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Another trainer leads a horse back to the barn after it has been turned back by SHOW and USDA inspectors at the Celebration. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Order this photo] |
SHOW, the Tennessee walking horse industry's regulating body, suspended exhibitor Clay Mills of Mount Airy, N.C., and said it would seek a five-year suspension and $25,000 fine as the organization investigated bribery allegations.
Rumors of bribery and corruption at the Celebration filled walking horse internet message boards and picnic table conversations Tuesday, but were not confirmed until late afternoon.
"We are investigating the situation," said Dr. Doyle Meadows, CEO of the Celebration and head of SHOW, an acronym for "Sound Horses Honest judging Objective inspections Winning fairly," the Celebration's horse industry organization, or HIO.
Meadows confirmed Tuesday that one subject involved in the investigation is Mills, who has served on the TWHBEA's board of directors in the past. Meadows would not release the name of the designated qualified person involved, or how the alleged bribe attempt was made or for what purpose.
"We're still determining if he can show," Meadows said Tuesday. "The problem is, we have a big horse show to put on right now."
But in a news release issued much later Tuesday, Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration spokesman Jimmy Burton stated, "A preliminary investigation was conducted and the allegation was found to have merit.
"Because the gravity of the circumstances SHOW HIO found it appropriate to suspend an exhibitor, Clay Mills of Mount Airy, N.C., immediately and indefinitely and will seek a five year suspension and $25,000 fine," the statement concluded.
Turned away
Those watching the inspection area at Calsonic Arena were talking about Mills, but not nearly as much as they were talking about the inspections.
In the first few hours of Tuesday night's show, for every horse that came out of the arena with a blue ribbon, at least two were denied the chance to enter, and some owners were upset.
"I'm gonna sue the hell out of them," said Robert Wiley, watching his wife's horse, Lane View's Master, being inspected again, this time by independent veterinarians set up on the Champions Arena outside. "The horse passed the thermograph, the two DQPs. Then the government turned him back for being sensitive in one foot. They poked and poked at the foot."
Minutes later, the horse was led back from the independent vets.
"They said he's compliant," the groom said.
"This is so ridiculous," said Wiley. "What the government is trying to do -- what are they doing."
His wife, Gloria, said the horse has never failed to pass an inspection before.
"And he's been through the government (inspections) several times," she added. "I could have sold a horse tonight -- if I could have gotten him in the ring."
In a three-hour time period, at least 20 horses were observed being turned away, some for "sensitivity," but many for the "scar rule," which doesn't allow any sign of pitting, granulation or scarring on the foot above the hoof.
One of the horses turned away on the scar rule actually won a blue in a class earlier in the Celebration, and passed inspections at three other shows this summer to place as well. Another "scar rule" horse had also showed -- and ribboned -- at this year's Celebration, as well as at several summer shows, passing inspections there. In fact, about a fourth of the horses seen turned away in that time period had already passed previous inspections and earned ribbons at this year's Celebration.
"I have absolutely no respect for our federal government, the way they are selling us out," said Wiley. "All these shows raise money for charity."
"They're destroying the show," said his wife. "And we're showing sound horses."
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I love animals...all animals. And yes, watching the Walking Horses prance around the arena is a beautiful sight to see...all dressed up in their finery. But the natural gait of the TN Walker is perfect without the pads, without the chains, and without the pain some of these horses have endured over the years. So why not remove the pads, throw away the chains and let the horses "walk on" in their natural state? Wasn't it that way years ago? So go back to that and remove the problems of inspections....of which I do agree having. There's no reason to put any of these horses in pain for the sake of money and ribbons. Return to the way they are supposed to prance and we can have a great show again.
the horse show has out lived its time and the winner is picked before the show
All these reports of horses that have passed and passed inspections only to fail here makes me wonder if the government inspectors are not trying to help Shelbyville loose the show.
I wonder what nearby cities might benefit from such a happening ??
I agree with picmoma lets go back to the way they used to show and let them be natural. Stop any reason for them to have to abuse the horses.
To picmoma -
Obviously you do not own horses and are not a competitor. The issue of USDA inspections affects more than just padded horses. As an amateur, owned and trained exhibitor of a flat shod horse, I have to take my horse through the same inspection process as the padded horses. I qualified my natural flat shod horse for the championship class, but I am not going to show back in that class. Why? Because I am concerned that an overzealous USDA inspector is going to manhandle my horse during the inspection and scare her to death and I love my horse and do not want to do that to her. Is that fair?
"I'm going to sue the hell out of them" Ok, right. I feel soooo sorry for these people. I really do. Not able to make a cool million off their horse. So sad. Here's my thought- if that kind of money is at stake, make sure your horse is okay. Blue Ribbon doesn't pass an inspection. It's your fault. All these big white pick ups, drunk rednecks prancing around, it's silly to me really- Dip your copenhagen, drink your bud light and start over. The inspectors are doing their jobs. I suppose if they "poked and poked" and didn't find anything you wouldn't be complaining would you. Your fault, period. You lose money, you played the game. Quit crying. If it was so easy to just own some horses, show them, win a ribbon and make a million bucks everyone would be doing it. For every two people crying I bet there were 5 that sold their horses. I think its all silly anyway, the prices you people pay for horses in this venue. . . and you actually thought the federal government would sit aside and let you make so much money? When has that ever happened?
To corywh,picmoma..
You hit the nail on the head!!
picmoma and the other class hater whiners,
It is obvious of your ignorance of this issue. My flat shod never wore chains and failed inspection once from vine scars on his lower pastern from years ago when I let him pasture in the winter. As a flat shodder and basically respectful of paddded horses AND THIER OWNERS WHO Bring IN MILLIONS $$$$ TO THIS county, flat shod shows and riding WILL NOT sustain a walking horse industry and the real estate purchases and goods and services these people buy. TWH is the ONLY breed outside of race horses in KY that has a geographical headquarters. Arabs and QH has been try to make a bedford like county for decades and can't. The padded industry is a life style for those well afforded (even though some are posers) and a social circle where they can be with others like themselves and those people including other thieves, I mean, trainers who wish they were like the wealthy and have been coming here for generations for a wealthy family activity. Like yachting. Corruption goes hand in hand with these kind of people as they try to one up each other and make sure thier kids get a ribbon even though you have to cheat to get it. (No wonder the young execs have no morals). Plus the government has found a gold mine $$ to create more government jobs, expand the USDA fiefdomship and push the Obama admin. hate of non-activist people. Animal activists have taken over the USDA. We are only one victim. Remember 2010.
I don't care for these Owner people and I think they do not create good will in Bedford county at all. They have been crapping on the locals here for years. I don't see one penney of this so called charity thrickling down anywhere. But I do know how much they pay for a horse and a house affects me and driving them out hurts me so I don't want to "bite the hand that feeds" but you Owners have no local support and locals had better figure out how to make a living without a horse industry whatsoever. If gas prices go up again, not many are going to buy out here to drive to Nashville every day. Count the 4 sale signs now.
" For every two people crying I bet there were 5 that sold their horses."
Again, you are obviously not in the industry at all. Sales are very bad and if they had a possible sale and lost it, it was signifant. Further calling people rednecks through your ranting description is wrong. Walking horse people are not generally chewers or beer swilling. You must be thinging about Quarter horse people. Which goes to show you don't live in Bedford Cnty. Most owner are doctors and lawyers and such, and most grooms are very good family black people some in thier 3rd and 4th generation grooms or hispanics also respectful family people. Most of the crack heads have been weeded out. Your diatribe was disgusting.
Eastside,
This wasn't an Obama problem, this started in the Bush administration.
I have to make a comment about this TN Walking horse industry and the way it's being handled. The USDA is making these people that use the 'soaring method' to STOP! And they are doing whatever it takes for that to happen. I agree 100% that it needs to stop. If your horse isn't good enough WITHOUT the soaring method, then it doesn't need to be in the 'greatest horse show on earth'! These trainers & ones that do this are only hurting the industry. They know how to get away with it and they'll do it for the money. These people that say their horse is going through inspection fine then get rejected needs to really think about what they are saying. Wonder what happens AFTER the first inspection is done...do they take that horse back to the barn and 'get them ready to show' that night? This horse industry would be so much better, but you have some that are so desperate, they'll do whatever it takes to make their horse win.
I have several TN walking horses and even if my horse was the best in the world, I wouldn't even think about letting ANYONE scar my horse. These owners should know whats going on. How would you like your feet done like that?? Wake up people! Time for changes!
I am not a Horse Show fan and I am certainly not an expert on the showing of these beautiful horses. However, if SHOW does not get a handle on these greedy, dishonest, and abusive horse trainers (and owners) the "goose that lays the golden eggs" (aka the Celebration) is going to be slain and Shelbyville is going to lose this formerly lucrative venue and our unemployment rates (and tax rates) are going to soar! The cheaters MUST be purged and the rules must be changed to preclude the chains and the pads and all the unnecessary artificial means they are using to change this beautiful animal's natural gait. And, that's my "two cents" worth. Blue Dog
Tell you what East side, if we lose this Celebration you will see the trickle down. You and other ilinformed people will be paying much higher taxes to compensate for the taxes lost in the "high priced" sales that we are refering to. Does your family have children in the youth sports programs in our county that are funded by the many hard working civic club members? Believe me they can't fund those programs with out the Show. If you can't see the benefit that we all get from the show and the good folks that come here to participate, you ain't right bright. Things do need to be cleaned up and they are working to that end. I for one am very proud of the Celebration, the people who participate and the people with the thankless job of putting on the show. If you don't understand ecconomics that's fine but don't embarass yourself talking about things you don't understand.
I addressed the prvious statement to East side and meant to adress it to the people that he was addressing. He is on the money.....
I am not a horse owner, exhibitor, or in any way connected to the Walking Horse industry, and no I am not in any way an expert.
However, I grew up less than 100 yards from the show grounds and attended every show from 1947 to 1975. I love to see a good walking horse show his or her stuff. The gait I see today from these magnificant animals is not the gait I saw in the '40s and '50s. It is the most unnatural and unbecoming thing I have ever seen. To me it is unnatural to see them in stride almost sitting down in their hind quarters, and bringing their back feet up almost in front of their front feet. As for me give me a good old time "Running Walk" from a good sound show horse any day.
I am by no means saying that the inspectors are 100% fair...either on padded or flat shod. There need to be changes and consistencies on both sides of the fence on this issue. Maybe one day everyone will be able to come to an amicable agreement and the horses will be shown on a fair and equal scale so the Celebration can once again become a great horse show as it should be without all the contraversies.
As far as this bribe thing goes, it has been going on for years.
to "corywh" - not everyone is there to sell their horse for a million some are there just for the thrill of showing or watching their horse or their friends horses, etc- furthermore, the USDA sits back and lets race horses sell for MANY millions on a very regular basis - don't see them still competing when they are 22 years old? i don't think sales prices are the issue with USDA-it's all a matter of perception-people don't spend millions on an animal for it to be abused- i know trainers that treat their animals better than they treat most people -- where was the USDA when the raid on the puppy mill in Dickson happened Monday night? puppies with open wounds with maggots in them?!?! as for the inspections...if the horse didn't have a scar before he went in the ring, he sure didn't have one when he came out...simple logic could be applied there - additionally about 99% of what has been labeled a "scar" is really a callus - I have calluses to keep FROM being sore. i am glad inspections are more thorough- they needed to be to weed out the few bad apples that were left. HOWEVER - the inspections need to be CONSISTENT - if the horse is sensitive or has a scar it should be apparent to all of the inspectors - there is a serious lack of credibility due to the inconsistent findings
to whomever pointed out that Shelbyville needs this show - YES we do!!!! whether you are a fan or supporter or not - our local economy CANNOT survive without this show - we need our community to wake up and realize that like it or not this show is a MAJOR source of income to this county and surrounding areas
jbcolts, eastside, and others,
Just because it would damage the economy to not have this show does not mean that economy would fail completely. Maybe the desperation would force the leaders of this town to pony up (no pun intended) and find away to forge another identity for the town.
Unfortunately, past idiots in leadership roles chose to worship at the alter of the celebration at the detriment of other, more progressive oppportunties. Sorry, but most intelligent and forward thinking people would be embarrassed to call such a ridiculous spectacle the pride of their community.
Oh and BTW, the youth organizations and civiv organizations will find other ways to make money. It will just require a little thinking and a little more work than having an event just handed to them on a platter.
gottago
Whoa there!!! Youth organizations and civic organizations do not have their funds handed to them on a platter these people and students work very hard during the horse show to get these funds. Just because they use this event to make money does not mean they do not work for it.
I hate to burst the bubble of some of the self professed Walking horse historians on here ,but the walking horse has ALWAYS had an evolving gait. It was bred for more animation form the get go.
Why is it that other breed can enhance, magnify,and perfect their gait and the walking horse enthusiasts cannot??
Why is the Paso Fino, the Saddlebreds, and the Hackneys not castigated and ridiculed for the pads, chains, and extreme exaggerations of their natural gaits??
I watched saddle bred people refuse to allow their horses to be checked at a Walking/Saddlebred show in Kentucky a few months back after they witnessed firsthand the USDA and their misuses of authority. Several SB folks were astounded at what we TWH horses folks have been going thru for the last several years. They had their eyes opened.
Mary, Thanks for your coverage of this week in Shelbyville. Keep up the good work.
You might want to go more in depth on what the Govt is calling a "scar". it is actually a callous. Just like one you get on your hands from working with them. It isnt a sign of soring. it is a sign that the horse has been worked and ridden and USED for what it was made for.
Now to the real topic of this story.......
Mr.Mills, Take your $$$$, your fake smile, and your curly locks and shove them where the sun doesnt shine. With all the turmoil in Shelbyville this week, all you can think about it yourself and your ego. Good riddance.
Diana,
I don't think my post implied that they did not work hard when they are working at the horse show. I meant that it is an event too long taken for granted and that it is very likely that the organizations will find other means to support themselves when this cash cow croaks.
I read the post back to a couple of other people and neither took it as you did. Stop being obtuse.
As a second generation owner and exhibitor for the last 30 years, I find it sad that many of you believe that we all show Million dollar animals or are rednecks. I have always dreamed of showing at the Celebration and finally had that opportunity for the first time last year and the second time this week. I did not get a ribbon and was not disappointed because it was a wonderful experience. My daughter showed her $4000 dollar horse this week and placed and will show again on Thursday. How wonderful it was to see her ride. You can not immagine the friendships that you can make growing up around horse people. These animals at the Celebration are the best of the best even the ones that do not cost a million and I do not know of that many that have brought that kind of money. I love my padded horses and they all passed inspection everytime that we showed this year and at the Celebration this week. All of our horses live in a barn as nice as my house and are treated like royalty. I applaud SHOW for finding cheaters and people that are cruel to our great breed, however the inspections are not consistent. They turn down padded horses and pleasure horses.
We come to the Celebration year after year and enjoy spending our hard earned money in your local establishments. We eat, we sleep, and we shop all over West Tennessee. We love West Tennessee. We do not complain about having to pay double for rooms in your hotels that help support your local economy. We give extra money in donations and sponsorships to help with local charity horse shows all year long in Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Lousiana, and Mississippi.
Organizations like Kiwanis, Rotary, Civitan, Lions, Shriners, Altrusa, and many other civic organizations use this money to provide needed surgeries for children, buy car seats for children, glasses for children, provide scholarship money for children, give to cancer research, and for hospice. You need to think twice about not supporting both the sound padded and pleasure horse. This will be a lost breed if we do not join together. Just ride out to Wiser Farm or Sandcreek and watch 2008 World Champion horses selling for less that $2000 and mares for less that $300. Please think about the long term effects that it would have on Shelbyville to lose the Celebration, Marsha's on the Square, the Dinner Table, the Walking Horse Report, the Scoop, World Champion Horse Supply, Bedford Tack, the Bellbuckle Cafe' and many other establishments that thrive from the buisness that we bring. How many houses will be up for sale and in forclosure? I am not sure that I would have ever found Shelbyville without the Celebration.
It always bothers me when men have to come up with artificial methods so that the "best horse can win". If everyone competed with natural horses ... then all things being equal ... the best horse would/should win. But as soon as $$ is involved, be it through training fees or horse sales, men will seek out ways to exploit the system. And I guarantee you if a new way was found to get the horses to raise their hoof higher ... and that new way was undetectable by the inspectors ... the cheaters would do it in a New York minute.
That being said .... there are plenty of trainers/owners in all classes who do NOT mistreat their animals. These natural training methods might even produce a Grand Champion.
Bulldawg,
It is just the many, it is a few of the ones that just come here to wreak havoc, talk to local business owners like their pieces of crap over a 3 dollar Smoked sausage and leaving without paying because he feels he can get it cheaper. That's the kind of crap I have been dealing with. This happens a lot when the Celebration is here. I honestly do better when the Celebration is NOT here because mye regulars that purchase from me leave town when the Celebration starts.
Some of the longer term effects are felt MONTHS after for some business owners due to other issues like damage to property etc.
gottago
Hmmm I didnt know the meaning of Handed to on a Platter had changed.
Diana,
The EVENT is handed to them on a platter. Nobody even thinks about it anymore. They just know they will make $XXX from that show, no thought required.
I grew up in the business as a trainers son. The glitter and glamour of the Celebration is a far away cry from the day to day chores required to keep and train these animals. I won't comment pro or con on the USDA involvement. I do believe the inspection process is as varied from inspector to inspector as actually judging a horse is from judge to judge. I saw some horrendous battle scars back in the 60's on some great horses so I do think that today's horse is much more sound and the 1974 act was a good thing to rid the business of extremities of the "big lick" that got its start back in the 50's. Anybody remember a product marketed called "Reach"?
Yes, the business has changed since its inception ... better or worst, I don't know that's a matter of opinion also. I do miss the old time trainers and listening to them. I miss listening to Vic Thompson spin one of his tales; I miss watching Marvin Wilson and other trainers shooting pool to bide the time as we all waited for nightfall and the show; I remember Dad telling me that his hero growing up was Sam Paschal and how Sam judged a show in East Tennessee in the 40's that my Dad showed a pony at and won the class ... afterwards, as fitting for that era similiar to shaking the preacher's hand after church, my grandad took dad to meet Sam and Sam gave him a silver dollar to go with his blue ribbon just for having such a good pony; I miss trainers like Joe Webb that studied the breed and training techniques and devised his own inventions as well as giving back to the horse community by means of his summer camp for youth.
The trainer and his family's life is not the glamour and glitz that one might imagine. There's only about 2 seasons a year for income, the business is directly related to the economy and it's ups and downs as the big money comes from how those with the means choose to spend their money for recreation. A scandal in the business hurts everyone ... remember an owner back in the early 80's that owned many horses and was caught with tainted funds? The horses were sold to recoup costs and the market was flooded so the average price of a horse dropped considerably. We were already in a recession and interest rates were pushing 20%. Bad times for sure.
How it all plays out ... who knows? I do tip my hat to those still trying to earn a living in the business, it's tough road to haul, I know. Good Luck guys.
I didn't realize Shelbyville was in West Tennessee. . . LOL!
But seriously, I know there are plenty of great people who are associated with the Celebration from the trainers up to the spectators and businesses involved. Unfortunately there are a lot of bad aspects to the Celebration also and while people like Bulldawg can come enjoy the horse show and support our businesses but that is just two weeks out of a year. The actual residents here have to deal with the what the horse show brings on every level all year long . . . we don't get the luxury of leaving after the show is over. Sad to say but lately it seems the Celebration only brings us negative press and publicity in which Shelbyville doesn't need any more of. While I agree the Celebration brings in tax money to our county and city but how much of the tax money the citizens pay in is use to cater to the horse show and etc. At one time it seemed like a good fit but now it seems more trouble than its worth and especially when our local government continues to rely on it instead of trying to recruit new businesses and industry into Shelbyville.
That is just my opinion though but it is shared by many who live here.
Nicely put jaxspike. The horse culture has outlived it's usefulness here. It's has been a long time coming, so lets take the initiative and level the playing field. We need to take care of our own people and community. Get them out!
I agree jaxspike also. If this county relies on the tax revenue from this one horse show...they are looking at the wrong way to create tax revenue. Horses aren't the way to go now with all the changes there's been. Just like farmers in this country....it's literally impossible to make money doing that kind of living anymore.
Okay, I'm 19, I have owned several beautiful TWH's and I've lived in Shelbyville my whole entire life. To all you uneducated fools talking crap about the trainers/owners of these talented horses,,,you all need to know something. These horses live better then most of you people! I've been to Waterfall farms,,,the most gourgeous stallion in the entire barn He's Puttin On The Ritz has heat/air in HIS STALL. He gets the best of the best food and supplies. He is spoiled rotten. The horses at the Celebration and all the shows between be they flat-shod or padded they're all loved and very very very pampered. If the stupid retarted government destroys this the town will lose it's 1st title "The Walking Horse Capital Of The World" then you think about Sanford leaving town and they're going to lose The Pencil Capital to. If you drive around the grounds of the show youll see how much horses are loved and cared for. I mean seriously! How do you ignorant fools talk about the MAIN MONEYMAKER IN THIS TOWN?????? Let me ask you a question,,,if you got a Rolls Royce or something of the like would you beat it up with a baseball bat? GOD NO!! The cheapest show horse you could probably buy is like twenty grand and that's NOT including all the other expenses such as blankets,feed,trailers,training,saddles,bridles,halters and all of that stuff. They wouldn't abuse something that cost so much the money alone would stop that. Yes, I acknowledge that in the old days they might've mistreated horses and done cruelt things and there might be a few retards out there that still do it but the horses SHOW there hurting. I mean these people can't tell the horse "When we get to the inspection, pretend your foot doesn't hurt." If it's foot hurts they're going to limp just like a dog or a cat or anything else. If the government would start paying HALF as much attenion to the evil people that fight pittbulls, or the idiots who abandon the dogs or cats maybe we'd get somewhere. That is another point, if an animal as rough and rugged as a pittbull would show signs of pain why wouldn't a pampered senesitve TWH? Does anyone care about the two/three year old Throughbreds that snap legs like twigs in jumping and running down a dirt track at forty mph? OR the calves in Calf Roping that snaps innocent calves, or the PMU mares that live they're lifes out in crowded filthy stalls with catheters stuck in them and have babies that are killed or taken and thrown away just so these people can sell the pregnant mare's urine for God knows what? NO! The gov doesn't care about any of that because those industries the Throughbred, the AQHA and the PMU can talk there way out of it with "hush money."
"Here Bill, here's a thousand dollars you didnt see me inject my racehorse with steroids so they'll run faster.
"Here George here's seventy grand you didn't see that calf snap his neck on that rope."
"Here Kevin here's twenty thousand dollars you didn't see me breed this mare and kill her baby just to get her urine while shes impregnated."
Noooooo!!!!!! The gov gets enough money from those bullsnot industries to turn a blind eye and that eye has to rove somewhere so they destroy the Walking Horse Industry. All I've got left to say is you morans destroy the indusrty or support that destruction you'll suffer to because the Celebration is the major cashflow and all you people talking your trash. What about your kids? The horse show collects tons of money for the football teams baseball teams money that these schools couldnt compensate for if the horse show was done away with! Just think about it?
freakfriday . . . . places like Lewisburg and Fayetteville and Tullahoma and many other cities across the nation don't have the Celebration and the school sports teams find ways to make money . . . I hate to bust your bubble but the Celebration is not the only way for civic groups to make money.
Our argument is that Shelbyville focuses too much on maintaining the horse show and keeping it here instead of focusing more on recruiting industry and retail which would benefit all people of Shelbyville and Bedford County and not just those who work in the horse industry or the tourists who spend just a couple of weeks here a year. I have no problem with the horse show being here but Shelbyville needs more resources and doesn't need to rely solely on the Celebration which its popularity is on the decline and will continue to do so just because most of the new generation of teenagers and young adults just aren't into that like previous generations.
Again freakyfriday, you are a moron.
The same smalltown attitude that has prevented real growth and a progressive way of life for Shelbyville seems to have infected you.
I don't really understand why people that live in Shelbyville want to trash the ones that come to visit.
If the USDA inspectors aren't held accountable or forced to be consistent with the rules, then they are going to shut down the Celebration in Shelbyville. These horses are shown all year before making it to the Celebration, why do the rules change for this show? Why do the same horses pass inspection 85% of the time at the Murfreesboro show and fail inspections 85% of the time at the Celebration?
As far as those who are trashing the owners, trainers, and riders. If you haven't ever been involved in the owning, training or riding of a TWH, then quit trashing those who are, because all you know is what someone else has told you. There is so much talk about how these horses are being abused. There may be a small percent that are and they are the ones that need to be taken out of the industry. The largest percentage of these horses are taken better care of then any other pet or animal. Accidents happen and if you pasture a horse then they are going to get scrapes and scars. If you own a dog or cat that is allowed outside they too are going to have scrapes and scars. Does that mean the owner mistreated their pet or are accidents actually possible? Just because you aren't a fan of the horse show, don't mistreat those who are. Don't put ALL horse people in the same category, just like every person is not bad, then every horse owner, rider, or trainer is not bad either. Remember the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," because it is the right thing to do.
freakyfriday- while you make a good case, the point is- you don't know if all stallions are "pampered". I think it is VERY apparent that not all of them are. If they are being mistreated, then they deserve what they get. I said "if". I think everyone can agree on that. You said you are 19, well read some of the posts by the older ones and you will see today's show is an entirely different one. Pure and simple, it's not natural. Used to- - talent in training made a gorgeous horse do a beautiful "walk" and it was a true show. As soon as millions of dollars become at stake, guess what- the tables turn. You tell me that these horses are treated naturally, and the walk they do has no ill effect on them. Tell me that. My point all along is, the same people complaining are the ones that RUINED - YOUR SHOW. Simple as that, its not people like me that don't care either way, it's the people that care about their bank account. Argue that, because I think everyone knows deep down - (ask someone who went to the first 10 shows) that what I speak is the truth. So do I feel sorry for the man saying "Im gonna sue the hell out of em" no, not a bit. Nor do I feel sorry for Shelbyville if it loses the show. Ya know why? For every reason I have stated. Tell the "industry" to clean up its act, and return to a "show" or its just going to get worse. Value of an object- even money itself, is entirely subjective to the demand and circumstances. The reason a horse cost's at minimum $20,000 is because of the very people ruining this show. To me, that makes no reasonable argument to your case other than confirming what I, and everyone else knows even if they don't want to admit it. I have NO DOUBT that there are trainers/owners who do not mistreat their prized horses, and I take my hat off to those people...they have a hobby and they love it, they should do it. But you, or anyone else cannot defend everyone that participates because you know as well as I do that there are rats in this nest. USDA knows it too. Thank the ones you are defending, for the situation you are defending. Dont pounce on me for speaking the truth.
I gotta say this my Daddy were among the first trainers in this business he was around when Winston Wiser Sam Paschal were just beginning and Toby Green. H e quit the business when they first started building up the front feet(and they weren't that high then). He hated it so bad he went to work in the old grafite plant ( the only job open around here at the time) ME, I'm for going back to what my Daddy LOVED.