Should horse shows be cancelled for the next month?

[Snowbird]

We lost our barn some years ago. We lost three people and we lost 16 of our working horses that paid the bills. Our fancy show horses survived in another barn.

We faced this dilemma and opted to go on with our show. Why? for the children, because life goes on and we need to keep life going. Death brings a rebirth, if it doesn’t then the death was useless. Generations need to pass on to the next the strength that it takes sometimes to go on instead of giving up.

Would those who died because of this heinous act if they were watching be pleased if we let the world they knew stop running, stop growing and stop improving. Would they be proud and pleased?
By giving the terrorists a victory you make their death a waste in my personal opinion.

I think the best way to fight terrorism is to not let them know that they even made a blip on our world. Let them have died for nothing and keep them from being the martyers they dreamed.

[Louise]

Boy, I’m really not sure about this one. My first reaction was that the shows should be cancelled. I know that, if I were showing, my heart would not be in it right now. Who cares about ribbons and placings at a time like this? I would not be showing.

But, we have to get back to normalcy sometime. Our lives will go on. Maybe it is best that we do it as quickly as possible. And, maybe, we should let it be an individual decision, depending on how everyone feels about showing.

[buryinghill1]

Great idea.
Shows could take a collection for the Red Cross, Salvation army or United Way.

[Lucassb]

in the braids.

Also a moment of silence, donations to the Red Cross or other charitable group… very appropriate and useful ideas.

I agree with those who have suggested that we refuse to allow cowardly terrorists to impact our daily life more than is absolutely necessary. We can grieve and yet refuse to be cowed at the same time. While I am sure that the group of us getting together at the Regionals at Chateau Elan this weekend may be a little more subdued than we might be otherwise, we will still be there to encourage and applaud the juniors who are riding - and to lean on our friends a little bit as we heal from the tragedies of the last few days.

---

To appreciate heaven well
�Tis good for a man to have some fifteen minutes of hell.
Will Carleton (1845�1912)

[Bostonian]

While certain consideration of a Nation’s mourning during this terrible, terrible time caused NASCAR, NFL, Baseball, etc. to cancel competition; there was also thought given to removing temptation (and National symbols) from would-be terrorists.

While it’s an individual decision for horseshow managers in the United States, clearly USET should think twice before sending the show jumping squad to the Nations Cup Final in Spain - without consulting the USOC and the Dept. of Agriculture - IF they can even get a flight out this weekend.

It would be a selfish and truly incompetent decision indeed to quite unnecessarily tempt fate and somebody should think first of the horse’s safety - they don’t have a voice.

Let us hope USET’s executives do not mismanage a very sensitive situation.

[Erin]

I’m riding in an event on Sunday… at least, as far as I know. I haven’t heard anything about it being cancelled.

Although I haven’t been able to get an iota of work done since I first heard the news Tuesday morning, I do think it’s time for people to start making an effort to get back to normal… to the extent that they’re comfortable with.

I guess it’s an individual decision more than anything. If the organizers of the event I’m entered in decide to cancel, I’d understand. But if the event goes on, I’ll be there.

Just editing to say I checked the event’s website, and it says it will go on as planned.

[SLW]

Merry- your idea is fabulous and the only way that I would be able to compete this weekend.

IMO, this attack is so big that a weeks delay on non-essential activities is just being respectful and polite.

SLW

[SGray]

NOTICE TO DALLAS DRESSAGE CLUB MEMBERS AND COMPETITORS AT THE DDC’S YELLOW ROSE FESTIVAL

It is with regret that the Dallas Dressage Club announces the cancellation of our Yellow Rose Festival. We are cancelling this weekend’s show dates of September 15 & 16th and are looking at re-scheduling later this year if possible.

With these week’s events, we gave ourselves a deadline of today at noon (Thursday, September 13th) to make an objective decision, deciding to base this decision on the most up-to-date knowledge on the availability of the flights bringing our judges and technical delegate to the show. Flights anywhere, in all probability, will not be on schedule for quite awhile. We could not take the chance that some of the judges could not make it to the show.

Our decision was also based on the realization that with the horrific events of this week, priorities are to pause and reflect and to grieve for those lost, injured and irrevocably damaged physically, spiritually and emotionally. Emotions are flowing - we recognize and share the emotional need to cancel the show as well in honor of the lives lost and forever changed this week.

We understand the impact this decision makes for those competitors who were working toward final qualifying scores for the championships. We hope you understand that this is completely out of anyone’s control. We also hope that you will be at our hopefully re-scheduled show.

The DDC board and show management will be contacting each of the competitors, via phone and email if available. We will be contacting all of our sponsors and advertisers, hoping they will allow us to move their sponsorship to a later show. We will be contacting each of our volunteers and members. We hope each of these will forward the notice of cancellation to anyone who might have been planning on attending our Extravaganza on Saturday night.

We regret the actions of terrorists have impacted the freedom of going on with our lives as normal. We regret the lives lost, the injured and those who will be permanently impacted by the hideous events of this week. I just got an email from one of my best friends who I’ve been wondering all week if she was alive - she works for Rand Corporation in the Pentagon and was in a meeting at ground zero. Luckily, she’s only bruised and burned and will admittedly be impacted by this the rest of her life, but she was lucky to escape with her life. I had an old boyfriend - a corporate vp with Merrill Lynch who worked in the top floors of the WTC - I know he didn’t make it. Other friends I don’t know about. Each of us has stories to tell and burdens to bear and we all do it in different ways. Me, I had show details to concentrate on this week, so I did - it kept me centered and going on with my life - not giving into what the terrorists were trying to accomplish - panic and chaos.

We all need to do this - get on with our lives but acknowledge the incredible devastation our country has gone through - by pulling together toward common goals and in celebration of life - not by creating strife between each other. At least that’s my opinion. As we had planned for in the Extravaganza, the DDC board wants to recognize the loss this great nation has experienced by a moment of silence. Sometime this weekend, realize other DDC members and competitors will be doing the same. Thanks for your understanding as we work around a despicable and unforgettable day in our history and look with hope toward the future.

Carol Farrow
President - Dallas Dressage Club

[hillary]

I spectated at a local schooling show yesterday. Over half the participants are children who are really beginning to show (mostly around 10 years old). They are scared enough - let’s not punish them for this tragedy. Many people had the little ribbon pins on their polo shirts.

[Kryswyn]

I suspect many events in the local areas of the 3 attacks will be cancelled. But I see no reason why shows in other parts of the country should not go on as planned.

If an individual feels too much grief to go, that’s their choice, especially if their loss is a personal one. But while all American’s are shocked, saddened and outraged, life does go on, albeit with a deeper appreciation of life and loved ones.

~Kryswyn~
“Always look on the bright side of life, de doo, de doo de doo de doo”

[Weatherford]

The biggest GOLF tournament in the world was CANCELLED today.

The SPONSORS and PLAYERS instead DONATED the $5 (or was it $15) MILLION purse to the NY/DC relief efforts.

Amazing!!

[M_O_Connor]

such as the air transport system being shut down, making travel impossible for some officials who have contracted to work this weekend–an advisory was sent out by the organization formerly known as the AHSA about the rules that pertain to situations that many shows may face this week.

[Duffy]

I went to a polo match benefitting a local family services agency and it was wonderful to be with other people on an absolutely beautiful day, enjoying the company and the horses, (and the food, etc. ) They had a lovely anthem duet and a few moments of silence - both of which were lovely. Lots of people were dressed in red, white and blue. In all, I was happy to NOT feel terribly guilty, attempting to have a good time - which was very nice.