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An Amateur Point of View

The role of amateurs:

the sky is the limit on what we can do for our industry

—and for ourselves

by Russ Vento

I’ve been an amateur for most of my life, so it may be amazing that I only recently stopped to consider exactly what an “amateur” is. What role do we play in this industry? Or maybe more importantly, what roles can we play?

By definition, amateurs don’t take money for training or showing horses. But just about everything else in the business is open to us. Just imagine how much that includes; the potential for what an amateur can be in Arabian horses is staggering. Think of our unique position. We’re competitors in what we do, but it’s not about making a living. We’re here for our pride in the work we do and the fun and success we have.

As amateurs, I think we should be a supportive group for everybody. An amateur has a voice and he or she should use it. Use it with their trainers, with their friends, with their family, with their breeders. We are a huge part of our industry and we need to stand up and start talking.

Here are my thoughts on making the most of being an “amateur.”

In the show ring

Clearly, amateurs with knowledge and experience can be judges at any level. That certainly would resolve many perceived conflicts of interest! Not only would it benefit the industry with an additional selection of officials, it would expand our own base of knowledge every time we judged a class. Going to different areas, seeing different horses and different styles of showing (not just amateur, but open as well) could not help but deepen our own appreciation of what is necessary to excel in the ring. We would see all phases of competition—and standing in the middle of the ring is the best experience you can have as an amateur You see from both a trainer’s and amateur’s standpoint what the competition is out there. Then you are able to voice your opinion with a judge’s vote.

It is a wonderful thing to do, to take advantage of the judge’s school and get involved. It benefits both the industry and the person doing it, because no matter how much you know about horses and showing when you go into it, you learn a lot more as you go along.

Many people, I would guess, don’t go to judges’ school (either to judge or just to learn more) because they don’t have the time. Whether or not that is the case, I think it is important for all amateurs to learn more about what they are doing, and if you can’t go to judges school, then you just have to take the initiative to learn on your own. Good trainers always say, “You’ll never learn it all. You can always learn something from everyone.” That’s how they do it. They recall something from 10 years ago and put it with something from today, and presto—they’ve figured out a new way to solve a problem or just to help their horses and riders improve their performances.

The trick is to remember that there are all kinds of places to learn. Check out other divisions. No telling what you might pick up in dressage, or reining, or something that might seem unrelated to the area of your concentration. Another way is asking other amateurs for information; it’s not like someone has to be paid to have an opinion. When you need to know something (“man, that really impressed me” and “why did you show this one that way?”), ask. Whether it is an amateur or a trainer, if you saw it and liked it, walk back to the stalls and ask why and how. Like the book that said ‘it takes a village,’ you will consult many people and ask a lot of questions in the development of your own style and your own showmanship.

While we may not all become judges, we can all lend our expertise to help others. Just because we are not being paid, there is no reason we can’t voice an opinion. Having an opinion does not make us trainers. There’s a difference between amateur coaching and what the trainers do for us. Both are very useful, but I’m not advocating in any way that an amateur should infringe on a trainer’s duties.

Let’s say you have a friend in the ring. Calling out that they need to go faster, or are on the wrong lead, or need more headset, or telling them to go out there and show themselves—that is all being supportive. A trainer, on the other hand, will be a lot more technical. In every good lesson from a trainer, he or she is telling you how to present your horse best. They will be developing your technique: maybe you need more inside leg, more inside hand, or to tap your horse with the whip to get it into the frame for showing. As an amateur, you’re just alerting your friend to problems (“you’re on the wrong lead”).

Trainers have, or should have, the depth of knowledge to decide what kind of bit a horse needs, or what sort of shoeing. They are the ones to decide on a plan of presentation in the ring. Amateurs can bounce their nerves off of each other and act as another pair of eyes during a performance. When a trainer points out a specific problem to an amateur, another amateur might be a good resource in how to resolve it (“Hey, my trainer says my biggest worry is that I rush things. How do you keep from doing that?” “Here’s what I did; see if it works for you.”) Most questions should be cleared with your trainer, because that is who you put your faith and trust in. But sometimes another amateur has valuable input in solving a problem.

If you have the drive and the dedication, there is nothing you can’t do. Just look at yourself realistically, do what it takes to be capable of reaching your goal, and then jump in.

