[Carab]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Pony

I've seen kids who've tried really hard and done their own pony's mane (ok, so not to the standard of a professional, but they put the time and effort in) and tail, cleaned their gear, 2nd hand or at least not-new though it may be, washed their horse, go unplaces behind the riders on show ponies who haven't bothered to plait, wash their horse or clean their gear, but who have flash gear and naturally fine skinned ponies etc. At pony club ribbon days. I culd kinda understand if it was at an actual show, but this is at low-level, half fun half experience type days, and the classes are called 'best cared for'! That seems unfair and discouraging to those riders.

I agree. The shows and even pony club here are becoming less and less ability and horsemanship but more and more on best tack and basically how much money you have put into your horse and gear. It doesn't seem fair at all.

[EqUeStRiAn]

Very common around here since the shows are provincial and are rated. I think all people should braid at rated shows (h/j), it just gives the pair a really nice polished look and shows the judge that they are there to compete.

[AutumnAttic]

I dont know how to braid, so i probably wont do it if i show english this summer.. Im waiting for autumn mane to grow long enough, then ill start practicing. Ill for sure do it the summer after

[Kiwi Pony]

Glad to know someone feels the same way, Carab! I was asked to judge at a Pony Club day at the end of this season and I made right sure that, all other things being equal, I placed the girl who plaited her horse herself above the ones who hadn't in the "cared for" class. And yes her horse was fuzzier, but it was just as clean etc.

[JumpsxGlory]

Originally Posted by MyY0Y0

It may be unfair, but it is something that everyone can do, so everyone is able to get those points!

But horse shows are NOT about braiding. Horse shows are stricly to demostrate what you have learned from lessons and how well your horse performs. IMO, extra point shouldn't be given for a simple thing such as braiding. Wha if the person didn't have time?? Or what if they didn't know how to braid and didn't hae the money to pay someone to do it?? If you braid, that's great! Even better! But that isn't what shows are about....

[harli36]

Originally Posted by JumpsxGlory

But horse shows are NOT about braiding. Horse shows are stricly to demostrate what you have learned from lessons and how well your horse performs. IMO, extra point shouldn't be given for a simple thing such as braiding. Wha if the person didn't have time?? Or what if they didn't know how to braid and didn't hae the money to pay someone to do it?? If you braid, that's great! Even better! But that isn't what shows are about....

But braiding IS part of what shows are about. If you think that shows are only about what you learn in lessons than you are mistaken. A horse show is a SHOW! A show is about your abilities as a horseperson. Yes part of this IS from what you learn in lessons, but the other part is knowing how to present your horse and yourself in the best possible manner. This includes, health care, training, being able to do a sufficient warm up and yes grooming is part of horsemanship.

Originally Posted by JumpsxGlory

Wha if the person didn't have time??

There is no reason to not have enough time to braid. You get up out of your warm comfy bed early in the morning(irregardless of what time that is), go to the barn and braid. At the very least braiding can be done the night before and a sleazy applied. If you do find yourself with no time than most likely(yes I'm sure there are occasions where the unexpected happens) you need to work on your organizational skills.

Originally Posted by JumpsxGlory

Or what if they didn't know how to braid and didn't hae the money to pay someone to do it??

There is also no reason to not know how to braid. There are TONS of excellent books on the matter(free in the library if you don't want to spend money on it), and MILLIONS of free websites, and I'm sure that all of us have at least ONE horsey friend that can show us. The problem that most people have is that braiding takes a lot of practice and they don't want to put the time in to do that. I'm not promoting people paying braiders. I think that we should all know how to braid. While I don't expect people to become experts but you should be good enough to present yourself well at the lower showing levels. Since most people's first braiding attempts are less than amazing that is why it should be done at the local/schooling level first, that way you can get better as you move up in levels. And yes since most people aren't experts than it is perfectly acceptable to pay a braider at the high levels. I hardly ever show and I still practice braiding.

