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Karon
Gold Member
England
1411 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 11:12:12 AM
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I am sorry to say that, having gone to the AHS show at Malvern for the first time for 6+ years this year, I'm most disappointed and I doubt if me and my OH will be going again.
Not disappointed in the horses - they are (as always) heart stoppingly beautiful. But what's with the handlers winding them up, the crowd shouting,screaming, whistling, banging the side of the arena and waving things around in the collecting ring? I was standing beside a group of people who were as appalled as me and my OH at this behaviour - it's the sort of thing you'd expect to see at a football match, not the Arab show (maybe the supporters should take a hint from rugby crowds instead....).
What really got me was, many of the horses were doing a fantastic trot then the crowd would start and the horse would break into a canter, shoot off and be hauled round again - not pretty, not necessary and not doing anything to show off the horses' action. The crowd were particularly noisy with one particular handler and I'm afraid at one point I did make a loud comment, not particularly polite, at one person (who completely ignored me anyway) and had to walk out.
It's so frustrating - out in the real world I have worked hard, locally, to get Arabs a better name and generally I get comments about how well behaved, quiet, well trained etc mine are (if you ignore the behaviour of one of mine at a recent clinic, that is.....!) but then those comments are often followed by the usual "but that's unusual in Arabs, isn't it?". And, anyone making such a comment seeing the way horses were wound up at the Arab show would be justified in thinking this.
We still need to continue promoting the Arab as a riding horse, not just a pretty horse that ponces around on the end of a piece of string - no that's not how I see them myself, I have been to the Arab show many times and used to love seeing them being shown but I think the reputation of the Arab is being done a lot of harm.
Needless to say I'm still going to stay involved with Arabs, I couldn't imagine having anything other than Arabs and I'll continue to do things locally with mine to show off just how good they are.
Incidentally, the ridden horses that I saw were just stunning, and seeing the overall ridden champion literally brought tears to my eyes - even now just remembering him and his rider (who looked ecstatic!). There were some truly beautiful horses in the ridden classes and I'd have been happy to take any one of them home.
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purdeysue
Gold Member
England
652 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 11:58:28 AM
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| I couldn't agree more Karon. I went for the first time (& last!) last year & was apalled by the actions & language of some of the owners. I vowed never to go again. |
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purdeysue
Gold Member
England
652 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 12:01:30 PM
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The Crabbet classes were a joy to watch though! |
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sheikhrissan
New Member
16 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 12:58:55 PM
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Ladies:
I agree wholeheartedly. I wish I had met you yesterday when I went (for the first time in 15 years). I was disgusted by the winding up. I took lots of photos, though. Here's a link to my FB album with them.. I don't want my stallion wound up like that.
I agree also that some of the stallions were going really well, and starting to settle in their trots, only to be shocked into canter by the antics of the crowd. The one woman with the bloody carrier bag in the collecting ring at the main ring entrance should have been TOLD to stop. Unbelievable.
The turnout of exhibitors and spectators was very low, IMO
I am glad I went because I got some great pictures, but unfortunately by the time I arrived there were NO MORE programmes, so I can't identify the horses in the main. If anyone can help, please let me know..
Cheers
Julia
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=63844&id=1062335297 |
Kalinin ibn Baletina Metallic Chestnut double Balaton Stallion
(Kais(Be) x Baletina bint Inez (Cz)
SCID, CA and LFS free |
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Delyth
Gold Member
United Kingdom
1425 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 1:38:07 PM
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| Thanks for sharing your photo's Julia :)) I'm abit out of touch now so I knew a few but not many !! The one thing that hit me was 'where are the people' ??? It was stallion day, it's usually heaving !! I'd love to get my enthusiasm back for the whole 'game'.....maybe next year !!?? |
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karen d
Gold Member
United Kingdom
847 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 1:38:15 PM
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sadly we see these comments time and time again!!!
It will never change the in hand show world
is it any wonder why our lovely arabians have the horse world thinking they are 'mad and scatty'
all thanks to the in hand show world!!!!!
you should have joined us in the ridden section, much more civilised!!!! |
www.gkjarabians.co.uk |
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Karon
Gold Member
England
1411 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 1:48:49 PM
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There were two women (well, one couldn't have been more than 19 or so) who were outside the ring - one with a whip being waved about (scaring one yearling that just happened to be passing her) and rattling a bottle with something in it scaring all the horses too. It's just not on to upset other people's horses and if anyone did that to your horse while you were out riding (OK, comment nicked from someone else!) you'd consider it abuse.
Not having been there for some years, I didn't know whether I was able to complain to anyone or indeed, who to complain to but will be writing to the AHS this week.
I used to love Malvern, it was a highlight of my year - I don't show my own and it's been great to see such top quality horses and see the different fashions in past years. This fashion though is one I could do without.
Bit frustrating not to get a programme, too, so I didn't know which horse was which.
