On The Fence with Carol
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More Serious Thoughts by Carol Harris
This is my 13th “On The Fence” article and yes, I’m still concerned with all the unattended problems of our Association that still exist to this point. I believe I have thoroughly explained the relatively simple and affordable enjoyment we were initially privileged to be a part of years ago. We had no desire to change anything. Occasionally we found some concerns that were disturbing but it seemed most of them were easily addressed and acted on. Our officers and leadership appeared to be in proper control of everything, and our membership was steadily growing. Also, at that time I think we should remember the American Quarter Horse had become the most popular and respected equine breed in the world. We in the United States were proudly breeding, selling and purchasing these horses with genuine excitement, and our shows were supported enthusiastically in all events, including racing. During this era, things were looking fine.
Years passed and eventually some of us became aware of serious problems developing in different areas of our activities. I recall this started around the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. It mostly involved racing and showing. Our popular Western Pleasure Horses were visibly starting to move in an unusually slow, strange, low-headed manner at all three gaits. It became extremely difficult for our willing horses to perform this way and also for owners to properly ride them. The creative trainers who were responsible for this change became much more in demand because they had invented a mysterious way of showing that no one else knew how to do. In spite of all this, our Western Pleasure Horse fans still remained more faithful to showing than racing, but the un-level playing fields for both events had been tragically created. Our leadership had no idea what to do about it. They created a few new rules for judging and racing, but strangely no one attempted to enforce them.
In spite of this setback, we remained devoted to our horses and we continued to support the growth of our favorite pastime. Now approximately 40 years later we are still privileged to love and appreciate the American Quarter Horse, even with problems that have snowballed. In my opinion, our slow Pleasure Horse mode should have been stopped in its tracks back then for the benefit of our horses and our reputation.
I’m aware there are many of you who may disagree with me and there could be just as many who agree with me. I’m also aware that my friends in leadership have had to admit that everything I was saying was true, but I’m still not certain why so many of them do not want to listen to anyone but themselves. All this has made it very frustrating for those of us who have disliked the direction in which we were going. That’s exactly where we are today and it is my solid opinion the tragedy of our downfall was caused by our membership’s reluctance to bravely voice their concerns because of fear of retribution. This fear should be forgotten if our members wish to salvage their favorite sport. We should only be desperately trying to work together to make changes so the 80,000-plus members we have lost will want to return.
Our leadership must take the blame for the issues they have disregarded, such as abuse and failure to enforce rules that would benefit our horses and ourselves. I’m also unable to understand why our present leadership feels they are not obligated to properly keep minutes according to Robert’s Rules of Order so they can keep everything visibly above board. We should realize that all of us who are involved with this Association would be nowhere if it weren’t for our horse. Whether you believe what I’m writing or not means little to me because in my heart I know I have tried my best to encourage everyone to properly face reality. So far the response to my efforts has caused a groundswell of support of members urging me not to stop, but I have heard nothing from our leadership.
In closing, I request that you realize I take full responsibility for what I have said, even though I would like you to understand I’m not doing any of this for myself. I’m only hoping that your sincere respect for the American Quarter Horse Association and their horse will make you wake up and understand that your future and your horses’ future lies in nobody else’s hands but ours, so we must support change to ensure that we don’t wind up with more of the same poor decisions that created the problems we now endure.
Respectfully, Carol
