Article from the Chattanooga Times concerning this year's Celebration violations and a woman who lost her horse due to too many years of abuse, even after she tried to rescue him. Click here for the article.
My condolences to Ms. Stolz. You are a wonderful, brave person to do as much as you could for Soldier after his abuse. I hope you find solace in the fact that he is no longer in pain or suffering. Thank you for giving him a good life after his abuse and for helping him as best you could.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
THOUGHTS - An admission of guilt?
This is a comment that was made on one of Bonnie Erbe's blog posts. I'm posting the text word for word in the italic text. Anyone want to collect the $10K offered by the HSUS to report this lady's trainer?
EDITED 9-15-08: I found out that this is a spoof on this person's name. I also found out that there is a name on the HPA violations list called "Denise Rowland," and that there are seven Rowlands, several of them Denises, that have tickets. Things just get weirder and weirder all the time with these people....
My Name is Renise Dowland and I am a TWH Supporter. Have I ridden a sore horse before, well, I really don't know for sure. I let the trainer take care of fixin up my horse. I tell him not to do anything to my horse but make it win.
Note: "Fixin'" or "fixin up" are common industry slang for soring. And this is a good example of the lack of concern for the horse's well being. You only care about winning, so the horse's well being be dammed.
So I am attacked for my beliefs that the 99+ compliance rate is not real. It is my belief, that if a horse makes it through inspection, then it is compliant, no matter what was done to it prior to that moment. That is why the scar rule is soooo wrong.
Yep, because the scars are proof that the horses are being sored, and of course you don't want to lose your chance to win, so why chance it? Scars should just be passed over and not paid attention to. The horse's suffering and the Federal law don't matter at all....
I can't help what was done to it in the past and I sure cannot help what my trainer does to it. I am not there.
WHAT????? You CAN help what your trainer does by NOT SENDING YOUR HORSES TO HIM. Your pretending that you aren't responsible is EXACTLY what is continuing to ruin this breed and make all TWHs look bad. If someone is doing something illegal while under your employment, YOU are liable. It's why the horse show management is liable if horses at their show are found sore. Even Dr. Meadows realizes this.
I pay all the bills and it is up to my trainer to make sure my horse does not get a sore ticket. And if it needs to be fixed a little on one foot to get its gait to be level, then it is really not a violation, just a warning. According to the law, I nor my trainer can be prosecuted.
Thank you for admitting what your trainer is doing: SORING YOUR HORSE. It doesn't matter if you can't be prosecuted--you are still breaking the law.
Please attack another breed, we pay the inspectors for an opinion just like we pay the judges for an opinion.
Sorry, I don't think I'll be doing that since you just freely admitted that your horse is being sored. YOU are the problem, and YOU are why the breed continues to be scrutinized. You, your trainer, and all those in the industry who think just like you are part of the problem, not the solution. Go sound and you won't have to worry about it anymore--it's that simple.
EDITED 9-15-08: I found out that this is a spoof on this person's name. I also found out that there is a name on the HPA violations list called "Denise Rowland," and that there are seven Rowlands, several of them Denises, that have tickets. Things just get weirder and weirder all the time with these people....
My Name is Renise Dowland and I am a TWH Supporter. Have I ridden a sore horse before, well, I really don't know for sure. I let the trainer take care of fixin up my horse. I tell him not to do anything to my horse but make it win.
Note: "Fixin'" or "fixin up" are common industry slang for soring. And this is a good example of the lack of concern for the horse's well being. You only care about winning, so the horse's well being be dammed.
So I am attacked for my beliefs that the 99+ compliance rate is not real. It is my belief, that if a horse makes it through inspection, then it is compliant, no matter what was done to it prior to that moment. That is why the scar rule is soooo wrong.
Yep, because the scars are proof that the horses are being sored, and of course you don't want to lose your chance to win, so why chance it? Scars should just be passed over and not paid attention to. The horse's suffering and the Federal law don't matter at all....
I can't help what was done to it in the past and I sure cannot help what my trainer does to it. I am not there.
WHAT????? You CAN help what your trainer does by NOT SENDING YOUR HORSES TO HIM. Your pretending that you aren't responsible is EXACTLY what is continuing to ruin this breed and make all TWHs look bad. If someone is doing something illegal while under your employment, YOU are liable. It's why the horse show management is liable if horses at their show are found sore. Even Dr. Meadows realizes this.
