ShowBiz Feature G
ood footing seems to be a universal term used by just about all trainers, riders and owners of horses that jump over obstacles in the competition show ring. However, try to
get a consensus of the meaning of that and it is next to impossible to get a unified answer. While the definition is elusive, the
effort and results of those efforts in the west has hardly gone unnoticed. All of a sudden it seems that the necessity to address exhibitor and owner footing concerns has taken on a new level of static energy. One horse show manager after another
a major push and endeavor to protect the horses. Almost without exception just about
all shows in the west have stepped up and changed their main rings base makeup, and for many shows it is becoming the norm in all rings. To be perfectly fair, the biggest problem for managers is that very very few of them actually own their own facility and instead must rely on venues owned by someone else, usually a city, the county, the state, a group of club members or any mixed variety of groups who simply do not comprehend footing importance. About the only facility in the west that was built for, and remains exclusively used for shows, is the HITS Thermal facility in the
Coming to the United States from Europe, Rudy is full of ideas and imagination, which are only second to the commitment to make super footing available. His arena remakes started with his own facility then he offered his knowledge to anyone interested. He is quickly becoming the “go to guy” for footing. While the definition of good footing
is still a huge topic of conversation around the show ring, one thing is universally understood. Good arena “footing” may mean something different to different people, but arena maintenance has become a major consideration for shows, and is the key. Not everyone can afford to replace the dirt in their arenas,
Almost without exception just about all shows in the west have stepped up and changed their main rings base makeup, and for many shows it is becoming the norm in all rings.
has recognized the fact that footing can make or break a show and its finances. While not yet having a clear “good footing” definition, the combined footing efforts of show managers has made life easier on our top equine athletes. When you add weight of the horse catapulting across the ground, the velocity with which they fly through the air, the massive pressure on the parts of a horses hoof on landing added to the fact that tendons and ligaments can only stretch so far, you find the algebra equation that adds up to only one thing…footing can make or break a top equine athlete and the sport has stepped into
desert. Built by Tom Struzzieri’s HITS horse show company, it would only be natural that HITS leads the way in the financial outlay necessary to upgrade and maintain “good footing” and they did. Throughout the west, just about all major shows have followed HITS lead in one way or another. Sacramento International, HITS
Thermal, Woodside, Showpark, Blenheim San Juan Capistrano, Flintridge, Del Mar, Menlo, Sonoma Horse Park, LA Equestrian Center and the list goes on. Possible the biggest moving force
behind this sweeping movement is a tiger of man, Rudy Leone and GGT (German Geo Textile Footing).
but managers are becoming experts at arena maintenance and how to provide the best with what they have available. In the end, that is possibly all the exhibitors care about…that managers do their best with what they can provide. The bigger the show, the bigger the expectation as it well should be. The winner in the end is the equine
athlete. They will continue competing many more years when the landing field is suitable for the height of the jump. Check around and see what improvements and changes have been made, then let the manager know your opinion. They REALLY do want to know!!
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