My trainer asked what my gelding’s show name will be. I thought it would be respectful to use his registered name since it is connected to the breeder’s farm name (assuming we don’t stink it up on course). Looking for breeder’s opinions. If it doesn’t matter, I’d probably change the name.
IMO, you are correct. It is best to use the registered name, if possible. If it is not the most horrific name you have ever heard, and can’t stand it, then it has to be changed. But if it is OK, and meaningful, use it.
I think as a nod to the breeder’s hard work, keeping the registered name as the show name is important - not just to recognize the breeder, but so that competitors, onlookers, and trainers who might like your horse’s type will be able to easily research the horse and breeder.
That being said… there are some pretty lame names out there. I have had barn-mates want to keep the breeder’s suffix but have messaged/asked the breeder if they could show with the suffix and change the name.
From time to time I run into a similar conundrum with my (ot)TBs… I want to keep their JC names… but when they have names like Watral’s Nat Star… it ain’t happening.
I vote for using his registered name - we recently connected with the current owner of an OTTB that we bred. The horse is now a successful eventer, and he turned up on a Google search for his registered name.
I never did understand the whys and wherefores of using a “show name”, unless, of course, as pointed out in the above postings, the name is horrendous. (I once came across a Golden Retriever at a dog show named “Hunka Burnin’ Love”. ) There are some names that are just too awful to use and then by all means, come up with something better. Otherwise- why does the horse need a “fake” name? I have always thought it made it really difficult to identify who the horse truly is especially if one is interested in bloodlines, etc.
I always say go with the registered name, unless it’s super hard to pronounce or ridiculous. My boy is AQHA but thankfully has a cute registered name, so that will be his show name.
Like beowulf said, I’ve also seen some hideous names… specifically with TBs and QHs. I’ve seen people drop breeders suffixes, or just show under completely different names because they hated the registered name. It happens. I say that if you are fine with your horse’s registered name, use it!
It is important for a number of reasons to use the “registered name”. 1st and foremost, it gives recognition to the breeder of the horse as was mentioned above. 2nd, with new microchipping rules going into effect, the horse will most likely need to register their horses microchip, and it will correlate to the horses registered name. 3rd, if your horse progresses to international level of sport, there is fine of $1000 for name changes on the FEI passport. Most accomplished riders don’t wont to change the name of their horse to avoid the fine.
It is important to inform your trainer, as not all trainers are up to date on the new changes with USHJA, USEF, and FEI.
Tim
I have never felt offended when a buyer prefers to use a new name for showing. Probably half of mine have done this.
I sell all of them with USEF life recordings and the buyers have made the changes in accordance with the rules. This keeps their registered name, pedigree and breeder info as part of the horse recording.
If you choose to do a USEF name change, please do it officially. This shouldn’t be a problem when the new horse ID rules are in effect. Microchips will hopefully prevent owners from creating new recordings.
That said, some breeders feel very strongly about name changes. Check your sales contract. Some include a clause forbidding any name changes without the breeder’s consent.
I usually use the registered name but draw the line if it is hideous. My “Disco Sunday Deacon” horse? I changed that. I mean, that’s the outside of enough.
I agree that the FEI fine for name changes is stiff and lots of people don’t know about it. however as I read the current rules on FEI’s website, you just have to use the first name registered with the national federation. So if a buyer is the first one to register with USEF, they get to select the name and you aren’t stuck with your OTTB’s godawful name. a good reason for breeders to do what tuckaway farm does and provide life recordings – because then you are more likely to get to “keep” the name you’ve chosen if the horse competes at FEI levels.
Having been a breeder with a prefix I am definitely in the ‘use the registered name’ camp. Long before I started breeding, however, I always used the registered name of my horses (welsh cobs) not just to give credit where credit is due but because for years I combed all the performance listings (USDF, USEF, etc) to track how the breed (individuals, bloodlines, etc) was doing. Without a prefix I had no way of knowing in most cases what the breed the animal was and even if given I didn’t know the exact breeding. At least with a prefix a good portion of the detective work is already done and the rest of (I’ve go to know…) is pretty quick and easy to access.
