Entering amateur halter classes?

[Kari]

Hello everyone,

I have a showing question, and I thought I’d bring it here so I can get as many opinions/takes/views as possible. Perhaps one of you can think of something I and/or the wonderful trainers working with me and my horse haven't....

I am a wheelchair user, and FINALLY have a power wheelchair. I am planning to show my mare, Tigger, in the PMC/Special Needs halter classes.

Here's where I'm unsure. I have an ammy card... should I try that class? Will I make people mad if I scare their horse or something with my chair?

My driving trainer (who is also a judge, BTW) says she sees no problem with my entering amateur. She suggested I go in first so that those that thought there’d be a problem can go behind me. Then they can't call my chair an “unfair distraction.†How about offering to practice beforehand with those who think there might be a problem? Good idea? Bad idea?

Along with the ammy class, I'm THINKING about open, as the trainer who’s showing her cannot take Tigger in that class. Am I nuts???

Kari

 

[dannigirl]

You are not nuts. I don't see a problem with it as long as you are not moving around in front of other horses a lot. I think that most judges will even allow a strange horse to take a minute to settle down before judging it anyways. By all means, try the ammy and open classes. :aktion033: Have fun with your horse and good luck.

Angie

 

[MBennettp]

Kari, I say go for it! Go show and have fun! Don't let anybody stop you, if their horse has a problem, I would say that is something they need to work on with their horse.

Mary

 

[Kim]

Go for it - Amateur and Open! I can't imagine anyone complaining, and if they do, that is their problem, not yours. You have just as much right to be there as people who are not in a wheelchair. Good luck!

 

[Just Us N Texas]

Go for it, I've seen several people in wheelchairs, and everything is A-ok. One of the clubs we belong to has a young lady with cerebral palsy, and her mother or father lets her do all the showing as they stand on the opposite side of her and support her. It is a beautiful sight for all to see! Love of family, and of horses.

Put them both together, and it will almost make you cry!

 

[kaykay]

we have shown at shows with people in wheel chairs and its never been a problem go for it!

 

[Cimarron]

Hi! I was born with spina bifida and have been showing minis for about 10 years in my wheelchair. I don't have a electric wheelchair. My husband pushes me and I handle my horse going in and presenting to the judge for teeth etc. Then when we line up, he goes to the wall or fence and waits while I show my horse. I have seen people show on scooters but I don't feel that I can get close enough to my horse on my scooter so this is the way that works best for me. I show amateur, open and special needs. I have shown locally, at the Championship (used to be regionals)Shows and at Nationals. In fact in 1997 my gelding TCM's Dandy Cloud Dancer and I won the Central Regional Amateur Jr Gelding Championship. We also won the AMHA Honor roll that year for Amateur Jr. Geldings. I also drive and the only thing I do different from everyone else is use a seatbelt on my cart because of my lack of balance

So go for it! If you have anymore questions you can email me at [email protected]. Sheila :aktion033:

 

[eagles ring farm]

Go for it Kari enjoy yourself and your horse,

we have shown with a young lady in a wheel chair my gelding was startled by her chair originally it was good exposure for him to have her involved and he is my good trail driving gelding I use at home, but there is always something new for them to learn. I have never seen her chair (electric) cause any problems except occationally she may get stuck if the sand is too deep.

Lori

 

[Charlotte]

Go do it and have FUN! We have seen a lot of special people showing in Ammy and open as well as 'special' classes and have never seen the wheelchair, scooter, walker....whatever is being used ........cause a problem for other exhibitors.

I hope you have a LOT OF FUN!

Charlotte

 

[Crabby-Chicken]

That is right, We all would LOVE to see you out there showing! Maybe Hilary can get Charm to show in open mares,,, is Tig a junior mare or is she three this year? If she is in seniors Hilary can show in the class with you to help if she could! But if people can not control their horse because it sees something that distracts it to that extent, they should not be in that class.

You are doing Sea Tac?

:aktion033: :aktion033: :aktion033:

 

[miniapp]

I totally agree with all the posts here... I highly encourage you to show your mare in any class that you want to..

