For the people in the stands who insist on clucking...

[Instant Karma]

..can you explain to me exactly WHY you feel it necessary to do?

Seriously, at Harrisburg, any horse that looked at a fence caused a mob of people to cluck. So then, when the horse would reapproach the fence, there was a huge racket of clucking which at the very least was unnecessary and at MOST an obnoxious distraction for horse and/or rider.

So does anyone REALLY think that clucking from the stands is honestly going to get a horse over a fence?

I can't be the only one that feels this way!

[hellerkm]

..can you explain to me exactly WHY you feel it necessary to do?

Seriously, at Harrisburg, any horse that looked at a fence caused a mob of people to cluck. So then, when the horse would reapproach the fence, there was a huge racket of clucking which at the very least was unnecessary and at MOST an obnoxious distraction for horse and/or rider.

So does anyone REALLY think that clucking from the stands is honestly going to get a horse over a fence?

I can't be the only one that feels this way!

OH come on tell me you have NEVER clucked when you thought a horse you were watching might quit??? I do it, we ALL do it!! Now I do try very very hard to control it in a show setting, I think you should be able to get your OWN horse over the fence without my help ( and I seriously doubt you need it if I am in the stands you are out there going around) but every once in a while its slips, mainly if I sub conscientiously think you picked a REALLLY bad spot!! Although I am sure it was a better spot than I could have picked if I were in your shoes ( I would be trying hard not to puke while in that HUGE arena with LOTS of people watching!!:))
I promise to try to keep my clucks to myself!!

[mroades]

OMG IK we were there junior weekend, and it often sounded like a demented pack of squirrels!! My kids and I did not cluck, it was so obnoxious.

[Instant Karma]

I can tell you with 110% certainty that I have never clucked at someone's horse. When I am jumping, I never cluck at my horse, I dunno why. I may yell expletives, squeeze my spurs until they touch in the middle, flap my arms like a chicken, but I never cluck when I am jumping.

If I see someone getting to a bad spot, or needing to pick up the pace, I normally just say in a very low voice, 'go horsie go, go horsie go!' And I am not kidding:lol: Being that I have a very spooky horse, I can say that if a wall of people started clucking at him, he isn't going to go ANYWHERE near it.

I think it is more counterproductive than anything else, maybe it makes those people in the stands who are clucking feel better- but I really doubt it is going to help the horse/rider on course.

[altjaeger]

I would never notice anyone in the stands clucking due to concentrating and I never cluck or make any sound when showing. In Hunters, I've always assumed it would be counted against you by the judge.

[Petstorejunkie]

please, i cluck at cars in traffic, and idiots in line. get over it or push your horse forward and we'll shut up.

[Sithly]

I'm guessing it's the same instinct displayed by my mother when she was teaching me how to drive. She would sit on the passenger side and stomp her foot down as if she had her very own brake pedal over there (she didn't). :lol:

[Luv2Show]

I would never notice anyone in the stands clucking due to concentrating

Im with you. I tune out every sound around me except my horse and somehow manage to hear my trainer even if they whisper. I hear nothing else. I came out of the ring once and my mom asked if my little brother's cheering had bothered me....I replied "What cheering?" LOL. They could not believe I didnt hear them.

[Showjumper28]

please, i cluck at cars in traffic, and idiots in line. get over it or push your horse forward and we'll shut up.

I do the exact same thing and I couldn't agree more!!! LOL:lol:

[HARROLDhasmyheart]

It really does bother me when people cluck in the stands, if I can hear them. The majority of times I try to tune all possible distractions out, but when I do hear it...UGH! I understand the natural impulse, similar to the "mom pretending to have a brake pedal on the passenger side of the car" phenomenon. However, chances are the rider is far more aware of how much horse they have under them, whether they will make it over the fence, through the combination, etc. While it may appear 'obvious' to people in the stands, the result of the ride is due entirely to the horse and rider IN the ring, not what people watching think.

