This thread discusses the Content article: Reining Classes Withdrawn From AQHA UK Breed Show

So, sadly the rumours are true.
We're very definitely still going to the breed show (madam is a pleasure/english/FUNFUNFUN horse so the reining withdrawal doesn't directly affect us, but we're very sad about it)
Firstly, if our reining chums decide its not worth their while to bring their halter horses (most are breeders or producers of baby horses too, a very good thing about the UK QH scene) then we'll miss them very much.

We'll also miss the reining for its prestige and its spectacle. It makes us feel that we're part of something very big, hey even an Olympic sport (even if we only aspire to having a go at the WES novice rider reining with madam, and then only for fun).

But it does make you wonder if the bubble has burst. Witness billywhiz's thread about taking his horses to Holland - the latest in a mass exodus to Europe.

The passion for reining is clearly there - from the likes of us who love to watch it, to the hugely important grass roots which is like it or not at WES (has any BR rookie reining class attracted the 40 plus competitors at the WES champs?!), to the potential superstars I genuinely believe we have in this country (Riders like Tammy Greaves are why Tally and I will continue to badger the H&H till we're blue in the face).

But something's going wrong. David Deptford stuck his neck out and invested in a facility which helped by the will and tremendous good humour has succeeded against terrific odds this year.

John Calder has done his bit at Mendip, again bedevilled by the weather at his second show, and Bodiam attracted a tremendous international entry for its one show this year.

OK, we understand that the extreme conditions delayed building at Hand, and sadly cost us QH2000. But is that all that's behind the non-delivery of the reining arena? There was never any mention of it on their website, when I'd expect such an investment to be shouted from the rooftops.

The BR classes that have been put on this year, with the possible exception of Bodiam have been poorly supported. What is the incentive to invest in these facilities for half a dozen competitors? Us non-reiners got on just fine on well-maintained (although flood-damaged) gel track-ish stuff at the WES champs so if the reiners do continhe their mass exodus, we'll be fine thanks.

But that's not what we want - reining should be the crowning glory of our sport, which draws in sponsorship, local TV coverage and the stars of western riding to our shows.

Is this just a pipe dream?

sorry -long post, but something I feel very passionate about!

Well said!!

Just great will the last reiner to leave the country please turn off the lights.... seriously such a shame and I feel sorry for the show management im sure they must have put in a lot of effort to try to avoid this, hope the remaning classes are well suported

Post edited by: Roland, at: 2007/09/14 22:20

OK Time to put my oar in.

The main reason Shows are moving venues is nothing to do with "reining" surfaces. Anyone who has a ridden Quarter Horse and is showing, even to Novice Amateur standard, will realise that because the Quarter Horse (when moving corerectly) does not have any knee action is is essential to have a surface for the horse to move smoothly over. These geltrack surfaces easily ball and the wax coated ones also become quite slippery. If you value your horse you will realise this and not put it at risk by riding on a surface that has been proved to cause damage to more than one horse on the circuit.

East Coast has moved to David's arena not for the reining (please note at the September Show there were no additional reining class) but for the excellent overall standard of the surface for all disciplines.

It seems to me there are too many bar room experts quick to judge and criticise. Everyone has their own personal choice of what they do with their horse and where they do it. If they feel the need to share that information that is fine but, it is rather poor sport to then citicise any for electing to do their own thing.

Maybe if there are shows going on in an area where you will not compete it may be an idea to offer to go along and help then you will realise just what goes in to running these shows and attempting to keep everyone happy from the Novice Amateurs at their first show to the European Champions.

I have for many years listened to people bemoaning there are no shows in their areas well hey 20 years ago there was only 1 AQHA show in the county. It has taken show organisers like The QH2000 group and the East Coast group to take the plunge and run them to give you the opportunity to show your horses. When we do then get people attempting to run shows in different areas I see that many of the complainers do not actually attend!!!

Show organisers are not miracle workers just everyday normal people who are trying to put something in to the Quarter Horse Comminity.

How about everyone taking a more positive outlook and kick the negative moaning. If everyone of you made a small attempt to offer a little assistance or even just said thankyou I am sure we would be a much nicer community. Constructive comments are always welcome negative jibes are not.

Jane Muir

As I have been vocal as regards moving my reiners offshore, I make the following clear statement;

1. The Many Quarter Horse shows that have made the move to more suitable venues should be applauded for their sensible decisions.
2. I enjoy riding reiners and I am going to miss riding them every day as I do at the moment.
3. Yes there are more classes for riders to attend and I am currently working on a project with a pleasure horse for the NSBA classes.
4. I will bring the reiners back to the UK when it becomes more viable.
5. Thanks to all the shows and their organisers I have attended this year. In particular Jane Muir. Thanks also to the East Coast, West Coast, GOE and QH2000, all good shows with the right attitude (I have not been to AQHA UK yet, sure they are also good).
6. Grass roots reining is clearly still alive and all you people nervous, confident, good or bad go to Cambridge to the BR Show, have a go, dont be frightened of having abad run, we all do. Get up there have fun enter everything you can and experience reining on a truly excellent surface with lots of support.

Finally I only went public on my decision to explain to some good trainers that I do have empathy with them as regards a lack of owners like myself keeping horses in training in the UK. But truly the reasons for the cost of training in the UK are linked to taxes and stealth taxes that encourage all UK Businesses to go offshore.

Please get up to David Depfords and support the BR Show (bring horse, donkey mule or even Appaloosa) if nothing else just to see me fall off and make a complete fool of myself. If I had an all around horse other than an Appaloosa, I would take it to the Breed Show. Hey I might even take a reiner and have a go at the other classes.

Again Jane, Thank You and sorry if I havent said this before now.

Jane,

I completely agree with your points about the excellent shows we have had this year - we attended QH2000 and the East Coast Show, and we're looking forward to the breed show.

My concern is that the reiners are not supporting the shows even when the venue/surface is right - although Bodiam had good entries, they seemed a bit lacking at both of the Horse Creek Farm Shows we went to.

I'm also wonderng why Hand EC didn't finish the arena - if it was down to the weather, then fair enough.

As far as other surfaces are concerned, I was possibly doing Moreton Morrell a disservice by suggesting the surfaces are gel track - there's actually three different types in three arenas, and some very good quarter horses seemed to go well on them. With this, i'm just worried that competitors in the other western disciplines will dismiss certain venues out of hand without even going to have a look at them or riding on them.

The huge efforts made by show organisers ARE appreciated by competitors as I said in my original post. We'll vote with our feet and continue to support them, just hope that other people do too.