Spurs put on in an illegal way

[gottagrey]

@lcw579

I agree about the OP’s intent. I was just pointing out that there was a steward and this show does actually follow USEF rules even though it is no longer recognized.
I was also letting the OP know that this particular steward is very good about answering general rules questions in case she finds herself in the same situation again.

[Xctrygirl]

@Calling Duck

I believe I attended this show. Said Trainer won the High Score Trainer, and also won the Mini Prix. Said Trainer’s clients also won quite a few ribbons. Said Trainer had upwards of 12 horses and ponies entered. I believe OP attended the show as a competitor, and did the MiniPrix. So Said Trainer may not have been a complete stranger to OP as Said Trainer’s clients were in many classes, as was Said Trainer.

The trainer in question didn’t win the mini prix.

A different one did.

I don’t know either of them personally.

I all but whispered to the trainer in question and am quite sure I was not overheard given the distance between us and the the next closest person.

I didn’t approach a steward because I was unaware that a USEF steward was 1) in attendance or 2) needed.

Em

ETA: I did report the mother and child. With no responses so far.

[DMK]

@tuckawayfarm

I don’t understand your interpretation of DMK’s post.

Neither did I, and was wondering what planet that response was related to until I read Calling Duck’s post, which was brilliantly on point, btw.

[eclipse]

Op, stewards aren’t just there to be enforcers but are also there to answer questions that a competitor may have (be it, medications, tack, rules etc.) A good steward is a valuable wealth of knowledge and woukd of been happy for you to simply to say something like “hi I was just wondering if there’s a rule in hunter/jumpers about incorrect spur placement?” Your questions would of been answered without anybody thinking you’re meddling (no matter how good the intentions) and all these hard feeling avoided. I’ve asked stewards many questions over the years and if they’ve not known the answer immediately, they’ve always got back to me later at the show.

And, if it had been illegal (which it’s not), then the steward could’ve had a word with said trainer!

[RugBug]

@Xctrygirl

Ok great. So in the absence of commentary two “child/AA” riders out of three from the same trainer should be encouraged to ride with incorrect tack.

Awesome.

While we’re at it lets just happen to ignore the child trained by her mother at a different show who was being cursed out and demeaned for all the world to see. From the ring warm up all the way back to and in the barn area. FOR over an hour. Yelling included.

None of this is Safe Sport related so I guess correct equipment and appropriate behavior don’t count.

Thanks DMK.

Em

This is quite overblown and a bit out of nowhere.

I think the important point is that you were wrong. upside down spurs would not be considered “incorrect” as there is no rule about it for H/J. You might not like it. It might not fit with your definition of horsemanship or “correct” or whathaveyou. But that fact that you tried to inform them, no matter how quietly, about their rule violation that wasn’t, just puts you in the busybody camp. You were trying to help, you were wrong. So it’s not surprising you were given the side eye.

[Pennywell_Bay]

So OP was wrong about the rule. If she had gone to the steward everyone would be all “omg why didn’t you just mention it to the trainer” :rolleyes::sigh:

At a local show I once asked a trainer “Do you want the kid’s spurs upside down?” As She was frazzled trying to get kids organized and she said “omg that one isn’t supposed to be in spurs.” And I helped her remove them. Generally, I wouldn’t say a thing because it is NOMB.

[DMK]

Or Option B, if you are unsure about something you see at a show, Just Ask A Steward. Most of them will be more than happy to help you learn the rules and address an issue with rule compliance if one is actually in play. Then, either way, you can go about your business, now more informed than you were before you Just Asked A Steward.

[merrygoround]

There are trainers, there are teachers, and then there are"Trainers" who know little more than their students. The latter are defensive to the nth degree