i do agree that something needs to be done and secret santa does make some good points though also some rather sweeping generalisations. cefyl's view point is interesting and certainly how many 'monied potential owners' view equestrian sport in this country. in europe showjumping particularly has a higher profile than most racing and the prize money, facilities and perks for owners, riders and other connections generally reflects this.
the equine pathway is designed to spot the best potentil horses here and clearly helps encourage owners but i have reservations about its link to the world class rider programme because as these thinga are publically funded it will be hard to justify a horse's continued inclusion in the programme if not ridden by a rider on world class, because with horses it is about the partnership and once past a certain level i think the owners of these horses will be encouraged to send them to those riders on funded schemes, other wise why bother having separate schemes. as i said equine sports are about a PAIR of athletes. the eqine pathway is not far enough developed to see if this concern becomes a reality but if it does obviously owners will be even less inclined to support anyone other than a 'name' rider.
I do think that it is hard to be an owner these days, but the riders job is also difficult and they are under much pressure without the worries their top horses might be sold on or moved. and i do think often all parties could and should be better advised by their ruling bodies in how to handle each other, the press and similar persons.
--------------------
hiding under cyber bridges still make you a troll!
|
Previous
Index
Next
Flat
Re: Look after the owners to keep our top horses
Edit
Reply
Quote
