Conference noted::equitation

    Glad to hear you had a good time at the Nationals, Bob. Was the
    disqualificationof the mare due to a recalculation by the computer?
    ( I assume that it was at least a triple judged show!).
    
    Another question is regarding western plesure... who were the judges?
    Is that head to the chest trot in place thing widespread in the
    arab world or is it a multibreed, western pleasure nationwide trend?
    Like to know your thoughts on that.
    
    bobk
    

    All of the National classes were triple judged which is why the
    third place mare moved to first.  There is a Call Judge who is the
    tie breaker, and with the disqualified mare, the breaks went another
    way.  Its sad to say though, that even though our local shows use
    a computer for show results, the nationals are still done by hand
    and pocket calculator.
    
    The Western classes were judged by Lee Caldwell, Bill Hughes, and
    Jim (?) Baker.  The judging was typical of the current Arab circuit
    where overcollection is becoming the standard.  I personally don't
    like to see a head past vertical, especially since they usually
    have to drop the neck to get it there.  I like Western horses to
    show some life and to cover ground but until I get my card there's
    not much I can do about it.
    
    I haven't seen many other WP classes since we tend to show at Breed
    Shows only.  We did have an App judge at one of our shows (he had
    a `r' in Arab) who wouldn't pin any horses we would consider "bridled"
    but I thought he went too far the other way.  He used horses that
    I though were strung out.
    
    

    Not to dwell on the Western Pleasure business, Bob, but I found
    it extremely refreshing to hear your version of a "well balanced"
    western pleasure horse.
    
    I see soooo many Arab people on the open circuit pleasuring their
    western horses with a gaping mouth, chin at chest, and not going
    anywhere.  You're right.  Western pleasure does not mean that you
    shouldn't get anywhere.  What a crock!  Obviously you don't want
    a horse racing around the ring, but it still needs to get somewhere!
    On the other hand, too many "old style" judges prefer the strung
    out/heavy on the forehand look of the 50's.  
    
    Get your card!  You're needed.
    
    Ann

    Ann, I've often thought about getting my card but often when I try
    to pin a class from the rail, I find that I don't use the same horses
    the judge would.  After two or three classes I can generally predict
    his/her pinnings as long as they are consistant.  As you know, reading
    judges is an important part of showing a horse, but making subtle
    changes to please a judge is a lot different than agreeing with
    them.  Thats the dilema, how do you resolve the conflict of popularity
    versus what you feel is right?  As a judge do you have this happen
    and if so how do you handle it?
    
    Bob
    

    This may be a dumb question but...
    
    Aren't there judging standards that judges must adhere to in their
    work? Can't have everybody doing their own thing. I assume that
    judging standards do exist. Then the thing is to follow them and
    modify those standards over time. Maybe that's not the way it is
    done.
    
    I am familiar with one Morgan breeding group. The Lippitt Club.
    When they hire a judge to preside over their annual Country Show
    they very explicitly instruct the judge as to what standard they
    expect to be judgec by. it happens that the Lippitt Club does not
    agree with the current practices regarding show horses in the rest
    of the Morgan world and therefore enforce their own standards.
    
    The real questionin the Arabian World is who really defines what
    the standard is?
    
    

    Re .4
    
    Bob, don't be so hard on yourself for pinning a class differently
    from the rail than a judge does from the middle of the ring.  Don't
    forget that his/her perspective is much different from yours, and
    you really have the advantage 'cause you can see the whole ring
    at one time...a judge doesn't.  I judge corners for that reason.
    That way not as much of the ring is hidden from my view, only a
    small corner.
    
    Another reason is, of course, preference.  Subtle preferences will
    determine your pinnings.  For example, perhaps you like more action
    on your road hack horses than I care about...you and I will pin
    the class differently.
    
    Prior to getting my card, I apprenticed with every judge that was
    willing to drag me around.  I bit my tongue when horses I didn't
    like got used high, and horses I did like got the gate.  I apprenticed
    under breed judges, American judges, and NEHC judges.  I have made
    a concious decision not to apply for my American card due to the
    fact they put the screws to you every chance they get.
    
