AMHR Nationals, I have a couple of questions

[minimomNC]

Why, if Amateur Halter Obstacle and Amateur Obstacle Driving are in the rule book online and at local shows, isn't it in the National Show? I have looked all through the class list and they are there for open and youth but not amateur? So can anyone tell me why.

Also what the heck is In Hand Roadster? I know it was discussed at one time but I didn't get a chance to read it, and I tried the search but it didn't work. So what exactly is this class and why a class like that but not amateur halter obstacle?

 

[muffntuf]

I cant' answer the first question.

But the second is a halter class for roadsters, you wear roadster silks and show your horse at halter.

 

[JMS Miniatures]

Because according to them it would take up too much time and the show will just run longer. I wish they would have that class available to Amateurs, also people claim not too many professional trainers go into that class anyways, it just sucks if you want to go into that class you have to wait til the last day.

I am just glad too see them divide the class by age for the youth now. Use to be all the youth competeing against eachother and that wasn't fair for the younger kids. Reason for that taking so long to divide it also was it would take too much time.

 

[Jill]

But the second is a halter class for roadsters, you wear roadster silks and show your horse at halter.

So is in hand roadster a conformation class??? I saw the thread earlier too, but hadn't read it. Not against it, but it does sound "odd" to me... Is it based on something to do with Roadster (other then handler costume) or is it a conformation (halter) class? Halter is conformation, so is that what you mean, or do you mean it is done in hand vs. w/ a cart?

I sympathize with the time constraints of the show, however, I do wish that at THE National show, all classes were offered for the members to participate in... but for some of these longer ones, like obstacle, some kind of prequalification for the class might be sensible (to keep people from trying it "just because" if their horse really isn't ready to do it in terms of training / effort).

 

[kaykay]

For shetlands the pony has to also show in roadster class. Judged 60 percent on conformation, 40 percent on way of going. The pony is worked on the rail in a bridle with the exhibitor in full roadster dress

 

[Jill]

For shetlands the pony has to also show in roadster class. Judged 60 percent on conformation, 40 percent on way of going. The pony is worked on the rail in a bridle with the exhibitor in full roadster dress

Well, that's a lot more logical than it being a "halter class" for sure. Thanks

 

[Jitterbug]

I agree with Jamie and Jill !!

Jamie is right on the money - we could leave on Friday but in order for an Amateur to show in Halter Obstacle at Nationals we must stay until Saturday.

Jill had a great idea - don't know how an exception could be made to have Amateur horses qualify.

I hope to find out a little more about what it would take for AMHR to add at least the two Amateur Halter Obstacle classes.

We live in area where there are only 2 sanctioned shows within 200 miles of home.

How far would you go if you were required to show in 2 or 3 Amateur Halter Obstacle classes without being DQ'ed ?

It's sad that AMHR thinks an In Hand Roadster class is more important than Amateur Halter Obstacle.

We spend many, many hours earning our horses' trust working with obstacles that are freaky, spooky, scarey - whatever.

I will have 6 horses showing in Halter Obstacle next year and I would never show one at Nationals if I thought they could not properly negotiate the course.

Justine Melvin

 

[macy--red carpet minis]

I understood the Roadster In Hand class to be just like KayKay described. I know for sure that the horse has to be in the Roadster class (in Cart) to participate in the In Hand Class.

As far as the Amateur classes go, I think it's very hard to have every class available but it is unfortunate that they don't offer those classes. They also don't have an Open Showmanship class and I know a few people who have never understood why that was not offered.

I'm not sure I understand why you would have to take your horse in 2 or 3 Halter Obstacle classes in order to qualify. You can qualify for Nationals by showing them in any classes, not just the ones you show them at Nationals.

 

[The Simple Life Farm]

I have understood the reason Nationals does not offer an Ammy Halter Obstacle class is not very many trainers show in obstacle. So this class is really mostly Ammys. I too wish they offered it in Ammy, it would give us 2 chances to place.

 

[JMS Miniatures]

Well perhaps then they should move it to where its not at the very last day. I tell you what when I am showing in it I am just plain tired and my horse is too. This will be my first year not showing in it. Perhaps next year they can move it when they do hunter/jumper.

 

[Jitterbug]

Good idea, Jamie !

If Amateurs are the major exhibitors in the Open class then why not have an Amateur class and drop Open Halter Obstacle ?

