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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
 Posted - 18 Mar 2009 : 10:51:41 AM
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I know this should go with the Showing threads but it's a subject that could do with the thoughts of others who don't frequent that section.
I was just reading the Merrist Wood thread there (loss of Arab classes) and thought it worth mentioning that our local spring show - not prestigious but very busy - has left out Arabs this year. This used to be an in-hand class and open to purebreds, Anglos and part breds. Last year there were only a couple of exhibits but in previous years there were two line-ups. That's Arab classes gone from all the general horse shows within easy reach for the amateur in this area, where there was one at at least three or four shows.
With the level of competition and the cost of travelling to regional shows, everyday Arab owners aren't going to get many outings/experience if they are restricted to the AHS-affiliated events.
It's a very worrying scenario for the breed. I just wish there was something we could do to improve the image of the breed; only a generation ago it was seen as being in a serious, important class of its own, and the Arab horse admired and respected, but it seems to be disappearing off the list of desirable horses completely.
I will ask the organisers of this show if I could sponsor it to keep it going but it's probably too late for this show. And if I did, could I enter it?
What else can we do to stop this erosion of the breed's exposure?
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Roseanne |
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templars
Platinum Member
England
1852 Posts |
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arabdream
Junior Member
United Kingdom
40 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2009 : 11:38:32 AM
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templars some of us are wimps. the thoughts of going over some of those jumps in your sig. pics, gives me cold shivers. Maybe when I was 15. |
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sazzlepants71
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3536 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2009 : 11:59:55 AM
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hi i agree templars!!!
- i am taking ramak out to RC events this yr starting with SJ ...to prove that arabs can jump..and do dressage lol..we do bang on about how 'wonderfully versatile' arabs are and yet we dont do enough with em'
There are 2 reasons as to why I am doing more of this mainly because I want a all-round horse who should be capable of more than just the fluffy stuff ( which i do like by the way!)
And also - the cost of competing at regional shows is a factor now, although i will attend ones that are okish to travel too.
As a ametuer you simply cant do all of the shows well , at least I cant this year compared to perhaps 5 years ago where i would happily travel for hours!
still there are plenty of people on here ( before you get cross with me!!! duck!)  that DO perfomance stuff but do we do enough??
we need to be out in force to be honest - i have gone to many non-showing shows and seen hardly any arabs ( pure-breds)
yes, there has been PBA & AA competing they seem to very good at crossing over.
Like Roseanne says , yes we have lost another class for arabs but i am still going to attend the show nonetheless and do my bit!
-RC horse has jumps in!
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templars
Platinum Member
England
1852 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2009 : 12:29:05 PM
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Hey - we didn't start at those fences - remember the early pictures of Evie - she was going over logs not much bigger than trotting poles (that was 3 years ago). And what about a bit of dressage - the riding is pretty much the same that will be used for ridden showing. Or try the sport horse/performance in hand classes.
There's no need to do affiliated stuff - try local riding clubs or pony club things. Try trailblazers - they do showing, dressage and jumping and all sorts of people join in on all sorts of horses with very mixed abilities.
And try clear round jumping - you can go early and lower the fences as much as you like till you build your confidence and no-one watching but you get a tube of polos and rosette just for getting round.
Try trail rides where you can leave out the jumps but have the thrill of going cross country. Get Farmers Guardian and look at what's on.
There's tons of things to do.
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   www.eviepeel.com    |
Edited by - templars on 18 Mar 2009 12:33:42 PM |
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shah
Gold Member
England
1356 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2009 : 1:57:03 PM
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Am going to throw some spanners in here 
I'm currently looking for a performance arab and guess what, most of the ones I've seen can't jump, have not been schooled for dressage, and can't hack out on their own - all activities I say a normally educated 8-9year old horse should be able to do. The majority are owned by people who are not experienced with arabs and who have grown afraid of them, or become unconfident so just leave them as field ornaments or hack occasionally in company.
I'm not surprised at the loss of arab classes on local shows, if the basic problem of people not being able to ride them properly at home is not solved - how on earth are we going to persuade more to show locally?