Breeding beautiful Arabians

Some of our top amateurs are breeders as well. Let me say right up front that breeding horses is not an easy job. It’s a tough job, and it takes years and years and years of experience. Becoming your own breeder and developing your own style of horse takes more than just having the money to buy the best bloodstock and breedings to the most popular stallions.

A true breeder studies and discerns which bloodlines go well with which, and which individual horses complement each other. They talk to experienced, successful breeders, and look at the babies everywhere. All those things we talk about doing as an amateur or with your trainer—breeders do the same thing. It’s just on in different field. But one thing is clear; there is absolutely no reason that an amateur cannot make great contributions as a breeder.

Once again, the biggest requirement is that you develop a wealth of knowledge. Any breeder takes an incredible amount of pride in what they do, just as the showman or trainer does in the ring.

It has been said that it is easier to get into breeding for halter than for performance. I wouldn’t say it is easier, because good conformation is about correctness, which ultimately is based on how a horse should be able to move and work. But you do learn how successful you are more quickly. You breed five babies, you know in a year how well you have done. For performance horses, it is a long range plan. It is five years before you know what you have bred. But that is all part of a breeding program, and it is the same for amateurs as it is for professionals.

I love to breed for that optimum goal of halter and performance. From a business standpoint, we plan to show yearlings in halter, and then ride them or sell them or whatever works out.

The spirit of an amateur: What I can do for my industry

I often wonder if enough amateurs really think about the possibilities of what they can accomplish in this industry. Sometimes we amateurs can be very close-minded. It’s very easy to say “I can’t” or to advance a negative opinion. I remember being at a dog show with amateur handlers there. There was this beautiful, incredible poodle there, but the comments I heard were things like “oh, it’s an inch too big.” Rather than being supporters of the quality of the animal, people found it easier to bring up the negativity of it.

Another thing I question is that as amateurs, we sometimes act as though we have no confidence. As if we’re not capable and need someone else to do whatever it is that needs doing. That is just not true We are the strength of the industry. We’re the ones with the disposal income. We’re willing to use our disposal income for the enjoyment of the Arabian horse, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t do all sorts of things that professionals do. We can judge, we can support our friends who exhibit, we can breed horses, and we can promote the Arabian horse. In my opinion, a true amateur busts his or her butt.

There is no reason in the world that an amateur can’t have a party (“come see my babies”). Invite 20 friends over, have some wine and cheese, and show them your breeding program.

Amateurs who aren’t breeders, or who hesitate about doing something like that by themselves, can organize something with their trainers.

For instance, do an amateur forum. Pick five amateurs in your area, have a cake and ice cream party or a hot dog and hamburger party, and just talk about your area. Get involved. Answer the question: What do we need to do to promote the Arabian horse in our area? Have a Q&A; talk about mutual problems or weaknesses. Help each other out. Every amateur has an experience to share. What riding styles do you like? Who do you want to ride like? What got you involved with Arabian horses? What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you? All those things generate talking and sharing Somebody will pick something up from it that will help them.

Another positive idea would be to introduce others to the enjoyment of Arabian horses. If a nearby barn is having a function, drop in for a couple of hours and bring friends. You never know what will happen. We had someone who walked in to feed her friend’s horses carrots and wound up buying two horses of her own She is from California, and when she came to visit in Scottsdale one time, her friend asked her to drop in and give her horses a carrot or two. We spent some time with her, she fed the horses carrots, two other horses nickered at her and she bought them. Now she’s new, she’s excited, and one of the horses she bought was successful all year long.

Those are some strengths that we have and things that we amateurs can do to make this industry better for everyone. Be involved. Amateurs can have a much bigger role and a much bigger voice. Let’s just keep our opinions supportive. There are so many things we can talk about and so many things we can do. It’s not about our livelihood; it’s about our passion.

For anyone who would like to email questions, topics, or comments, I can be reached at info@battagliafarms.com. I’d love to hear from you.

Russell Vento Jr. has been involved in the Arabian industry for 25 years, and since 1989 has been a partner in Battaglia Farms. He was honored twice with APAHA Amateur Horseman Awards. To date, he has owned or shown 30 U.S., Canadian and National Show Horse national champions, and he now enjoys watching his daughter Skyler win on many of the horses with whom he was successful. He has been a Large R USAE/AHA judge since 1996.