[MyY0Y0]

I wish I took a picture of her in her slinky, sheet and shipping boots that day. Lol, you should have seen her walking in them!

[madvoice]

PressForTime I can totally empathise with what you're feeling there. There are times when it gets me that flat out looks seem to get placed above ability, especially in classes that are judged on ability. Something similar happened not too long ago at a show I was watching. The person who came in 2nd to the horse in question protested and WON the protest. That doesn't happen every day LOL.

Anyway, back on the topic of braiding. I do it for ALL shows. I don't care how big or how small they are I take the time and effort to make my horse look presentable. I think it shows that you have personal pride in your appearance.

[honeydoozy]

Wow, great responses here!

I totally agree that braiding makes a huge statement, I just can't get over how casual things seem to be around here!

(of course, as a professional braider, it's discouraging too )

E.

[HappyJoy]

i can't see the picture

Originally Posted by MyY0Y0

Lol, well I must say...YoYo and I looked pretty spiffy!

[harli36]

I agree in the past few years people in my area have stoped braiding for schooling shows. The common excuss is that "it just isn't worth it for a little show". I think just the opposite, schooling shows are THE MOST IMPORTANT shows to braid for. Most of the contenders in schooling shows are beginers, braiding, along with grooming, cleaning tack etc... is all a part of horsemanship. If the beginers aren't braiding and getting spiffy for the schooling shows where are they going to learn? at a larger show? where they are competing against more advanced people who already know how to braid. So then the beginer who never had to braid before is forced to either hire a braider or ask a friend to braid because they don't know how to do it themselves good enough for the bigger show yet. If they do that then when will they ever learn to braid?

I see more and more people coming out of lessons not knowing how to do things like clean tack, and braid. Personally I think it is because of the casual attitude at schooling shows. As a result we end up with less good all round horsemen/women. In adition to a schooling show being a show none-the-less, being casual at one doesn't do anyone any good. I would much rather a kid show up at a schooling show with messy braids they did themselves then see some lazy kid with a lazy trainer enter the ring in no braids. The kid may not actually be lazy but that is the impression they give off. Would you show up for a not-really important job interview wearing jeans? No because you would look lazy, and like you have no pride in yourself. The same is true with braiding.

[harli36]

and yes YoYo you guys do look spiffy.

[honeydoozy]

Originally Posted by harli36

The common excuss is that "it just isn't worth it for a little show". I thing just the opposite, schooling shows are THE MOST IMPORTANT shows to braid for. Most of the contenders in schooling shows are beginers, braiding, along with grooming, cleaning tack etc... is all a part of horsemanship. If the beginers aren't braiding and getting spiffy for the schooling shows where are they going to learn?

Yep! This is what I'm hearing too - and I just find it so hard to believe, for the same reasons that you state. Schooling is about PRACTICE, so why not practice everything, including grooming for both horse *and* rider.

In my experience, the same people who don't braid for schooling shows are the same people that hire professional braiders for the bigger shows. (because they never really learned how to braid in the first place)

But then, these are also the same people who have grooms hovering around to relieve them from responsibility at the show as well...so maybe it's a bigger problem of laziness or lack of motivation. I just don't know, because no one will fess up to *that*! LOL

I agree that there seems to be a general shift - and I think it's really a shame.

E.

[MyY0Y0]

Thanks harli! *glows* I was just soo proud of her this past show! Well anyway...

Yeah I wa the only one at my stable to braid, and I felt extra special, lol. My friend tought me how to braid, but I am not so great. Practice makes perfect!

[SammyDoodle]

I like to make an effort for all shows - no matter how small. I was at a small show on Sunday and my friend and I were the only people there who had braided our horses. Many people were not even properly dressed. I think it is a shame that standards are slipping so much. Proper dress and turn out should remain a high priority I think

[honeydoozy]

So it's a common thing... not just in the universe that revolves around ME.

LOL

So why do you think that things are going more casual, where showing is concerned? Is it coming from trainers? Competitors? Judges?

E.