    Re 5
    
    The club you affiliate with kindof regulates the way you judge.
    If you show under me, and you don't think I was professional, or
    really knew what I was looking at, etc., you could protest with
    the club I hold my cards with.  Just because I didn't use you though
    is not reason enough for me to have my cards revoked.
    
    Quite honestly, I'd be pretty mad if a club hired me for a day's
    work and then told me how to pin the classes.  They should not have
    hired me in the first place if they did not respect my opinion.
    Clubs, like exhibitors, should appreciate the differences in judges
    and live with them.
    
    I hope that helps a little.  I'm sure everyone thinks I'm a hard-nosed
    snob now. :^(  There's something I learned a long time ago.  Judges
    only make one friend per class (if they're lucky).  It's also a lonely
    job 'cause there's never anyone to talk to during lunchbreak etc.
    If you want to be a judge, the best advice I could give would be
    to grow some pretty thick skin.  
    
    Ann

    Bob, I attended my first Nationals this year, beginning Thursday.
     I, too, was astounded at the scoring that allowed Penicylina to
    win the mare class.  I thought the weight, the additional weight
    in the shoes was only 0.18 oz.  Couldn't that be the fault of the
    show farrier, since he reportedly put the shoes on those horses?
     Seems a shame to ruin careers and reputations over that small amount,
    that could easily be a mistake in the manufacturing.
    
    I was amazed at the "booths" set up by some of the big farms.  I
    liked the Lasma booth that brought in such horses as Aladdinn and
    Despekt.  Aladdin has such eyes!  I saw his son, Exceladdinn, at
    the horse breeding auction at Paramount Stud the next Sunday; very
    exciting horse!!!
    
    Are you going to Albuquerque next year, or do you wait for the "close"
    events at Louisville?  Next KY show, in 1988, I hope to have a Futurity
    filly and a stallion entered:  Silver Run Bahia and Zadas Magic
    Music.  Bahia and Magic are 3/4 sister and brother -- same dad,
    moms were sisters.  Dad is Gai Parzada, a Gai Parada son.  Magic's
    dam is Crabbet (Indian Magic/Dargee, Al Marah Indraff); Bahia's
    dam includes the Al Marah Indraff line as well as a line to El Sahs.
     Nice horses, if I do say so myself.
    
    You're right about feeling pumped up about showing after having
    been to the "big time" show.  I'd like to hear from other people
    RE halter showing tips; training tips for conditioning
    weanlings/yearlings over the winter in preparation for the spring
    shows.  I'm planning to long-line the yearlings and teach them to
    drive next spring -- good for the hips and croups!
    
    Merrie Aiken
    DTN 341-2395

    Merrie,
    While you're right about the shoes being just a little over, it
    is the trainers responsibility to know about such things.  With
    all that is at stake, I would have been weighing them before they
    went on.  BTW why does a halter horse have such heavy shoes in the
    first place?  I use a weighted shoe on my English Pleasure horse
    (legal of course), and it is visably different than a standard keg
    shoe.  It looks like a real hunk of metal, so if the trainer asked
    for a weighted shoe he should have checked.
    
    The booths were something to see but this year they were somewhat
    subdued compared to past efforts of Lasma etc.  These booths would
    make most industrial trade shows look like an amatuer afair.
    
    I've never been to the Nationals at Albuquerque, but I'd like to
    get there before they make the switch to Louisville permanantly
    which is only a foregone conclusion.  The facilities are much better
    in the East and the big farms are pushing hard to make all Nationals
    in Kentucky.
    
    Sounds like you will have fun over the next couple of years getting
    ready for your chance at the Nationals.  The breeding on your hopefulls
    really sounds neat.  Two of the horses you named are some of my
    real favorites... Gai Parada (yea Gainey horses) and Indian Magic.
    
