Justjump, I realize the list you gave on page 70 reflects possible answers, but as the subsequent posts have illustrated, for every proposal, there’s a counterproposal–one that WOULD be used by those who need to make a living at the sport by giving their clients what they want. Your proposals are what they “should have,” but that “establishment”…well, go back and look at the posts by C. Boylen and others. That’s the establishment and they are in a whole 'nuther neck of the woods from where you are coming from. Waaaay far away…and they are the ones who have the power to change things or retain the status quo (unless, of course, members could actually VOTE on major proposals…)
[Hmmm, sounds familiar. Where have I heard that before?]
Anyway, no, Justjump, you can’t change it because you do not have a voice in bringing about change. Period. The system is not set up for your good ideas to be heard, much less be acted upon. This industry is RUN by trainers and show managers and is paid for by clients.
Averaging will still require deadhead horses for riders who can’t ride (among other ills).
Changing hunter courses would be like trying to get Pony Jumpers to jump higher than Large pony hunters. If you do it, they WON’T COME–and so show managers won’t offer those courses. And there’s no current means in the by-laws that would force them to (or force the course designers to).
There’s also no way that show managers and trainers would ever allow that increment system to change: it’s the meat-and-potatoes of their business…and they are the ones sitting on the committees.
[Now, change the make up of the committees and maybe you might get somewhere, but that’s another issue entirely.]
I do agree with you on the testing thing, but as someone also said here: they’d just find new drugs or techniques. YOu can’t legislate (or test for) good management.
Again, I applaud what you are saying, but there would need to be a fundamental change in the structure of the BUSINESS part of the sport (including its governance) before your proposals would be anything but pipe dreams.
Sportponies Unlimited
Specializing in fancy, athletic, 3/4-TB ponies.
http://www.sportponiesunlimited.com
http://www.sportponiesunlimited.com/Sportponies_Unlimited_stallions.html
Help! I just found my trainer’s name on the list! I love this person. They have done so much for my skill level and confidence. I had no idea they weren’t in good standing. What does this mean? What do I do! 
And the longshots that won that day? Gee wonder how THAT happened? 