Character; integrity; work ethics; principles; love of animals;
empathy. What do these traits have in common? In most people they don't
change. They are values that make up each and every one of us. What I have
learned from people is that no matter what you throw at them, no matter
what comes their way, you don't change people. Those individuals who
treat their animals well always will regardless of their means. They are
the people who will see to their animals' comforts and necessities before
their own. And there are those people who will abuse and neglect regardless
of their resources.
If you fear that cash prizes will create more opportunities for abusive
situations, then you don't believe in the basic moral character of the
majority of those of us who enjoy this sport. There will always be the abusers
of the sport and the animals (thank heavens for AERC rules and vets!). But
it won't matter if the prize is $5,000 or a $5.00 t-shirt. You will not
change the character of that person. Those individuals who neglect the needs
of their horses over grandeur, be it money, goods, or acknowledgement, will
eventually isolate themselves because the rest of us will not want to be
"guilty by association" or aligned with that attitude. Yet there is a need
for these individuals in our sport too. It keeps the rest of us honest, it
brings an awareness to the relationship we have with our horses, and it gives
us the opportunity to bring change to that 'old' attitude by example and to
educate others of the gratification of having a relationship with a horse
without the need for abuse and/or neglect.
This is an opportunity to create a win-win situation for all. Truman told us
we might as well get used to it, 'cause it's here to stay. We can make it
work for everyone.
Joyce