zag dit net op fb:
A barefoot rider was disqualified yesterday at Blair Castle International Horse Trials in the Working Hunter Championship for being un-shod.
Naturally she complained about this but got no joy.
"After qualifying for Blair through the usual qualifying competitions, I travelled to Blair to compete in the Working Hunter Championships. Halfway through the competition, after going clear and through to the Showing round, I was pulled aside by a Steward to inform me that I had to be eliminated for being Barefoot. I’ve competed Barefoot for at least 5 years at Blair, without any problems in some of the most extreme weather conditions. I’ve enjoyed tackling the challenging championship courses that Graham Barclay erects every year. It was an utterly humiliating experience to have to be asked to leave mid-way through a competition because of this new rule (under the newly enforced SHB (GB) rules) that nobody knew about until the day. Has anybody else had the same experience to date? I’d be interested to know. This will affect dressage, showing, showjumping classes under these new rules. Also be warned that horses or ponies that compete with only front shoes will also be eliminated"
There are many, many riders in the UK opting to ride their horses without shoes because they feel the nailing of metal on to horses feet is a welfare issue, many, many horses do not need shoes but fashion and rules dictate this to be 'normal'.
It appears that the rules are made by the Sport Horse GB organisation who recently sent out this reminder:
Para 48 (H) – In relation to shoes -
All Ridden Hunters must be shod all round. No pads or surgical shoes are allowed.
There are literally hundreds and hundreds of riders choosing to ride their horses barefoot quite safely and successfully, aiding in the health and longevity of their horse sometimes after years of problems in shoes.
This rule is outdated and unfair and does not provide equal opportunities for all.
Please help riders choose what they feel is best for the horse and have the right to ride and compete their horses barefoot by publishing this story.
Hoeven
