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Oct 30 08 5:42 AM
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Oct 30 08 7:25 AM
spoonyspork wrote:Yeah I'm a damn commie. What of it?
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Oct 30 08 8:29 AM
-- And the Lord came unto the cheery Panda and spake, saying, "Although thou art a peaceful critter, thou shalt defend yourself furiously when attacked and rippe the limbs from thine enemies and make them wish they had never been born..."
FFV + "I'm not getting any Clam" club
Oct 30 08 9:01 AM
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Oct 30 08 9:52 AM
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.
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Oct 30 08 9:58 AM
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Oct 30 08 10:33 AM
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Oct 30 08 3:11 PM
xPoniesForMe wrote: Thanks KOTJ. I know this wasn't the best topic to bring up my problem with HP in, but yesterday was a less than great day for me and what she said made me snap and voice my opinion on how she's been giving hers lately. Actually, up until a couple weeks ago, I'd really respected what HP had to say on the hunter topic. I thought she had alot of good knowledge to share.
Then, came a thread from someone asking what show clothes they need for hunters, on the local/school level or something. HP instantly imformed them they needed thee top brands. In my post above, I'd said jackets can be navy, black, and you see the odd beige and grey ones now, and could have pinstripes or be plain. I also mentioned that I myself rode in a black jacket because I think it compliments my horse better than a navy one. HP was quick to point out that black is out of fashion and she must go with navy. Maybe on her A circuit it is, but it's still half and half around here with a handful of people brave enough to wear the beige or grey jackets.
I hate how she naturally assumes everyone, who clearly states they're just doing schooling shows is a)actually doing A circuit, b)in her area and c)super rich. It makes people feel bad to constantly see her telling people to buy the best of the best, when they know they could never afford it.
I've started to notice she does that alot now, or makes everything she says sound so final, like in the HORSE hairstyles for showing thread, when she said that braids are a requirement, for someone who simply wanted to do a schooling show here and there.
So although I shouldn't have brought it up on here, I am glad I did. I know that I feel feel better having gotten things off my chest about it all.
"If riding were only blue ribbons and bright lights, I would have quit a long time ago"~ George Morris "Virginia has the nicest horses"~ George Morris "Riding is first a sport, then an Art. That's why I make a lot of money"~George Morris "Do as little as possible, but as much as necessary"~George Morris "Distances are like men... never take the first one you see, there will always be another one"~George Morris "Function equals form, and form equals function"~you guessed it :)
Oct 30 08 3:54 PM
baxtersmom wrote: I think the issue is that some people know things because they've actually been around, and some people think they know things because their trainer told them so.
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Oct 30 08 4:02 PM
Oct 30 08 4:12 PM
KOTJ~ I understand where your post is comming from, I truely do. I think part of the missunderstading lies with how I word things. When I say something like "I'd be laughed out of the ring!" or "People would laugh at me!" I usually don't mean that people will literally laugh at me (or whoever I'm talking about), but that it would be unusual or that I'd be embarressed. I guess something else that adds to the missunderstanding is my shyness and conservatism, which makes it pretty easy to embarass me, hence why I use those phrases a lot.
This has very obviously strayed from this topic, and I haven't personally had any particular run-in's with HP to have any type of vendetta, it's just that type of person gets me seething. I got a job at 15 to pay board and things on my horse. I pay board, those extra bills, I spend my money on my horse's needs and sometimes get little extras. For christmas I got auken paddock boots and mondega halfchaps. They're both my schooling footwear as well as my show footwear. I've had both my schooling helmet (tipperary) and schooling breeches for 7 years. Last christmas I saved up my money and bought an IRH helmet. It's my show helmet and does not come out unless for shows. I bought my show jacket 2 years ago at Value Village, it's black. On my birthday I bought a new pair of Kerrits breeches. They are my show breeches and, again, do not come out until shows. I ride a grade horse with no real background, he's got an big head, not a 10+ mover but he can go, he has a roached/mohawk mane and he enjoys jumping very much. My saddle is a used griffth cc that's seen better days, and I've used my "show" shaped saddle pad for 2 years. When we put some real training into it, we have yet to step out of the ring without being in the top 6 of any show we do (3 different venues, though all schooling level atm). Maybe I'm just the kid that always roots for the underdogs and tries to help them come out ontop, because they appreciate everything they have moreso than people who have things handed to them. And perhaps I must live in a great area, because the only time we have "snobs" on any of our circuits, it's just people brought up the same way as HP with that type of opinion. People are nice, they'll compliment you and even if you have a nasty round they'll still be there to say something nice. I've been beaten out of classes I know for sure we could've won, but in the end I (like 98% of the riders) will still shake the hand of the winner and congratulate them. I guess it's just the way people are brought up.