I pay all the bills and it is up to my trainer to make sure my horse does not get a sore ticket. And if it needs to be fixed a little on one foot to get its gait to be level, then it is really not a violation, just a warning. According to the law, I nor my trainer can be prosecuted.
Thank you for admitting what your trainer is doing: SORING YOUR HORSE. It doesn't matter if you can't be prosecuted--you are still breaking the law.
Please attack another breed, we pay the inspectors for an opinion just like we pay the judges for an opinion.
Sorry, I don't think I'll be doing that since you just freely admitted that your horse is being sored. YOU are the problem, and YOU are why the breed continues to be scrutinized. You, your trainer, and all those in the industry who think just like you are part of the problem, not the solution. Go sound and you won't have to worry about it anymore--it's that simple.
NEWS - The results are in! Soring Violations Were Up at the 2008 Celebration
I can't find the link to this article, so I'm attaching what I got in an email here.
Soring Inspections Stepped Up at Walking Horse Celebration
By: Pat Raia - New Soring Inspections Beef Up Celebration Plan.
Celebration CEO Doyle Meadows, PhD, credited stricter inspections overall for the rise in the number of violations. "These horses were photographed, poked, prodded, thermographed, and radiographed," Meadows said.
Humane Society of the United States Director of Equine Protection Keith Dane said USDA inspectors' performance at the high-profile event demonstrated the agency's willingness enforce federal anti-soring rules.
Despite the violation increases, Meadows said rules adopted by Celebration management to encourage compliance at this event indicate that competition managers are also serious about discouraging soring. "Those things show we're committed to going forward," he said. "I'm not happy with the violations; I want (the show) to be 100% compliant."
According to Celebration statistics, a total of 2,188 different horses represented 4,689 class entries during the event. Of those entries, the USDA reported that 2,744 were actually presented in the show ring.
Soring Inspections Stepped Up at Walking Horse Celebration
By: Pat Raia - New Soring Inspections Beef Up Celebration Plan.
Celebration CEO Doyle Meadows, PhD, credited stricter inspections overall for the rise in the number of violations. "These horses were photographed, poked, prodded, thermographed, and radiographed," Meadows said.
Humane Society of the United States Director of Equine Protection Keith Dane said USDA inspectors' performance at the high-profile event demonstrated the agency's willingness enforce federal anti-soring rules.
Despite the violation increases, Meadows said rules adopted by Celebration management to encourage compliance at this event indicate that competition managers are also serious about discouraging soring. "Those things show we're committed to going forward," he said. "I'm not happy with the violations; I want (the show) to be 100% compliant."
According to Celebration statistics, a total of 2,188 different horses represented 4,689 class entries during the event. Of those entries, the USDA reported that 2,744 were actually presented in the show ring.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
NEWS - USDA inspectors dampen walking horse show
Again, exhibitors flee the USDA. Click here for the article. This is another show sanctioned by the KWHA.
Let's take a look at some of the quotes and text, shall we?
More than a hundred would-be competitors chose not to show Friday night in the United Performance Racking Horse Breeders & Trainers Association World Celebration at the Prestonsburg Equine Center. A racking horse is a type of Tennessee Walking Horse, the breed protected by the federal Horse Protection Act.
Let's point out one word here: "CHOSE." These people CHOSE not to show their horses. No one ran them off. I think we all understand that if someone runs from the law when they show up, then they're most likely guilty (*ahem* Saddam Hussein). Wouldn't you agree? Okay, so you can use The Fugitive as an example of when they run because they're NOT guilty. Um, it's a movie, not real life: doesn't count.
Show spokesman Raymond Hager said they had expected 150 to 200 entries on Friday; 126 horses were shown on Thursday night.
"We'll be lucky to have 30," on Friday, Hager said. In class after class, perhaps one horse showed up to compete for coveted ribbons and trophies. Friday night's crowd was clearly unhappy with the turn of events. The show is scheduled to continue Saturday.
So I think this goes to show that maybe if you stop soring horses and obey the law, you will have your 150 to 200 entries and your crowds won't be so unhappy. Am I right?
USDA representatives, who were escorted by Kentucky State Police troopers, said federal restrictions did not permit them to comment.
Good for them. Better not to say anything at all and get the job done.
