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Simon Reynolds: ‘Showing can be fickle and people easily forget’ *H&H Plus*

Opinion
Simon Reynolds Simon Reynolds

    • Simon Reynolds asks whether we need to support different kinds of shows, plans for 2020 and creating the illusion of the best horse

    As we come to the end of a very difficult season of showing we need to keep ploughing on with ideas for next year. What struck me is that the more established form horses of 2019 did not really make an appearance this year, and instead we saw the novices take precedence in a bid to gain experience at the limited shows available.

    It will be interesting to see how the top horses fare next season. I’m sure some will have benefited from a bit of time off to freshen up, while others might suffer; producing a multi-champion horse relies on outings to gain that all important form.

    Although Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and the Royal International (RIHS) are planning to go ahead next season, there has to be a plan B in place as we just don’t know what is around the corner. Top horses need finals and big classes with proper prize money to keep their prestige. Showing is a subjective sport and the mastery of it is to create the illusion of the best horse.

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