Well, where does that leave me? And why do I make you "seeth", especially when you have no vendetta? What have I done that has been so hurtful? Just questions. Now, yes, my parents do buy me things, and I don't have a job, but why does everyone seem to think this makes me less of a person, or in this instance, less of a rider and horsewoman? That, to me, is one of the most hurtful things you could imply, and I've had to deal with it a lot in my life. For example, my horse clocks around like a saint and people LOVE to say that I'm less of a rider because I have a nice horse. But do they ever stop and think about how he got to be that way or how he continues to be that way? No, to them I'm just a bitch who poses around a course on a made horse, never considering that I made him and that I maintain him (which is one of the hardest things to do because it's a lot easier to mess up a made horse than to make one), not my trainer. Those girls who I'm lucky enough to call my friends know I can ride, because they actually got to know me. My stuff may have be 'handed to me', but that doesn't mean I'm not grateful for it. Most of my really expensive stuff, like my saddle, half chaps, and boots, was bought with the mindset that it would either be the last that I'd own, or that it would last for a decade or two. And everything else was bought to fill a purpose, for example when I moved up to a more prestigious division I had to buy a darker coat because mine was brown. Just because I don't scream to the heavens how grateful I am for what I have, doesn't mean that I'm not grateful. And, surprise, surprise, people are really nice on my circuit as well. I know 95% of the girls I show against, and I'm friends or friendly with almost all of them. We congradulate each other if we have a nice trip, and console each other if we have a bad day. The only time there is drama is when someone comes in from the outside, without any knowledge of us, and starts saying how we are all awful riders because we have nice made horses. More than once, myself, or another girl has ended up crying in the show bathroom. That's not okay. We are teenagers, we already have self-esteem issues, we don't need anyone coming in and making us feel shitty inside for no reason. It makes us question ourselves even if we've done nothing wrong, and its taken years to finally decide that I'm NOT a bad rider OR a poor horsewoman. I don't know about YOU but I was brought up not to judge people, especially when you don't know all the specifics.
Oct 30 08 4:25 PM
Oct 30 08 4:27 PM
IveGotRhythm wrote: baxtersmom wrote: I think the issue is that some people know things because they've actually been around, and some people think they know things because their trainer told them so. Oh HP, I wish I could express to you how much I understand where you are coming from. I also wish I could express to you how much you misunderstand. I am 100% with you on the show-bow issue. It just ISN'T done in hunters, it screams "I don't belong here" and it actually costs less to do it right (hairnet) than to do it wrong (show bow). But let's talk about hunter turnout, and the things that are "elite" vs. nessecary. You need appropriate boots. Whether these are custom Vogels or off the shelf, they need to fit correctly. The judge won't be reading the lable. I agree, and I've never said otherwise, actually, I'm a fan of the Ariat tall boots because they tend to be well made, fit well, and are cheaper. That's what I had until I was forced to go custom (extremly long legs, the exta long Ariat didn't fit). You need an appropriate coat. This may be a $500 Grand Prix or an $100 Devon Aire, but it must fit correctly. The judge won't be reading the lable. I have mentioned brands on threads where the disscussion was what was 'in' or the OP asked for some names, but I really don't descriminate and usually I'm more into talking about colors. If it fits and looks nice, GREAT! Shirt- can anyone really tell between a $30 shirt and a $150 shirt?. If so, get a hobby, you scare me. Besides, the judge won't be reading the lable. The only thing I've said about shirts is color. Breeches: whoever told you, HP, that tailored sportsmen fit better was on drugs, or has only met teenaged girls. I know a LOT of people who could afford any breeches they wanted who can't wear them at all. If they fit you, they DO wear well and are available cheap on ebay. If not- the judge can't see that tiny tag on your hip from the judges stand, and he won't call you in to read the label. TS do happen fit better for me. I wouldn't say that if they didn't. Bridle: I dare you to sit in the judges stand and tell me what brand of bridle the horse is wearing. I honestly didn't know there was a particular bridle brand that was popular. Saddle: same thing. Actually, saddle brands DO matter, because with a poorly made, poorly fitting saddle you can permanatly damage your horse. But that isn't to say you can't find good, less expensive saddles that fit well. WB's- they're sounder,better, and they last longer? GET REAL. Try they come made, no one has to sort thru a lot of rejects to find them, and no one has to put a ton of training into them before they become money machines. The judge won't ask for your papers. Actually, I do think they are sounder, better bred, and that they last longer, but I'm a huge advocate of the inspection process. So who ARE you trying to impress with all these name brands? I'm thinking it's your peers, NOT the judges. No one, actually. Hey, it's GREAT that you care about each and every detail of your horses turnout. But to tell each and every person who is interested in hunters that you MUST have these things creates a really bad and WRONG image of the sport and perpetuates the image of hunters as being shallow and elitist. I've never insisted anything.
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