Talk about a sore looser...

One thing's for sure, if I ever decide to show, even if I don't have a chance of placing, I will be setting up a cot and sleeping in my horse's stall. Too darn many sick people in the world.

Yeah I want to take my horse to a couple state competitions next year before I get too old for it in pony club and even though we're not the type that beats everyone all the time so realistically we're not going to be considered a 'threat', I'm still staying with my horse 24/7 because people are twisted.

I know realistically it's hard to do, but they really should have better security at bigger events like that. We've all seen this sort of thing pop up again and again, I would NOT want to run an event where my competitors were afraid for their animals' safety, or their own. They should have barn hours, and passes for anyone coming or going, so security could keep tabs. But I guess if things are going to happen, they'll find a way, security or not. It's just a shame that some people are so competitive that they'll do anything for a win. Same is true in all sports these days. Gee, remember when sports were for fun? (I better hush, I'm showing my age. )

I don't know what the stabling conditions were like this year, but last year they were metal yards out in the open in the middle of the racetrack in field. It's not always possible to have actual stables or barn type areas for 200+ horses which is a shame because having areas you're only allowed in at certain times could really help against things like this.

LOL, it's okay Apachie. I'm not that old and I remember when sports were fun. I remember going to ropings and rodeos and some of the smaller AQHA shows and everyone there was so nice. Everyone looked out for everyone else and you didn't have to worry. It was like a small community and if someone noticed something off about a horse, even a droopy head or a glassy eye, they would hunt up the owner or trainer and say "Hey, I think there might be something wrong with your horse in stall 45, he looks pretty droopy". Then, they would check in with you later just to see if all was well.

Or ropings where folks would willingly loan your their prize head horse if yours pulled a shoe or dinged a leg. They didn't care that it was between you and them in the short go, they enjoyed the competition, not the win.

Whatever happened to that?

I have no idea what happened to that, but I miss it. I remember when competitions were like that and I'm only 22! Unfortunately I only got to compete a small handful of times when things were good. Now everyone is to cliquey in the age groups and overly competative.

"All good things will be ruined with time". Isn't that some bizarre off-shoot of Murphy's law? Lol