Guest editor Jayne Ross: ‘today’s amateurs are the future’s professionals’

I have really enjoyed editing this showing special.

I am often interviewed at shows, and this has been an opportunity for me to get involved with the media and investigate some key areas in showing that I think needed covering.

Everyone has an opinion and I wanted to explore some of those in this issue. The future of ride judges, for example (p26 of this week’s Horse & Hound — out today), is something I’m concerned about because it is such a valuable part of our sport, yet we are at risk of losing it in years to come if we don’t educate the next generation better.

Harley Foxtrot is a fine example of a working hunter (p36), and proof that hunting roots are vital. I hope you’ll agree that canvassing pointers from judges about what they are looking for in the ring, plus advice from professional producers, is useful (p38).

There is a certain element of “them and us” in our sport and there shouldn’t be.

Today’s amateurs are the future’s professionals, and we have to embrace them — that the Emmersons came from a non-showing background and have gone on to produce such fantastic ponies is testament to this (p30).

I’ve been following the Crufts dog poisoning case and thinking how lucky we are that something like this hasn’t reared its ugly head in showing. We do showing because we love it, and it would be a shame for it to be tarred in any way.

I think it’s wonderful that you can take your child away to a show for three or four days and feel a sense of security — you know exactly where they are, that they are in a safe environment and can be confident that everyone is looking out for each other. It’s a wonderful way of life. There is never going to be lots of money doing this job, it’s about genuine people all aiming for the same goal — and it has to remain an enjoyable scene.

Enjoy this week’s issue and don’t forget to join me live on www.horseandhound.co.uk/jayne-ross-web-chat between 12.30pm and 1.30pm on Friday, 20 March to discuss the features and ask any questions you might have about showing.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 19 March 2015

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