People safety is first,
horse safety is second,
everything else is third.
John Lyons
My daughter and I rode Trillium at a fall fair hunter show. I rode in the flat classes and my daughter rode in the over fences classes. It seems when you go to fall fairs, at least in our area, you see a very wide range of horsemanship skills. There were some good riders on horses that reflected the hours of schooling and care their owners had spent. These horses went quietly and their riders rode skillfully and safely and took home the ribbons they deserved.
But, how many of you have seen, especially at smaller shows, the rider who feels that barging back and forth on a barely controlled horse is an impressive display of 'horsemanship'? One such rider fit that bill today as he trotted back and forth through the parking lot, riding his horse with a halter and lead rope, bareback and wearing no helmet, even though the show rules stated competitors must wear approved helmets. I couldn't help think what disregard for personal and public safety this rider showed. And, what a poor role model for young riders who might be impressionable enough to think this display remarkable.
Now, I'll admit I've ridden horses bareback, with halters or even neck ropes, and some time ago, I posted a Youtube.com video of my daughter jumping her horse bridleess. (I haven`t gone helmet-less since my early teens, after an unscheduled headfirst dismount led to a hospital stay.) The fact that this person (who was not competing) was bareback and bridless, doesn't bother me. However, that they insisted on doing it amongst kids and ponies, trucks and trailers, unwary spectators pushing strollers, and the noise and fuss of a fall fair left me shaking my head.
I'm not the best rider out there; I still have a lot to learn. I do feel an obligation to ride and handle my horse as safely as possible, with regard to my own, and other's safety at all times. Especially as a `senior` rider, I feel that like it or not, I am a role model. (Maybe I take myself too seriously, or I overreact to these types of situations.) But doesn't being a good horseman or woman mean safety is the first priority? Or, does being too serious about safety take away some of the fun? What do you think? Leave your comments below.
