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Topic: Inspections and politics (Read 1366 times)
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Joy
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Posts: 1,270
I love Trakehners!
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I've noticed an underlying thread on other forums and when talking to people in person (actually, it's pretty up-front then) about politics in the stallion approval process. I don't want to make this a complaint session, but would like to discuss the issue and find some constructive suggestions on making changes. We shouldn't be leaving stallion inspections shocked at the stallions that were approved or denied. We should have a clear understanding of the process. During the inspection in Maine this year, there was quite a bit of teaching about what makes a good mare and why they were scored in such a way. That information, I believe, should be even more forthcoming for stallions.
Observations:
1) Stallions that have a performance record are often exempted from jumping when presented for approval in Europe, yet are required by the ATA. If we're following the same rules as the Verband, why this discrepancy? I can certainly understand why these exceptions should be made. The whole point of the inspection process, after all, is to see if the stallion can perform. A horse that has competed at upper levels has already proven himself. He's not a young stallion that hasn't done anything yet.
2) Stallion scores are not made available. Why? If there is more to approval than scores (and I'm sure from what I've seen firsthand that there is), then what is it and why is it secret?
3) There is currently no provision for a stallion to be approved or reapproved on the basis of his offspring. Should this be changed? If so, why? If not, why not? It is my understanding that in Germany a stallion receives Elite status basically on the performance of his offspring, so surely (re)approval for the same reasons is not a stretch.
4) What other changes would be like to see in the inspection process? (Personally, I'd like to see mare inspections have a jumping phase, even if it's not obligatory.)
Saying "That's the way it is and it's fair that way, so everybody should do it that way", is NOT helpful. (e.g. Maybe Oskar II did have to jump at his inspection, but is that a compelling reason to keep the rules the same?) I'm not talking about applying the rules differently, I'm talking about updating the rules to better serve the breed. Isn't that what inspections are supposed to be for? Improvement of the breed?
How would one go about initiating changes? Who to contact? How? When? BTW, I posted this on another forum and got very little discussion. I'd like to think that people are as interested in constructive dialogue as they are in supporting or dissing stallions that are not approved.
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shadytrake
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Gold Medallist
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I LOVE Trakehners!
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Rosawood,
I made a motion at the ATA meeting to exempt stallions from the "at liberty" phase (details are in the latest newsletter if you receive it) if they had met a certain level of performance. There was no second on the motion, so it did not make it to discussion. However, we were given an informative speech from Brad Kerbs as to the issues of America being a litigious society and that we must keep the rules the same for everyone so that we remove the ATA from liability. Just for the record I do not have a stallion and had no material interest in bringing the motion forward. I just wanted to get the issue out there and see how the membership felt about it, because I was tired of hearing miscellaneous griping and no one taking action.
I believe the ATA board has the same standing on the scores being published. "America is a litigious society"
Bringing an issue forward to the membership is easy to do. You just have to write your motion (based on Robert's Rules) and present it during New Business at the annual meeting.
Once you bring the motion forward, that is where the hard work and fun starts. You have to get a second and then there might be discussion or etc. I recommend that you get a copy of Robert's Rules (simplified version). This will tell you everything you need to know about suggesting changes to an organization.
Right now, I am working on changing the Part-Trakehner brand. I brought it forward at the meeting and we tabled it for further discussion and suggestions to the branding committee.
All you have to do is put your thoughts on paper and present it to the membership to get something started.
Good luck and e-mail me if you need some help with Robert's Rules. I have a great simplified version. shadytrake@earthlink.net aka Melissa Garner, Memphis, TN
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Joy
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I don't buy that litigious society argument. It seems to be a good excuse for anything to be hidden away. If it were valid, it would be valid for mares as well. We all know that there's an element of subjectivity in any inspection process. The inspectors are, after all, human and subject to opinions and error. I'm hoping to go to the Toronto meeting since it's so close, and I guarantee that as a voting member, I'll second that kind of motion!
I would like to see some serious discussion about changes that people would like to happen. Grumbling around the corner doesn't help at all.
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Joy
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Moi?  I think of grumbling as complaints without solutions. I'm looking for solutions, so yes, I started out grumbling, but what I'd love to see is constructive dialogue. I'm not sure the stallion owners do know why or why not, but they may very well. What I'd like to see is that mare owners would, too. Perhaps I'm naive, but I don't think that everyone will breed to the highest scoring stallions--at least, not usually. The most spectacular horse in the world may not benefit a mare if he doesn't correct and complement her. Once babies are on the ground, that's a better indication, and the score wouldn't matter as much.
In fact, if we have a reasonable performance requirement, one that will show what the stallion can really do, or evaluate on the basis of offspring, we'll have a much better idea of what stallion will nick with what mare.
I do propose that stallion scores be made public. I've heard many mare owners, myself included, question the secrecy, and question the approval process itself. And not only are mare owners questioning: I know a couple of stallion owners that are very concerned about presenting their stock because of the politics involved. These are valid concerns that need to be addressed. Any others?
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Joy
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Wow! I just scrolled back to some earlier discussions, particularly one started in April 2003, entitled "Different thoughts about the inspection process". Excellent comments and points made.
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Tannenwald Trakehner
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TANZBRISE by Windfall out of Tariana
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Wow, I just re-read that thread. What deep thinkers we were, and somehow primarily in agreement!
Perhaps we should develop a motion and "elect" someone who is definitely attending the next annual meeting to present it?
Umm, are we somehow limited by the license with the Verband on what we do with our scores?
And I still know nothing about the new U/S requirement at inspections for 4YOs... Doesn't anyone who went to Seattle remember anything about this?
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Joy
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We need two people: one to present the motion, and one to second it. That's the only way it'll ever get to even the discussion phase. Yes, let's develop a motion, and let's see it be presented and seconded.
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shadytrake
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Well, I am definitely going to the meeting and I presented 2 motions at the last meeting so I can definitely either present it or 2nd it. I am bringing my Robert's Rules this time.
I don't think we have any license agreement regarding inspection scores. I believe that only has to do with our use of the Antlers.
I will need help with preparing the motion as I am backed up with trying to change the Part Trakehner brand. I am working on new designs now to submit to the Branding committee.
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