More Humane Showing at the Egyptian Event

We, the undersigned, do hereby petition the Pyramid Society to strictly enforce the rules set forth by said organization for the Egyptian Event show, a USEF sanctioned horse show held in accordance with the Pyramid Society Organization. We are requesting that there be a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY with regard to infractions of AR107 - Conduct and Specifications. Please consider the specified rules below.

1. According to (AR107.1.g), the USEF rules for showing Arabians in-hand (halter) states: In Breeding/Gelding In Hand Classes, there can be NO contact of the whip to the horse. Any contact shall result in elimination by the judge. Specifically, we are requesting that any handler seen whipping the legs or body of a horse be eliminated from the class. It is our hope to see the practice of hitting horses with whips as a training/handling technique to achieve "animation" receive zero tolerance. The undersigned request that this rule be carried out swiftly and immediately for any infractions. We further request that closer monitoring of the warm-up arena be conducted and any infraction of this rule in said area for anything other than obvious unruliness in the horse result also in elimination from the class.

2. Shanking: " The only shanking allowed shall be limited to an unruly horse in order to regain control. ". Therefore, the undersigned hereby request that this rule be strictly enforced, meaning that any evidence of shanking as a training technique of a horse that does not appear unruly result in one warning and with further instances result in immediate elimination from that class. Furthermore, the undersigned request that special attention to this rule be paid to horses two and under.

Enforcement of these rules will further aide in eliminating other rule infractions, such as horses exhibiting "undue stress" per the USEF rule which states: "Horses showing signs of undue stress or inhumane treatment must be penalized." AR105.4 Enforcement of these rules will also aide horses to trot in a straight line along the rail and discourage schooling of horses on the rail, "Following the cessation of the walk, all horses shall relax within the ring and only the horse "on deck" shall be prepared to show. Only the horses "on deck" shall be allowed to prepare for its presentation to the judge(s)..... All other exhibitors must remain relaxed within the ring, or they shall be penalized. ". Horses that are not being hit with whips or shanked will not show "undue stress" and will be able to trot out in a more fluid motion for the benefit of being judged.

The goal of the Pyramid Society, as stated here:

It is the goal of this petition to continue these noble causes by eliminating the afore-mentioned problems that have become paramount at the yearly Egyptian Event show. It is our goal to see these magnificent creatures be treated with dignity, kindness and respect at the show that exemplifies the goals of the Pyramid Society organization. The constant shanking and whipping of horses must be addressed swiftly and aggressively. Not only are most of the afore-mentioned suggestions within the guidelines and rules set forth for said show, ignoring these suggestions is detrimental to the physical and mental well-being of the horses that said organization has devoted its existence to. Also, the concerns set forth in this petition are detrimental to the reputation of the Straight Egyptian Arabian. In an effort to exhibit the natural beauty, motion, intelligence and disposition of the Egyptian Arabian, changes must be made to the manner and style of showmanship that is damaging to how these precious horses are viewed by outside spectators. Also, infractions to these rules make it difficult for newcomers who study the rules and follow them to compete against those who are disregarding the rules and making their own judgements based on subjective reasoning. All subjective reasoning for what is abuse and what is discipline must not interfere with the rules set forth by the USEF. The only subjective judgements that should be made by the show steward are those in which a rule calls for such judgement (e.g. "unruly" behavior). We strongly recommend that these rules be displayed at every opportunity, including but not limited to, in Pyramid Society/Egyptian Event literature, at the barns, the warm up arena and in the main arena. Exhibitors should be strongly encouraged to know each rule and be warned that infractions to these rules will not be tolerated.

We respectfully request that each and every suggestion made within this petition receive top-priority and consideration. Please note that this petition, and the signatures below, are offered with a sincere interest in aiding the Pyramid Society and USEF to put together a humane, fair and safe show that can set an example for other Arabian shows throughout the country. It is through our support and concern for this organization, and the horses it represents, that we make these requests.