I hope we can resolve this and hopefully get AMHR to make a change.

Justine

 

[Karen S]

Good Morning,

I received a copy of the very same question from an amateur out of Colorado......

The ASPC Congress and the AMHR Nationals show premium's are set by the BOD, not Lenard, the Youth Committee or the Amateur committee. We don't have any input as to what classes are offered. I do know this question has been brougth up before and due to time restraints the BOD doesn't want to add additional classes as it would also add another day to the show thus costing more.

If this is something that you feel strongly about, write to each of the BOD, send a copy to the Director of Operations at the ASPC/AMHR registry, a copy to the Show department letting them know that you would like for them to "consider" adding these classes next year. The BOD could possibly look at this request at the November convention or at the 2009 Spring Board meeting.

Karen Shaw

Chairman

ASPC/AMHR/ASPR Triple A Amateur Advantage Program

10500 CR 606

Burleson Texas 76028

817-426-0262

Email: [email protected]

 

[MinisOutWest]

I am going to write a letter of interest of having the Am Obstacle classes added and how it can be done as the last classes of the Am portion of the show. No extra days and we already have the make up arena to show in while the Futurity classes are going on in the main arena. I will try to have about 25 sheets floating around and see if I can get some up at the show office for people to see and to sign up for to support it. If anyone would like to have a sheet to take around to their barn/ stall area during the Nationals show, please let me know. I will also try to get a simialar letter written and posted on my website by mid week, so you can copy it and print it off, sign it, mail it or copy it and email it to the directors. I will try to get a list of the directors contact info also. I want these classes too as bad as you. I will do all I can to get this done as soon as I can. Let me know of thoughts/ concerns/ ideas.

Thanks- Angela

 

[JMS Miniatures]

I will help you. I would like them to see if we can add Amateur Halter Obstacle.

One thing I do not get is if we can't add this class to the show list how come we can add the 2 roadster in-hand classes? Why did AMHR want to put those classes on the list? Is it because they want to get more shetland people in to show their AMHR/ASPC horse or something? I thought this was a miniature horse national show?

 

[Erica]

I will help you. I would like them to see if we can add Amateur Halter Obstacle.
One thing I do not get is if we can't add this class to the show list how come we can add the 2 roadster in-hand classes? Why did AMHR want to put those classes on the list? Is it because they want to get more shetland people in to show their AMHR/ASPC horse or something? I thought this was a miniature horse national show?

I think part of the problem is has anyone ever timed just how long it takes to set up the obstacle course, and then run 40+ horses in each obstacle class, then take it down? Didn't last year one of the youth halter obstacles last over 3hrs, for one class.......and of course with the youth we have 4 of these classes, hence the reason they schedule has a 5 hr section for just the youth obstacle classes and we overlap that schedule quite a bit sometimes.

The roadster in hand classes, will run quickly I think, while I don't have a horse in it, I don't see it taking much time to RUN horses around and set them up...

Now if it's something that several people want, then I saw write the proposal, and like Angela stated, if you were to have it put it at the last ammy class that sounds good..........expect the last ammy class ends at the end of a "morning" session, so then if you are running 2+ hrs behind schedule then the futurity doesn't start on time.

Not sure where the best place to add it would be?

Maybe last thing Sat night after ammy hunters? But then that is a LONG, LONG day and night for those judges.

As I said I'm not against doing what the majority wants, as this is our national show...........just stating my opinion as to maybe why the board is a little apprehensive about adding it?

 

[MinisOutWest]

UPDATE- Just wanted to let you all know. I have recieved detailed instructions on how to do this the right way. I hope to start working on this as soon as today or tomorrow. I will be short and sweet, but detailed and to the point. Please for the moment, let me let you know what to do. So just hold tight and I will get my fingers typing here soon. Thanks for any support you might be able to help me with.

 

[minimomNC]

But if you remove Halter and Driving Obstacle as open classes and change them to amateur only, that would free up that time so that classes could be moved back some to accomodate putting them in amateur. I guess I don't understand offering them at the local and regional show level if you won't put them in the National Show. As for In Hand Roadster, why not In Hand Driving instead, why leave out the other driving classes, will the handler have to run fast enough beside the horse to show the horse at speed? If not then why make it roadster only?

Again this will be only my second trip to Nationals so I am just curious why some classes are left out that could be very full and others put in that may or may not even have a full 10 in the class.