APPALOOSA HORSE CLUB PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
October 2011
by
LAURA LYON, ApHC President
I recently stopped by a large all-breed horse show, and soon found myself leaning on an arena gate, chatting with a seasoned horseman. This was an all-around cowboy who had owned, bred, judged and shown stock horse breeds for decades. Our conversation turned toward the current state of the economy, the changing face of the equine industry, and the evolving role of breed registries.
I asked my experienced friend for his thoughts on attracting new enthusiasts and keeping them in the horse industry. His response was somewhat unexpected. He allowed as how “beginners and newcomers” should be welcomed, but that they could be a problem once they “thought they knew something”. He was against the “different ideas” he saw surfacing in the horse business that he attributed to “new” members and exhibitors, and even too many “new” judges. With that comment he motioned toward one of the judges out judging the class in the arena,
“Like that woman out there, who’s pants come just to the top of her boots.”
Our chatting was interrupted as the class ended, and we stepped back so the gate we had been leaning on could to swing open to allow the horses to exit. Before we could pick up our conversation again, he was called up to the announcer's booth, and I watched a few more classes and then continued on home. I thought about this exchange a lot over the next few days. I knew what my cowboy friend was getting at with his observation about pants and boots-- he was implying that a respectable, knowledgeable horse person would make sure that they conformed-- in this case, honoring the tradition that the pant legs of their jeans or trousers were “stacked” – worn extra long, so they form several folds- the “stack”- above the top of their boots.
The more I thought about this, the more aware I became that he had a totally different perspective and set of experiences than I did regarding pants! I am pretty confident that my cowboy friend could walk into the local feed store and buy 30-something x 30-something Wranglers without a thought, and they would fit his bird-legged, flat-seated physique right off the shelf, with just the “right” amount of “stack” above his boots. He must assume that it is possible, even easy, for everyone else to dress like he does.
I then began wondering what this cowboy thought of me, and other women like me. My priorities in buying western clothing are that it actually fits, is sufficiently comfortable to move and handle a horse in, that the color complements me and my horse, and that it is as flattering as possible to certain parts of my figure located well north of my boot tops. In fact, I couldn't remember the last time I had worn the type of pants that were structurally able to “stack”-- opting instead for fabric with give and stretch.
But deeper than his obvious awareness of Western fashion were my friend's observations that a person who doesn't conform to someone else's ideas of acceptable equine tradition is less knowledgeable, less worthy of respect, and different... and their differences are a problem.
As much as I admire my cowboy friend, I have come to the conclusion that I don't agree with his opinion on pants or his judgements about people who are new or different in the horse industry. Having the same experience, traditions and priorities as others might be comfortable, but lack of these similarities does not mean that a person is not knowledgeable or worth respecting. I will make a point of sharing my insights with him the next time we chat.
All of these musings about one brief conversation with a well-established horseman brought me right back to my comments last month regarding our Appaloosa culture and the need for tolerance and acceptance.
The Appaloosa is not an off the rack, one size fits all breed. Our breed varies in fit and fabric, and our members' wants and needs come in many shapes and styles. We cannot expect all Appaloosa people to enjoy or participate in the same trends and traditions. If we can acknowledge and accept each others' differences, it will make it easier for us to unite, and to create and preserve a greater, inclusive, enduring tradition of Appaloosa ownership, promotion and pride for all of us.
It will start with me. Please make it continue with you.
Laura Lyon
President, Appaloosa Horse Club
I asked my experienced friend for his thoughts on attracting new enthusiasts and keeping them in the horse industry. His response was somewhat unexpected. He allowed as how “beginners and newcomers” should be welcomed, but that they could be a problem once they “thought they knew something”. He was against the “different ideas” he saw surfacing in the horse business that he attributed to “new” members and exhibitors, and even too many “new” judges. With that comment he motioned toward one of the judges out judging the class in the arena,
“Like that woman out there, who’s pants come just to the top of her boots.”
Our chatting was interrupted as the class ended, and we stepped back so the gate we had been leaning on could to swing open to allow the horses to exit. Before we could pick up our conversation again, he was called up to the announcer's booth, and I watched a few more classes and then continued on home. I thought about this exchange a lot over the next few days. I knew what my cowboy friend was getting at with his observation about pants and boots-- he was implying that a respectable, knowledgeable horse person would make sure that they conformed-- in this case, honoring the tradition that the pant legs of their jeans or trousers were “stacked” – worn extra long, so they form several folds- the “stack”- above the top of their boots.
