March 27, 2002

Dear Sir,

This letter is in response to Mrs. Sandra Outerbridge regarding her unwarrantable letter to the editor dated March 17, 2002.

Firstly, it is a shame that Mrs. Outerbridge commented on something she knows nothing about. She mentioned in her letter that "civilised people do not ride lame horses", and that "her blatant disregard for the animal's welfare at her age was sad to see". She also stated that if a horse is lame, the problem is diagnosed, treated accordingly and that often, treatment means rest - whether there is a horse show or not. It seems to me that she suggests that this girl took her horse to a show knowing that her horse was lame? If so, Mrs. Outerbridge is horribly wrong!

The true facts are as follows: The horse was in classes throughout the day, and during the flat class that she mentions that was held towards the end of the show day, the rider became aware of the fact that her horse wasn't as fluid in her movement as she normally is. For this reason, the rider not only made the decision to scratch her horse from the remaining two classes that day, but also scratched her from showing on the following day. The horse was diagnosed with a minor problem and was treated/rested for a full seven days following the diagnosis, and for this reason, the horse was not present at the jumping show last Sunday, March 24th.

She also stated that "these young people must set an example to the ones who look up to them". This comment is so true. So, it is a shame, that Mrs. Outerbridge wasn't present at the horse show at the end of the day when, one of her own grown-up adult daughters was seen grazing a horse without even a lead rope attached to it. She sat on the bleachers while the horse continued to graze. Someone commented that she should be holding the horse but she let them know that the horse was "bomb proof" and that it "wasn't going anywhere". Where, may I ask, was she setting a good example?

Good luck to you and others who don't get there facts straight before they find the need to publish such utter garbage!

WARWICK