[gopony]

Originally Posted by Mozarts_Girl

hehe lol, I've been the one GIVING those looks in the past! honestly, some people's turnout

Mozarts Girl, I mean nothing against you personally when I say the following: These sorts of comments are why we English riders have such a bad reputation! Outside of the equine community, we are often viewed as "snobs." In fact, many western riders think we are snobs, too! The media is the worst for portraying us as stuck-up, condescending, and worse. When we make comments like this, we make ourselves look bad. In 2009 people are very intolerant of the notion that they are being judged by what they are wearing or how they look, so I think that may be why there are so many disgruntled people responding to the thread.


I have a legit question for the OP. This thread is about improving one's turnout for Hunter classes, correct? I did jumpers, not hunters, so perhaps I am mistaken, but I thought hunters was all about the horse's way of moving, responsiveness, and temperament? What is the rider judged on in a hunter class? I would never go to a show looking like a slob, however in a class where the horse is judged - as opposed to the rider - I would think that there are more important things to nit-pick when trying to decide a class. Perhaps this is why people are getting so defensive?


I have been following this thread but was afraid to post my opinion for fear of being "flamed." I think there is a lot of valuable information here for an individual who is seeking to improve their turnout. But personally, I could care less if my competition is wearing gloves or not. If they can't afford tall boots and have to wear half chaps, then so be it. In my opinion, let the best horse and rider combo win. When one shows, they are paying for a judge's opinion, so if the judge wants to take turnout into consideration then I am not going to argue or get upset. Again, just my opinion. I will say that I am very disappointed that this thread has caused so much drama. We are all adults here, I think we should be able to disagree without getting out of hand. Leaving bad rep anonymously is childish and cowardly, and mod bias is sad. Censoring the thread is going to hurt this online community as a whole, how is anyone supposed to grow and learn and form their own opinions if everything is one-sided?


I hope we can get back on topic, as I have learned a lot already and look forward to learning more from the judge’s point of view concerning turnout.

[xlilxonex]

Yes that is what they are judge on in the hunter world... But would you not want to show your horse off as best as possible? A horse who isn't cleaned, or cleaned and shined up to a T, whether or not their performance is top-notch, it's still destracting to the eye and doesn't present itself as well as it should.

[GotaDunQH]

Originally Posted by gopony

Mozarts Girl, I mean nothing against you personally when I say the following: These sorts of comments are why we English riders have such a bad reputation! Outside of the equine community, we are often viewed as "snobs." In fact, many western riders think we are snobs, too! The media is the worst for portraying us as stuck-up, condescending, and worse. When we make comments like this, we make ourselves look bad. In 2009 people are very intolerant of the notion that they are being judged by what they are wearing or how they look, so I think that may be why there are so many disgruntled people responding to the thread.


I have a legit question for the OP. This thread is about improving one's turnout for Hunter classes, correct? I did jumpers, not hunters, so perhaps I am mistaken, but I thought hunters was all about the horse's way of moving, responsiveness, and temperament? What is the rider judged on in a hunter class? I would never go to a show looking like a slob, however in a class where the horse is judged - as opposed to the rider - I would think that there are more important things to nit-pick when trying to decide a class. Perhaps this is why people are getting so defensive?


I have been following this thread but was afraid to post my opinion for fear of being "flamed." I think there is a lot of valuable information here for an individual who is seeking to improve their turnout. But personally, I could care less if my competition is wearing gloves or not. If they can't afford tall boots and have to wear half chaps, then so be it. In my opinion, let the best horse and rider combo win. When one shows, they are paying for a judge's opinion, so if the judge wants to take turnout into consideration then I am not going to argue or get upset. Again, just my opinion. I will say that I am very disappointed that this thread has caused so much drama. We are all adults here, I think we should be able to disagree without getting out of hand. Leaving bad rep anonymously is childish and cowardly, and mod bias is sad. Censoring the thread is going to hurt this online community as a whole, how is anyone supposed to grow and learn and form their own opinions if everything is one-sided?


I hope we can get back on topic, as I have learned a lot already and look forward to learning more from the judge’s point of view concerning turnout.

Your font was so small it was hard to read but I will respond. Many shows have rules about appropriate attire (what is required and what is not allowed). I know the breed associations do, and even local/open shows set rule attire or follow a large association's rules. In hunter classes, it depends on the class itself on whether the horse OR the rider is being judged; as in a hunter on the flat (judged on the horse) or Eq Over Fences (judged on the rider's form).

Jennifer

[Mozarts_Girl]

Originally Posted by gopony

Mozarts Girl, I mean nothing against you personally when I say the following: These sorts of comments are why we English riders have such a bad reputation! Outside of the equine community, we are often viewed as "snobs." In fact, many western riders think we are snobs, too! The media is the worst for portraying us as stuck-up, condescending, and worse. When we make comments like this, we make ourselves look bad. In 2009 people are very intolerant of the notion that they are being judged by what they are wearing or how they look, so I think that may be why there are so many disgruntled people responding to the thread.


