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People are crazy, the horse show edition
Sep. 2nd, 2011 04:13 pmThis place has been bare for awhile but I need to vent and this is my place to do that. Avoid the rest of the post if you don't want to read a bunch of negativity. You've been warned.
Last week, we had a hurricane. Rolled in late Saturday night, pounded on us all of Sunday, headed north to plague Canada Sunday night. Pretty big deal but the powers that be were on the ball for once. Warnings posted DAYS in advance, governer issued a pre-emptive state of emergency, everyone had plenty of time prepare. Storm itself was impressive. Lots of wind, lots of rain. I saw my big maple tree get sqashed flat like someone had stomped on it, then spring back up leaving only a few branches behind but otherwise, we came through it okay.
So what's the problem, you ask?
The problem is that Bradford Equestrian Center (BEC) had a show scheduled for Sunday. No brainer, right? Horse show verses hurricane, which one is more important? According to BEC, their show.
On Thursday, they sent out a notice that the show was on rain or shine. Note, that's what the entry form states and it also states no refunds after the closing date. Standard issue clauses. Well, I objected privately to the organizer. You can't safely trailer a horse in 70+ mph winds, let alone ride. It wasn't like a chance of thunderstorms or something, we WERE going to get hit with a hurricane. Complete silence. I complained again. Still nothing. So I blasted my concerns out to the mailing list and lots of other people started making noise too. Still nothing. Other shows were cancling/ rescheduling left & right but from BEC, not a peep. Note, those other shows all have the rain or shine clause too but that didn't stop them from reacting appropriately.
Now today on my facebook page is a notice saying they held the show and they're so thankfull for the "great spirit and optimism" of everyone who showed up. WTF!!! Spirit & optimism? Don't you mean idiocy and lack of common sense? Who rides in a hurricane and why would you brag about it?
All I can figure is that the people who board at BEC rode in the indoor during a quiet spell and got their ribbons. It just completely blows my mind that people would put a ribbon (or entrance fee money, for that matter) above the safety of themselves or their animals. What supposedly professional facility allows strangers to ride during those conditions? If someone HAD gotten thrown or hurt, wouldn't that fall under gross neglicence for BEC? Who the FUCK holds a horse show in a hurricane?
So yeah, that's a rather expensive lession learned. There are lots of lovely schooling shows in New England and I will be attending the ones that offered alternatives to their riders when faced with a natural disaster. Its a shame, I liked the facilities and the people were always polite but apparently money is more important than safety to them and I just can't support that.
Last week, we had a hurricane. Rolled in late Saturday night, pounded on us all of Sunday, headed north to plague Canada Sunday night. Pretty big deal but the powers that be were on the ball for once. Warnings posted DAYS in advance, governer issued a pre-emptive state of emergency, everyone had plenty of time prepare. Storm itself was impressive. Lots of wind, lots of rain. I saw my big maple tree get sqashed flat like someone had stomped on it, then spring back up leaving only a few branches behind but otherwise, we came through it okay.
So what's the problem, you ask?
The problem is that Bradford Equestrian Center (BEC) had a show scheduled for Sunday. No brainer, right? Horse show verses hurricane, which one is more important? According to BEC, their show.
On Thursday, they sent out a notice that the show was on rain or shine. Note, that's what the entry form states and it also states no refunds after the closing date. Standard issue clauses. Well, I objected privately to the organizer. You can't safely trailer a horse in 70+ mph winds, let alone ride. It wasn't like a chance of thunderstorms or something, we WERE going to get hit with a hurricane. Complete silence. I complained again. Still nothing. So I blasted my concerns out to the mailing list and lots of other people started making noise too. Still nothing. Other shows were cancling/ rescheduling left & right but from BEC, not a peep. Note, those other shows all have the rain or shine clause too but that didn't stop them from reacting appropriately.
Now today on my facebook page is a notice saying they held the show and they're so thankfull for the "great spirit and optimism" of everyone who showed up. WTF!!! Spirit & optimism? Don't you mean idiocy and lack of common sense? Who rides in a hurricane and why would you brag about it?
All I can figure is that the people who board at BEC rode in the indoor during a quiet spell and got their ribbons. It just completely blows my mind that people would put a ribbon (or entrance fee money, for that matter) above the safety of themselves or their animals. What supposedly professional facility allows strangers to ride during those conditions? If someone HAD gotten thrown or hurt, wouldn't that fall under gross neglicence for BEC? Who the FUCK holds a horse show in a hurricane?
So yeah, that's a rather expensive lession learned. There are lots of lovely schooling shows in New England and I will be attending the ones that offered alternatives to their riders when faced with a natural disaster. Its a shame, I liked the facilities and the people were always polite but apparently money is more important than safety to them and I just can't support that.
