Mr. Taurig,
I believe that the question posed in the original post is really a ten-fold question and we could get into details on many various things. I’m a working professional and adult amateur rider in my late 20s. I currently own a 3yo German Riding Pony, and will be bringing her through the levels as she progresses. I ride in the SF Bay area and have called Southern California home as well.
Mr. Taurig,
I believe that the question posed in the original post is really a ten-fold question and we could get into details on many various things. I’m a working professional and adult amateur rider in my late 20s. I currently own a 3yo German Riding Pony, and will be bringing her through the levels as she progresses. I ride in the SF Bay area and have called Southern California home as well.
Mr. Morris interview is a very sound assessment of the state of Show-Jumping in the US. The issues of outsourcing, breeding, horsemanship and costs involving horses are really the core of why we are where we are right now.
These are my insights.
~Encourage lower level schooling shows so that young horses can go around without breaking the bank. (The Sonoma Horse Park 1-day series, Starr Vaughn, Rudy Leone’s Shows, OCHSA shows and the like come to mind.) Perhaps we also need to take a look at how many classes we are offering at the "A" and perhaps cut back to 2-3 rings (like the Menlo Charity show), giving ample time for people and horses to be seen. As an Ammy, by the time I get to a schooling show I’ve already dropped $400 to be there let alone the actual show fees. So a 4-5 day "A" show is only going to happen once a year for me.
~Build and support the Amateur base. The riders that are currently riding in college and in that dark hole of the late 20s-early 30s, will be the future base the riders/competitors who will support the high level riders in the future. While these riders might not be the focus of who will be riding to represent the US, they will be the ones passing on their love of horses to their children and could possibly become owners to the horses who compete at the international level.
~Scout – Other sports do it, why don’t we? I don’t mean at "A" shows, I mean at the lower level shows and better one day shows. For possible prospect horses and potential riders.
~Foster Tradition – I love going to the East Coast because you can see, feel and smell how deeply the fabric of equine tradition is woven. We need to make it so for the rest of the US.
~Fund-raising – I can’t give my bankroll to sponsor USEF/USHJA/etc. I however can donate $50 (or whatever your budget might allow) but I want to know what it is going to do for the better of the US team.
~ Horsemanship – Everyone can be a better horseman We need a means to instill better/well rounded horsemanship. While I think all riders should do most of their horse’s grooming themselves, that is not always the case. Educating the work force that makes up this sector of the horse industry is necessary for this to succeed.
Getting made horses for kids is a great tool to teach kids to get their foot in the stirrup. However the process of bringing a green horse around is the best teacher. Nothing makes up for experience. The instant gratification that our culture pursues, has left hard work and preservance in the dust. Horsemanship and Equation should be at the fore-front of all instructors.
But most of all we have to do it for our love of the horse.
Respectfully,
Tiffany Bennett