, says the pony was “fit to continue”. What they might have said to the driver (re: any concerns) has not been aired in this forum … if anything was said at all.
From following this young lady’s progress throughout the last year or so, it has always been my understanding that this is a personal goal of hers - not her parents. They support and bankroll her (bless their hearts!), and cheer her on – but that’s it. All the pressure is her own – and both grand and impressive to see in one that is talented enough to bring a stocky Halflinger to such heights. Like finding someone winning 100 mile endurance rides … on a Quarter Horse.
I’ll give credit where credit is due, both to the vet’s decisions in matters of horse welfare, and in knowing best when an animal is fit to continue; and the driver for application of her knowledge, skill and talent to get the absolute best from her pony, and doing so within the established limits of horse welfare and vet controls.
I have no knowledge, first had or otherwise of the marathon at this event this year. I am not gossiping. And I am not compairing this to anything related to Sam as I haven’t been to a single event with her this fall.
However, several years ago at the same event, I was working the vet box at the end of E. One of the judges came back and said that the vets were sending the horses out on E with temps over 106. There were several who started, then withdrew. We had horses coming in at 107.
I started a thread a little while back about how hot is too hot. I don’t think the vets and judges are necessarily going to stop you and would like to see the stats on who they do stop. I think it has to go back to the individual and their personal knowledge of their horse and their personal committment to it’s well being. After that thread, my personal decision was that we would not continue if my pony’s temp at over 104. That’s me and my pony. No one else. I know that there is no “taking it easy” on E, want to or not.
tone
Singletree.
I am also a long time lurker on this list and I must comment on the tone this thread is taking. Free Westy stated facts. I did not hear any tone. The fact is that an 18 point difference is huge. I did not get the tone that Free Westy was taking anything away from Sami’s accomplishment to point out how well another competitor had done.
As for the laurels comment I do not believe that the competitor should rely on the vet alone. You are the best judge of your horse. If my pony arrived at the vet box with 106 temp as singletree noted, and that temp did not come down I would think twice about continuing. We all know that three weeks before the Laurels AJ was sick. Horseyfolks told us himself that the pony was ill. It is that combination that I think singletree is pointing out. The vet in the vet box did not know the pony had been sick. It is up to the driver to do the right thing for the animal. They do so muck for us.
I hope Sami has a great future in the sport. Do remember that there are other very good drivers who have practiced for years, won a lot of titles and for one reason or another have not made it to the world championship level. It takes a certain amount of maturity to compete on that stage. Goals are fantastic and I applauded Sami for wanting to go to the next Worlds. She is what 17 or 18 give her time their is always another horse show. Do not push our young people too hard. In the end they are the future of the sport. I must now get off my soap box. Thank you for allowing me to voice my humble opinion.
[QUOTE=yaaah;2806836]
She is what 17 or 18 [/QUOTE]
16 I believe… going on 35!!! :winkgrin:
I applaud Sam and her family for her recent accomplishments. Don’t take the word of 2 posters who are making their first time posts that are in a negative jealous manner. Perhaps they’re related. Heresay is not a reliable source of information.
Now, children…
Why is it that when someone says something that goes against the common train of thought on any topic and any forum, no matter how articulate and carefully phrased the post is, they are automatically accused of jealousy? 
I have never understood that.
No comment either way on the suject in question as I was not there at either the vet box or this last show. (Remember, hearsay is not a reliable source of information! 
) I do seem to recall however that the Orems withdrew AJ when he was sick? Sami seems to be to be the kind of person to put her horse first from what I’ve heard. And if the horse put in his usual blazing hazard times he must not have been too unhappy. 
I’ve had a lot of home drives where a vet would have passed my horse easily but I knew something was wrong and so far I’ve always been proven correct later. (Chiropractic problems, sudden allergy attacks making him feel unwell, etc.) You have to know your horse and I think Sami does. A thicker-bodied horse like a Haflinger is going to have trouble dumping heat; that doesn’t mean he’s not ready to keep going. I don’t know! ::shrug:: But I don’t think just because someone carefully points out the other side of the story for consideration they are automatically “jealous.”
To assume that is more than a bit childish. I’m sorry if that opinion offends, but I’ve been burned by that attitude myself more than once and I’m tired of hearing it when there is no evidence of any kind for an emotional motivation. I judge someone by what they say and how they say it, not how many posts they’ve made or whether they are for or against my own viewpoint.
I know, I know, flame suit on. :sigh: Friesian4me, you know I love you.
Leia
Boy, and here I thought the driving forum wasn’t anything like the dressage forums! Guess, there is always someone who wants to rain on the parade.
