Wrong trainer won roundpen shootout
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
Editor,
This letter is regarding the “shootout” on Aug. 11 that the Rocky Mountain Breeders Association held at the fairgrounds. After several e-mails back and forth and the continued urging to read the article in the Journal before basing any further opinions, we cannot wait any longer for the judges’ comments and the official scorecard. Had the judges stuck around long enough, we‘d have spoken directly to them. Our personal opinion is they left so soon to avoid the lynch mob. Charlie Hanson won that contest hands-down. The object was to start a colt and prepare it for an obstacle course. Charlie did exactly that, without force or aggression.
In the article it states “After a rousing display of skillful horsemanship through an obstacle course…” Charlie Hanson was the only trainer who stood out. It was rousing because of him. His colt was the most prepared to take on that course and it did exactly that, without any coercion because it was well-prepared. According to the scoring system, the trainers were judged on how the horse accepted directions, mannerisms, how well the trainer read those, horsemanship, riding ability, finesse and trust. We believe that Charlie rose to the occasion on every one of those issues. We know one thing for sure, he out-rode the other two trainers, and to not acknowledge that his colt trusted him after that almost flawless display on the course is a terrible injustice to him. It’s also our personal opinion that Charlie didn’t have a chance at winning, no matter what he did. We noticed in the article that there were quotes from the other two contestants but none from Charlie. Another coincidence? At the shootout, Charlie was placed third. Now he’s a “whisper” behind the first place winner. How about recalculating the scores yet again and giving the man what he deserves? He was the winner. It was the obvious choice to both trained and untrained eyes. It’s time he gets the recognition he deserves.
Laurie Kress, Missoula,
and Gloria Haynes, Arlee