Hasten to add: there are some good performance arabs out there and I'm not trying to tarnish all with the same brush but I've been very surprised at how badly educated arabs are compared to most other breeds. |
West Sussex |
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BeckyBoodle
Gold Member
Australia
795 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2009 : 2:18:25 PM
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Why is it that so many Arabs aren't developed into riding horses? I know they are pretty and great to show, but other than those at the top, surely they don't get shown all their life, or do the best then go to breed, but then what happens to the rest?
I have a three year old. I would like to show her to get her out and about, but as I don't have the transport - or time - I don't think that will happen. But my real aim is to ride her, hopefully starting about this time next year once she has turned four. Dressage will be my main thing as I have lost my nerve jumping, but as everyone says, with a horse you ride everyday, maybe that will come back.
It is just a shame that these horses seem to be being pigeon-holed.
B
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BabsR
Platinum Member
England
2790 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2009 : 2:46:59 PM
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The USA fashion which now seems the way of Producing and Showing Arabs, the `hype` whizzing round on circles, the false and frozen "stand ups" Rattling stones in tin cans, the whooping and hollering.
This, I believe is partially the reason why `Other` Shows outside of the Arab Shows, are now omitting Arab Showing from their Schedules.It is a great pity. A joy to behold, seeing a double line up of happy relaxed Arabs, oozing presence, floating over the ground, was indeed a sight for sore eyes. Sadly not often seen in recent years.
It is infuriating for instance, if a ridden Show Hack class is taking (Yes...bad organisation) place alongside the In-Hand Arab Showing Ring. Very unsettling for the Horse and Rider. It could well be that such encounters have led to complaints from other exhibitors. The Arab Horses may well be used to all this razzamataz but general Show Riders and Horses are not!! Before the stones are thrown, I say this through personal witness, at Shows.
It does appear that "performance" competitions are on the increase
and nice to see the Arabian Horse out there proving their ability
Babs
www.SunrayAngloArabianStud.co.uk
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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2009 : 2:48:07 PM
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Points taken peeps; I am the first to know that Arabs are predominantly performance horses, having been closely associated with Linda Hannaford's stud and done at least some cross country/showjumping on her horses as well as ridden showing and dressage.
I know there are threads abounding now about performance in Arabians, Anglos and part breds, and I have sympathies with those who have frustrations.
But this thread was really about how sad it is to me, as someone who is at the time of life when ridden showing, dressage and schooling takes up most of my energy (!) that the 'Royal' status given to the Arab in so many ways over the past 100 years or more is being evaporated.
I agree with Shah that a number of people do acquire Arabs and find them a bit too clever, or to much to handle. I think some of that can be put down to the rather wonderful revelation by Gari Dill Marlow that Arabs are proven to have larger brains than other horses!
Also like it or not, they are the acknowledged breed that improves other breeds.
Although Linda Hannaford certainly did take on - successfully - the huntin' lot and gave them a run for their money team chasing her pure-bred Arab team - it remains a fact that here in Oxfordshire, they don't like Arabs very much. However, they did show them a lot of respect as a breed and they were always THE breed that had their own class in the local shows. People still love to see them!
I just seems dreadful that they are suddenly being erased... |
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templars
Platinum Member
England
1852 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2009 : 4:05:55 PM
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Roseanne - my comment was rather tongue in cheek (although I admit, the thought of showing leaves me cold these days)
This is just my opinion:
But I think the Arab has become a victim of its own success. As showing became more and more the norm, and fewer and fewer Arabs were seen out and about doing "normal" horse things, then just like Babs has said, showing became more exaggerated.
That's had a bit of a knock on effect. Firstly, in order to win there seems to be a need to have professional handlers who, quite naturally because its their business, adopt the techniques that are needed to win - what those of us who aren't in showing call the frozen pose etc etc. That means, the one horse owner that has a fairly decent horse doesn't enter the shows any more. So entries fall and the bigger shows start cutting back on classes which concentrates the handlers into fewer shows, the entry fees go up, the one horse person can't afford to enter and is then intimidated by such a large presence of professional handlers. Vicious circle.
