I finally made it to watch a western show after almost 3 years of trying but I have to say that I was really disappointed.
I managed to drag my mum and 2 friends with me who were all coming round to the idea of western. My mum and one friend were up for going for a western lesson (they all ride english) and the other one was an "almost" but I was convinced that after watching the show the deal would be sealed.
We got there during the lunch break so I can't comment on the morning but the afternoon was dire. The turnout was pretty poor, not that I am blaming anyone for that, but the running of the afternoon was really bad.
It took over half an hour to set up 6 cones and a pole for western riding classes and, rare for most shows, there seemed to be plenty of helpers. At one point it was just a collection of stetsons in the corner discussing what I don't know but it halted proceedings for almost half an hour, then there was a mix up of classes which slowed things right down again. The max no of horses in the afternoon classes was 2 so goodness knows what time it would have finished if there had been a decent entry.
My friends were bored ridgid; something we all thought impossible when there were horses involved and actually left!! Which left me with my mum who moaned and sighed constantly and I have to say I was the same before the day was out. Needless to say they have all changed their minds and now none of them want to try western and I have been banned from mentioning western or QHs anywhere near them again.
I thought that these shows were meant to be like "shop windows" to encourage people to try western but it suceeded in putting 3 off before they even got started. I know first hand how hard it is running a show but this was just so bad and slow for no apparent reasons.
Sticking with the "shop window" theme until the reining there were no good displays of riding or horsemanship but there were plenty of "pony club kicks/boots" in the ribs and heads being yanked about. Not what I thought western was about. I know horses are frustrating and can show you up and play up at the worst times but I think there was a distinct lack of preparation/training showing.
The reining also confused me. In the one class with two entrys one seemed to ride a good pattern with smooth changes and the whole thing seemed to flow where as the other horse was disunited behind when it was loping and bucked, which at the very least shows resistance, yet it won the blue ribbon. Am I missing something??
I really don't mean to complain but it's just as a newcomer to western I have been looking forward to watching a show and learning from watching and I was just really disappointed, even more so that my friends have been totally put off. I wanted to be there and it even bored me and all the waiting put me in a grumpy mood. I could understand it if there was a huge entry but like I said before the most entered in a class was 2.
It just seems such a shame as it wouldn't have been cheap to hire the centre and I can't imagine that they broke even never mind make a profit.
Was anyone else at the show at Devon Lesiure Equestrian centre today and think otherwise? Is it just me being too novice to understand? How can I change my friend's minds and make them try western for themselves!? I used all the bribery and blackmail tricks I knew to get them to the show just to watch.