    We got a chance while at the International booth to see a few of
    the training tapes and plan to get them to show to our local club
    over the winter.  A good one is the Tom and Rita McNair tape on
    working with young horses and another is Ron Palelek's tape on halter
    horses.  While I don't always agree with the way Ron handles his
    halter horses, this tape does show some pretty important techniques
    for getting the job done.  One of his points is to free longe young
    horses for muscling and building croups.  I'm always afraid of working
    young horses in a controlled gait in small circles because it is
    murder on their legs.  Maybe your local club can rent it over the
    winter also (its free to youth and 4-H groups).
    
    Bob
    
    

    Well, I just got back from the 1987 Nationals (aka "Fantasy Island")...
    
    There were some WONDERFUL horses and there were judges...
    
    FAME VF was national champion stallion, GAI SEANCE reserve
    SHATEYNA was national champion mare, AMBER SILK (or SATIN) reserve
    BASKS LAST LOVE, english pleasure champion
    Zodiac Matador, Park champion
    Quavado, western pleasure champion (wonderful walk)
    
    I can't remember many others (I was only down there Friday and
    Saturday).
    
    There were many entries in first and second level dressage.  Only
    4 at 3rd. 
    
    There were quite a few Show hack horses.  Judging was inconsistent
    there--judges aren't sure what they are looking at yet.
    
    The Stock horse finals were exciting.  Tough test and amazing horses.
    
    I found the Finals for the Half Arabian Park horse disappointing.
    But the champion was good--VERY balanced in front and behind.  The
    rest were quite an assortment of movement.
    
    
        

    Maybe this isn't the best place for this but...
    
    For those of you "Arabian" folks who are going to the 1987
    International Convention in Denver, I would like to do some
    politicking.  
    
    There is a resolution to allow pads for showing Arabs at AHSA shows.
    I would like to encourage you folks to consider passing this
    resolution.
    
    I realize there is concern that trainers might try to use pads to
    increase motion for English horses.  Maybe make the combination
    of pad + shoe not to exceed a certain number of ounces?
    
    However, for the rest of us (only a few percentage of horses could
    be encouraged to trot higher with pads), pads would be extremely
    beneficial for soundness sake.  
    
    I never thought ANYONE needed pads until I moved to Colorado (unless it
    was some old hunter with navicular).  In fact, two years ago at
    Convention I was dead set against allowing Arabians to use pads.  Of
    course, I came from an area where dry feet and rocks were not even a
    consideration. 
    
    Now I find that riding hard and jumping in rocks (thats what we have
    here instead of soil) is hard on horses' feet.  Even western horses
    here bruise their feet just being turned out to play.  
    
    In talking to people from all over the country, I find that only
    those few fortunates(?) who live in the midwest DON'T have a problem
    with rock bruising from normal use.
                    
    Please consider passing this resolution.

    Mary Joe, I am not an arabian owner (yet) but it seems to me that
    an AHSA show is not the location where a horses feet need protection.
    Therefore the resolution would be an economic decision to reduce
    the cost of having to reshoe a horse prior to a show...
    
    If the pads are to be for protection only, they would not have to
    be thicker than one eigth on an inch. That would not have an effect
    on English horses motion...
    
    

    There is a problem with working a horse with pads.  When you take 
    the pads off to show, the feet are tender from being protected
    (kind of like wearing shoes all winter then trying to go barefoot.)
    
    Plus there is an Arabian rule (can't remember the wording) that
    essentially forbids training with pads, artificial applicances,
    etc., (although people do).  Believe me, I'm not interested in
    increasing the knee action on my hunter!
    
    Also, some show grounds (like Estes Park and Mason City) have rocks
    EVERYWHERE except for maybe in the show ring.  So you get to warm
    up on rocks.  Horses come back from there bruised all the time just
    from working in the makeup ring.                       
    
