This message is from: Cynthia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ok, time for me jump in.
First of all, I received an e-mail from Sharon Falck (secretary to the MWFHC) that she talked to Wayne at Libby and he has agreed to present a clinic on evaluations at the mid-winter meeting in February in Illinois. Problems are recognized and are being dealt with - not all the problems, but a start is being made. Thanks, Wayne for your additional comments. I think they are very helpful. About the Blue Earth show - three years ago I stood up at the meeting and said that I was not too interested in continuing to come to a show that was on one day and contained only two classes I could possibly enter, I got put on the show committee. This committee worked very hard, and with the cooperation of the fair board, expanded the show significantly. Novice and open classes in driving and riding, both English(actually more like dressage) AND western riding classes, get of sire and dam, obstacle driving classes and more performance riding classes were introduced. The show has been two days for the last two years. These are major changes in upgrading the show. This year, with Jim judging, the cycle of alternating two very draft oriented judges was broken (and hopefully will remain so). I was very pleased with the quality of the horses and people at this year's show. Horses were well groomed and 99% of all people in the classes were well groomed. The well trained horses won, however their exhibitors were groomed. Not that I don't have some suggestions and ideas for improvements and I hope to definitely do the cones courses again - I already have some great ideas for next year. I have volunteered to be on the show committee for last year and this but have not been involved. I would like to see the day before the show be a clinic or education day. I would like to see some dressage tests (also could be done the day before - we even have an idea for a judge who works with Fjords close by in Minneapolis). Etc, etc. I am not sure where the word "advanced" came from. I think more demanding (perhaps, knowledgeable) judges will take care of the issue of asking horses to perform to the same standard they have to in open competitions. There is a list of approved judges for Fjord events and I hope we will take advantage of it. If the costs for a qualified judge slightly increases the cost of the show (up to $7 a class?) I will pay it. I value the opportunity to compete my Fjord with other Fjords and I value the fact that the show is just darn fun! The people are great. I found some of the "old timers" were really interested in watching some of those who show in open competitions. They recognized the quality of the horses and wanted to know how they could be let in on it. Many of them in the Midwest have been oriented towards draft showing traditions and are not adverse to ADS ones - they just don't know about them. One component of most driving shows I have been to - even in little old Nebraska - is that a knowledgeable judge is brought to the show and then that judge does a clinic - this allows the club to get the judge a little cheaper and pay most of the expenses through those who want to go to the clinic. This is how quality improves and expertise comes to you. I haven't finished on these topics yet, but this is long enough for now. Cynthia Madden mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Omaha, Nebraska USA
