This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Response to Mary Olford from Wayne Hipsley
".....Winging It..." The expectations for the presentation of the horses during the evaluations was established by the Evaluation Committee. It was one of the many issues they worked through in the preparation of the Evaluation concept. So, from there I derive my expectations. In the same paragraph you have mentioned the lack of preparation for the evaluation and how you and others "..winged it..". It is very unfortunate that you were not given the opportunity to have some form of advance preparation, so you and your horse would know what to expect. It is not fair for you or others to operate on the blind side of the issue. You cannot be expected to perform or your horse cannot be expected to perform if you have no educational support or a resource from which to draw information. The importance of the evaluation in my personal opinion should be the one of the highlights of a horse's life. The best possible image of the horse should be presented whether the horse be evaluated for conformation or movement or any combination thereof. For a moment join with me. You be the judge. A horse is brought into the arena for you to evaluate. The owner appears nervous, the horse is leading and not being lead by the handler. The owner attempts to get the horse to stand still regardless of the body and leg positions. The horse keeps moving in circles, never standing for a fair opportunity to fairly evaluate the horse. The situation grows worst when asked to move the horse at the walk and then the trot. The gait is inconsistent and the lines are varied. When asked to trot, the horse does a lazy jog not demonstrating the ability to use its hindquarters, the strides are short and choppy, the upper body is out of balance. When asked to attempt to trot the horse again, the handler quits half way across the arena because they are out of breath. Thus, the horse does not demonstrate a positive movement at the trot. All of this because the handler did not prepare the horse for the presentation. Some people think the only person watching is the evaluation team. They tend to forget prospective buyers are watching, if a stallion, potential mare owners are watching. And on average, they may not be scoring the horse, they are formulating an opinion about the animal. Therefore, I believe the evaluations can be more tthan another trip to the show ring. I feel without proper preparation and education little can be accomplished in life. All of this takes on different forms for each of us. But in this case I believe we need to start with the fundamentals and move forward to the presentation of the animal. Either in advance of the evaluation or on the day[s] of the evaluation the following could be accomplished. 1st - Explain the value of the evaluation and how the information can be used to enhance the breed. 2nd - Explain the process of the evaluation, what is expected of the handler/rider, what is expected of the horse. 3rd - Go through a demonstration on how to present the horse and answer any questions on the process. 4th - Review the score sheets and the meaning of the scores and other information conveyed to the owner after the process. 5th - Open forum to answer any questions A video of the process with a very clear explanation could be made available to all persons participating in their first evaluation. The video could be a refresher for the more experienced. An important supplement to the above list of items during the evaluation, the breeders and owners should be offered and participate in educational forums on the conformation and type for the breed. With discussions on common weaknesses and frequently occurring structural deviations. Those that have significant genetic links, those with nutritional links, and those that are management related like the lack of proper hoof care. Correct movement of the horse then becomes a very important issue. Movement at the walk, trot and eventually the canter. How to evaluate the movement, and where to stand to assess the movement. Learn to normal from abnormal. Learn correct conformation from incorrect. Breed type is also high on the list of discussions. What does the word 'type' mean? How does it apply to the horse you own? What are the common characteristics that help define breed type? And so on. Then, one needs to learn how to develop an eye for looking at the horse. Learning to determine balance, head to hindquarter, side to side and back to hoof. Learning to 'weigh' in one's eye the specific regions of the horse for muscle development, length of bones and definition of joints. All of the above then leads us to presenting the horse to create the correct image of the horse either in hand, riding or driving. One further question might be asked. If you cannot receive the information on presenting the Fjord at an evaluation, then where does one receive this information. "Winging it" is not fair to you or the horse. Thanks for the opportunity to address your comments. Wayne Hipsley