[Seven-up]

I cluck even when I watch on tv or online. I blame it on putting munchkins in the ring too often. Once you do that enough times, it's involuntary. :lol:


Now, at a place like Harrisburg, hell, if you made it there, you're on your own.

[klmck63]

I'm guessing it's the same instinct displayed by my mother when she was teaching me how to drive. She would sit on the passenger side and stomp her foot down as if she had her very own brake pedal over there (she didn't). :lol:

:lol::yes::yes:

[Instant Karma]

please, i cluck at cars in traffic, and idiots in line. get over it or push your horse forward and we'll shut up.

The really vocal morons only seem to be at the big indoor shows, and when I look to see who they are, it's certainly not coming from the exhibitor section. More like, a bunch of yayhoos who think they are showing their horsie expertise by clucking when they see fit.

[Jaegermonster]

I do it, we ALL do it!!


No, we don't "all do it". It's distracting, rude and obnoxious. I usually prefer to let the person ON the horse do the riding. They really don't any help from the peanut gallery.

[Piaffing]

It is distracting and rude. I had this happen to me many years ago when I did jump. My horse refused and people on the side were clucking at us. So I tried again people clucked louder and my horse was distracted by them. I turned and told the crowd to shut up as they were distracting the horses. I was not the only one who had refusals at that jump. 3rd try in silence we sailed over with no problem.

[mroades]

No, we don't "all do it". It's distracting, rude and obnoxious. I usually prefer to let the person ON the horse do the riding. They really don't any help from the peanut gallery.

:yes:

[MistyBlue]

Breathing is involuntary. Clucking to someone else's horse in a show ring is *not*.
I agree, at best it's rude...at worst it's narcistic of the clucker.
The rider might tune it out...the horse might not.
Keep your tongues firmly in cheek, not clucking.
Seriously...can't control it or everyone does it? :sigh:

[WorthTheWait95]

I'm guilty of it but ONLY when I know the person and horse in the ring (ie: a friend) and then it's almost inaudible. I have a habit of riding the course with my friends from the stands and since I'm also usually the videographer my quiet encouragments are usually caught on tape! :lol: It's usually not loud enough for people around me to notice though so no way is it heard in the ring. I was raised by trainers who were/are dead set against ring side coaching and found it in poor taste for trainers and riders to school from the in gate.

Usually the groups of girls I see being LOUD with their clucking and what not are the tweens/teens that think they're cool and are trying to show off.

[scrat]

It is distracting and rude. I had this happen to me many years ago when I did jump. My horse refused and people on the side were clucking at us. So I tried again people clucked louder and my horse was distracted by them. I turned and told the crowd to shut up as they were distracting the horses. I was not the only one who had refusals at that jump. 3rd try in silence we sailed over with no problem.

I had almost the same situation at Harrisburg this past week; however, my horse was not scared of the jump at all - it was the people to start with, so clucking just helped us out so much :rolleyes: and cost us a refusal. I didn't tell people to shut up; however, if I thought it would not be in horrible taste at a big show like that, I would have given them the middle finger over the fence! :yes:

[cgray0983]

I was scolded as a child for doing this, so now its a major pet peeve of mine when I am at a horse show and people do it around me.

Clucking is my tool for getting my horse to pick up those legs, so distracting if someone on the rail does it! It is rude - only my trainer can do it. I know one girl who does it consistently to every horse in the jumper ring, she is an experienced rider and in her 20s, she should know better >.<

[horsepoor]

No, we don't "all do it". It's distracting, rude and obnoxious. I usually prefer to let the person ON the horse do the riding. They really don't any help from the peanut gallery.

Absolutely agree.

It annoys the heck out of me even when I am not the one in the ring.

[AndNirina]

I don't honestly think I've ever clucked while watching a show, but I cluck to my dogs at home all the time.

[Mach Two]

No, we don't "all do it". It's distracting, rude and obnoxious. I usually prefer to let the person ON the horse do the riding. They really don't any help from the peanut gallery.

