Refusing when…

[Amberley]

I’ve actually won a lot in the hunters. But I have major issues with what I see currently in horsemanship, training and teaching, yes. It’s a complete disaster, its often wildly unsafe and the fact so many people start there is a large part of the reason that the US can barely field competitive international teams anymore.

Most of the frequent posters here are in their 60s and 70s or older. Things have changed. You aren’t out watching these kids being taught horrendously bad riding every day anymore. Or seeing how sour the horses are jumping around on GGT footing all season. Or seeing the bad fitting tack they are all being sold.

[Midge]

@Amberley

You aren’t out watching

I know at least three posters on this thread personally. We all still go to the shows.

[fivestrideline]

@Amberley

Most of the frequent posters here are in their 60s and 70s or older. Things have changed. You aren’t out watching these kids being taught horrendously bad riding every day anymore.

Hmm. Not I, said the 20-something with boots on the ground (and a live feed when the boots are off).

Again. Sweeping generalizations.

[fivestrideline]

To be clear: I think there is plenty of alarmingly commonplace horrendous riding that is accepted and encouraged by the judging in all disciplines, especially at the lower levels. And yes, I’m including the hunters in that. And dressage. And European riders too, btw.

There’s a lot of crappy riding trying to emulate the winners at the top of the disciplines, but without the nitty gritty basics. But you see that in, well, pretty much every aspect of life. That does not mean that 99% of people are all doing it wrong.

Also, not for nothing, but ‘international team’ disciplines are not the be-all-end-all of equestrian sports. In fact, there’s a whole wide world of riding and horsemanship out there.

Getting off the soapbox now, as I drag us rapidly down the path to derailment.