Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Further to my earlier posting, I have been going thru my mail and have 
opened up the premium book for the upcoming State Fair of Texas Class "A" 
Show, to be held at the Sate Fair Coliseum, Sept 7-10, 2006. On page 15, of 
the premium book, it states:

"CRUELTY OR ABUSE" - Cruelty or abuse is forbidden anywhere on the show 
grounds. The show committee shall penalize such actions (USEF Rule III, Art 
.302) Excessive harm to any horse (Including harm caused by a whip or any 
other object) anywhere on the grounds before, during or after the show 
renders the offender subject to penalty. Judges shall enforce this policy in 
the show ring. A signed entry constitutes acceptance of this policy.

You will note please that any entrant, Professional and or Amateur must sign 
off on this with their entry prior to competing in the event.

I have ben showing here in Region 9 since 1994 each year averaging approx 10 
shows per year, between open and Class A activity. I am pleased to report 
that I have seen few examples of what has been described here, however in 
each instance made sure that the ring steward was aware of the situation. 
They are but one person, sometimes at an event that could service 2-300 
head.
They need and appreciate the eyes and ears of other exhibitors to bring this 
type of situation to their attention when observed. In general I find the 
Halter judges which I have shown in front of , very attentive to looking for 
any sign of abuse, which acts as a good deterrant.

I am sure that any acitvity reported here by others is real, or they would 
not have taken the time to write about it. I am curious however, what did 
they do that day to stop the activity, or at least report it themselves to 
the proper authority?

Every sport, horse or non horse related has those thay would violate the 
rules for the sake of winning. I would prefer a level playing field myself.

Your sport, has a large Vet activity at every event, to ensure that your 
horses are not abused,
and fit to continue on the course. When was this put in place and why?? How 
many die each year in Endurance and or Competitive Trail, Nationally and 
World Wide? Look at the Race track industry, how many 3 year olds die on 
race tracks around the country each year ? It is apparent to me that your 
sport will continue on, and the race track industry will keep on, keeping 
on, and so will the Show Horse industry continue .........

All we can do as exhibitors is to continue to suggest tighter rules and 
enforcement of those rules, and urge all competitiors to come forward and do 
something possitive when they see any violation of those rules. Paying lip 
service to violations is one thing, doing something about it is another 
thing.

Respectuflly submitted,

Richard m Levine
Houston, Tx.



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