From what I've seen in Lancashire, there are still plenty of riding club classes for in hand and ridden Arabs. The County shows are cutting back. I remember about 4 or 5 years ago, the amateur handler could opt to do the County circuit and there would be very few professional handlers. I don't know what the classes are like now.
It is a shame but having crossed to the dark side and turned our backs on showing, all I can say is that the Arab is seen as the laughing stock of the normal horse world. We (and I know of many other Arab owners) strive to dispel that myth but it's an uphill battle.
Despite that, I do agree that the loss of Arabian showing classes is a true shame. |
www.eviepeel.com |
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Grey Girl
Platinum Member
England
1554 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2009 : 5:58:34 PM
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Elmleaze Stud, at Didmarton, Glos, has an in-hand show at the end of April and there's a class for arabs in it. Can't remember the details (I'll pick up another schedule tomorrow - I have lost my schedule in the general tidying up for weekend guests!) Anyone want to go and fancy taking me and mine along?!
Actually I seem to recall that 'ordinary' riding club shows often had a class for arabs in them, once upon a time... And yet everyone horsey who meets my Amelia (one of Linda Hannaford's babies) goes, "Ooooooh, an arab! How lovely! Isn't she beautiful! Doesn't she move well!" etc etc etc. |
 Said the little eohippus, "I´m going to be a HORSE"  |
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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2009 : 8:45:25 PM
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That's the whole point Alison, all the riding club and local shows all used to have an Arab class but year by year they are all disappearing. In the past few years, all our local shows have lost the Arab classes. There are two or three that are a bit further afield whose schedules I haven't yet had, but I'm anxious to see if they too have done away with our classes.
I agree Rachelle, that there has been a huge cost to the integrity of the Arab through the adoption of the American way of showing - the frozen pose, the 12 inch bridle path, the stones-in-bottle scarer to accentuate movement...
And I have to stick my neck out here to say that I think there are many Arab owners who are dedicated to their horses, but who defend this behaviour because they don't see the bigger cost, and want their horses to be successful in the current Arab show scene.
To my eternal regret, I suspect it may be too late to revive that wonderful assumption that owners of Arabs were people with 'class' and integrity - those for whom conformation, stamina, performance and the ultra-dependable genetics of the Arabian were assured in almost any specimen of the breed.
If the breed truly is to be seen b the wider horse world as a lost relic from the past, it is a desperately sad era. I would hope there will be a 'revival' one day, and to that end, I'd hope we can all do our best to preserve, maintain and promote the breed's best characteristics to our best ability. |
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parrot
Silver Member
335 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2009 : 9:28:32 PM
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| it is sad that many shows no longer have arab classes, however i feel as an arab owner we can turn it to our advantage and compete in normal classes against normal horses,at one of the merrist wood shows my arab won the riding horse class then went straight into the ridden arab class which he also won,he then went on to be reserve champion,the best thing was the judges comments he did not realise an arab could be so well mannered, |
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heatherr
Platinum Member
England
1882 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2009 : 10:12:14 PM
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If only one or two people enter the arab classes at local shows they are simply not worth continuing with, which is why many shows are removing them from their schedules. I have watched the decline in the number of classes locall to me with sadness over the last few years and yes - I do enter all that I can.
Personally I feel that the AHS affiliated events are pretty much preaching to the converted and do little to promote the breed. The best way to spread the message is to get out to dreesage, jumping, le trec, riding club events - whatever - and enjoy your horse.