Hager said competitors declined to show because USDA inspections are inconsistent and unfair and nobody wants to risk getting a ticket. "They (competitors) are always afraid. Nobody knows how they're going to check from one show to another," Hager said.
The same crap we always hear. The thing is that USDA inspectors aren't the ones who are inconsistent--they're using methods they are allowed to use on each individual horse. One horse may not get the same kind of scrutiny that another one gets, only because if there is suspicion, there are more legal ways to determine if the horse is sore. The exhibitors just aren't used to the full methods being used to look at the horses. Plus, OF COURSE they don't like when the USDA shows up, because they get caught!
Hager said walking horse competitors are being "persecuted" by the federal government and anti-soring groups. "They're being cruel and harsh on us," Hager said.
No, they're not. They're following the law. Your DQPs won't follow the law worth shit, so suddenly when someone starts enforcing the law, you say you're being persecuted. Sometimes getting a ticket is cruel and harsh, but everyone has gotten away with not getting tickets for so long that they can't accept it when their horses aren't found in compliance.
He said the pull-out by competitors would hurt the charities that the association supports, including several children's charities.
This is another cover-up. We would NEVER hurt our horses, and we'll prove it by providing money to charities. Providing to a charity is another way to get more entries in the ring and bodies in the crowd, that's all. People are more likely to come to a show if a charity is involved.
"Why is the government killing a multimillion-dollar industry when they let all the rich people, the racehorses, the saddlebreds (compete) ... they just check their blood," he said, referring to the drug tests the other breeds often undergo. His sport supports charities, he said, while "all the rest of them take care of rich folks."
Okay, let me ask you this: did you have stakes classes and pay-backs at your show? Then that means you're doling out money for people to show. Plus, horse showing ALWAYS pays back the industry. It costs money to show, and you have to pay your judges and announcers, sometimes you hire a show manager, it can depend on whether or not you can get volunteers. So someone is always making money out of the deal. Did the Celebration sponsor a charity? NO. Let's also point out that the president of the Celebration is paid close to $300,000 per year for his job. If that's not rich, I don't know what is.
There are plenty of horse events in other breed associations that give to charities. I'm sure we can go to the AQHA or APHA websites and see charity events in their list of affiliated shows. TWHs aren't the only ones.
Plus, the HPA is specifically targeted towards the kind of abuse that we ONLY see in the TWH industry. Racehorses don't wear pads, stacks, or heavy shoes--why should they be inspected? This is just another a lame excuse for them to continue life as is.
And actually, the TWHs probably need their blood checked as well. I'm sure they're given all kinds of stuff to hype them up and get them to move more.
Hager also objected to recent media coverage of the industry. "We're tired of what you guys are doing," he said.
Oh, no, are we continuing to expose you and messing up your breaking the law and abusing horses? Awwww, you poor thing!
Let's take a look at some of the quotes and text, shall we?
More than a hundred would-be competitors chose not to show Friday night in the United Performance Racking Horse Breeders & Trainers Association World Celebration at the Prestonsburg Equine Center. A racking horse is a type of Tennessee Walking Horse, the breed protected by the federal Horse Protection Act.
Let's point out one word here: "CHOSE." These people CHOSE not to show their horses. No one ran them off. I think we all understand that if someone runs from the law when they show up, then they're most likely guilty (*ahem* Saddam Hussein). Wouldn't you agree? Okay, so you can use The Fugitive as an example of when they run because they're NOT guilty. Um, it's a movie, not real life: doesn't count.
Show spokesman Raymond Hager said they had expected 150 to 200 entries on Friday; 126 horses were shown on Thursday night.
"We'll be lucky to have 30," on Friday, Hager said. In class after class, perhaps one horse showed up to compete for coveted ribbons and trophies. Friday night's crowd was clearly unhappy with the turn of events. The show is scheduled to continue Saturday.
So I think this goes to show that maybe if you stop soring horses and obey the law, you will have your 150 to 200 entries and your crowds won't be so unhappy. Am I right?
USDA representatives, who were escorted by Kentucky State Police troopers, said federal restrictions did not permit them to comment.
Good for them. Better not to say anything at all and get the job done.
Hager said competitors declined to show because USDA inspections are inconsistent and unfair and nobody wants to risk getting a ticket. "They (competitors) are always afraid. Nobody knows how they're going to check from one show to another," Hager said.