I don't believe that extra points should be given for braiding. Because for instance in your case your horse has a roached mane, probably because he looked better with one. In that case (at least for lower levels) you are presenting your horse the best you can. Or what about breeds with long manes, my mare is a Morgan is SUPPOSED to have a long mane, as such when I show I do a french running braid. To me this is also acceptable, not every horse should be in hunter style braids. But I do think that people should realize the importance of braiding and I do think it should hold more weight than it currently does.

At one time it used to be considered a fashion faux pas if you didn't braid. People would think that you were either lazy, or was one of those people that rode but didn't care about your horse. If you didn't braid than you insulted the judge, spectators, history of the sport and most of all your horse, since you didn't present him to the best of your ability. This frame of mind needs to come back.

Personally I think this frame of thinking comes from kids who take lessons from trainers who are too lazy to teach horsemanship and from kids who are too lazy to learn how to become HORSEMAN/WOMEN.

That is great if you learn how to ride in lessons but you have to remember that
RIDER does NOT = HORSEMAN

As a whole in this country people need to stop taking "riding lessons" and start taking "horsemanship lessons"

[JumpsxGlory]

I get what you are saying harli. I agree that shows are both about presentation and riding ability BUT to me, shows are not where one should be given extra points or special treatment for a certain thing that one other rider may not have. Yes, you need to go out there prepared and looking good (both the horse and you) but I don't think that is the riders main priority as it is to perform your best. IMO, things have gotten too matirialistic in the horse world. I'm not saying go out with a mud covered horse in shorts and a tangtop to a show. I'm mearly saying presentation should be under ability.

[arabianlvr87]

I only braid at certain shows. My mom and I compete at an SC Pinto Assoc. sponsored show, and I ALWAYS braid for that. I don't for schooling shows just because they're so small.

[honeydoozy]

Originally Posted by JumpsxGlory

Yes, you need to go out there prepared and looking good (both the horse and you) but I don't think that is the riders main priority as it is to perform your best. IMO, things have gotten too matirialistic in the horse world. I'm not saying go out with a mud covered horse in shorts and a tangtop to a show. I'm mearly saying presentation should be under ability.

Yes, shows ARE about performing one's best. No doubt. But, as part of presenting one's "best", the turnout needs to reflect that as well.

Just as you're going to put forward your best attempt at completing a course, or showing off your best form....you also want to have the best turnout you can present as well. It's the total package.

I don't think that braiding has *anything* to do with being materialistic.

It has everything to do with pride, respect, tradition, and horsemanship.

I don't know about giving extra points for *braiding* (since some horses don't have manes to braid!), but I think there should be consideration for overall turnout, with *proper* turnout being rewarded appropriately.

E.

[harli36]

Originally Posted by JumpsxGlory

I get what you are saying harli. I agree that shows are both about presentation and riding ability BUT to me, shows are not where one should be given extra points or special treatment for a certain thing that one other rider may not have. Yes, you need to go out there prepared and looking good (both the horse and you) but I don't think that is the riders main priority as it is to perform your best. IMO, things have gotten too matirialistic in the horse world. I'm not saying go out with a mud covered horse in shorts and a tangtop to a show. I'm mearly saying presentation should be under ability.

First of all braiding isn't materialistic, going out and buying a $400 bridle just because it is the new "in" thing is materialistic. Braiding/presenting yourself well in front of your mentors and peers is having respect for yourself, your horse and the work you have done together. Yes performance should be most important but people watching the show should recognize not-braiding(irregaurdless of show level) as what it is, laziness, lack of respect for the show, lack of attention to detail, and most of all lack of respect for yourself/horse.

No you shouldn't HAVE to braid but you should have enough pride in yourself to want to present yourself to the best of your ability and in the horse world that includes braiding.

I used to aid with the hiring for a company, they were small minimum wage jobs that we were hiring for but I would NEVER hire someone that came in dressed sloppily. They didn't have to be in desiner clothes, local Kmart stuff was fine, as long as it wasn't casual, dirty in any way, wrinkled etc. If the person doesn't care enough about their image than they usually don't care enough to do the job well either. The same holds true in the horse world, personally the people I have come across that don't pay attention to the detail of braiding also don't pay attention to the details of training/general care.