The Bridle Path

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30901, 6 November 1965, Page 14

The Bridle Path

Sir, —“Straight Talk,” who criticises the article, “The Bridle Path,” has not, it would seem, thoroughly read the article. In no way was there any abuse of A. and P. associations or judges; rather, constructive criticism as to how classes can be made more appropriate to present-day conditions and the judges’ load eased by smaller classes and a set scale of judging that both judges and competitors understand. In regard to the “culling” of horses in the hit-aind-hurry event at the Rangiora A. and P. show, the schedule states the event is for maiden horses. To “cull” horses from an improver event by placing fences at bad angles, causing young or green horses to lose balance, impulsion and confidence, and eventually trap them into falling, can only be described as poor course planning, and detrimental to the future of F.E.I. events.—Yours, etc., A.H.B.

November 3, 1965. Sir, —I fail to find anything abusive in the article referred to by “Straight Talk,” but I am glad that at least someone has had the courage to say aloud things which have been mumbled round show grounds for years. As an active judge and competitor, I do appreciate the problems, but fail to see why what appears to be constructive criticism should cause such distress. Round-the-ring jumping classes are no true test of a hunter and are fortunately seldom taken seriously by competitors. I, like most competitors, prefer conditions under which all competitors start equal and the winner wins on merit, not by luck. If, however, these competitions are run for the spectators’ benefit, as "Straight Talk” seems to imply, it would be fair if A. and P. associations paid competitors to appear instead of charging them entry fees. —Yours, etc., MORE STRAIGHT TALK. November 3, 1965. [This correspondence may now cease.—Ed., “The Press.”]