[Lindsayanne]

So the convention was last week/weekend, right? Was this voted on then??

[No1Dazy]

I think it's just "proposed" at this point. The rule is proposed to be effective 12/1/08, to go into effect in 2009.

Hopefully the outcry will be enough that they vote against it. I know that choosing our regional delagates carefully will be more important than ever next year!

[No1Dazy]

The rule change that I like is that the whip length is proposed to go from 110 cm to 120 cm.

[honeydoozy]

Originally Posted by AQHA Hunter

With our system, where do you think all the money comes from to hold the shows, championships, etc? It comes from the adult amateurs who hold down regular jobs and find the time and money to live out their dream and compete. This attitude is going to drive those people away, and they will take their dollars with them. How will the competitions and pros survive without that ammie backbone?

This bears repeating. It's important to remember that USEF is supported by a vast majority of members who are NOT professionals... NOT upper level riders... and NOT people who will ever compete on a National/International level. The "bread an butter" for them, is the adult amateur. To discourage AA's from competing -at any level- doesn't make good business sense.

Why should it matter? Really, some of the attitudes I'm hearing are making rather thinking that the upper level riders are looking down their noses and thinking that us adult ammies that are trying our hearts out don't deserve the same opportunities even if we're riding just as well because we don't have the time and money to haul all over creation to go to rated shows all summer.

My point exactly. Why? Does it really hurt THAT bad, to watch a bad test? If it really offends...don't watch.

And NO, the schooling show judges are not the same.

Gotta agree here too - our schooling shows are judged by "L" judges - rated, yes... tough? not so much. They are mostly local trainers (which bothers me, but that's another issue) who judge rather generously and don't give you a good idea of what to expect at bigger, rated shows.

It's quite an eye opener to be accustomed to getting 70%+ at schooling shows, to go to a major show and be *lucky* to get 57% (and *still* win the class).

If any spare time and money to change rules should be spent, let's talk about making judging more uniform and less subjective across the judging levels.

[AQHA Hunter]

Originally Posted by Kissitgoodbye

Well that I am sorry for. In my region (2) we have a great number of schooling shows that are always successful, and have great judges.

This year actually, Silverwood Riding Center did their first schooling show championships. I see improvement with that. Heck if I had a young horse I would rather do that then anything else.

BUT in their case you had to qualify "schooling" show style to even ride in the schooling show championships. And I do believe they had some big, well known judges.

Its the centers who hire the judges. So don't blame schoolings hows on having stinky judges. Talk to your manager or whoever is in charge on getting better judges out.

Sorry, but I think you are quite getting how it is out west (outside of California). The population is small, it is cowboy country, and dressage numbers are tiny. The money just isn't there to fly in better judges for our little schooling shows. The rated shows are the only ones that have a big enough draw to bring people in from other population centers to get enough entries to pay for a rated judge from out of the area.

[AQHA Hunter]

Originally Posted by Lindsayanne

Maybe we should allow booing and heckling at dressage shows. Perhaps that would shame riders back down to appropriate levels.

That just might do it!

[Kissitgoodbye]

Originally Posted by AQHA Hunter

Sorry, but I think you are quite getting how it is out west (outside of California). The population is small, it is cowboy country, and dressage numbers are tiny. The money just isn't there to fly in better judges for our little schooling shows. The rated shows are the only ones that have a big enough draw to bring people in from other population centers to get enough entries to pay for a rated judge from out of the area.

Well I am sorry then for California. It is not my problem (I wish I could fix it) and I don't understand how it becomes mine.

And I am getting your situtation.

[AQHA Hunter]

You don't have to be sorry for anything. I am just trying to explain that things are very different in the intermountain west, and why this rule would add more burden to dressage riders in the less populous states. I would like to think that we count too!

[Kissitgoodbye]

Originally Posted by AQHA Hunter

You don't have to be sorry for anything. I am just trying to explain that things are very different in the intermountain west, and why this rule would add more burden to dressage riders in the less populous states. I would like to think that we count too!

I understand, but heres my point. It is NOT a burden for dressage riders in the east So do you know see my point of view?

[JKetsche]

Originally Posted by Kissitgoodbye

I understand, but heres my point. It is NOT a burden for dressage riders in the east So do you know see my point of view?

No. If it is a burden to those in the west, it is geographically biased. Therefore it should not be a national rule. Just because it works for YOU (in the east) doesn't make it a good rule. It just makes it MORE frustrating for those of us not in CA or east of the Mississippi. Oh, and it IS still a burden for riders in the east. They do still need to take time off, drive for a bit to a show, pay for stabling, etc. Just because it's a 3 hour drive instead of an 8 hour drive doesn't mean it isn't a burden. It's just a bit less of one.

I've been trying to be patient, but to be honest you're sounding very elitist. Again, just because something works in Europe doesn't mean it works here. Trust me--I'm German, and many of the things that work well there would never work here. The mindset, the physical differences, the culture--they all come into play.

As for school (myers), it's not true. I am a teacher, and one of our biggest frustrations is that we CAN'T hold students back, even if they need it.

Lorin, are you homeschooled? Or is it a day off for you?