Is this dishonest?

gotta a horse · 04-01-2007, 02:18 PM

Since I am planning on showing Clue this year, I would like to take him in a snaffle since he is isn't very experienced in show situations and if anything happens I don't want to potentially hurt him with a curb.

Clue was born in 2002 and would be considered five this year based off of the January 1st rule; however, his real birthday has not come up so he is really actually four. I do want to ride him western, but the rules clearly state that any horse five years or older must be ridden in a curb.

My question is would it be dishonest or unsportsmanlike (sp) to go my his real age as opposed to his January 1st age?

I don't know how I feel about it and I don't want to do something that could be dishonest or considered cheating. I can see how it could be a problem in breed shows, but I am showing in open, schooling, 4-H, and one or two state level shows this year and I don't know if it would be acceptable at these levels.

Thanks in advance.

Appy_Lover · 04-01-2007, 02:24 PM

So his age as of January 1st is 4?? and he is turing 5 when? I don't get why the age goes by January for the horse..In my horse shows that only applys for the rider. Then you just go by the horses age during the day of the show...and i think that's what you should do.

ShezaBayDoc · 04-01-2007, 02:27 PM

I think you are being very responsible and caring toward your horse by taking him in a snaffle. I don't think a white lie will hurt anybody.

tightpaycheck · 04-01-2007, 02:36 PM

Technically it is cheating...they are a year older Jan 1st. I wouldn't do it, since it gives you an advantage over a horse in a curb. You have more control since you are using 2 hands.

faroutfax · 04-01-2007, 02:41 PM

Yep I think it would be.

But check with the show organisers just incase. I ride at reallly really really local shows and I show in a side pull or a snaffle on my 10 year old mare.

But no one minds at my shows.

terrifictay77 · 04-01-2007, 02:56 PM

I wouldn't do it. It just wouldn't be right if you placed over someone who was following the rules...

If you aren't sure about how your horse is going to act in a show atmosphere try riding him in the warm up ring at a local show, in any bit you want.

*Psylocke* · 04-01-2007, 02:57 PM

Is it cheating? Yes

Psy

gotta a horse · 04-01-2007, 03:07 PM

Thank you for all your replies. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't cheating since I was a little confused on the whole situation. I knew I could get some good honest opinions on here.

Maybe I can take him there the day before and work him in the snaffle. Then maybe I can enter some english classes (snaffle is legal here) and get him in the arena for a pattern before western. I hadn't thought of that, but does that sound like a good idea?

Thanks again.

EDIT: Also, at all of our local shows that I can think of it is the same rule (pre-fair may be fine though), but I think that you'll only get marked down in your classes, so I'll try to go to one.

faroutfax · 04-01-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotta a horse

Thank you for all your replies. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't cheating since I was a little confused on the whole situation. I knew I could get some good honest opinions on here.

Maybe I can take him there the day before and work him in the snaffle. Then maybe I can enter some english classes (snaffle is legal here) and get him in the arena for a pattern before western. I hadn't thought of that, but does that sound like a good idea?

Thanks again.

EDIT: Also, at all of our local shows that I can think of it is the same rule (pre-fair may be fine though), but I think that you'll only get marked down in your classes, so I'll try to go to one.

It sounds like a good idea. Just enter the english classes for fun. Try to get hime listening and responding. Hopefully the next day he'll be calm enough to ride in a curb

gotta a horse · 04-01-2007, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faroutfax

It sounds like a good idea. Just enter the english classes for fun. Try to get hime listening and responding. Hopefully the next day he'll be calm enough to ride in a curb

I highly doubt I'd win an english class, lol. So I would only enter for fun and to get him listening. There are some very nice riders doing english and I'm more of a western gal anyways, lol. I just re-read the rules and they define junior equines differently than I was told. Junior equines are 5 and under, not under 5 like in all the other shows. So this was still good to know.

View Poll Results: Would you consider this dishonest?
Yes	18	54.55%
No	14	42.42%
Other (please state)	1	3.03%
Voters: 33. You may not vote on this poll

04-01-2007, 02:18 PM	#1
gotta a horse Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 793 Images: 41 Blog Entries: 5	Is this dishonest? Since I am planning on showing Clue this year, I would like to take him in a snaffle since he is isn't very experienced in show situations and if anything happens I don't want to potentially hurt him with a curb. Clue was born in 2002 and would be considered five this year based off of the January 1st rule; however, his real birthday has not come up so he is really actually four. I do want to ride him western, but the rules clearly state that any horse five years or older must be ridden in a curb. My question is would it be dishonest or unsportsmanlike (sp) to go my his real age as opposed to his January 1st age? I don't know how I feel about it and I don't want to do something that could be dishonest or considered cheating. I can see how it could be a problem in breed shows, but I am showing in open, schooling, 4-H, and one or two state level shows this year and I don't know if it would be acceptable at these levels. Thanks in advance. __________________ Sis 14 y/o QH Mare Clue 5 y/o POA Gelding

04-01-2007, 02:24 PM	#2
Appy_Lover Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,515 Images: 16 Blog Entries: 153	So his age as of January 1st is 4?? and he is turing 5 when? I don't get why the age goes by January for the horse..In my horse shows that only applys for the rider. Then you just go by the horses age during the day of the show...and i think that's what you should do. __________________ Proud Owner Of: Beau- 8y/o QH Gelding. My Barrel Racing Powerhouse. Voted 2008 Best Barrel Racing Horse (: Jaden- 6y/o QH/Appy Mare. My Hunter Jumper,Training in Barrels. "Yes, Im a barrel racer. And it is more than running around 3 barrels."

04-01-2007, 02:41 PM	#5
faroutfax Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 5,781 Images: 428 Blog Entries: 16	Yep I think it would be. But check with the show organisers just incase. I ride at reallly really really local shows and I show in a side pull or a snaffle on my 10 year old mare. But no one minds at my shows. __________________ One Man's Wrong Lead is Another's Counter Canter Smiley Addict

04-01-2007, 02:56 PM	#6
terrifictay77 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NE Wisconsin Posts: 369 Images: 38	I wouldn't do it. It just wouldn't be right if you placed over someone who was following the rules... If you aren't sure about how your horse is going to act in a show atmosphere try riding him in the warm up ring at a local show, in any bit you want. __________________ Go ahead... indulge in a *Thoroughbred*

04-01-2007, 02:36 PM	#4
tightpaycheck Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,809 Images: 2	Technically it is cheating...they are a year older Jan 1st. I wouldn't do it, since it gives you an advantage over a horse in a curb. You have more control since you are using 2 hands.

04-01-2007, 02:57 PM	#7
Psylocke Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: I.....AM....CANADIAN! Posts: 5,159 Images: 70 Blog Entries: 32	Is it cheating? Yes Psy __________________ You just have to consider the possibility that everyone else may be wrong -- Sean Penn I've been snowballed.....twice!

04-01-2007, 03:07 PM	#8
gotta a horse Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 793 Images: 41 Blog Entries: 5	Thank you for all your replies. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't cheating since I was a little confused on the whole situation. I knew I could get some good honest opinions on here. Maybe I can take him there the day before and work him in the snaffle. Then maybe I can enter some english classes (snaffle is legal here) and get him in the arena for a pattern before western. I hadn't thought of that, but does that sound like a good idea? Thanks again. EDIT: Also, at all of our local shows that I can think of it is the same rule (pre-fair may be fine though), but I think that you'll only get marked down in your classes, so I'll try to go to one. __________________ Sis 14 y/o QH Mare Clue 5 y/o POA Gelding