The same crap we always hear. The thing is that USDA inspectors aren't the ones who are inconsistent--they're using methods they are allowed to use on each individual horse. One horse may not get the same kind of scrutiny that another one gets, only because if there is suspicion, there are more legal ways to determine if the horse is sore. The exhibitors just aren't used to the full methods being used to look at the horses. Plus, OF COURSE they don't like when the USDA shows up, because they get caught!
Hager said walking horse competitors are being "persecuted" by the federal government and anti-soring groups. "They're being cruel and harsh on us," Hager said.
No, they're not. They're following the law. Your DQPs won't follow the law worth shit, so suddenly when someone starts enforcing the law, you say you're being persecuted. Sometimes getting a ticket is cruel and harsh, but everyone has gotten away with not getting tickets for so long that they can't accept it when their horses aren't found in compliance.
He said the pull-out by competitors would hurt the charities that the association supports, including several children's charities.
This is another cover-up. We would NEVER hurt our horses, and we'll prove it by providing money to charities. Providing to a charity is another way to get more entries in the ring and bodies in the crowd, that's all. People are more likely to come to a show if a charity is involved.
"Why is the government killing a multimillion-dollar industry when they let all the rich people, the racehorses, the saddlebreds (compete) ... they just check their blood," he said, referring to the drug tests the other breeds often undergo. His sport supports charities, he said, while "all the rest of them take care of rich folks."
Okay, let me ask you this: did you have stakes classes and pay-backs at your show? Then that means you're doling out money for people to show. Plus, horse showing ALWAYS pays back the industry. It costs money to show, and you have to pay your judges and announcers, sometimes you hire a show manager, it can depend on whether or not you can get volunteers. So someone is always making money out of the deal. Did the Celebration sponsor a charity? NO. Let's also point out that the president of the Celebration is paid close to $300,000 per year for his job. If that's not rich, I don't know what is.
There are plenty of horse events in other breed associations that give to charities. I'm sure we can go to the AQHA or APHA websites and see charity events in their list of affiliated shows. TWHs aren't the only ones.
Plus, the HPA is specifically targeted towards the kind of abuse that we ONLY see in the TWH industry. Racehorses don't wear pads, stacks, or heavy shoes--why should they be inspected? This is just another a lame excuse for them to continue life as is.
And actually, the TWHs probably need their blood checked as well. I'm sure they're given all kinds of stuff to hype them up and get them to move more.
Hager also objected to recent media coverage of the industry. "We're tired of what you guys are doing," he said.
Oh, no, are we continuing to expose you and messing up your breaking the law and abusing horses? Awwww, you poor thing!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
NEWS - Letter to the Editor of Kentucky Herald
The following is a letter to the editor from Don Vizi, ED of NWHA, to the Kentucky Herald about their article "Banned but not banished.",
SUBJECT: Letter to the Editor
re: your story “Banned But Not Banished.”
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the nearly 900 members of the National Walking Horse Association (NWHA), I want to applaud you for your story “Banned But Not Banished” (08/31/08).
While the soring of walking horses has come under increased scrutiny by federal regulators, it is stories like the one you described that show the industry has a long way to go toward 100% compliance of the 1970 Federal Horse Protection Act. The fact is we are almost 40 years since the passage of the HPA, and the soring of walking horses continues.
NWHA, a decade-old organization committed to preserving and fostering the natural abilities and welfare of the Walking Horse, has been vocal and active in the fight against soring. With a zero tolerance policy as our bedrock, we have invited both The Humane Society and the USDA to attend our upcoming 2008 National Championship Horse Show (Murfreesboro, TN Sept. 30-Oct. 4).
On behalf of our membership and all admirers of the versatile and majestic Walking Horse, I hope that the Lexington Herald Leader and other media continue to shine a spotlight on soring – calling attention to violators of the HPA, so that someday a zero tolerance policy becomes the norm.
Sincerely,
Donald A. Vizi
Executive Director
National Walking Horse Association
SUBJECT: Letter to the Editor
re: your story “Banned But Not Banished.”
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the nearly 900 members of the National Walking Horse Association (NWHA), I want to applaud you for your story “Banned But Not Banished” (08/31/08).
