Some people say AMHR Allstars doesn't matter

[garyo]

Gary and I bought our first minis 2 1/2 years ago and started showing in halter 1 1/2 years ago. None of our horses have ever been to a professional trainer and neither of us had any significant experience with horses prior to getting into minis. We have been blessed to receive advice from many helpful amateurs and professionals. However, we have also been told that unless you have a big name pedigree or you have placed top ten at Nationals that Allstars doesn't really matter. We are here to say that it does matter to people like us. It matters when we compete in amateurs against the other person who takes their horse directly from the trainer at the ring edge and returns it to them as soon as the category is finished. It matters when we look back at the difference in pictures from the first time we ever clipped and our most recent show pics. And it mattered today when five of our horses placed in the top ten in their categories: Touch of Magic (1 in Get of Sire), Manes & Tails Salish (2 in Produce of Dam), Kahlua Coffee & B.G. Princess (8 & 10 in Amateur Halter Mare Over) and Dent Friskey Kid Frosty Boss (10 in Amateur Halter Stallion Under). Thank you to everyone who has helped us to learn over the last 2 1/2 years. We flew out to Oklahoma this past year just to watch. This year we hope to go with our horses and we hope to see all of you there. Congratulations to all of you!

 

[Tony]

Congratulations and I agree, that it does matter and you should be very proud of your accomplishments. Keep going!

 

[Amy]

Of course it matteres. Any time you spend time & effort & accomplish something -- it matters.

I still am still thrilled when we achieve it -- and I keep our certificates in a binder.

CONGRATULATIONS to you. Keep up the good work.

 

[The Simple Life Farm]

Great job!!!!! It sure is nice to sit back and look at your accomplishments, and know they were all your own.... along with the mistakes

I feel the same as you about Allstars!!!

 

[Magic]

I think that many (if not most or all) of the people that talk down about certain awards are just envious!

Placing in All Stars, etc, is very exciting and takes a lot of time, energy, money, and WORK, not to mention good horses.

Congratulations on your placings, and have fun doing even more showing!

 

[shoeboxstables]

I totally think that it's an accomplishment. Congrats on your success!! I think it's something worth bragging over.

 

[Field-of-Dreams]

It matters to ME, too! I work hard for my placings and we do all the work ourselves. It's not always the "he who goes to the most shows, wins" - you still have to place to get your points!

Congrats on your wins!

Lucy

 

[ClickMini]

Oh I think it matters plenty! Congratulations on your placings!!! That is AWESOME and a wonderful accomplishment. Isn't it great to see the progress you've made from beginning to now?

I did use a trainer for one of my horses but I was involved all along the way. I worked hard and also took two lessons per week with my horse. I did quite a lot of the grooming and all of the tack/equipment care. I did the harnessing, and drove in most of the classes myself, because I wanted to and also my trainer has numerous horses competing. So even if a person has a trainer, doesn't mean they didn't work hard for their awards.

 

[mini1]

You bet it absolutely matters!!!!!!!!!!!

Anytime you are recognized by an association it is an award and an acknowledgement of all of your hard work and time.

Anyone who says it doesn't matter is just jealous because they have been unable to acheive what you have.

Congratulations and don't let ANYONE take this away from you, it took ALOT of time and hard work to get there.

Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[garyo]

Oh I think it matters plenty! Congratulations on your placings!!! That is AWESOME and a wonderful accomplishment. Isn't it great to see the progress you've made from beginning to now?

I did use a trainer for one of my horses but I was involved all along the way. I worked hard and also took two lessons per week with my horse. I did quite a lot of the grooming and all of the tack/equipment care. I did the harnessing, and drove in most of the classes myself, because I wanted to and also my trainer has numerous horses competing. So even if a person has a trainer, doesn't mean they didn't work hard for their awards.

Thank you so much ClickMini. We are not against people using trainers. We are doing everything we can to learn more through reading books, watching videos, and asking questions. It sounds like you took the right approach learning along with your horse. We also really appreciate your positive reinforcement approach to training. We have admired your Flirt and hope that our bay mare Kahlua can look as good driving some day as she does.

Ruth

 

[nootka]

I do think it matters. It does require a LOT of effort, and time, and yes, a special horse or horses.

Kudos to you and major congratulations! I know I feel pretty good with my awards.

Liz

 

[ClickMini]

We have admired your Flirt and hope that our bay mare Kahlua can look as good driving some day as she does.