Ah, a person from my camp!

[kellidahorsegirl]

I think what we all (may) have is the instinct to know what 'should' be done in situations...sure. But we don't ALL cluck at other people in the ring. I have watched lots of shows where I either A: in my head or B: VERY quietly under my breath go 'come onnnn..goooooo' or something to that effect.

My trainer (who I see twice a year haha) has said on more than one occasion to other people that a cluck is a tool to save...don't overuse it because it'll come in handy when you need it. I just TALK to my horses.....I rarely make the clucks or kisses at them...then when I REALLY need them to move, I can use those sounds.

So yeah....clucking at people in the ring is rude to the competitor and annoying to the other folks in the stand who are trying to respect that person's ride...

[TrueGrit]

It is distracting and rude. I had this happen to me many years ago when I did jump. My horse refused and people on the side were clucking at us. So I tried again people clucked louder and my horse was distracted by them. I turned and told the crowd to shut up as they were distracting the horses. I was not the only one who had refusals at that jump. 3rd try in silence we sailed over with no problem.

The "cackling/clucking" of the "sideline crows" is not only rude, it can spoil one's ride, and is potentially dangerous. Very unhorseman-like behaviour if coming from horsey-spectators, and just plain dumb from the rest.

Regardless, why isn't the announcer reminding the crowd to keep quiet til the end of the ride? They have no problem reminding the crowd at Spruce Meadows to be quiet - surely show officials could address this problem before it happens, i.e., a reminder to spectators to keep quiet during rounds.

Funny, how you don't hear any "clucking" when golfers are putting - and they're not dealing with the complexities of being aboard a 1200lb naturally skittish animal! Clearly that sport engages in better 'crowd control'. Certainly riders deserve at least the same "etiquette".

[SaturdayNightLive]

I don't do it, but it doesn't bother me. I don't hear it anyway (too focused) and I feel like my horse should be paying attention to me, not the crowd. If he's paying so much attention to the crowd that clucking is going to bother him, I can't imagine what he's going to do when somebody stands up or removes a jacket suddenly. :rolleyes:

[tBHj]

I don't do it, but it doesn't bother me. I don't hear it anyway (too focused) and I feel like my horse should be paying attention to me, not the crowd. If he's paying so much attention to the crowd that clucking is going to bother him, I can't imagine what he's going to do when somebody stands up or removes a jacket suddenly. :rolleyes:


Well said. I agree.

[Treasmare2]

Install some ear balls on horsie if it is distracting and perhaps get some ear plugs for yourself. I think it is nice that people are concerned enough about you to try to help you get your horsie forward. Since watching hunters is percieved as a boring by many it is so nice that a crowd has been drawn...all horsie people I would think since they are clucking. Participation is part of the show experience (and if you are at Harrisburg I assume you horse has had some exposure) and there is no way to issue a gag order. Now yelling school kids with baloons yelling "hee yaw" and "gee gee" is another thing. They should all be shot!!!!!

[tidy rabbit]

No, we don't "all do it". It's distracting, rude and obnoxious. I usually prefer to let the person ON the horse do the riding. They really don't any help from the peanut gallery.

The couple times I've been to watch the world cup in Vegas and people clucking at the likes of Rodrigo and Merridith... right, like THEY need YOUR input. I hate that. Have some self control people.

[WorthTheWait95]

At the same time I don't think it's a bad thing that spectators are getting involved with the rides. If we want our sport to gain sponsorship it needs to be fun for the spectators. Look at the Syracuse Sport Horse Tournament, they encourage crowd participation to cheer on their favorite combos and as a result the stadium was packed last year. That's great for the sport. That and events like the world cup are a great way to hook people on to a sport that is often viewed as elitist.

I don't know. I guess it's true that golf is super popular even though it's a hold-your-breath-don't-make-any-sudden-movements spectator sports but it's also a game that's much easier for the average joe to get involved with and understand.

[Gideon]

There are always vocal and loud people at horse shows, it's all part of the game.
It's best to try to tune them out and concentrate on your riding.:D

[horsegirl123]

Personally I hate it. I don't allow the girls to do it a home. I always ask them if they are riders or chickens. It takes more energy to cluck then to use the legs god gave them.

[mvp]

Do you guys really think our industry will do better if we impose a gag rule and make it into golf or dressage?

Things are worse in the dressage world. These horses, competing in a discipline meant to develop war horses, are ridden by people who will *lose their mind* if someone brings a stroller-n-kid to watch and the kid does something kid-like.


Lighten up. It's more annoying for other audience members in the stands than it is for horse and rider. Or at least, the spectators ought to be irrelevant to the competitor.

[webmistress32]

here's a great reason to love eventing: no Unauthorized Assistance.

yes, clucking, while it would be obviously more annoying and detrimental than anything else (what kind of dummy would do this anyway?? wow!) would be considered Unauthorized Assistance and get the competitor eliminated.

so when you are riding you are generally guaranteed quiet and your paid-for opportunity to focus and concentrate on your performance.

[kellyb]

I don't do it, but it doesn't bother me either.

Honestly one of the most fun events I have ever been at was watching the jumpers go at QH Congress. You guys would HATE it there. The crowd was so into it - cheering riders on, clucking, yeah there was no golf clapping after the rounds there! It was fun to see an audience so 'into' the sport.

One youth rider didn't like all the ruckus, and when she came into the ring she looked at the crowd and held up her index finger to her mouth signaling them to be quiet. I thought it was a polite way to ask - and the normal 'whoopers' did respect her request.

[Mo's Mom]

I have more than once caught myself "helping" under my breath, but never loudly. I only ride in small shows, so clucking is not usually a problem. In the state show, I was in the bleechers, and not really an issue. I do belive that is could really affect the horse/rider, so nope, not gunna do it. How to ask nicely, or if you should ask, to tone it down....I am torn.

[Sillymoose]

Yep webmistress, grandstand clucking is a huge no no in eventing. The last horse trial I was at there was a horse that was having a lot of trouble in stadium. A group that knew the rider started clucking very loudly every time the horse came to a jump and the TD came over and told them in no uncertain terms to quit. Now I do sometimes find myself clucking under my breath for someone I know but never loud enough for anyone that's not standing right next to me to hear. Its just annoying to have stand next to a group of rail chickens that start clucking away everytime a horse even looks at a jump.

[RugBug]

I don't do it, but it doesn't bother me. I don't hear it anyway (too focused) and I feel like my horse should be paying attention to me, not the crowd. If he's paying so much attention to the crowd that clucking is going to bother him, I can't imagine what he's going to do when somebody stands up or removes a jacket suddenly. :rolleyes:


Agreed...and I ride one that is VERY distracted when someone stands up or removes a jacket. He couldn't care less if people are clucking at him,though. Nor do I. I don't consciously hear them, anyway.

And really, I'd rather hear people clucking than hear the collective gasping in of air when I send my horse off the ground from some impossible distance. :D Maybe if I'd heeded their clucking I would've moved up more and closed that distance. :lol:

[eclipse]

The "cackling/clucking" of the "sideline crows" is not only rude, it can spoil one's ride, and is potentially dangerous. Very unhorseman-like behaviour if coming from horsey-spectators, and just plain dumb from the rest.

Regardless, why isn't the announcer reminding the crowd to keep quiet til the end of the ride? They have no problem reminding the crowd at Spruce Meadows to be quiet - surely show officials could address this problem before it happens, i.e., a reminder to spectators to keep quiet during rounds.

Funny, how you don't hear any "clucking" when golfers are putting - and they're not dealing with the complexities of being aboard a 1200lb naturally skittish animal! Clearly that sport engages in better 'crowd control'. Certainly riders deserve at least the same "etiquette".

I notice nothing in the ring until I'm done, but I've never in all my years at Spruce heard them ask for silence at Spruce Meadows! Those are actually some of the loudest rings I've shown in (especially the indoor arena). There's music going the whole time, and the announcer is generally talking during most of your round, and there's an especially large video screen right slap bang in the corner that you have to canter past! The people are sitting right at ringside but I've never noticed them clucking or making a lot of noise, but niether are they deathly silent either! Now, on the other hand, I have heard a gasp from the playpen as I've taken out a stride...does that count? :lol: If I knew how to download a video you could see how loud that ring really is, & how little notice the horses take of all the action going on!

[MIKES MCS]

I don't do it, but it doesn't bother me. I don't hear it anyway (too focused) and I feel like my horse should be paying attention to me, not the crowd. If he's paying so much attention to the crowd that clucking is going to bother him, I can't imagine what he's going to do when somebody stands up or removes a jacket suddenly. :rolleyes:

Thank YOU , to those who are soooo disturbed by the RUDE behavior of the obviously ignorant peanut gallery.. please Stuff your ears and those of your horse, OR better yet only go to shows where their are no spectators allowed and absolutely no enthusiasm expressed by the crowd at all, as it could disturb your absolutely otherwise perfect ride. Get over yourselves .

[JinxyFish313]

I'm sorry, I can't NOT do it. Same with "whoa". I'm an instructor and its instinct to have some verbal reaction when I see a scary fence brewing from 4 or 5 strides out. I sincerely doubt anybody but the people next to me can hear it though.

[bumknees]

Install some ear balls on horsie if it is distracting and perhaps get some ear plugs for yourself. I think it is nice that people are concerned enough about you to try to help you get your horsie forward. Since watching hunters is percieved as a boring by many it is so nice that a crowd has been drawn...all horsie people I would think since they are clucking. Participation is part of the show experience (and if you are at Harrisburg I assume you horse has had some exposure) and there is no way to issue a gag order. Now yelling school kids with baloons yelling "hee yaw" and "gee gee" is another thing. They should all be shot!!!!!

Why should someone have to stick something in the ears of their horse or for that matter their ears. cluckers to me are like the 'kissers' and 'smackers' that is common in hte pleasure horse rings.. I had a horse jump out of her skin straight up seem to go in 4 diffrent directions at same time when a kisser came along one side of my and began to kiss to their horse to get it to do what ever it was we were doing at the moment. The horse was concitrating on me but the kiss off the one side was not expected so the animal jumped out of her skin. When I got hte horse back together I went to the kisser and read her the riot act very loudly. not in any of the other flat classes we had together for the rest of the year did that kisser kiss once during a class..

There is no reason for someone to cluck from the outside of the ring.

[Schune]

As far as I'm concerned, spectators in the stands are just that - SPECTATORS.

You are not riding the horse, you are not putting in the round, you are not the owner/rider/trainer/groom/insert whatever of the horse doing the round... so knock it off.

If you can close your mouth, you cannot cluck. Simple as that.

ETA: I think what really irriates me is reading the responses of some people on this thread. "Well, I'm JUST trying to help. I can't HELP it, I'm such a good sport that I want to HELP YOU WIN. God, you should be grateful I'm willing to cluck for you, go school your horse then if you don't like it!"

In reality, I've actually met one horse that did not like clucking - either by a rider or by spectators on the sides. So I would say that yes, your average horse won't be bothered by someone on the stands clucking.

However, it comes down to being conscientious and polite, at least for me.

[tidy rabbit]

I don't do it, but it doesn't bother me either.

Honestly one of the most fun events I have ever been at was watching the jumpers go at QH Congress. You guys would HATE it there. The crowd was so into it - cheering riders on, clucking, yeah there was no golf clapping after the rounds there! It was fun to see an audience so 'into' the sport.


I've shown at Congress and have a video clip of one of my friends yelling out my name at the beginning of my round. So funny! It's a wild crowd and the whooping and hollering is great.