The more I thought about this, the more aware I became that he had a totally different perspective and set of experiences than I did regarding pants! I am pretty confident that my cowboy friend could walk into the local feed store and buy 30-something x 30-something Wranglers without a thought, and they would fit his bird-legged, flat-seated physique right off the shelf, with just the “right” amount of “stack” above his boots. He must assume that it is possible, even easy, for everyone else to dress like he does.
I then began wondering what this cowboy thought of me, and other women like me. My priorities in buying western clothing are that it actually fits, is sufficiently comfortable to move and handle a horse in, that the color complements me and my horse, and that it is as flattering as possible to certain parts of my figure located well north of my boot tops. In fact, I couldn't remember the last time I had worn the type of pants that were structurally able to “stack”-- opting instead for fabric with give and stretch.
But deeper than his obvious awareness of Western fashion were my friend's observations that a person who doesn't conform to someone else's ideas of acceptable equine tradition is less knowledgeable, less worthy of respect, and different... and their differences are a problem.
As much as I admire my cowboy friend, I have come to the conclusion that I don't agree with his opinion on pants or his judgements about people who are new or different in the horse industry. Having the same experience, traditions and priorities as others might be comfortable, but lack of these similarities does not mean that a person is not knowledgeable or worth respecting. I will make a point of sharing my insights with him the next time we chat.
All of these musings about one brief conversation with a well-established horseman brought me right back to my comments last month regarding our Appaloosa culture and the need for tolerance and acceptance.
The Appaloosa is not an off the rack, one size fits all breed. Our breed varies in fit and fabric, and our members' wants and needs come in many shapes and styles. We cannot expect all Appaloosa people to enjoy or participate in the same trends and traditions. If we can acknowledge and accept each others' differences, it will make it easier for us to unite, and to create and preserve a greater, inclusive, enduring tradition of Appaloosa ownership, promotion and pride for all of us.
It will start with me. Please make it continue with you.
Laura Lyon
President, Appaloosa Horse Club
SEPT 2011 President's Message
By now most of you know about many exciting happenings this year-- from shows to races to trail rides, Appaloosas and their People are creating a trend of growth and enjoyment in venues all over the world.
So who ARE “Appaloosa People”?
We take cues from the horses we all love. We are passionate, confident, and innovative. We value uniqueness, distinction, and variety. Many of us are “rugged individualists”- fearless, self reliant, willing and able to blaze our own trail with grit and determination, and even a bit of fighting spirit.
Our Appaloosa culture has developed around differences in both horses and people. Constantly faced with diversity, we can mistakenly see others as the obstacles in our trail. In our headlong gallop toward the top, we can trample over others on their own Appaloosa journey.
In my term as President, I am committed to nurturing what is too often lying latent in our Appaloosa culture-- the REST of the attributes of our horses that we too often take for granted-- sensitivity, responsiveness, and civility, gentleness, discretion, acceptance, and a willingness to go above and beyond to serve others.
This President and this Executive Committee are committed to staying this course. Board members to staff, staff to board, board members to each other, between all who are in service positions to all of those members we serve, from member to member and reflected back again-- respectful and civil communication will be expected, and will become a defining trait of our Appaloosa culture.
It will start with me. Please make it continue with you.
LAURA LYON
President, Appaloosa Horse Club
By now most of you know about many exciting happenings this year-- from shows to races to trail rides, Appaloosas and their People are creating a trend of growth and enjoyment in venues all over the world.
So who ARE “Appaloosa People”?
We take cues from the horses we all love. We are passionate, confident, and innovative. We value uniqueness, distinction, and variety. Many of us are “rugged individualists”- fearless, self reliant, willing and able to blaze our own trail with grit and determination, and even a bit of fighting spirit.
Our Appaloosa culture has developed around differences in both horses and people. Constantly faced with diversity, we can mistakenly see others as the obstacles in our trail. In our headlong gallop toward the top, we can trample over others on their own Appaloosa journey.
In my term as President, I am committed to nurturing what is too often lying latent in our Appaloosa culture-- the REST of the attributes of our horses that we too often take for granted-- sensitivity, responsiveness, and civility, gentleness, discretion, acceptance, and a willingness to go above and beyond to serve others.
This President and this Executive Committee are committed to staying this course. Board members to staff, staff to board, board members to each other, between all who are in service positions to all of those members we serve, from member to member and reflected back again-- respectful and civil communication will be expected, and will become a defining trait of our Appaloosa culture.
It will start with me. Please make it continue with you.
LAURA LYON
President, Appaloosa Horse Club