The veteran stallions, BTW, were wonderful to watch as they generally ignored the shouting! |
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Karon
Gold Member
England
1411 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 1:52:01 PM
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Love the photos, BTW, Julia. I thought it was Emma with the bay stallion, I was impressed with her handling of him.
It looked to me like some of the horses had their docks partly shaved - what happened to showing them naturally? Mind you I'm not used to seeing clean Arabs as mne are mud monsters at the best of times! You woudln't want mine in the show ring looking "natural"!! |
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basbob
Gold Member
France
1356 Posts |
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Tzarina
Platinum Member
England
1997 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 2:08:50 PM
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| Sheikhrissan, the gelding ridden by Fiona Grant Chivers is actually ZA Karis Ibn Azal sired by Zircon Karismatique |
    
Tzarinaarabians@yahoo.com
"The horse is God's gift to mankind."
"The daughter who wont lift a finger in the house is the same child who cycles madly off in the pouring rain to spend all morning mucking out a stable."
"All horses deserve to be loved by at least one little girl during their life" |
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weirton
Gold Member
873 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 2:39:54 PM
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The Anglo and Part-bred ring was wonderful. All very civilised, friendly and a pleasant place to be. Heard in the collecting ring "excuse me I'm going to trot past I'll try not to upset your horse". What a difference! A thoroughly enjoyable experience.
I don't condone the intimidation and winding up that is occurring but IMO the DCs must start to be more evenhanded in their actions. For the second time this season I saw them come down heavily on a 'lesser mortal' whilst allowing the well known faces to commit the same offence without any action taken. At Malvern the crowd around the collecting ring actually told the DCs they were being unfair but were ignored.
Jean
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Karon
Gold Member
England
1411 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 6:34:47 PM
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I didn't see any of the Anglo/Part breds - we only went on Saturday - but what a refreshing comment to overhear.
As an ex-endurance rider, I know that if I wound anyone else's horse up deliberately I'd not only be eliminated from that ride but probably barred from competing again. I know it's not the same thing but I can't understand why people like to wind horses up anyway? It's not as if the horses weren't alert and showing themselves off well anyway. |
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jaj
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4324 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 7:12:49 PM
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Oh there are always the usuals nutters out there hollering and making loons of themselves, I just try and zone out to them  !
I thoroughly enjoyed it - great show but just can't believe it has been 20 years at Malvern now   ! |
     
Kuraishiya (Maleik el Kheil/Kazra el Saghira) and Sahara Bey (Kuraishiya/WSA Charismma) |
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Karon
Gold Member
England
1411 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 7:32:39 PM
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When you've got some woman screaming in your ear at the top of her voice, it's hard not to make a comment and walk off. I don't think she heard me anyway!
Thing is, last time we were there (might be more than 6 years ago), anyone shouting and screaming was told to keep quiet by the stewards and the banging on the side of the arena was frowned on by just about everyone. It's way over the top now, IMO.
Wish I hadn't been working on Thursday and Friday and had been able to go down all three days, though! |
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Sian
Bronze Member
Qatar
58 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 7:59:17 PM
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Well as an owner and an enthusiast of the arabian breed nothing makes me happier than seeing all of the horses with their tails over their backs snorting and enjoying their moments of glory in front of the crowd displaying all of the characteristics of the arab breed. None of the horses seemed to be distressed by the noise and one might say that they played up to it and enjoyed them selves. Having shown a foal in the main ring, we feel that she went home more confident than she came due to the atmosphere of the crowd. 
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Milotkha
Gold Member
535 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 8:13:43 PM
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I agree totally.... my partner and I were there and watched pretty much all of the in hand classes friday and saturday, and I think I know who you are referring to Karon, but I wont say on here. I felt embarrassed for her...! Not a good look. The horses were amazing and they all gave me goose bumps.... the little filly foal by Master Design who took Reserve Champion foal and the Stival filly who took champion foal were both outstanding... shame the barbaric crowd ruined there performance... grrrr...!!!
My mare will be shown in the junior mares next year and if she is shown by a pro handler, and I am watching, and the crowd start, I will personally tell who ever responsible to shut the F*** up..!! I will NOT stand for that..!!!!!!!! she does not need to be artificially wound up.. like many of the horses we saw...!! Oooooh it gets me so mad...!!!!!!!
It was a fab show - and it wont stop me from going... but I dont think I can keep my mouth shut anymore...... it ruins the horses performance, how on earth cant the crowd see that...!!
I take my hat off to Mark Hardcastle who stopped the crowds antics.. and Emma.... for handling Ferrari with excellance.
Rant over....
Thank you all for organising this great show and allowing us to show our beautiful horses, I guess you take the rough with the smooth. |
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Milotkha
Gold Member
535 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 8:16:38 PM
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| Sian... the clapping gives the horses more confidence, that is nice to hear... but the whoop whooping, shaking plastic bags until your arms fall off and banging the sides, did not do the horses any justice..all off them broke into canter and pulled away from the handlers EVERY time, very distressing and frustrating to watch. |
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jaj
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4324 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 8:38:36 PM
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Towerlands is much worse sadly  .
