I’m not all the way through the changes but so far am struck by two things:
Not everyone thought it was a good idea to have potable water required at competition sites
Black, brown, or white gloves are required at FEI tests / levels. Sheesh! I looked all over for those cream gloves!
Some farms have well water that’s not actually unsafe but that you have to give a geberal warning about human consumption.
I read this as a gerbil warning, haha! Guessing you meant general?
There are some horse trials that are held on facilities that do no have any other competitions, and do not have a well (or other water source) on site. EVERYONE (including show management) has to bring their own water with them.
Wow, that would be something new to me for sure! Where are these places, generally speaking?
Whomever held the dressage vote supported the change which did pass.
Right in my area the best cross country venue is out in the exurbs where everyone is still on well water. Otherwise it’s a metro park with 11 km of forested horse trails. It has two hands pumps from the wells. The well water is likely safe but is signed not for human consumption. I don’t know if they ever do EC cross country or if any o e does around here. But it’s absolutely a thing for farms in the horsey acreage belt to still be on well water and septic tanks, not city water and sewage. Multimillion dollar properties. I’m sure that’s common in many places.
I know two in Northern Virginia. One in Berryville, and one just south of Culpeper.
i think mustangs should be in with Icelandics and the other exceptions. I’m guessing about half or maybe only 1/3 fall short of 14.2.
Wait people don’t bring their own water to shows???
never have been any registered AMHA Morgan ponies, they are considered Horses. always have been
This was my thought too.
The place near me where they hold events does not have any running water available to competitors.
I bring my own water for ME to drink, but if I’m stabling, I assume there is a hose to fill buckets and hose off a sweaty horse. I bring water in the trailer with me in case of emergencies, but not enough to sustain for the whole weekend.
if they are under 14.2 they are technically ponies. Same with all the other ‘exceptions’. It is not disparaging for an equine to be called a pony. Not really. My point was that I just think that if someone wants to compete in Horse division, even if their mount is under 14.2, they should be able to. Why carve out ‘exceptions’?
I think the exemptions are because the pony folk want them! All my friends with ponies prefer the pony-only classes as they do better (versus competing against horses, which they are allowed to do).
Because people always claim they are exceptional?
In the UK, the horse/pony divide is real as so many children ride and compete animals under 14.2 and only move onto horses when they are tall enough. There is even an FEI category of ‘Children on Horses’. Maybe USEF is seeking consistency with other nations?
And to be picky, a Connie is supposed to be 14.2 or under. The Irish have become lax as the popularity of the breed increases but they risk loosing the pony “type”.
Right?! Y’all spoiled - where these full service events at? I can think of only one event I went to in the last 10 years that had water provided (GMHA). Even then it was only for hosing off the horses post XC. 
On a more serious note, glad to see it did not gain traction. Providing water at an event would be a hurdle – if not a hardship – for several big event and dressage shows near me. I’d rather still have them as a venue than risk losing them over something as easy as bringing your own water.
Seems to me that it’s ok to compete-up, but not kosher to compete down. Ergo, anybody on any equine (even mule) that rides a smaller animal should be able to compete against horses if they want…regardless of being one of the approved registered breeds or an English Pleasure entry. I guess the rules mean that can happen IF you take your short little grade horse into EP first?
How much water do you take, how do you contain it and where to you put the containers?
I totally agree! Not providing water would not be a deal breaker for me (though I would not be stabling as a result), and I would definitely be happy to have the venue provide the show!
Most of my shows are only one-day affairs. I take a 6 gallon water can per day per horse. The 6 gallon water cans are basically blue gas cans and can be bought anywhere, I buy them at Dover.
One of these:
https://www.doversaddlery.com/blue-plstc-water-can-60-gal/p/X1-27704/
I put the container in the corner of my trailer’s dressing room with my buckets and bathing stuff (20 qt bucket, 6 qt bucket, sponge, sweat scraper, small sponge - all put inside the 5 gall bucket and strapped to the 6 gallon can).
Most of my horses might drink a gallon – if that – at shows, so the water is mostly for cooling them off and wiping down tack.
You can transport the water in the bed of the truck instead, if you don’t have a dressing room. Some trailers even have a built in watering container that can hold up to 100 gallons.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