First of all, Sam and her family are some of the nicest people I have met, they take phenomemal care of their horses and though Sam has definate goals and ambitions, I see them only putting thier ponies first. They traveled alot further than Katydid only to scratch because they were concered over AJ.
Singletree never says the senario stated was in fact Sam and AJ, and I think it is terrible to allude to this story if she isn’t going to stand by her statements. Singletree, are you infact refering to Sam? Where you there at Katydid?
When posting to forums, I really try to evaluate why am I posting, and does it contribute to the forum in a positve manner, before I post. The world these days is so negitive do we really need this here? We are all here for the love of our horses/ponies let try to support one another! I am sure there are alot of horse people in general that are great at what they do and, don’t get enough attention over it, Sam is lucky to have a very proud and supportive father! I personally love to here about her travels! I love the pictures and hope Don will continue to post about Sam and her Ponies!
[QUOTE=friesian4me;2807298]
Don’t take the word of 2 posters who are making their first time posts that are in a negative jealous manner…Heresay is not a reliable source of information.[/QUOTE]
Hmmm…jealous. Believe me, I have no jealously at all. Some of us have made our mark in the sport and truly support the drivers coming up the ranks.
A good friend of mine was a volunteer at the vet box at The Laurels when Sam and AJ came in. That person, as well as many of the bystanders and others working for competitors coming through the box, were concerned about AJ. Sami was very upset and emotional about the possibility of not continuing and the vets let her go with the warning that she must take it very easy on the pony because he was so hot. Everyone there was surprised that she chose to continue in those conditions.
I’m sure many of you say, well why would you bring this up now. I’ve read and lurked until this point because I don’t have much time to spend on Internet forums. However, sometimes it gets frustrating to see how things are portrayed on here and then when someone presents a slighty different view they are considered “jealous” or mean.
If you put yourself (or in this instance, a family member) in a public setting such as a forum read by thousands of people, it brings publicity, both positive and negative. Ask any rider or driver at the top levels…they will tell you the same thing. Many top competitors I know choose to create a website or blog to keep friends and supporters up to date and update it themselves–ie, I’m sure many of you would like to hear about what Sami is doing in her own words. Perhaps this is the best outlet for keeping everyone informed of successes and updates.
Just because people may chose to offer constructive thoughts, does not mean we do not wish that person the very best.
sorry I started this foolishness.
L
Just for the edification of folks here:
Endurance doesn’t use internal temp because they’ve found it is an “iffy” indicator of the true metabolic condition of the horse. Many horses run a much higher temp when they come in and stand after exercise. Horses use air cooling over the body to reduce internal temps. This cooling occurs while the horse is moving, or standing in a breeze, but it stops when the horse stops. When that happens, the temp can spike up quickly, often within seconds because nothing is moving the radiating heat away from the body.
Panting used to be thought a sign of distress, but vets now ignore it because studies have shown that it’s actually one of the most effective ways of reducing internal temperatures by taking cool air into the body and letting hot out in quick, short breaths
So… the pony was obviously fine, just running a higher temp because it was standing still, not moving any air across it’s body to dispell heat. Having a chunky body, and being cold blooded to boot, didn’t help.
If that pony wasn’t recovering quickly, or adequately, the vets would have pulled it. Period. Regardless of whether Sami cried or threw herself down on the ground in a toy-store tantrum. If the pony was metabolic, it would have been out. It wasn’t… and so it was allowed to continue.
Thanks everyone from Katydid !!!
Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and I have to say it is fantastic to see so many people discussing this sport that we love so much in such a passionate manner.
As Jennifer Matheson’s full-time groom and navigator for the past five years, I haven’t had time to read through all the threads and posts (we have been a bit busy recently……) but I am so glad to see such a positive response to Katydid CDE and appreciation for all the hard work that goes into putting on a combined driving event. Between the volunteers and the Katydid staff, it makes everything worthwhile to see everyone enjoying what we take such pride in creating.
On a personal note, many people may not realize how incredibly hard Jennifer strives to make Katydid CDE the great show that it is. Her focus and dedication is the single driving force behind the event, and the main reason why Katydid has grown so much in 5 years.
Anyone who knows what Jennifer, Danyloo and myself have been through this year will understand how great it feels to end on such a positive note. My favorite moment was when Danyloo had to pass his barn inbetween hazards, Jennifer was laughing so hard at her pony throwing a tantrum because he thought he was done, we hadn’t trained for a barn-bound pony on home turf!!
I hope everyone keeps this forum open to discuss and share our thoughts and ideas on combined driving in a positive way, without the need to use it as a platform for personal gain or negativity towards others.
I look forward to being a part of Katydid 2008, hope to see you all there!!
Love your pics. thanks for sharing.