It is awful I agree but I thought a couple of years ago it was a lot worse believe it or not! This year was more toned down apart from those crazy wimin' up at the front  .
Emma was superb as ever and yes Ferrari was beautifully handled considering he was quite 'keyed up' shall we say!
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Kuraishiya (Maleik el Kheil/Kazra el Saghira) and Sahara Bey (Kuraishiya/WSA Charismma) |
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sheikhrissan
New Member
16 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 9:17:44 PM
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Hi again
Thanks for the tips re "Ferrari" and the correct horse ridden by Fiona Grant Chivers. I have corrected the names.. If anyone has a programme and can work out who the horses and handlers are, please could you let me know? Cheers
Julia |
Kalinin ibn Baletina Metallic Chestnut double Balaton Stallion
(Kais(Be) x Baletina bint Inez (Cz)
SCID, CA and LFS free |
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jaj
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4324 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 9:51:19 PM
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I have a programme, what would you like to know  ? |
Kuraishiya (Maleik el Kheil/Kazra el Saghira) and Sahara Bey (Kuraishiya/WSA Charismma) |
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Naar
Bronze Member
Wales
78 Posts |
Posted - 01 Aug 2010 : 10:27:38 PM
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Hmmm, I have mixed feelings on the subject, I love the whooping and clapping, it's part of the atmosphere - you get the same everywhere if you watch the Welsh Cobs being shown. I'm not keen on the stamping of feet, banging seats and barriers and waving whips at the horse though.
We enjoyed the show |
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Milotkha
Gold Member
535 Posts |
Posted - 02 Aug 2010 : 09:33:58 AM
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| I love the clapping...... that bit is fun |
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NatH
Platinum Member
England
2695 Posts |
Posted - 02 Aug 2010 : 09:37:08 AM
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I totally agree to Karon I just hate the noise it puts me right off showing
Sadly I only went on Saturday, I thought generally entries were down, so were the spectators/crowds.
It just reminded me why I'm not showing my yearling, I really wouldn't want to subject her to that trauma.
I agree clapping just lifts the horses but stamping, whooping, screaming and rattling stones in bottles just sh*ts them right up.
I didn't stay glued to the ring but I only saw 2 horses seeming to enjoy the 'atmosphere', strangly both were foals and both handled by Rod - the Stival filly and the chestnut 'filly' with white socks and face - they were loving themselves - a joy to watch.
The other horses looked wound up, scared and p*ssed off.
I love the Nationals, its always lovely to catch up with friends. I love the Three Counties Show Ground, its ideal for our National Show. Well done to the organisers for putting this Show on for us. But the fun does seem to have gone out of it, I didn't pick up on the party/holiday atmosphere, which normally stays for the duration of the Show.
I don't know what the answer is, but I love to see the 1990's vibe back at our National Show for next year - PLEASE |
Natalie
Chapel Lane Arabians
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jaybird
Gold Member
France
1192 Posts |
Posted - 02 Aug 2010 : 10:16:10 AM
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Oops! time to take a dive into the sand AHS...again the DC's in the firing line....will they never learn the meaning of fairness and what good for one...NO!
Beryl |
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nissibay
Gold Member
England
595 Posts |
Posted - 02 Aug 2010 : 11:08:00 AM
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Enjoyed the cheering and clapping on friday, didnt like the shaking banging and clattering and whips with bags, i think the people doing it looked stupid and if they could see themselves they would be embarrased, trying to scare the bejasus out of a horse into looking more beautiful int really a good look, lovely extended trot turned into a yanky jurked canter and a jabbed nose to boot |
Sheen 
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Qui Gon Jinn
Platinum Member
Scotland
1627 Posts |
Posted - 02 Aug 2010 : 3:54:35 PM
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Having read through all the comments so far, it seems to me that almost all who witnessed the crowd "encouraging" the In Hand horses, are not impressed and hate it. This being the case surely the AHS themselves need to address this and have the stewarts etc stop anyone from getting too rowdy and out of hand.
Applauding a wonderful moving horse into the ring is one thing, creating so much noise that the horse then breaks pace and can't concentrate is surely quite another. I haven't been to Malvern in the last 4 years, but I did watch in horror the 2 year old colt class at that point and felt pity and dismay for the handlers when, thanks to all the screaming, stamping and rattling of cans etc. it upset what was otherwise a fabulous extended trot from the horse. Without exception all the colts in the class broke pace, became very unsettled and couldn't be persuaded to settle down again. Why do this? Oh wait now, could it be that our American cousins do it?!! |
The Soul would have no Rainbow....If the Eyes had shed no Tears. |
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Malvern show - impressions from me
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