    Mary_Jo_who_used_pads_for_the_first_time_this_year
                                

    
    
    Well.. Bob and all.. the discussion @adding pads (regardless of
    the breed) always tends to get 'warm'.  Clearly if the issue were
    just protection - I suspect there would be no issue - rather I suspect
    that it is similar to the requests (and subsequent approval) made
    of the American Morgan Horse Assoc.  An added pad DOES give protection
    to the foot, it also DOES expand the base for tacking on the shoe
     and thus a potentially healthier situation for larger horses who
   
     are restricted by shoe weight and/or hoof length.  
    
    
    In the show ring a pad can also cover up a multitude of things (lead
    , injected rubber-'type' substances, etc.)  I've even heard of but
    not seen golf balls being inserted between shoe and pad (get a load
    of that one!)...
    
    Anyway - It's important to keep it all in perspective.  If the goal
    with the arabian pleasure horse is to keep things as natural as
    possible then there IS a risk in approving pads (as proven by other
    breeds) BUT I do believe that it is to the horses benefit to approve
    such a request.
    
    Stephen Kinney wrote a pretty informative article in SHOW HORSE
    this month on the subject....  and interestingly... the AMHA   
    American Morgan Horse Assoc is considering inclusion of a new division
    for English pleasure horses - no pads allowed ....
    
    (note - the above should have said editorial - not article)
    
    So - for what it's worth - I'll sign off as
    
    Holly_who_pads_her_western_pleasure_morgan_for_trail_riding_and_show!

    I agree with the resolution to allow the use of pads in the show
    ring.  I would however, like to see some changes around abuses of
    this and other AHSA rules.  If they were as quick to punish some
    of these abuses as they are for drug abuses, we wouldn't all be
    arguing about the rules.  A golf ball under a pad (Holly, I can't
    begin to imagine...) is potentially more dangerous than a trace
    of iso-suprine but the pad violation would cause you to return the
    ribbon, while the drug abuse would get you censured, suspended and
    or fined.  In any case, the shoes on Arabian Regional and National
    champions and reserves are pulled routinely anyway, so whats the
    big deal if we weigh them all together?
    
    Bob
    

    
    
    I'm w/you... can't begin to imagine a golf ball being inserted 
     
    
    But just for the record - It was a statement made by a reputable
    blacksmith - about a breed other than a Morgan or Arabian.......
    
    smiles - h

    
    Some brief results from the 1989 National Championship Show in
    Albuquerque:
    
    National Champion Stallion --  Excelladin
                      Reserve      Ali Jamaal
    National Champion Mare     --  La Duquesa (nope, Wayne Newton's 
                                              WN Antigua didn't win)
                      Reserve      Maisa al Mars
    National Champion Gelding  --  RA Dynasty
                      Reserve      DRA Manhattan
    National Champion Park     --  MHR Nobility  (magnificent!)
                      Reserve      Hallelujah Bask
    National Champion English Pleasure  Hucklebey Berry
                      Reserve           El Ghazi
    National Champion Half Arab Park    Countess Vanessa
    
    I was there only for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  The quality of the
    horses in the finals was overall OUTSTANDING.  There were some
    wonderful dressage horses (and some pukes as well).  The 1st level 
    champion scored over 70% average to win.  The 2nd level champion scored 
    over 69% to win.
    
    The reining horses (both Half Arabian and Purebred) were great.  I was 
    a little confused by some of the scores in the Finals.  (Like one horse
    scored 73, 73 and 68 -- the crowd subsequently vocalized their opinion 
    of that scoring).

    Thank you for posting the results of this years Nationals. 
    				
    				Nancy
    
    It's interesting that the champion and reserve stallions are pretty,
    but great breeding prospects? Excelladin won in "spite" of his long 
    back... and Ali Jamaal came in second probably because he doesn't have 
    any action. Where was the competition?
    

    
    Actually neither could trot.  (But there were some in the finals who
    really could).  Excelladin really showed well when the judges were 
    looking, and Ali did well but was a little weaker with his expression
    at times.  
    
    I was surprised they didn't put up Top Contender.  He really looked 
    great (from a distance, anyway).