Hello to everyone on this forum...This is Lorraine O'Connell
I would like to take this opportunity to clear up a few items that I have seen posted. First of all, there was a miscommuncation in that when I was told of concerns regarding the "clipping" of an AOTE horse I said that I would bring this up to my committee, not that it was coming up for a vote of the General Membership. I feel it is my responsibility as a committee co-chair to bring the needs and concerns of the membership forward. The AOTE program is a great program, but with any program there is always room for improvement. I did feel it was necessary, however, to clear up some of the misconseptions regarding the program and the only way to do this was to print for you the main part of the rule: (see pg 123 of the AMHA rule book):
"The horse exhibited by the AOTE must be trained, conditioned, groomed, and shown by the AOTE or a non-professional family member : (spouse,mother, father, brother, sister, niece, nephew, son, daughter, grandchild, grandparent, legal ward, in-laws, step children, step parents, step siblings) in all divisions entered."
According to the current rule, the AOTE does not have to train, condition, and groom their horse as long as it is performed by one of the relatives described above. It is apparant that there are many that believe this is a "do it yourself" program, when in fact it is more of a do it with family program. We can all put our own spin on what we think this program is to us, however, it is what is printed in the rulebook. This is spelled out .....a family member as specified can hand off the horse to the person exhibiting as long as they are distantly related. There is no mention of which family member boards the horse, or if the horse is even in the same state as the AOTE exhibitor. Does grooming include clipping? Is grooming brushing and bathing? Does grooming including trimming hooves? ........ these items are up to interpretation. But, once more let me specify to those that say grooming does include clipping that according to the current rule the person exhibiting the AOTE horse does not have to groom their own horse, it can be groomed (clipped if you want to say that clipping is grooming, however, some think not) by any of the above mentioned family members also. This is the reason that some brought up the fact that it is not fair for those not fortunate enough to have a family member to help out when need be. There are some members on blood thinners, some with knee replacement, some with pace makers, ect......., According to their Doctor, these members should not be clipping at all. Then there are others that are very capable of clipping but could use some help as some horses can be quite difficult to clip. Another concern brought up was for the person that had spent much time and money qualifying horses during the year in AOTE and then for some reason not be able to clip at the World Show due to a sudden injury........and what if this person was traveling with a girlfriend instead of a relative. It is because of this that these members would like to have another amateur help (not a professional trainer) ......
Regarding clipping, I have talked to many that "drug" their horses to the point that you could perform surgery on the horse as well, but this cannot be good for the horse on a regular basis. Bottom line......Training, Conditioning, Feeding, Watering, Trailering, and basic Grooming (baths, brushing, cleaning hooves) are usually for the most part not dangerous....... clipping, can be very dangerous both to horse and human.
One other item that I saw some were questioning was that of transportation. Please see page 123 rule #6.a.3.:
"AOTE horses may be transported to and from shows by anyone, including trainers. This includes loading, unloading, feeding and watering during transport."
Notice that there is no mention of boarding and no time limit.
I believe that the AOTE program is very important to the members and we should be working together to help the AMHA grow and prosper for the sake of our beloved minis!....
Rules are what they are, not what we think they should be. If members want to change rules there is a process to do this.
.
I would like to take this opportunity to clear up a few items that I have seen posted. First of all, there was a miscommuncation in that when I was told of concerns regarding the "clipping" of an AOTE horse I said that I would bring this up to my committee, not that it was coming up for a vote of the General Membership. I feel it is my responsibility as a committee co-chair to bring the needs and concerns of the membership forward. The AOTE program is a great program, but with any program there is always room for improvement. I did feel it was necessary, however, to clear up some of the misconseptions regarding the program and the only way to do this was to print for you the main part of the rule: (see pg 123 of the AMHA rule book):
"The horse exhibited by the AOTE must be trained, conditioned, groomed, and shown by the AOTE or a non-professional family member : (spouse,mother, father, brother, sister, niece, nephew, son, daughter, grandchild, grandparent, legal ward, in-laws, step children, step parents, step siblings) in all divisions entered."
According to the current rule, the AOTE does not have to train, condition, and groom their horse as long as it is performed by one of the relatives described above. It is apparant that there are many that believe this is a "do it yourself" program, when in fact it is more of a do it with family program. We can all put our own spin on what we think this program is to us, however, it is what is printed in the rulebook. This is spelled out .....a family member as specified can hand off the horse to the person exhibiting as long as they are distantly related. There is no mention of which family member boards the horse, or if the horse is even in the same state as the AOTE exhibitor. Does grooming include clipping? Is grooming brushing and bathing? Does grooming including trimming hooves? ........ these items are up to interpretation. But, once more let me specify to those that say grooming does include clipping that according to the current rule the person exhibiting the AOTE horse does not have to groom their own horse, it can be groomed (clipped if you want to say that clipping is grooming, however, some think not) by any of the above mentioned family members also. This is the reason that some brought up the fact that it is not fair for those not fortunate enough to have a family member to help out when need be. There are some members on blood thinners, some with knee replacement, some with pace makers, ect......., According to their Doctor, these members should not be clipping at all. Then there are others that are very capable of clipping but could use some help as some horses can be quite difficult to clip. Another concern brought up was for the person that had spent much time and money qualifying horses during the year in AOTE and then for some reason not be able to clip at the World Show due to a sudden injury........and what if this person was traveling with a girlfriend instead of a relative. It is because of this that these members would like to have another amateur help (not a professional trainer) ......
Regarding clipping, I have talked to many that "drug" their horses to the point that you could perform surgery on the horse as well, but this cannot be good for the horse on a regular basis. Bottom line......Training, Conditioning, Feeding, Watering, Trailering, and basic Grooming (baths, brushing, cleaning hooves) are usually for the most part not dangerous....... clipping, can be very dangerous both to horse and human.
One other item that I saw some were questioning was that of transportation. Please see page 123 rule #6.a.3.:
"AOTE horses may be transported to and from shows by anyone, including trainers. This includes loading, unloading, feeding and watering during transport."
Notice that there is no mention of boarding and no time limit.
I believe that the AOTE program is very important to the members and we should be working together to help the AMHA grow and prosper for the sake of our beloved minis!....
Rules are what they are, not what we think they should be. If members want to change rules there is a process to do this.
.
