This is the same thing I noticed. If hoof quality were judged and marked along with other issues, then perhaps riders would take more time learn about proper hoof balance and be better advocates for their horses with farriers and trimmers. I’ve seen “natural” trimmers who charge big bucks leave too long a toe and refuse to bring it back even though the horse stumbles and has pink in the white line. I’m not saying trimmers do a better job at hoof balance than farriers. I just think that if hoof health and rubbing of gaiters is used for an argument against boots, then the argument should go both ways and include poor shoeing and the harm it causes. If they were reviewing feet in general, then bad trims would also be noted and points deducted where appropriate. I do think that those of us who use boots learn our horses’ feet pretty well and get more of an education about good hoof balance. I could be wrong, but that is the sense I get from others.
I’m not trying to sway the CTR people here but rather include food for thought. Including hoof condition into the equation seems to be a natural extension to the goals set out for the program. Healthy feet = sounder horse.
I’m also not going to join a group that does not allow me to compete my horse using our current booting situation in the hopes that I can sway them to allow it. If I can’t play by their rules, I’ll stick with endurance rather than try to change their organization to suit myself. Besides, they really wouldn’t want me on the BOD, because I can be a real pain in the butt. 
KC La Pierre’s new product may allow me to compete my current horse in CTR anyway. It does not go over the coronet. It will be a pricey option, depending on how long it lasts, but hoof health should be more important than the costs involved. If this is the case and there is a viable option for those of us who usually have to employ gaiters, then I’ll stop raising the point. There will then be a booting option for those of us who have round feet and don’t want to put shoes on our horses (my guy has soft walls, and I don’t want to weaken the bottom edge further by driving nails into them). BTW, I trim professionally and did learn to shoe, so I could apply the shoes myself if I wanted to.
The reason I don’t just glue the boots on is because Easyboots do not fit the shape of my horse’s feet, and I have to combine two different sizes to get them to fit. I’ve asked Easycare if they plan to make a rounder version of the Easyboot, and they say NO. Bummer. :no:
