Amateur Snapshots Profiles continued from 224AA What are your suggestions to make the shows run more efficiently and create more time for camaraderie at the show? First, eliminate group photos in the ring altogether. Second, eliminate the exit ring procedure and place the class 1st through 10th with the top ten being allowed to get a standing shot, and then exit. Leave special victory passes for only champion and reserve. Third, take the emphasis off the walk in the country and English classes; it should be a transitional gait. Five or six steps would be sufficient. Our judges can tell if a horse is mannerly, soft and suitable for the job without asking for a half lap of walking. In the same line of thought, I would eliminate the halt, back, stand still and loose rein walk in country. If the back is desired, the call judge can ask for it as the line is walked. Plus, it’s boring to watch. A lack of camaraderie could be attributed to people saying that one of the reasons we don’t have spectators in the stands is because we’re all back at the stalls watching the live feed. The reason we are at the stalls instead of watching in the stands is because there is entirely too much downtime during classes. When the scoring, presentation of awards, photos and
victory passes take longer than the class, that equals bored, uncomfortable spectators. Coaching over the rail. What should the rules be in order to help you and your competitors be most fair and successful in the show ring? Nothing needs to be changed. We already have too many rules. Is there anyone else in your family who’s involved with the Arabian horse? My parents are my biggest fans and attend almost every show. When we first started showing in the 80s, my mom, Shirley, took care of entries, details and, of course, my bun. My dad, Walter, hauled the horses and helped with all aspects of their care. He still meets me at the out gate after every class. My husband, Louis, is also quite involved with the Arabian horse. He feeds for me while I’m away at shows! Who was the first show horse you ever rode? Stemar’s Windsong, a national champion Half-Arabian Amateur English in 1980 something. I was hooked!
Dick Walden & Nan Stockholm Walden
Name: Farm: Rancho
Sonado, Amado, AZ and Rancho Sonado Oeste, Santa Ynez, CA Trainer Affiliation: Courtney Spicer and Ali Brady
Do you feel the age breakdown of the amateur divisions is correct, or would you do the breakdowns differently to make it the most fair for all amateurs? We are glad that AHA adjusted the age range to correspond with kids going to college, however, we think not having a “non-pro” category hurts our industry. It is also not right that a trainer and a son or daughter of a trainer can take one year out and suddenly “morph” into an amateur. The AHA is killing the biggest sector of the new Arabian business which is the “over 40” man or woman who runs another business full time, and cannot ride 5-7 days a week. To have them compete against lifelong horse trainers and family is not fair and discourages new people coming into our breed. We are also happy that AHA has changed the leasing rules for the youth at youth nationals. Coaching over the rail. What should the rules be in order to help you and your competitors be most fair and successful in the show ring? We witnessed a nationally known trainer screaming repeatedly at his client; that should not be tolerated. At regionals and nationals, I have had the 244AA | A r A bi A n Hor se T i mes
experience in a class of a trainer leaning over the rail and yelling across the arena, but right into the ear of my horse, so loudly that it spooked my horse who is a trail horse. A trainer saying in a low voice, “Good” or “Collect more,” is ok and acceptable. Maybe we need a steward in the stands to monitor this. Also, I have seen pros and amateurs come