UPDATE - Dressage Demo - Portuguese riders and Mariette Whitages at Golegã 2007

[visconde]

also got empalled in his bay...

I dont understand Chapsi, what does 'empalled' mean?

[chapsi]

Means the horses got stabbed, pierced through their bodies with the poles that stand by the bays!  :'(

When two years ago Trumpy went to Golegã, the same thing happened to his mate. The vet was going to PTS the horse; the council even opened a grave, but a second vet's opinion saved him. He made it by milimiters!

[AnaE]

I really don’t thing that is a good thing focusing only on the bad things that still happen in Golegã.

I went this year after a 3 year absence and noticed lots of improvements on the way horse are kept in the back-yard stables, and many of them were changed from temporary stalls to 3x3 meters stables with all standard safety issues.

Many of the accidents are generated from the lack of equestrian education of the overall riders and people that visit the fair, and not by the professionals and studs that really make the fair an important event!

[sueblue]

I dont understand Chapsi, what does 'empalled' mean?

Chapsi means impaled I think.

[visconde]

Chapsi means impaled I think.

thats what I thought but was hoping I was mistaken!  :'(

Its unfortunate that such a large 'unhorsey' sect go in for the weekend. I dont know what the answer to that is or how security could be upped so nothing untoward happened to the horses. Its horrible to think of such things happening at what is, on the whole, an inspiring and amazing event.
I have to say the worst thing I witnessed was the Ardennes pulling the cart without respite on the saturday and the gypsies-who have their own problems I suspect. I did see people getting pulled up for ignorance by other riders which I found heartening.

[AnaE]

thats what I thought but was hoping I was mistaken!  :'(

Its unfortunate that such a large 'unhorsey' sect go in for the weekend. I dont know what the answer to that is or how security could be upped so nothing untoward happened to the horses. Its horrible to think of such things happening at what is, on the whole, an inspiring and amazing event.
I have to say the worst thing I witnessed was the Ardennes pulling the cart without respite on the saturday and the gypsies-who have their own problems I suspect. I did see people getting pulled up for ignorance by other riders which I found heartening.

Yes... I also don’t like the way things are going... I wouldn’t be bothered if one year we would have to get tickets to get in to the village and with a limited numbers for horse/riders and for visitors as well!

[chapsi]

That poor Ardennes horse and the gypsy horses... it's the same heartache, year after year, after year...

THe pictures of those horses, were not a pretty sight to see... even my trainer went 

I didn't go this year, but all I can say is the whole family came home rather sad... the Fair is going from bad to worse. Straight from the 'horse's mouth', sort of speak.
Just this year, the council granted permission for 30 bars to be open just for the Festival...

I think that when one speaks of Golegã, one should see beyond the glamour and make all evils public. If not, the horses plea will go forever unheard.

I think the idea of tickets to responsible riders would be rather valid. But I guess the town thrives on the Festival and the income it brings... no matter how.

[Belbe]

yep, it's getting hard to see when this "respect for the horse thing" is going to really settle in around here. Just yesterday a regular costumer of mine came in to get some tendon boots and we were chating about me spending tons of money on my own shop! this time being a very comfy trek girth with huge elastics so that Nobre stops complaining bout a somewat tight girth (I can't have it loose cos he's barrel shaped and I don't have enough balance not to slip yet). As soon as she heard the reason the reply was, wack him!! wt*  >:( I even bothered explaining the horse doesn't do anything dangerous about it like pawing or steping on my foot, he only blows his nose. The answer to that? whip his nose!... it's pointless... I'm just glad I've got the yard and the horses for myself these days... it's sad to be alone even in your free time but at least I don't get to hear more of this sh**  >:(