KaylaBlueHorse wrote:
Thank's guys! I'm just calling it how I see it though, that's all.

.. however, if you'd like to show appreciation I accept gifts in the form of cake, horse related things, and kittens.


UMM... you might want to rethink the kitten thing, as I'll bet you are welcome to many more than you could ever want!!! My local humane society alone would be GLAD to show their appreciation....

I think you hit the nail on the head, though, with the "eliteism" thing. The name brands are more about fitting in with the elite than actually competeing. I have yet to be convinced that the judge is squinting from the judges stand trying to see if a bridle is a Hadfields or just a Dover Circuit, or if one has a tiny "TS" tag on one's hip, or what color a coat liner is. And while they can probably tell if the letters on a helmet read "IRH" instead of "GPA" I would really like to believe that they are too busy watching the HORSE-- you know, that thing that they are SUPPOSED to be judging?!?!

I think, in addition to an approrpriate clean, neat turnout, the most important thing you can wear in the ring is confidence and a winning attitude. And that DOESN'T come from a label.