While the soring of walking horses has come under increased scrutiny by federal regulators, it is stories like the one you described that show the industry has a long way to go toward 100% compliance of the 1970 Federal Horse Protection Act. The fact is we are almost 40 years since the passage of the HPA, and the soring of walking horses continues.
NWHA, a decade-old organization committed to preserving and fostering the natural abilities and welfare of the Walking Horse, has been vocal and active in the fight against soring. With a zero tolerance policy as our bedrock, we have invited both The Humane Society and the USDA to attend our upcoming 2008 National Championship Horse Show (Murfreesboro, TN Sept. 30-Oct. 4).
On behalf of our membership and all admirers of the versatile and majestic Walking Horse, I hope that the Lexington Herald Leader and other media continue to shine a spotlight on soring – calling attention to violators of the HPA, so that someday a zero tolerance policy becomes the norm.
Sincerely,
Donald A. Vizi
Executive Director
National Walking Horse Association
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
ARTICLE - New editorial concerning soring and Sen. McConnell
A new editorial is out in the Kentucky Herald. Click here for the article.
Some important highlights:
McConnell points out that many lawmakers, including former Sen. Wendell Ford, defended the industry. And you could argue that the government should leave people alone to enjoy traditional rural past times. (Cockfighters might try that one.)
Another great example of one of the excuses that the sore horse industry gives. "Leave us alone! It's tradition!" Sorry, kiddos, when you're breaking federal laws, we just won't!
Soring is not traditional, however. It's a 1950s invention that distorts the gliding gait of a horse famed for strength, stamina and the ability to carry riders swiftly across long distances and between rows of crops without damaging a plant.
ABSOLUTELY. I really think this is a great description of what soring is. It's amazing how the desire for the Big Lick has distorted the image of the breed and it's true, natural flat walk. I believe there is nothing more beautiful than a horse in a true running walk, gliding around the ring. Why is it that the sore horse industry still finds beauty in such a horrible distortion of what's natural? Why can't the judges stop rewarding this look? Well, we have answers to all of that, which I can discuss further in future posts.
Some important highlights:
McConnell points out that many lawmakers, including former Sen. Wendell Ford, defended the industry. And you could argue that the government should leave people alone to enjoy traditional rural past times. (Cockfighters might try that one.)
Another great example of one of the excuses that the sore horse industry gives. "Leave us alone! It's tradition!" Sorry, kiddos, when you're breaking federal laws, we just won't!
Soring is not traditional, however. It's a 1950s invention that distorts the gliding gait of a horse famed for strength, stamina and the ability to carry riders swiftly across long distances and between rows of crops without damaging a plant.
ABSOLUTELY. I really think this is a great description of what soring is. It's amazing how the desire for the Big Lick has distorted the image of the breed and it's true, natural flat walk. I believe there is nothing more beautiful than a horse in a true running walk, gliding around the ring. Why is it that the sore horse industry still finds beauty in such a horrible distortion of what's natural? Why can't the judges stop rewarding this look? Well, we have answers to all of that, which I can discuss further in future posts.
Friday, September 5, 2008
ARTICLE - For those of you who want positive info for the sore horse....
Celebration sees positive numbers for 2008
I do have some comments, though. OF COURSE! :) What kind of blog would this be without comments? Mostly they're just thoughts from horse show experience--things that run through my head when I read an article like this. So I've quoted some lines and put in the comments below.
The horses are the drawing card for Tennessee’s oldest continually running event and when the entry deadline passed on August 5th, 4,222 entries had been made prior to the show.
“We were extremely pleased to see an increase in pre-entries,” said Celebration CEO and Show Chairman Dr. Doyle Meadows. “Seeing an increase was important because it reversed a five-year period of declining entry numbers.”
The total number of entries increases after the show’s preliminary classes are completed and championship entries are made. 2,188 different horses made a total of 4,689 entries, including championship entries. That represents a decrease of 55 over the total in 2007, less than one-third of an entry per class. The 2,188 different horses entered are 36 more than last year. Out of the total number of entries, 2,907 were actually presented in the showring, which is slightly less than showed in 2007, but still one of the highest percentages (62%) in recent years.
These are good numbers--they aren't hiding the number of horses behind the number of entries. I appreciate that information.
“To me, that is one of the most telling statistics about our entries,” continued Meadows. “It’s very gratifying to see the number of horses that come through that entry gate…even though the total number of entries may be down a bit."