Oh Ruth and Gary, I am sure she will!!! I'll see ya at Nationals in '08 hopefully, I too am doing it all myself this year with the driving. I will have one horse in halter training with Syndi Kanzler, which will be fun as several of my friends also have horses in training there. Plus Syndi herself is so much fun.

So we have our little "show gang."

However I will have at least one sr. stallion (Esprit), a sr. mare (Gaia), a jr. mare (Colors), that I have trained entirely myself, not to mention maybe Alladdin and Ally (trained for their divisions by me). And of course Miss Flirt, who has been informed that although I had a few months of dreaming of her having a baby, she is back on the show string! I will have my hands full, and that ain't no kidding! If it gets to be too much, I will bring out Esprit, Gaia, and Flirt myself, plus Sensation with Syndi. Colors can wait another year if need be, and I don't think Alladdin has anything to prove to me. Ally will of course go to her CDEs, regardless.

I totally have the "show bug," and I know you do too! It is so great to get the recognition of all your hard work and effort spent at the end of the year. That is for sure! Congratulations again!!!

 

[hairicane]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

You have every right to very proud. I know u guys work real hard, good for you!

 

[SWA]

SUPER CONGRATS on all your hard work!

 

[skanzler]

Even as a trainer, I love seeing the accomplishments of my clients horses. It proves that their vision along with long hours of hard work and dedication on their part and ours has come together at the end. These horses, I know will go on to continue with thier owners to achieve great things either in the arena or out in the community, breeding program or in whatever they enjoy the most.

I also have horses that I personally own that came out with top All Stars, and I am VERY proud of them and it does matter to me too. LMH Hot Gossip came out with 6th in Yrlg Gelding Over 32 - 36, Establo Tabasco recieved 7th in 2 yr old Stallion 33-37 over, Lymricks Prospero 4th Foundation Classic Yrlg 41 & under.

Thank you for letting me share.

 

[ClickMini]

Syndi, that is awesome! I had noticed already that Gossip had placed 6th, and just emailed Sandi with the news. She is very excited!

 

[REO]

That's wonderful! You have every reason to be proud! Way to go!!

 

[Sanny]

Gary and I bought our first minis 2 1/2 years ago and started showing in halter 1 1/2 years ago. None of our horses have ever been to a professional trainer and neither of us had any significant experience with horses prior to getting into minis. We have been blessed to receive advice from many helpful amateurs and professionals. However, we have also been told that unless you have a big name pedigree or you have placed top ten at Nationals that Allstars doesn't really matter. We are here to say that it does matter to people like us. It matters when we compete in amateurs against the other person who takes their horse directly from the trainer at the ring edge and returns it to them as soon as the category is finished. It matters when we look back at the difference in pictures from the first time we ever clipped and our most recent show pics. And it mattered today when five of our horses placed in the top ten in their categories: Touch of Magic (1 in Get of Sire), Manes & Tails Salish (2 in Produce of Dam), Kahlua Coffee & B.G. Princess (8 & 10 in Amateur Halter Mare Over) and Dent Friskey Kid Frosty Boss (10 in Amateur Halter Stallion Under). Thank you to everyone who has helped us to learn over the last 2 1/2 years. We flew out to Oklahoma this past year just to watch. This year we hope to go with our horses and we hope to see all of you there. Congratulations to all of you!

OK...I I have to admit I got a little bit weepy reading your post, it's late and I'm tired but there is more to it. I absolutely agree with you that all-stars DOES mean something, it means a lot about your hard work and dedication. I've heard all the same stuff you have and I've been in the same shoes.

We've been involved in minis for about three years now and we've made lots of friends and have gotten lots of advice and helping hands along the way but except for taking lessons, mostly in learning how to drive and a little bit in other areas, our family also does everything ourselves from mucking stalls and feeding to grooming and clipping and show prep and are responsible for it all -- the good, the bad, the ugly and whether or not it goes really bad or really well for us in the show ring and something like all-stars recognition and managing to hold your own and compete against amateurs that have a trainer doing all the work for them and handing them a horse as they go in the ring is tough (and even tougher when I watch my kids going in against kids that were just handed a horse). I am not at all against trainers or people that use them and if we wanted too we could use one ourselves full-time, we just choose not too. I am just saying it personally means a lot more to us to do well in the show ring when we did most of it it all ourselves. My kids learn a lot more life lessons doing it this way than they would otherwise.