Shame in the Horseshow Ring beat me to this story and I still can't believe it! Talk about not having any control over your horse. And the dude is a trainer!
I know I shouldn't condone violence but I gotta say, I think it's pretty damn awesome that the filly's owner popped studmuffin's trainer Ty Hornick a good one. How the hell does something like this happen at the breed show level in a ring full of professionals? Did it never occur to you to work studmuffin around mares in heat? I deliberately rode my VLC with mares in heat tied in the arena during his first summer under saddle. I mean, duh, isn't that one of the first things you want to make sure you teach with a stallion - to ignore mares in the arena?
I don't know, I'm far more suspicious that Hornick knew studmuffin wasn't really all that under control, but studmuffin's owner wanted him shown and Hornick wanted the $$.
I started googling Hornick and one of the first things I found was an interview on Cleve Wells' site. Birds of a feather! This quote baffled me:
"As for folks who say the pleasure horse of old looked better, Ty takes a different view. “It’s kind of crazy to say that they’re not as good when you look back twenty years ago and they’re running around knocking their knees and their heads are straight--they don’t even look like a Quarter horse.” Ty’s advice: “Don’t criticize something you don’t know about.”"
Uh, I have a western pleasure horse and I have no idea WTF you are talking about. Their knees were knocking together? I don't recall seeing that in the ring 20 years ago. Their heads were straight? Are you talking about their profile or their headset and what position would straight be? What the fuck are you talking about, because I can't figure it out at all.
I know at least one of my readers was actually there, so fill in the rest of us. Did you see it? Was the guy having trouble with the horse in the warm-up pen and still rode in the class? I think it's appalling that no one told the judges what had happened and Hornick still placed. What a joke. And proof positive that just because you can keep them slow and low does not mean you have control over their body the way you should. You know I tend to sneer at the overuse of the one-rein stop but you know, this is an instance where one should have been employed.
On a related note - is it just me or is the horse world getting better at covering things up? I can't believe this isn't being discussed on every message board, but this was the first I heard of it. I haven't even found the name of the out of control colt yet, have you?
Tell me what you think!
Now, for a GOOD horseshow...If you're in the PNW, head over to Graham's Frontier Park tomorrow to compete in or watch the Save A Forgotten Equine benefit horseshow. SAFE is one of the very few rescues I endorse without reservation. They get all the vet care done, they train their horses and now you can see the results at their horseshow. Most of their available horses will be showing, so if you'd like to adopt a sane, rideable rescue, this is a great place to find one. And if you need a schooling show, it's perfect - many of the horses will be at their first show, as will many of the riders, so you do not need to fear looking stupid. No show clothes required, just boots, and helmets for minors. Come on over and give showing a try!
Or if you're in the Midwest, check out the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue's Trainer's Challenge competition, also tomorrow. This is a competition where local trainers get a rescue horse and the chance to show what they can do with it. It's at the University of Minnesota - if you are local, definitely check it out. Should be a blast to watch!