This MIGHT be because of disqualifications. Let's hope so! But sometimes horses are scratched from being entered because they're not feeling good, the rider gets hurt, things like that. So I can give them the benefit of the doubt on that one. From the numbers side, the difference is 719 horses. That's 25% of horses from the total entries that didn't show.
The Celebration® added several new measures to the event in 2007 designed to ensure the health and safety of the horses on the Grounds, the integrity of the show, and the enforcement of the Horse Protection Act. Those measures were strengthened further in 2008.
And I am glad they did it. Checking horses that were on the show grounds in general (pulling them from barns, etc.) is very important and a task that was always overlooked before.
The success of the 2008 Celebration has not gone unnoticed by officials in state government.
“I feel the industry has made tremendous strides (since 2006),” said Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, during an appearance at the TWHBEA National Futurity. “There is a much better feeling. I really feel good about it. It’s such an important industry to our state, a signature industry. It may not be as big as Dolly Parton or Elvis, but it’s big.”
Huh? What does that mean? That's a weird comment.
Bredesen, while not an owner, has been a proud rider on numerous occasions.
“In most parades I go to, I ride a Tennessee Walking Horse. I take great pride in this breed.”
My first thought here is of course you ride a TWH--it's because your backers are sore horse trainers and that's where you get your campaign money from.
While no attendance records were broken in 2008, the numbers were still very encouraging to Celebration officials. A total of 139,695 fans streamed through the historic gates of the Celebration Grounds. The paid-attendance was also large with 215,096 tickets being sold for the 10 nights of competition.
My thought here is that at pretty much any large horse show, trainers and owners will buy box seats, which is usually a group of seats in one section together that are roped off and only available to those that the buyer designates can sit there. They get X number of seats for X amount of dollars. I've bought boxes at shows before. So that could be part of why the amount of paid seats is so much higher than the amount of people who actually came.
Also, I'm sure these numbers are from the total 11 days, not just one or two days. But it is important to know that that's 139,695 people that are continuing to support the sore horse, whether they know it or not.
“Our board, our staff, and I can’t thank the fans enough who came in large numbers this year. It tells us that the product we’re presenting is what the public wants to see…beautiful and talented horses, great riders, and a terrific overall atmosphere.” Said by Celebration CEO and Show Chairman Dr. Doyle Meadows.
Well, nothing's beautiful about the BL, and the riders look like cockroaches sitting on top of those poor animals.... Whatever. But if I remember correctly, Meadows is the one who headed the changes in the inspection process this year, so hopefully he is serious about making changes.
I do have some comments, though. OF COURSE! :) What kind of blog would this be without comments? Mostly they're just thoughts from horse show experience--things that run through my head when I read an article like this. So I've quoted some lines and put in the comments below.
The horses are the drawing card for Tennessee’s oldest continually running event and when the entry deadline passed on August 5th, 4,222 entries had been made prior to the show.
“We were extremely pleased to see an increase in pre-entries,” said Celebration CEO and Show Chairman Dr. Doyle Meadows. “Seeing an increase was important because it reversed a five-year period of declining entry numbers.”
The total number of entries increases after the show’s preliminary classes are completed and championship entries are made. 2,188 different horses made a total of 4,689 entries, including championship entries. That represents a decrease of 55 over the total in 2007, less than one-third of an entry per class. The 2,188 different horses entered are 36 more than last year. Out of the total number of entries, 2,907 were actually presented in the showring, which is slightly less than showed in 2007, but still one of the highest percentages (62%) in recent years.
These are good numbers--they aren't hiding the number of horses behind the number of entries. I appreciate that information.
“To me, that is one of the most telling statistics about our entries,” continued Meadows. “It’s very gratifying to see the number of horses that come through that entry gate…even though the total number of entries may be down a bit."
This MIGHT be because of disqualifications. Let's hope so! But sometimes horses are scratched from being entered because they're not feeling good, the rider gets hurt, things like that. So I can give them the benefit of the doubt on that one. From the numbers side, the difference is 719 horses. That's 25% of horses from the total entries that didn't show.
The Celebration® added several new measures to the event in 2007 designed to ensure the health and safety of the horses on the Grounds, the integrity of the show, and the enforcement of the Horse Protection Act. Those measures were strengthened further in 2008.
