A reply to Tom about reply to M. Stone

[DebiG54@aol.com]

In a message dated 08/28/2000 2:11:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Tivers writes:

<< Now, I believe you, Debi, have qualified to deliver that phrase, but 
beware of others who would jump on your "feel good" bandwagon. It might be 
best if we fully and clearly define genuine concern and good horsemanship as 
these prases apply to endurance competition.  
  >>

Hi Tom:

I'm honestly not trying to drive a "feel good" bandwagon.  What I wrote were 
my true feelings based on my current knowledge of the FEI situation and my 
own personal experience in the international arena.  If you pick individual 
words and phrases out of what I wrote, the meaning can be skewed.  I'd rather 
not quibble over the details of every word or phrase.  My general intent when 
mentioning genuine concern and good horsemanship seemed like common sense to 
me.  Concern means observation, intuition, careful monitoring, keeping the 
horse's welfare first above the grab for glory.  Concerned horsemanship is 
not necessarily "sanctimonious claptrap."  Anyone hoping to finish a race 
better be paying attention.  And anyone aiming for victory better be even 
more keen to every detail of their horse.  

You mentioned "unprofessional abuses" and sited racing with an unfit horse as 
the worst of those "abuses."  Yes, I agree.  And competing with an unfit 
horse is also not good horsemanship. Yet, I reiterate, being a "professional" 
is not synonymous with good horsemanship.  A professional is simply making 
money at whatever he or she does.  Being a professional does not mean one is 
necessarily talented or smart or prepared. 

My thinking would define a good horseman or good horsewoman as someone who 
trains and competes using the benefit of experience, knowledge, instincts, 
technology, preparation, and, dare I say it, a concern for the welfare of the 
horse.   This person can be an amateur or a professional.  I don't really 
care.  I've invested a lot of time, energy, and emotion into this sport.  I'd 
like to see it move forward and change, but with the essence of the sport 
intact.  That's why I spoke out in the first place.  

Debi Gordon