I have read with interest the comments on this topic, however I dont get the impression that there is a willingness to start going forward. If we want to get western to the forefront, we will all have to push this forward or another season will go by without regonition for all our effots.
I for one will bs pushing hard for our assocition to affiliate asap. Come on guys stop bickering and start doing.

Post edited by: hobbyhorse, at: 2007/12/31 20:21

What do think about it all - take the poll at http://www.westernscene.co.uk

Post edited by: Muffin, at: 2008/01/01 16:44

Well done muffin for suggesting the poll and am glad to see 50% in favour so far. onward and upward i say!!! lets all get together in 2008!!!
Rosie

Good Idea, will be intresting to see how people vote, this needs sorting and then hopfully we can resolve the most important issue.... venues and surfaces. I dont give a stuff who we have representing us, just like to see less of personal differences, rivalry, and more pulling together...

This is more like it, positive reaction, I voted for involvment,Western can not move forward and be taken seriously if we have division. I for one would like to see our sport in what ever form given more air time by the madia but while we argue between ourselfs no one will give us the time and we will still be seen as cartoon cowboys.
SO COME ON GUYS SUPPORT YOUR ASSOCIATIONS AND PUSH FORWARD IN 2008

Personally, as amazing as it may seem, despite the important issues that I have raised in support of NOT affiliating other Western organisations to BR, I am not wholly intransigent with regard to this possibility, because the work that the Brimsons are carrying out in their respective roles can and does have benefits in some aspects for other organisations. I would even be in favour of letting bygones be bygones with respect to the trust issue and previous behaviour by BR Council IF there could be certain safeguards put into place to ensure that those individuals do not dictate conditions to everyone else without consultation, input and votes from other organisations. These safeguards would include the following:
- Other organisations like WES and AQHA-UK would only AFFILIATE to BR; their members would NOT be members of BR, and their numbers would not be used to inflate the membership numbers of BR, nor would their membership dues be used to fund any programmes initiated and decided only by BR.
- There would be a separate Council that includes a member of every affiliate organisation as well as a BR member; this Council would need to be consulted on each and every issue or action that relates to--or is purported by the BR to be in the interests of--Western in general (rather than just BR/Reining).

Can BR guarantee this? I am not so sure, given the way the UKCC programme has been run, excluding everyone except BR insiders from its conception, planning and operation. Whether or not those running it believe that it is good for everyone else, and whether or not it actually does benefit everyone esle in the Western riding world, this does not alter the fact that other organisations should not have to accept whatever the BR wants/does with no voice whatsoever allowed. Those people who says things like "who cares, let the BR run things, I'm not bothered, stop bickering" are the first to moan and complain when things don't go as they like. Whether one agrees with David B or with me or with others who battle for a different outcome, at least we are putting in the time and effort to try to ensure what is beneficial for our sport and for the majority of the participants, and THAT is what this debate is all about.