horses and, perhaps even more important, trainers capable of identifying and developing these horses. Consequence three: We have to figure out a way to get the young horses with the most potential to the riders and trainers most capable of taking advantage of their inherent talents. In the short term, I see how this could theoretically
affect our competitiveness. We may breed some really talented and capable horses in this country, but how do we get the right horses with the right riders? Scott Hassler is our USEF Young Horse Coach, but getting a three-year- old from farm to successfully under saddle and in front of him takes money, time and the right people. At least at first, cutting down the number of participants in the Young Horse classes could give us far fewer horses from which to choose for our two spots. Yet, how often have we ever been especially competitive at Verden, even on horses purchased in Europe? Since I don’t believe in complaining about something without putting forth an idea, what if, in addition to the horses that have been able to obtain their qualifying scores at recognized shows, each North American based studbook works with the USEF to design a method that identifies a certain number of horses through its inspection process and those horses are automatically qualified for the finals as well? This may also partially address the declining
participation at inspections and keurings in the U.S. It’s not a complete solution, but it would be a step in the right direction. So, where’s the chasm here? Where’s the stupidity in the
idea? Maybe our European counterparts sell a dozen or so fewer young horses—that’s the only drawback I see to this situation. Can we suddenly consistently create world class young horses, a larger network of capable trainers and a system that recognizes both the horses and the trainers by making one rule change? Of course not. Would such a decision further separate “some breeders from top sport?” Of course not. It would simply be a move by a national organization to support breeding and training in the U.S., as well as buying and competing. Is this a “silly” idea? Well, Forrest Gump’s Mama always says, “Stupid is as stupid does.” In regards to this idea, I say, “Silly is as silly does.”
Scot Tolman has been breeding Dutch Warmbloods for over 20 years at Shooting Star Farm in Southwestern New Hampshire. Read more of Scot’s writing at
shootingstarfarm.com.
66 July/August 2012
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