The National Non-Horse (Bullriding) Show

[Mazzy]

Not to drag everyone away from the us vs. them thread but did the Marlboro man really die from throat cancer…I always wondered if that was an urban myth.

Actually the point of this post is: I wish the AHSA and NHJC, in a truly shocking display of team spirit would take a moment to fly up to Toronto. Visit The Royal. Go see how an INTERNational In-door horse show should be run. There is room for everyone, cowboys, cowgirls, hunters, jumpers, pony kids (and not just the $250,000 pony hunters!! ) and fab shopping (enough to power several long threads from VTRider and Duffy).

Seats sell out months in advance, if you’re late you’re in the nose bleeds, but you don’t care 'cause there’s a magic to being there. No, its not just childhood memories of Toronto, I was there two years ago and its still true. A big jumper class every night, dressage exhibition w/ commentary and a bunch of odd crowd pleasing programs (yes, bull riding could be included).

The thing is folks, people are happy to be there, riders, non-riders, old and young. Instead of disparaging comments about disciplines not of interest, people appear to be generically excited to be together watching the top riders of each sport. I agree w/ everyone that Saturday night is a major bummer (thanks alot AHSA, NHJC…and you too USET!!) but the whole show has needed an overhaul for a long time.

Visit Canada, not just home of the Beaver, Loonies, quality beer, touques and Bob & Doug but home of the only big international horse show venues in North America… Spruce Meadows, The Royal etc… Less people, less money, yet somehow they make it work. Why can’t we figure out how to do it bigger and better in the U.S.?

[AHC]

MAZ, you are too funny. Although in principle I think a horse show should feature horses, what you say is so true…

[Pepper]

LOL, magnolia . . . I wish you were judging!

[PocoMary]

my mom has not decided if we are going to go watch this year. I really don’t want to see bull riding

[Bertie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Merry:
…There’s little to analyze. Such acts of derring-do gets the crowd into a hoopla, which is what keeps their attention for the more esoteric show jumping and/or hunters.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Great as a lead-in to a jumper or hunter class…But it sounds like the bulls are gonna be the MAIN event at National Horse Show.

[Cactuskate]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Kryswyn:
[Bt.

On Saturday night, they had dressage. FIVE LONG TESTS WORTH I nearly died of shock. In the past, it’s been 2 rides only. Don’t get me wrong. I LIKE dressage, I’d gladly watch 2 FEI level tests. 5 rides is FOREVER to an unsophisticated audience and even the sophisticateds were talking throughout it. No disrespect to the riders or horses. Everyone did a wonderful job. But you could see people’s eyes glazing over by the 3rd ride.[/B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I maintain that any “new spectator sport” whether live or televised can be a bore. That should then be the responsibility of the show management to be certain they have someone at the microphone to “educate” the crowd and keep them in the performance. Since I assume the dressage rides were exhibitions could we not have had some “star” i.e. a Robert Dover or such narrate w/color?

Why do you think the sports networks have all those guys in the “booth”? Some are broadcasters but there is always that guy they hired for “color”. He is the one with the drivel of statistics and records and little known factoids.

With out the announcers it would be alot like watching hours of public television of the senate in session.(no offense, please don’t take that wrong, please, please).

So before we discard the entertainment value of some of our interests, let’s take responsibilty for making it ENTERTAINING.

[Cactuskate]

Sorry about the nisnomer on the Dressage Tests, assumed they were exhibition rides.

I’m a little out of the "loop, the Pony Express hasn’t made it all the way out here to the desert for a few weeks…

[jumpcrew]

Remember Dr. Reiner Klimke on Alerich being presented a gold medal from the National on a Saturday night? He would roll over in his grave (so would poor Alerich).

[This message has been edited by jumpcrew (edited 11-07-2000).]

[Twister]

Don’t forget that WIHS always had cutting events. Personally, I loved to see them work. I am very sad that bullriding is the main event for the NHS.

[TeriKessler]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I happen to know from a friend that hangs around those folks don’t like our type at all. [/B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Well, that’s a pretty broad generalization, don’t you think?

[jumpcrew]

Helloooooooooooooo—Bulls are NOT horses, hence the problem.

[Mazzy]

So the question is: should you attend the bull riding fiasco to support the National or boycott to make a point? I have no opinion, I’m looking for answers.

P.S. See ya’ll Sunday for the GP and Maclay final.

P.S.S. They will still serve beer right?

[PocoMary]

Well the rodeo is fun to watch at a RODEO . this is not what the national is suppsed to be. so sad

[Kryswyn]

<donning flame-retardent suit and sending this thru the mail slot while running down the street> I went to WIHS on Thursday night. The terrier races were the most exciting thing that night, but if you exclude events I was not in, then the Barrel Racing was the best thing all evening. Far more exciting than the gambler’s choice or True Blue’s retirement.

On Saturday night, they had dressage. FIVE LONG TESTS WORTH I nearly died of shock. In the past, it’s been 2 rides only. Don’t get me wrong. I LIKE dressage, I’d gladly watch 2 FEI level tests. 5 rides is FOREVER to an unsophisticated audience and even the sophisticateds were talking throughout it. No disrespect to the riders or horses. Everyone did a wonderful job. But you could see people’s eyes glazing over by the 3rd ride.

[DMK]

ooooh, Teri, but we are so GOOD at broad generalizations!!! (see Bush/Gore thread if you doubt me ).

But I guess, I am now pretty comfortable in knowing that my brother-in-law doesn’t like me. That’s a shame… I always thought we got along, but now that I know he thinks of me as a snooty english type, I guess I can save a lot of money on Christmas Presents

I keep saying it… life is so much easier if you can’t see the shades of grey!

[Mazzy]

Wo, wo, wo…why does everything always come down to one vs. the other? “Can’t we all just get along?”

Want better roll back turns for a faster time, flat work folks…dressage helps. Horse bored w/ flat work, nothing like a few jumps to spice up life. Want to stay on…bull riding…okay, okay, I’m pushing it a bit, but you get the point!!

[Pepper]

Attend the bull riding because it will be one hell of a show. Beer or no.

[Bertie]

Why is it that the Washington show drew a good audience on the weekend? Why does NY need to resort to bullriding to attract spectators?

[Bethe_Mounce]

Usually within the next 6 months, part of the show gets on TV and I do so look forward to it, especially if they show the terrier races…I find them totally fascinating and since Kryswyn is usually involved in that sort of thing, I feel a particular kinship to it!

I would have killed to see 5 upper level good dressage tests! I would assume they were Grand Prix? Who were the riders/horses? But I do understand that dressage can be sorta on the boring side! Believe me, I know that OH SO WELL!!!

Its raining here in Texas today! One more hay crop to get in and I am done for the year! Can you believe we are getting a 3rd cutting this late in the year?

[AHC]

As one who can see many, many shades of grey, I agree DMK, life is easier if it’s all black and white. Of course sometimes things are black and white…