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On the Question of Horse Shows

It has been brought to my attention that some poor, donkey-loving child out there in the big bad world of recreational horse showing is in danger of being turned away because her equine is, technically, not a horse.

Horse shows are for horses, argue the opponents. Not, they say, for donkeys.

Very well, then. I say that as long as the terminology is going to determine the ruling, we shall have a horses-only rule. Sorry, human competitors! No people allowed.

While we're at it, let's make sure there's nothing to spook the horses. You see, donkeys can be terribly frightening to some horses. Soda cans terrify my Arabian friend-of-a-friend, Donny, so let's ban them, too. Me? I'm afraid of lines. I, Fenway Bartholomule, hereby forbid the assembly of equine competitors at any facility on which there are roads painted with, decorated with, or otherwise exhibiting the presence of yellow, white, orange or other lines, whether they be continuous, dotted, dashed, intermittent, single, double, fresh, or partially obscured.

I am also afraid of the transition between pavement and grass, or pavement and gravel, and of my own shadow. Equine shows shall, from this day forth, be held in facilities in which there is a single continuous surface of grass, gravel, pavement, or sand, with no transitions therein. And no sun. No artificial lighting, either.

There! All better. Welcome to the world of fair, safe, all-inclusive, donkey-, mule-, human-, soda pop-, line-, transition-. and shadow-free horse shows. Enjoy!

FenBar

Comments

  1. nickidoyleMarch 17, 2010 at 11:11 AM

    Your eloquent response has been linked here.
    http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/horse-forums/donkey-at-a-horse-show-your-thoughts-326010-16.html

    Comment #152.

    Thank you again for identifying that an aversion to snobbery is one of the principles of Muleness.

    ReplyDelete
  2. littledogMarch 18, 2010 at 3:48 AM

    Donkeys and mules are equines who can perform the same tasks as horses--carrying a rider around while WTC, jumping, negotiating trail obstacles, or getting groomed real pretty and posing. Performance classes are all about training and talent, not the length of the ears. Conformation classes are supposed to be about the physical suitability of the equine to perform the task it's asked to do while staying sound long-term--as well as beauty. If a judge isn't capable of assessing a variety of equines in terms of their performance potential, training and condition, maybe it's time to train judges better.
    The snobs who don't want donkeys or mules in their shows are being asses.

    ReplyDelete
  3. littledogMarch 18, 2010 at 3:58 AM

    Plus, I would love to see a show for equines in which humans are not allowed. Mine would definitely win a World Championship in Grazing!

    ReplyDelete

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