: I have a young client who will be showing in the PMC and Youth classes this year, we are not sure at this time whether she will use a chair or not, but the main thing I encourage anyone to do is to try...

Looking forward to hearing from you in the future when you start to show... and I wish you all the best!

Suzy Hooper

Show Horses by Suzy

Fresno, CA

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

I am almost 100 percent positive I saw someone showing in open classes in halter, and even hunter at Nationals and again if I am remembering right did quite well to.

I see no problem at all with it.

In fact a show horse should be able to handle new and different things if not then that is there handlers issues and something new they might need to work on at home!

Go for it and have a great time!

 

[Ashley]

Go for it! I know if I was showing it wouldnt bother me a bit to have somebody in a wheel chair. Heck if I had my fat boy he would probably drag me over there, he has a think for people.

Oh is that Prissy in your avatar?

 

[Kari]

It's great to hear so many of you think it'd be ok! I'm excited -- and nervous.

: It's GOING to go well, though... and Tigger will NOT live up to her name (here's hoping...).

Hmm.... I might even try showing Prissy (Ashley's filly whom she let come to the northwet).

Kim, Tig is three now! Truly. Her b-day was the 4th! She won't be at Sea-Tac, she can't show because Portia is a judge. Ah, well! Her "debut" shall be Emerald Valley. :lol: But Pris may be at Elma! I will be no matter what. Will Falcon?

K

Whoops, didn't see your post, Ashley!

Yep, that's Prissy! She's doing really good, and is FINALLY AMHA!!!!

 

[hhpminis]

Kari

You go girl! I will probably even be in the class with you. I surely do not care and if my horse seems to have issues we will either work through them or ask to move. We are all adults and can handle situations that arise.

Just promise me you wont take personal offense if someone has to move to make their horse calm down. Sometimes they just cant get over something new quickly as they all have their little funny personalities. It will not be for people reasons, just horse reasons.

One horse I showed at Nationals this year would not stand still for his win picture as the fountain was behind him. We finally turned him around so he could face the fountain and he was fine.

So I say, go for it!

 

[Ashley]

Glad she finally got it done and is good to good. Looks as if Prissy will be a big sis in a few months. Her mamma is so fat I think I am going to have to roll her across the pasture to get her to the barn.

 

[Sanny]

you should go for it. I wish I could think of the lady I've seen at nationals the last couple of years that shows in a wheelchair in a lot of classes including hunter. The bigger problem I would see is NOT distracting the other horses, it is you having to deal with some of the crappy arena footing being deep and soft in some areas or rough and hard and rocky in others. The horse of the woman in the wheelchair was so wonderful for her and in jumper would pace himself to stay at her speed in the chair which would vary depending on the footing and I didn't ever see her being any sort of a "distraction" at all. I'm always amazed to see the stuff that minis just take in stride even if it is something they have never seen before. Anyone that has seen a mini at a hospital or nursing home will know what I mean. They act like everything is totally normal and are so good for everyone that is interested in touching or petting them.

Just wanted to say Prissy is beautiful. I met her right after she was born at our horse expo and again at nationals and she was such a good girl and SO refined and pretty. I watched Ashley clip her and she was really good for her until my five year old totally surprised her and she jumped which was why part of her mane was missing when she arrived at your house.

 

[Al B]

I say go for it. We have a lady in our area who shows from a powered wheelchair. She even does hunter. We all applaud her and cheer her on and whether she wins or loses we all win.

:aktion033: :aktion033: :aktion033:

 

[waconda valley]

You have as much right to be in the show ring as anyone else. As for the other horses or exhibiters being bothered by it, Cimmaron (who posted earlier on this thread) is usually in every halter class that I enter in and never has it even occurred to be that her wheelchair was a distraction. I am so focussed and nervous about what I am doing that I do not even notice her wheelchair. She does very well by the way and I am very glad that she is showing against me.

:

Peg Balthazor

 

[HGFarm]

You go and show to your heart's content and have a ton of FUN!!! :aktion033: