Has the show world gone too far or am I out of touch?

Question

Early this morning, I witnessed a boarder getting ready to leave for a show. She shows AQHA and has a very nice "Chip" gelding. I noticed her dry her horses tail with a blow dryer and then proceed to straighten it with a paddle iron. Then show sheen it heavily.

I haven't shown AQHA in many years (back when the judges were looking for peanut rollers and exhibitors were nerving tails). Back then you didn't touch a tail except to pick the shavings out of it and you would pick it apart before you did anything esle to prevent breakage. This method was new to me.

So, I asked the girl about it and she rolled her eyes at me like I was some crazy person.

One reason I got out of AQHA was because I didn't like the politics of the show world, plus I've gone gaited years.

Anyway, am I out of touch or is this what the show world is these days?

Answer 1

Nope...some of them are as nutty as dog people who dress their 'children' up in wedding dresses and tuxedos...and marry them.

One poster told me about JUST A VEST to wear in the show ring that sells for $1500.  

??????????????????????????????????????...

So...how's the view from your end of the universe??  Mine's good.  I can 'see' the show ring has gone over the edge into some dark and expensive abyss.

Answer 2

You're out of touch, as happens in phases over time.  When I was showing quarter horses back in the day,  the tails were pulled so they ended at the hock, or maybe a bit below....it's been awhile!  I quit the whole breed show thing for the same reason as you.....it was too much about the money and the politics, and not much at all about the horses.  But at least now they get to have a tail to swat flies with!  Can you imagine our poor horses trying to keep up with the flies with those  short little tails?

Answer 3

Thats not ever the worst of it. Check out

http://fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/

and

http://shameinthehorseshowring.blogspot....

FHOTD does segments on show horrors and Shame in the Show Ring is focused on it.