Enthusiasm is EVERYTHING!

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Crosshill Pacers

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On the weekend I made a six-hour round trip to deliver and present the rosettes at the Christmas Standardbred Show, near Stoke-on-Trent. Let me tell you, the attitudes and enthusiasm of the organisers and horse owners made it all worth it :)

The two ladies who organised the show have been doing this sort of thing for the last two years, with three or four shows a year, with absolutely no support from the harness racing authorities who govern the horses that end up attending these shows. This was the first show that I was able to attend and I have promised them whole-heartedly that not only will I be back, but I'll be taking my horse with me!

I implore those of you with Standardbreds to attend the next show, which will hopefully be held in April. Unfortunately a number of horses could not make it on the weekend due to competitions elsewhere or lameness problems but despite there only being a handful of horses present, immense fun was had by all. I can definitely see the potential that these events hold to promote the breed and help those with Standardbreds to gain confidence to compete against horses in various disciplines for which they don't initially seem suited.

One rider in particular attended with her hotheaded lad (who was much like his sire in that respect), and she told me that coming to these shows and taking part in the dressage tests and showjumping competitions allowed her to practice with him, with the help of people who have heaps of experience with the breed, before hopefully moving on to the next level and competing against other breeds. They successfully completed their first dressage test without pacing on the day to gain the highest score, and then had two clear rounds in the afternoon.

If anybody would like any further details about the future shows, please just ask. I have promised the two ladies that I will do my utmost to get people and horses to the next show. They're not doing it for any financial gain, nor for any glory. They're doing it solely for the benefit of the horses and riders, and that is such a refreshing thing to see!
 
Nah said:
Oh!! I want to come :D
What sort of things are involved? I don't think Neddy would be ready to attend yet, but I think that's just become a new goal :D
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At the show on the weekend there was a short dressage test, followed by inhand showing and then ridden showing, best turned out and best fancy dress, and then in the afternoon there was showjumping (although the weather played havoc with that!).

Trust me Nah, I went there thinking 'there is no way I could ever bring Big Ears', because she hasn't done anything remotely resembling a dressage test or any showing. I'm not a confident enough rider to tackle anything like that right now either. But when I arrived, I was bowled over by how relaxed an atmosphere it was. If your horse paced instead of trotted in the dressage, you weren't marked down (same with the showing). It's a specialist show that lets your pacer be a pacer and get to grips with all the excitement of a show and all the new sights and sounds.

Nobody has ever turned up at one of these shows with a Standardbred that was ready to go, each and every one of them is a work in progress. It gives people a chance to ask for tips from others and practice in a friendly environment. I decided there and then that I could have a crack at the dressage and the showing, because I'm confident that nobody would turn their nose up at me (which unfortunately happened in the past with my first Standardbred at my local shows).

I think you should come, even if you just come for a look and don't take part :) it makes you want to be part of it the next time!
 
Such a brilliant idea. I felt as if I was always making excuses for our girl when starting out with dressage. I'd say to the judge beforehand - if we don't canter its because its too difficult -it's not that we've forgotten the test. People still look blank when we say "She's not a TB she's a standardbred". Daughter was asked out hunting the other day "Are you qualifying your pointer?" Mind you they're pretty damn fast at flat out gallop as well.:eek:
 
Double_choc_lab said:
Such a brilliant idea. I felt as if I was always making excuses for our girl when starting out with dressage. I'd say to the judge beforehand - if we don't canter its because its too difficult -it's not that we've forgotten the test. People still look blank when we say "She's not a TB she's a standardbred". Daughter was asked out hunting the other day "Are you qualifying your pointer?" Mind you they're pretty damn fast at flat out gallop as well.:eek:
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You and your daughter should come along next time! I know it's a fair trek for some people but I think stabling could be found for those who want to stay the night before/after the show, it was certainly mentioned when I discussed my friend and me travelling four hours to get there next time.

I've also been contacted by a lady down South Wales who would like to try a similar sort of show in Wales, as there's quite a few of us based here with pacers.
 
That sounds fabulous :D I think I will come along without him in April (Trailer has been put away for the winter, only to be got out in an emergency!), so I won't have much time to practice. I need to take him on a few smaller trips before hand too (2hrs away from me!) but I WILL be there with him some day :D
 
Big Antlers said:
You and your daughter should come along next time! I know it's a fair trek for some people but I think stabling could be found for those who want to stay the night before/after the show, it was certainly mentioned when I discussed my friend and me travelling four hours to get there next time.

I've also been contacted by a lady down South Wales who would like to try a similar sort of show in Wales, as there's quite a few of us based here with pacers.
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Do keep us updated about potential shows in Wales, we're not too far from the bridge :)
 
Rudolph_bum said:
Do keep us updated about potential shows in Wales, we're not too far from the bridge :)
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I've put a few feelers out on facebook and I think there's quite a few people who are interested. The question is where! I'm smack bang in the middle of Wales and I can't think of a suitable location with facilities similar to those at Lodge Farm. I'm attending a general show which has Standardbred classes in March which is about 30-40 minutes from me, so will take a look at the facilities there.

Out of interest, how far would you be willing to travel?
 
Sending this link to a friend of a friend who has got a very nice Standardbred. Geographically not sure if it would work out for her or not but I think she'd be interested to know about this. How refreshing to hear of a horsey outing with happy, smiley people and no politics OP.
 
Big Antlers said:
I've put a few feelers out on facebook and I think there's quite a few people who are interested. The question is where! I'm smack bang in the middle of Wales and I can't think of a suitable location with facilities similar to those at Lodge Farm. I'm attending a general show which has Standardbred classes in March which is about 30-40 minutes from me, so will take a look at the facilities there.

Out of interest, how far would you be willing to travel?
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Possibly Abergavenny-Monmouth or south towards Cardiff.
 
ISHmad said:
Sending this link to a friend of a friend who has got a very nice Standardbred. Geographically not sure if it would work out for her or not but I think she'd be interested to know about this. How refreshing to hear of a horsey outing with happy, smiley people and no politics OP.
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Whereabouts roughly is your friend? I'm hoping to get one together in Wales, there's already an established one near Stoke...I know there's a lot of people in Scotland with Standardbreds who have finished racing, so when I move up there I'll be hoping to try it there too.

I think if we can get shows up and running around the country, the eventual plan is to have a class at the Royal Welsh Show with these smaller shows feeding into it. I don't think we should stop at the Royal Welsh either, I think we should aim for all major shows! Take the horses to the people!
 
See around me it's become the new 'fad'! Whereas it seemed a couple of years ago everyone wanted a coloured pony, now everyone wants a Standardbred! But being based in Wales there's a lot of racing goes on here, and Wales & Borders racehorses are nearly all trained under saddle in some way, so they get sold as riding horses.

If you keep telling people how good your Standie is, they'll soon want one!
 
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