Well said, Katie Jerram!

[miss_c]

At the end of Horse magazine they have '5 minutes with' and this issue it's with show rider and producer Katie Jerram. They asked her about the best and worst things about showing, and one of the things she said was,

'The downsides are when people bitch about show horses on forums without putting their names to it!'

I fully accept that showing is not everybody's cup of tea, but then neither is eventing, dressage or showjumping. I'm not posting this to be inflamatory, but surely it MUST be possible for us all to accept that we all have different enjoyments and there are some disciplines that we just do not find are 'for us'? It also brings home that you never know just who might be reading the forum!!!

Right, I'm off showing!

 

[trendybraincell]

I don't know Katie Jerram but she always seems to talk sense. The more dressage I do the less I want to show, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the hard work that goes into producing a show horse. Sadly there are some practices in the show world that are questionable, but this can be said of all disciplines and I think people can be quick to forget the short comings of their chosen discipline when having a go at showing.

Also I think we owe the success of our native breeds to their popularity in the show ring. Showing has encouraged some excellent breeding which in turn supplies us with a wealth of quality ponies that are capable of doing every discipline, and doing them well.

I'll see you at the show later

 

[canteron]

Well said Katie, and lets add to that people who bitch about anyones else horse/riding/etc mainly because they are too lazy/stupid/rude to think of positive things to say (oops just been a bit negative, but sure you know what I mean!).

Even if you have a point which you feel needs to be make, its just lazy not to try and frame it in a constructive/helpful manner?

 

[zefragile]

To be fair, people bitch about dressage, showjumping and eventing aswell so it's not just showing. And some things deserve to be bitched about.
I agree with your point that people should accept that we all have different enjoyments though, horses for courses and all that (and riders for courses for that matter)