And I am glad they did it. Checking horses that were on the show grounds in general (pulling them from barns, etc.) is very important and a task that was always overlooked before.
The success of the 2008 Celebration has not gone unnoticed by officials in state government.
“I feel the industry has made tremendous strides (since 2006),” said Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, during an appearance at the TWHBEA National Futurity. “There is a much better feeling. I really feel good about it. It’s such an important industry to our state, a signature industry. It may not be as big as Dolly Parton or Elvis, but it’s big.”
Huh? What does that mean? That's a weird comment.
Bredesen, while not an owner, has been a proud rider on numerous occasions.
“In most parades I go to, I ride a Tennessee Walking Horse. I take great pride in this breed.”
My first thought here is of course you ride a TWH--it's because your backers are sore horse trainers and that's where you get your campaign money from.
While no attendance records were broken in 2008, the numbers were still very encouraging to Celebration officials. A total of 139,695 fans streamed through the historic gates of the Celebration Grounds. The paid-attendance was also large with 215,096 tickets being sold for the 10 nights of competition.
My thought here is that at pretty much any large horse show, trainers and owners will buy box seats, which is usually a group of seats in one section together that are roped off and only available to those that the buyer designates can sit there. They get X number of seats for X amount of dollars. I've bought boxes at shows before. So that could be part of why the amount of paid seats is so much higher than the amount of people who actually came.
Also, I'm sure these numbers are from the total 11 days, not just one or two days. But it is important to know that that's 139,695 people that are continuing to support the sore horse, whether they know it or not.
“Our board, our staff, and I can’t thank the fans enough who came in large numbers this year. It tells us that the product we’re presenting is what the public wants to see…beautiful and talented horses, great riders, and a terrific overall atmosphere.” Said by Celebration CEO and Show Chairman Dr. Doyle Meadows.
Well, nothing's beautiful about the BL, and the riders look like cockroaches sitting on top of those poor animals.... Whatever. But if I remember correctly, Meadows is the one who headed the changes in the inspection process this year, so hopefully he is serious about making changes.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
ARTICLE - The Senate Guru Blog Labor Day Post
The Senate Guru organizes each post by putting the state's name and following it with information. I have copied the information concerning the Big Lick horse here. For the full blog post, click here.
Kentucky: OK, this is pretty grotesque. New documents obtained by the Kentucky print media evidence that Mitch McConnell has backed the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry in pressuring the USDA to lay off of oversight of the Horse Protection Act so that horse trainers can deliberately inflict cruel physical treatment upon the horses so that they simply step higher. In other words, Mitch McConnell is trying to get the U.S. Government to tacitly permit industry-wide cruelty to animals. Oh, and, I'm sure coincidentally, "the industry gave McConnell tens of thousands of dollars in campaign donations and hired his Senate chief of staff, Niels Holch, as its Washington lobbyist and attorney." Mitch McConnell is a sick degenerate who will prostitute his political influence for a few bucks. He does not deserve another six-year term as a U.S. Senator. A six-year term he does deserve is one spent behind bars rather than C-SPAN cameras.
Kentucky: OK, this is pretty grotesque. New documents obtained by the Kentucky print media evidence that Mitch McConnell has backed the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry in pressuring the USDA to lay off of oversight of the Horse Protection Act so that horse trainers can deliberately inflict cruel physical treatment upon the horses so that they simply step higher. In other words, Mitch McConnell is trying to get the U.S. Government to tacitly permit industry-wide cruelty to animals. Oh, and, I'm sure coincidentally, "the industry gave McConnell tens of thousands of dollars in campaign donations and hired his Senate chief of staff, Niels Holch, as its Washington lobbyist and attorney." Mitch McConnell is a sick degenerate who will prostitute his political influence for a few bucks. He does not deserve another six-year term as a U.S. Senator. A six-year term he does deserve is one spent behind bars rather than C-SPAN cameras.
ARTICLE - The Rural Blog post concerning sore horses
More publicity--click here for the article. Man, this is gettin' good! Gotta hand it to you, sore horse trainers--you guys have really stuck your foot in it this time! Let's just hope it proves to be a vat of acid with chains wrapped on your ankles so you can experience the pain in your pocketbooks....
ARTICLE - Barefoot and Progressive post regarding McConnell
Click here for the blog post. The quote at the top of the blog is brilliant!
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