I have had so much more support from my local riding club than my regional arab horse group to me this is the best way forward. |
Heather 
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parrot
Silver Member
335 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2009 : 10:41:18 PM
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| i do not think the loss of arab classes can all be put down to lack of entries,as at many shows the classes can be larger than many other classes.eg Royal Windsor would have adouble line up as it was such a large class of 20+ horses,other classes would only have a few enties,but they kept those classes and got rid of the arabs, |
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pintoarabian
Gold Member
Scotland
1242 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2009 : 10:45:21 PM
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| Sadly, the loss of Arab classes at many shows is just the sign of things to come I fear. I agree that the best way to get folks to take them seriously again is for us to get out there and do things with them. I would have been in bed by now but I am just back in the house having been out showjumping with one of our coloured part breds at the Scottish National Equestrian Centre. She's only five and just started jumping a few months ago. Her rider is only 15 and a novice too. They were second in the 75cm class and won the 85cm class against about 25 horses, double clears in each class and qualified for Trailblazers. Not a bad evening's work. Believe in your Arabs, they CAN jump and they CAN win against all breeds. |
http://www.performancearabians.com
http://performancearabians.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/PerformanceArabians
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kathleen
Platinum Member
England
1835 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2009 : 07:11:33 AM
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My mare loves cross country she will happly jump a UK chasers she loves the freedom of being alowed to let her hair down but she will also knukle down to her flat work but i think if you gave her the option i think she chose jumping now i just have to find a rider for her for next year
But it is not good that we are losing the local shows i love taking youngsters out to them to introduce them to the world but being close to home so that traveling is kepted to a short distance. I always try and go to a couple of local shows the last one i had Alliya addvertising a new local trailer hire company as i talked them in to it so i got a free days hire if she would behave with the rest of the trade stands which she did, but therev where only 2 other arabs in the class so i am not shore if it will be there to do again this year |
http://www.jollyfryer.com/ Great British Fish & Chips
susan.oliver70@ntlworld.com
    
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joanna_piana
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3935 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2009 : 08:01:25 AM
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I've noticed as I want to show Ishara at local shows this year and looking at the schedules for shows that I know always had arab classes don't have them this year  I have to say I didn't enter them when I had Shida as showing doesn't really interest me and we used to do the diddly jumping instead but I thought it would be good for Ishara to get her out and about and doing something local. The problem is what other class can you do with an arab? I'd happily enter anything but not sure what other showing class we'd be eligible for? |
      
Harthall Rashida RIP, Binley Ishara, Bouchan
Chorleywood, Hertfordshire |
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kathleen
Platinum Member
England
1835 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2009 : 08:26:22 AM
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| It is hard i am happy to came any where in the line up i do not care as long as we enjoy but with the classes so mixed and the prize hunters like one lovely riding pony local to me who has been to the horse of the year show and ponies uk every year running for the last 5 years or so it must put off people at local level or novice who only go to local shows and do not go bigger shows as unlike the bigger shows where you would split the classes. But i do see a few regular Arabs around jumping the open classes a friend of mine had a gelding called Crystal Gilt by Crystal Magician and i think he must of won most of the local show jumping and hunter trails in the area at some point |
http://www.jollyfryer.com/ Great British Fish & Chips
susan.oliver70@ntlworld.com
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rafabreeze
Gold Member
757 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2009 : 08:48:53 AM
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I have read the above points with some interest as I have had ridden and in-hand arabs over the past 19 years. Its true that a lot of the local shows are not having arab classes anymore which I always but down to lack of entries?
I have tried other classes at local shows ie riding horse and had comments like, 'Well you cant really class an arab as a riding horse' and one show we actually won the riding horse class and the spectators and other class entrants wanted to complain. It hard these days for arabs to do much other than compete at their own shows (i mean as a riding horse - not a performance horse - as I dont like jumping etc).
On another point I agree with the point made about having a professional handler if you want to do well and this point was raised at the In-Hand clinic on Sunday, only to be told if you have the best horse then you will win no matter who is handling, as long as youo know how to show your horse to its best, but Im not sure this is true. I had a professional handler myself last year and did very well would have been interesting to see if my boy still would have won with a non-professional showing him? |
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jillandlomond
Platinum Member
Scotland
3586 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2009 : 09:02:54 AM
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Congratulations Pintoarabian!! |
    
Borders, Scotland |
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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2009 : 11:11:12 AM
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A problem here (Oxfordshire/Warwickshire/Northants) is that the judges they engage for local shows just have this 'view' of Arabs and don't really take them seriously. So you can go to huge trouble getting your horse and yourself turned out as professionally as possible and present a beautifully schooled horse, but you can bet the 16.2hh hunter types, with their mouths strapped shut and more leatherwork to contain them than you could imagine, will be brought in line ahead. It seems to be the Marmite question all over again - you either like Arabs or you don't - and it seems to be becoming more macho and fashionable (outside our own world) to despise them!