I have a legit question for the OP. This thread is about improving one's turnout for Hunter classes, correct? I did jumpers, not hunters, so perhaps I am mistaken, but I thought hunters was all about the horse's way of moving, responsiveness, and temperament? What is the rider judged on in a hunter class? I would never go to a show looking like a slob, however in a class where the horse is judged - as opposed to the rider - I would think that there are more important things to nit-pick when trying to decide a class. Perhaps this is why people are getting so defensive?


I have been following this thread but was afraid to post my opinion for fear of being "flamed." I think there is a lot of valuable information here for an individual who is seeking to improve their turnout. But personally, I could care less if my competition is wearing gloves or not. If they can't afford tall boots and have to wear half chaps, then so be it. In my opinion, let the best horse and rider combo win. When one shows, they are paying for a judge's opinion, so if the judge wants to take turnout into consideration then I am not going to argue or get upset. Again, just my opinion. I will say that I am very disappointed that this thread has caused so much drama. We are all adults here, I think we should be able to disagree without getting out of hand. Leaving bad rep anonymously is childish and cowardly, and mod bias is sad. Censoring the thread is going to hurt this online community as a whole, how is anyone supposed to grow and learn and form their own opinions if everything is one-sided?


I hope we can get back on topic, as I have learned a lot already and look forward to learning more from the judge’s point of view concerning turnout.

People gain respect at shows out of how they look and perform- it's a sport but it's also a form of entertainment. You need to pay attention to how you look. I wasn't condemming people with ad turnout, just mentionaing it doesn't win them much respect from me, no matter how they ride. The top equestrian, in my book, is one who A; takes care of his/her horse they way they deserve B; Rides well and C; takes pride in the way they look, at a show. AT TA SHOW are the key words here- that's why they sell SHOW CLOTHES, for the sole purpose of being worn at a show. Judges have expectations we need to fill. I'm not saying someone with improper turnout deserves last; but are you kidding me? An ugly stained grey sweatshirt, muddy-mucky boots, bright green jods and different colored Zocks poking up to the top, as I have seen, is just plain ridiculous. If you can't be bothered to dress for respect, don't show. That simple. Nobody is requiring anybody to show their horse.
Have a nice day

[gopony]

Thanks for the explanations on what is being judged in the hunter classes. I really don't have much experience with that, but I have enjoyed reading this thread. I don't disagree with you all that everyone should look the best, so please don't take me the wrong way. Carry on!

[Mozarts_Girl]

Thank you!

[farmeress]

Because of this computer....I am going to give my opinion to the questions presented by our members...in a couple of post so they are not lost.

The first is the opinion western people have of english who have one about dressage who have an opinion on western who have an opinion on mini driving horses who have an...wellll...you get the idea...we all have them.

But....it is the educated opinion I choose to listen too

As for the media dishing the Hunter ring

I can not argue...but honestly....you will have to show me the news article outside the horse industry that has done this...for I known none...does not mean there is not media out there...just curious to what sector it was in

[meljean]

I like this thread very much, especially seeing all the different horses and riders. It is a mark of respect for everyone involved in showing to present themselves nicely.

One of trainers I know, wouldn't even give a lesson to a person who showed up without a belt.

And Bling Racer, you may have been fluffy, but with that horse do you think anyone was looking at you with the way he pops out with that white. After seeing him, no one even knew he had a handler.

Very good thread, one of favorites.

[Mozarts_Girl]

Originally Posted by meljean

I like this thread very much, especially seeing all the different horses and riders. It is a mark of respect for everyone involved in showing to present themselves nicely.

One of trainers I know, wouldn't even give a lesson to a person who showed up without a belt.

And Bling Racer, you may have been fluffy, but with that horse do you think anyone was looking at you with the way he pops out with that white. After seeing him, no one even knew he had a handler.

Very good thread, one of favorites.

I agree with all this

[meljean]

And here is something from days as Saddlebred groom, the hallmark of a good groom, was that before your rider left the warm up area, that their jods were brushed off and turned down, their jod boots were wiped, even the soles, and horses mouth was wiped off if a slobberer. The tails of the coat were arranged, and then the horses tail was unbobbled and I carried the tail as the horse went towards the in gate, and just as horse started in, the tail was thrown so it would stream in a beautiful waterfall of tail.

To send that horse and rider in, was a huge mark of shame if the pair were not turned out properly.

And God help anyone who even laid a hand on the saddles after I cleaned them, they were handled with towels or gloves over hands, so as to leave no fingerprints, and the shoe polished girths were never allowed to come near the leather.

A good groom was pickier than the trainer, and sometimes more feared.