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Just for the record, although Flag was Reserve IAHA champion at this ride, he is NOT SWEEPSTAKES nominated--all we took home was a trophy.
However, I agree with some of the critique in previous messages about vetting. I saw some of the most incredibly good vetting I've ever seen, but I also saw some unbelievable, seriously questionable vet decisions. I don't mind stringent vetting, but there should be some CONSISTENCY in the application of the vet analysis. AERC has an operational, clearly defined constellation of assessment measures to be used to pull a horse (developed by vets!). Even lameness evaluation is operationally defined--see defs for Grades 1, 2 & 3.. "I THINK I SAW SOMETHING SOMEWHERE" is not operational and should not be used as a definitive pull criterion. I saw a horse pulled after an out-and-back trot, no discussion from the rider, you're- outta- here attitude from the vet, with no circles, no return in 30 minutes, no explanation of lameness, just the 'I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING THERE' thing, followed by a thinly veiled threat from the vet when the owner (not rider) showed up and wanted to view the h
orse trotting and work on it. That owner continued to receive hostile remarks from that vet when helping present other horses. Unbelievable. Then a few minutes later a horse was given four trot-outs in a row to try to pass a CRI when it re-presented right at 30 minutes. That horse continued.
I know that we as riders don't always see everything that goes on with our horses without prejudice, but I do think we should be able to expect CONSISTENT interpretation of the rules, and that did not seem to be the case at the ROC.
I want to end on a positive note and say THANK YOU to so many people who helped us on both days--I'd name some but I'll leave out somebody--you know who you are, and I promise I'll return the favor!
Brenda Baird and Shabazzy Flagstaf
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