Margot
Well-Known Member
I started showing about fifteen years ago. I went to one show to watch than took a horse to the next one. Most people were very helpful in helping with tips and how to show, clip and groom. At that time NY State had a series of shows that were R one day and A the next so I showed in both. I think the AOTE classes do offer new people a better chance to compete. Ammie classes in both A and R are full of people who are legally amateurs according to the rules but many are as good or better than trainers as they have been showing for years but few of them show in AOTE. I have showed dogs and cattle and it is the same problems or worse. try as they might the registries will never be able to offer a really level playing field. Maybe because I already had experience showing other animals I just did not expect too much but still had a lot of fun showing and even won sometimes against the big boys. We did all our own training, conditioning and showing, now because of various family problems I have sent some horses to trainers and just show them, it is still fun for me. If I did not do this I would not be able to show at all. Both registries have their problems, I still would rather show A because of AOTE but there are no A shows as close to me as R shows and I can't go very far from home. Just go enjoy and don't expect to win LOL.