It's past time to end the "pony envy"

[magical thyme]

134. for a couple reasons

1. I've had a horse /been a rider off and on most of my life. Every time I've had my own horse, I've instantly been targeted by new bff's who "always wanted a horse" mooching rides. I say mooching because they're never around to help lug hot water through hip-deep snow at 5am, nor are they around in the middle of the night to sleep in a sick horse's stall in December, wrapped in a horse blanket and shivering. They always disappear at stall cleaning time. But they loooove horsies so please, please, please can't they go riding on my horsie?

2. This thread was actually aimed at perhaps a half dozen specific individuals who have posted in and started other threads that were very derogatory of (as well as ignorant of) dressage as a discipline. I'm not talking about the "horse prom" or "horse they danced in on" jokes. I'm talking serious, malicious and false claims.

I find it interesting that not one of them has responded to this thread. Not one. I suspect they know who they are.

No, I don't envy the Romneys. I have a lovely young mare with world class gaits (but about 8" too short) in my back yard. She has the athletic ability to do FEI if she wants, as she has demonstrated cavorting about her pasture. And I have my eye on a couple other, equally nice youngsters of the "wrong" breed for the Olympics.

But I do hate the negative impact they have had on a sport I love. I wish Ann had found picked some other sport, or at least a different discipline, to heal her MS and try to use as a tax loophole.