Bernies Opinion...
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The following is an interview that WCAR's President. We have really stepped Show Jumping as it stands today?
R Bernie Traurig did with PhelpsSports.com's
up our liaison efforts between Where we've been? Where we are?
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Kenneth Kraus earlier this year. It is reprinted management and exhibitors this And, where we're going? Or should
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here with permission. year. be going?
What’s new is that we are working
E Bernie Traurig has been in the closely with Zone 10 and chairman, BT. Ahh, my favorite topic, Ken.
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spotlight lately as the man who Larry Langer, trying to find ways to At the highest level of our sport,
has taken the lead in representing further develop our jumper riders Grand Prix jumping, there seems to
California horsemen in their desire to toward the International sport. be a huge inconsistency at events, in
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see improvements at the west coast the amount of spectators, television
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shows. He took time out of a hectic KK. So, with everything that needs coverage, corporate sponsorship, and
schedule to talk with Phelps. to be done, what are the biggest prize money. We don’t seem to have a
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issues facing those of you on the clear direction where we want to take
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KK. It seems to me that the West coast riders West Coast? this sport in America, nor do we have
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and trainers have always been a little more a unified plan to do so. In my opinion,
willing to come together on issues regarding BT. For as long as I can remember, the organizers of major Grand Prix
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footing has been at the top of the list and World Cup qualifiers in particular,
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in general. Obviously, it’s a much smaller as a major concern. Of course this is have a responsibility to make a huge
community than that of the East Coast, an issue that plagues both coasts, and effort to encourage spectators. This
but then WCAR was a groundbreaking everywhere in between. Addressing may necessitate incorporating other
group of sorts when it was formed. Talk a horse show’s footing well in means of entertainment at a particular
about what’s happening out here now. advance of an event is of primary venue to attract an audience. On the
importance for the welfare of the West coast, for example, our Del Mar
BT. For me the unity of the West horse and their owners and riders. Arena and Los Angeles Equestrian
Coast has become really apparent this Substandard footing is no longer Center are always packed for the
year and continues to gain strength. acceptable. Subsequently, venues are World Cup qualifiers, so drawing
The issues raised by so many in the process of incorporating top a crowd is possible. In contrast, a
exhibitors created an unprecedented quality, all-weather footing for the ‘08 couple other qualifiers this year had
type of unity between owners, riders, season. almost no spectators. Organizers
and trainers. This is the first time I’ve are privileged to host World Cup
seen this in my career. The World Cup KK. What else, besides footing, is at qualifiers. With this privilege,
riders, who have a yearly meeting to the top of the “issues” list? comes the responsibility to create a
assess the quality of the existing World spectacular event for the public and
Cups and make recommendations for BT. Well, another issue that affects the riders. Too often a World Cup
changing venues, were totally in sync. not just the west coast, but the whole qualifier is utilized as a draw to fill a
They were successful in their efforts country, is the rising costs associated horse show, and becomes just another
to have all World Cup qualifiers held with every aspect of purchasing, class blended in with all the other
indoors in the future, and thus, more maintaining, and showing a horse. classes of the week. Additionally
related to the finals. The weakening dollar against the there seems to be an inconsistency
Euro, combined with the rising costs in supporting jumper classes with
KK. And with WCAR? of maintaining and showing a horse sufficient prize money at World Cup
on the major circuit, sometimes qualifying events here on the West
BT. WCAR has taken a much more topping $75,000 a year, has virtually coast.
aggressive stance in its role as liaison put an end to the days of purchasing
between exhibitors and management. a young horse as an investment. KK. But wait. The money these days
People on our coast seem to have a The steadily increasing costs of is pretty damn good, no?
real desire lately for positive change, maintenance - grooms, veterinary
adopting a pioneering spirit of sorts, fees, therapists, chiropractors, BT. It’s true that prize money has
that has to be admired. blacksmiths, medications, and the increased considerably in our Grand
like - have placed trainers’ incomes Prixs over the last four decades,
KK. Tell us more about what’s going at the bottom of the totem pole. but not enough to keep up with the
on with the activities within the Entry and stabling fees and all the expenses incurred to get there. We
WCAR. associated costs from management cannot ignore that other factors such
are overwhelming. as, inflation, the enormous price tags
BT. Well, as I mentioned, I am the of talented Grand Prix horses, and
chairman of WCAR. I’m working KK. You've been around a long time. the rising charges to maintain and
closely with Will Simpson who is the What's your assessment of American show them, makes the prize money
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