AOTE Survey

[Jane=P]

There is now a AOTE survey on the AMHA website, the AOTE Committee has put together a survey trying to see what changes we want, go and take the survey

here is link AOTE Survey JANE

 

[Crabby-Chicken]

Thank Jane I just took it!

I hope they leave the class alone. It is the only class I can feel proud that I do everything for.I don't want them to allow other people to start caring or help get horses ready for the shows. That is what amateur is for.

 

[minimomNC]

I also like the AOTE class and the only change I would like to really see is dividing level 1 and level 2. If you have people that show in your area that have been level 2 for years already, its hard to show against them if your new. Levels would help there. But AOTE I don't think AOTE points should be added to amateur points in determining when you go from level 1 to level 2.

 

[justagirl]

Ok... DONE

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I'm with minimom ... I hope they don't mess around with the rules 'cept to divide it into levels.

The AOTE classes are the only level playing field for amateurs who don't use trainers .

I also don't like the idea of allowing "others" to clip your AOTE horse either.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Millstone Farm]

I would like to see the classes divided into Jr. and Sr. divisions, as it would enable us to show more horses.

I absolutely HATE the idea of allowing AOTE competitors to hire people to do all of the things we are supposed to do ourselves, such as clip. Leave the class alone, except to make the rules tougher and stand behind them!

 

[shalamara minis]

One of the problems with AOTE is you still have to show against pro horses. As long as the horse leaves the trainer and is home on Dec. 31 It can be shown on Jan 1 as an AOTE horse. I would like AOTE to be just that, Amature, Owned , Trained and exhibited. I showed AOTE last year, this year I show Amature and I still show against most of the same horses.

 

[Anne ABC]

O.K. I added my comments. I agree AOTE should be for Amateur owners, trainers and exhibitors! If you have your horse pro groomed, hauled and trained where is the pride in winning???? :aktion033:

 

[CheyAut]

I agree with everyone, except... I don't understand why having someone haul your horse is an issue? If you don't own a trailer, that would be the only way to get there? I have a trailer so it doesn't concern me, but if I didn't, I'd like a friend to be able to bring my horse to a show for me?

Jessi

 

[justagirl]

I agree with everyone, except... I don't understand why having someone haul your horse is an issue? If you don't own a trailer, that would be the only way to get there? I have a trailer so it doesn't concern me, but if I didn't, I'd like a friend to be able to bring my horse to a show for me?

Jessi

I have no problem with someone else transporting their horse as long as that person is not a professional trainer.

shalamara ~ this is true , that's why I think AOTE horses should never be allowed to have been trained by professionals EVER.

 

[Millstone Farm]

CheyAut-

I think it depends "who" hauls your horse and how much they do. the rules don't say exactly what is allowed. feeding? watering? putting the horse in a stall? prepping the stall? leading the horse around if the owner doesn't show up for a few days?

a line has to be drawn - the question is where?

 

[minimomNC]

I dont' have a problem with horses that have been with trainers, heck some of the AOTE handlers could be trainers when you get to the national level. We are currently showing a horse that was last shown AMHA as a yearling, he is now 3. He has been with me in those two years. But what you propose that no horse could have ever been with a trainer would keep us from showing him even though he hasn't been with a trainer in two years. And unless you know how to keep that horse in the same shape as the trainer did, you might win on Jan 1st but you might not March 1st. And since most people don't show after Oct or before Feb, it just shouldn't make a difference. As for hauling, not a problem either as long as the owner travels with the horse.

I believe if you want to show your horse as the Amateur Owner, Trainer and Exhibitor you should also be the stall cleaner, clipper, groomer, feeder. Training goes on all the time, not just in the round pen. I understand the need sometimes to have someone hold your horse at a show, we have had that happen to us. But as for the training and prep for a show, the AOTE handler should have to do it all.

 

[justagirl]

I dont' have a problem with horses that have been with trainers, heck some of the AOTE handlers could be trainers when you get to the national level.

I believe if you want to show your horse as the Amateur Owner, Trainer and Exhibitor you should also be the stall cleaner, clipper, groomer, feeder. Training goes on all the time, not just in the round pen. I understand the need sometimes to have someone hold your horse at a show, we have had that happen to us. But as for the training and prep for a show, the AOTE handler should have to do it all.

Humor me ok ...... how can AOTE handlers be trainers at the National level ??? I thought the whole purpose of AOTE was to keep trainers out of the class.

I also entirely agree with what you said about feeding , stall cleaning etc.

The last show I went to (and it was only my 2nd sanctioned show) I did everything for the horses I brought. No one helped me what so ever .... I consider myself to be the quintessential amateur... no one does a darn thing for me. And it's very discouraging to say the least to walk in an Ammy class filled with professionally trained , groomed, fed, and transported horses.... the AOTE class should be for the TRUE amateur.

 

[minimomNC]

I didn't mean that AOTE handlers were trainers at the national level, I meant that they prepare their horses as well as trainers at the national level. They have been doing this for years and know what they are doing. This is the reason I think AOTE should be separated into levels. To give those that truly don't have the same facilities, abilities or just learning how, to be able to compete with others with their same skill level.

In the grand scheme of things, hopefully one day it will be,

AOTE Jr (whichever) level 1

AOTE Sr (whichever) level 1

then level 2's and so forth. But to get these splits, the AOTE program will have to grow more.

 

[shalamara minis]

I did go to the national convention in Las Vegas this year and did say the same thing that I did here only with a little more detail. The AOTE commite did listen and would like to fix some of the problem but it will take them a little time.

 

[CheyAut]

CheyAut-

I think it depends "who" hauls your horse and how much they do. the rules don't say exactly what is allowed. feeding? watering? putting the horse in a stall? prepping the stall? leading the horse around if the owner doesn't show up for a few days?

a line has to be drawn - the question is where?

Ok, that makes sense then. I knew I wasn't thinking of something

Jessi

 

[Millstone Farm]

I think if the AMHA fixes the problems with the AOTE division, it will grow. So many people have stopped showing in it (or altogether) in disgust over what they perceive as cheating by people who should not be showing in those classes.

Fix the loopholes and problems and I think it will become popular and we'll be able to offer Jr. and Sr. classes with levels.

 

[justagirl]

I think if the AMHA fixes the problems with the AOTE division, it will grow. So many people have stopped showing in it (or altogether) in disgust over what they perceive as cheating by people who should not be showing in those classes.

Fix the loopholes and problems and I think it will become popular and we'll be able to offer Jr. and Sr. classes with levels.

The same thing can be said for the amateur division. I was recently at a show and in an Ammy class and there was someone in there that truly didn't belong (that's a whole other thread :new_let_it_all_out: ) .

I'm not that experienced with AOTE and this is my 1st year but it will be the division I will most likely show in as long as the classes are offered. The rules seem to be cut and dry to me, but you will always have those "cheaters" that can find their way around the rules.

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