Re: RC: Re: overweight an issue?

[Bette Lamore <woa@stormnet.com>]

Good for you, Pat
I get soooo tired of all this "politically correct" stuff. We are not
talking race or nationality here; we are talking about physics--- weight
is a factor-- and 2. it is a choice of the person as to the level of
fitness they choose to be. We also have some choice re: weight; however,
when my husband is his fittest, he is still over 200 lbs (being 6'5")
and would no doubt outweigh the heaviest of women out there competing,
who is fit or unfit. I personally have enough on my plate already
without making value judgments of whether others are overweight or
unfit. This is a sport where people who are not fit and who are carrying
extra weight can still be competitive by having an incredible horse.
Is it fair to ask the horse to carry an unfit rider for 100 miles?
Should the rider make sure that the horse has the necessary frame and
bone to carry his/her weight? Everyone must search their soul as to
those questions but everyone would have to agree it does put the horse
at a disadvantage to have a rider who is unfit and/or heavier built
and/or overweight. It would seem to me that such a rider would have to
be very sensitive to his horse's capabilities-- but then, isn't that
always the case? As for those trying to come in numero one, we don't see
any unfit jockeys now, do we?
Bette

superpat wrote:
> 
> > Carol kamikazearabs@hotmail.com  wrote:
> ............. By the way, Sandy, that was really rude what you wrote about
> overweight people.
> 
> This reminds me of a bru ha ha which was started when George Morris, top
> jumper clinician who writes a column in Practical Horseman made the comment
> something to the effect that it is the rider's responsibility to be as fit
> as possible to aid the horse. He mentioned weight as one of the factors to
> consider. For months following that comment, there was a flurry of letters
> to the editor about the cruel and rude statements made by George Morris. The
> bottom line, I think, was that George was only calling it as he saw it. And
> who can dispute the fact that weight *is* one factor to be considered when
> talking about challenging our horses to go the extra mile. Lord knows I
> would like to lose a few pounds and can appreciate how difficult it is, but
> that does not change the reality that Sandy stated. She did not name anyone
> in particular but "if the shoe fits, wear it". If that is rude, so be it.
> But I don't see it that way. Truth is still truth, no matter who may read
> it.
> Pat Super
> 
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-- 
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians, Home of 16.2hh TLA Halynov
(yes, REALLY!)
http://www.arabiansporthorse.com