nootka
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2002
- Messages
- 7,547
- Reaction score
- 0
A friend of mine who shows special needs sent me a report of their experience at a Championship (AMHA) show.
I, for one, am embarassed about how they were treated:
"Thursday was open halter, then Ammy. I felt a little braver after the last show, and my horse and I showed our hearts out. All season I've had a second handler go in the ring with me, to assist with teeth and setting up. Well, I guess two of the judges questioned this AFTER we were done and waiting for placing. They radioed (I do not know WHO they radio'ed but was told it was NOT the president) and asked if this was okay AND HE SAID NO!!!!! So, instead of disqualifying me, they just knocked a few points off. So, my horse lost to horses we've been beating AT AMHA-SANCTIONED SHOWS all year! It was humiliating, hurtful, frustrating, and bewildering to leave the ring with a seventh when we would've gotten reserve or third.
Ammy was a few classes later, and we got seventh again... my horse wasn't standing properly because no one was allowed to assist me.
Then another "person" tells me (in a 20 minute rant) that I shouldn't be showing in open or ammy, only special needs. When I pointed out all the Grands my horse has gotten with ME showing her AT AMHA-SANCTIONED SHOWS, she ignored me.
I spent $1500 for THIS????????
Got to the show on Friday around noon and joined the circle of chairs/people at the barn, and D nonchalantly mentions he spoke with the complainter. At this point, I'm not really listening and just want to get this show over with. I still had special needs, and took champion in that. Go figure.
THEN it comes out that that morning my friends went to bat for me, pointing out that the AMHA rulebook says someone with a physical impairment CAN have a second HANDLER in the ring with him/her. The complainer ADMITTED HE WAS WRONG!!!"
So how do you all feel that my friend was treated this way? What would you think should be done? What if it were you?
I even found this old LB thread that is related to this topic from last Winter:
Entering Amateur Halter Classes in a Wheelchair?
I am so disappointed in some people's behavior. Would you not think there could be some sensitivity as well as thought put into even making sucha protest, and then to realize you're wrong? Some people don't even GO to the Championships (this was their first EVER) like many go every year, and what are you supposed to tell them? Oops. Sorry. I'm mad.
Mad enough to cry over it and I wasn't even there.
That moment was taken away forever because someone was VERY thoughtless and then to have a second party tell them they should not be showing in any of those other classes is the epitome of "NO CLASS."
*sigh*
Liz
I, for one, am embarassed about how they were treated:
"Thursday was open halter, then Ammy. I felt a little braver after the last show, and my horse and I showed our hearts out. All season I've had a second handler go in the ring with me, to assist with teeth and setting up. Well, I guess two of the judges questioned this AFTER we were done and waiting for placing. They radioed (I do not know WHO they radio'ed but was told it was NOT the president) and asked if this was okay AND HE SAID NO!!!!! So, instead of disqualifying me, they just knocked a few points off. So, my horse lost to horses we've been beating AT AMHA-SANCTIONED SHOWS all year! It was humiliating, hurtful, frustrating, and bewildering to leave the ring with a seventh when we would've gotten reserve or third.
Ammy was a few classes later, and we got seventh again... my horse wasn't standing properly because no one was allowed to assist me.
Then another "person" tells me (in a 20 minute rant) that I shouldn't be showing in open or ammy, only special needs. When I pointed out all the Grands my horse has gotten with ME showing her AT AMHA-SANCTIONED SHOWS, she ignored me.
I spent $1500 for THIS????????
Got to the show on Friday around noon and joined the circle of chairs/people at the barn, and D nonchalantly mentions he spoke with the complainter. At this point, I'm not really listening and just want to get this show over with. I still had special needs, and took champion in that. Go figure.
THEN it comes out that that morning my friends went to bat for me, pointing out that the AMHA rulebook says someone with a physical impairment CAN have a second HANDLER in the ring with him/her. The complainer ADMITTED HE WAS WRONG!!!"
So how do you all feel that my friend was treated this way? What would you think should be done? What if it were you?
I even found this old LB thread that is related to this topic from last Winter:
Entering Amateur Halter Classes in a Wheelchair?
I am so disappointed in some people's behavior. Would you not think there could be some sensitivity as well as thought put into even making sucha protest, and then to realize you're wrong? Some people don't even GO to the Championships (this was their first EVER) like many go every year, and what are you supposed to tell them? Oops. Sorry. I'm mad.
That moment was taken away forever because someone was VERY thoughtless and then to have a second party tell them they should not be showing in any of those other classes is the epitome of "NO CLASS."
*sigh*
Liz
Last edited by a moderator: