Showing Bitchiness

[Orangehorse]

I used to teach 2 small girls to ride, and they did well. Then the parents moved away and next time I saw them they were on show ponies, and winning and the parents bought a show hunter and kept it with a Very Well Know Stable.

I happened to bump into them at a large show and just made conversation about how were they getting on - and they proceeded to rip apart every other competitor in the ring, outlining all the faults and behaviour. Obviously their horse hadn't won! I was just standing there with my mouth practically hanging open with shock. As I walked away I was thinking that showing was supposed to be fun.

Also someone had a rather nice pony of a particular breed that she had recently bought it from a small dealer type person. The owner had never entered in any sort of showing show but the vendor thought so much of it, she was very keen to show this pony. So they toook it along to the local County Show - where they ended up as Champions. There were some unkind remarks as they left the ring, such as "are you sure you are qualified and is that pony registered?"

The owner was a bit worried, so she telephone the Society secretary on the Monday morning who said "I've already had a few phone calls about you." The pony was correctly registered and qualified to enter, and went on to have several successes at other shows. But because my friend was new, the regulars were most put out that she came along and won.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Sounds about right! BUT there areally different levels of bitchiness in showing. Bottom of the rung grass roots shows where competitors turn up in black jackets that are 2 sizes too big and navy jods etc. Are fun shows! Everyone clubs together, helps each other out and everyone has fun no matter what. Very little bitching goes in at these shows unless an out and out pot hunter turns up then they have every right to be binched about.

The next level of showing is the worst. These are the wannabe's. These guys have bought all the gear, bought a nice pony and think they are above everyone. They dominate local shows and agricultural shows but stand mid-div in big qualifiers.

Then you have the big guns. The producers at the big shows who pick up HOYS and RIHS tickets left right and centre. You couldn't meet a nicer bunch of people are so willing to help! Most of their owners are nice too but the odd dodgy one slips in when they are new to having a pony produced but they soon settle down.