I think I may seek out the organisers of our local show and offer to sponsor a ridden Arab/Anglo/partbred class and get my local feed store (who want me to do publicity for them!!) to give some actual prizes for the rosette winners. Then I will send out a press release to the regional horsey magazines to get some publicity for the class ahead of the next season. I wonder if the AHS has some rosettes it could provide to be given the best registered Arab/PBA too?? |
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Holly
Gold Member
England
529 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2009 : 2:10:18 PM
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Im from down in Cornwall and many shows have stopped putting on pure bred arab classes due to lack of entries. However i entered a ridden arab, anglo and part bred class last year that was full to the brim. it was great even though i was the only pure bred rider in the class.
Can't big shows combine the pure breds with the part and anglos in all the ridden classes? I understand that the inhand classes should probably be kept separate.
Another show that i went to didnt have any arab classes so i entered the riding horse class and best combination class. I got asked to leave the riding class because 'an arab wasn't classed as a riding horse' I was furious as the only requirement to enter the class on the show schedule was that a horse was classes as 14.2hh and over. well my mare is 14.3hh.
The judge that was judging the class was very over weight and there was no way that my mare would have been able to carry her so I reckon that is why she asked me to leave the class (theres no way that i would have let her get on my mare anyway!) and she was wearing spurs.
I ended up going in the best combination and competeing against many of the horses that had been in the riding horse class earlier.
When i asked which classes i was allowed to enter on an arab they said only the best combination class!!! now they had loads of different riding horse classes on that day and i wasnt allowed to enter any of them. why is that? |
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Sahir
Gold Member
England
847 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2009 : 2:46:45 PM
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Well Done Pintoarabian  Beautiful horses and talented too 
It's so nice to hear positive thinking and good news !!!
Elaine x |
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rafabreeze
Gold Member
757 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2009 : 4:32:11 PM
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| Holly I know where you are coming from, when I entered a Riding horse class with my pure bred, they were gasps of horror - at least tho I wasnt asked to leave and luckily the judge didnt ride him. On one occasions tho he did win the Riding horse class at a local show and the crowd were aghast, some were even going to complain. Strange world when an arab isnt classed as a riding horse lol Georgina x |
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MinHe
Platinum Member
England
2927 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2009 : 6:20:17 PM
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Originally posted by arabdreamtemplars some of us are wimps. the thoughts of going over some of those jumps in your sig. pics, gives me cold shivers. Maybe when I was 15.
Try TREC! You don't have to jump any of the obstacles if you don't want to
The answer here is that all of us who really care for the Arabian HORSE rather than the Arabian "handbag" (something that just looks good on the end of your arm...) is to get out there and do EVERYTHING we can - not just by entering shows but also by lobbying show secretaries, and writing articles to your local horsey mags, websites, even local papers if you have an interesting or unusual story to tell.
For example - every time a show secretary tells one of us that "an Arab is not a riding horse", please pass their contact details on fellow AL-ers, and we will inundate them with evidence to the contrary!!! Also ask if they allow TBs, Welsh Sec Ds, etc etc in riding horse classes, as they are not 'riding horses' either - they are race and harness horses, LOL!
Think laterally and look for other possible classes - eg Veteran and Pre-Veteran. And what about 'angin' 'em in 'arness, like Mrs Vlacq? Nothing could be more beautiful than a purebred to a stick-back gig
And if you DO see an Arab person acting like a selfish t*sser at a show, please make sure you let the secretary know that it is only a tiny minority of bad apples who behave like that, and that the rest of us ARE sane, responsible HORSEMEN.
Keren
Proud 'mum' of 4 "doing" Arabs |
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