That's totally different than people clucking at you.

[JinxyFish313]

Part of showing is being able to cope with distractions - rude, unintended or otherwise. If you can't deal with people making distracting sounds, you need to school more or find another sport (tennis or chess perhaps).

I don't think clucking is any different than spectators with umbrellas, plastic bags, flash bulbs, screaming children, barking dogs, the crackle of the PA system, trainers yelling in the schooling area behind you, etc.

[RugBug]

I had a horse jump out of her skin straight up seem to go in 4 diffrent directions at same time when a kisser came along one side of my and began to kiss to their horse to get it to do what ever it was we were doing at the moment. The horse was concitrating on me but the kiss off the one side was not expected so the animal jumped out of her skin. When I got hte horse back together I went to the kisser and read her the riot act very loudly. not in any of the other flat classes we had together for the rest of the year did that kisser kiss once during a class..


Your horse jumped out of her skin because someone kissed to THEIR horse? And you told the person off?

Sorry, but clucking, kissing, saying "whoa" "easy" "hey-hey" etc are all normal things people do when riding. If your horse couldn't handle that...sounds like the problem was with your horse...not the other. :rolleyes:

[CenterStage123]

I hate cluckers! If its the horse backing off of the jump that makes people cluck DON"T DO IT! Obviosly the horse is already scared of the jump, and now your making noise near the jump! More than once I have had a major spook or refusal becasue of this. :no:

[bumknees]

I never cluck, kiss etc to any horse I ride. It is a pleasure horse thing at least in my area. And yes if the person kissed loud enough to frazzle the horse I was riding then they were to loud then yes they earned the riot act. there is a huge diferance between someone under their breath woahing etc than one that is doing it loud enough for others to hear. Bad habit to get into.

[RugBug]

I never cluck, kiss etc to any horse I ride. It is a pleasure horse thing at least in my area. And yes if the person kissed loud enough to frazzle the horse I was riding then they were to loud then yes they earned the riot act. there is a huge diferance between someone under their breath woahing etc than one that is doing it loud enough for others to hear. Bad habit to get into.

Well, I'm glad I won't be running into you.

My horse does many things from "verbal" commands: from cantering (kiss), to canter-trot transition ("hey-hey"), to collect ("easy"), etc. Voice is an artificial aid in my book and one that can be very effective.

I couldn't care less what people in the stands or in the arena with me are doing. I would HATE to get all dressage-y on spectators and riders. I've been shushed for talking to someone in a low voice during a dressage show. Give me a break. :rolleyes:

There is one person at our barn who is a bit shrill and my horse does react to her...but it's less about volume (loud) and more about timbre, IMO. I would NEVER tell her to keep it down. I just deal with it.

Same with cluckers, talkers (barn owner is a talker), "GOOOOOO BOOOOOIIIIEEE"-ers, etc. Noise is a part of life and those things go hand in hand with riding.

[TrueGrit]

I notice nothing in the ring until I'm done, but I've never in all my years at Spruce heard them ask for silence at Spruce Meadows! Those are actually some of the loudest rings I've shown in (especially the indoor arena). There's music going the whole time, and the announcer is generally talking during most of your round, and there's an especially large video screen right slap bang in the corner that you have to canter past! The people are sitting right at ringside but I've never noticed them clucking or making a lot of noise, but niether are they deathly silent either! Now, on the other hand, I have heard a gasp from the playpen as I've taken out a stride...does that count? :lol: If I knew how to download a video you could see how loud that ring really is, & how little notice the horses take of all the action going on!


I've watched Spruce Meadows live on TV for many years, and have it recorded on my PVR, and the ring announcer DOES gently remind the crowd of 60,000+ to be quiet until the rider is done. They do comply and are indeed quiet, and then cheer when the round is finished. ( How difficult was that? ) Now these are the World Class Grand Prix riders -what happens in the secondary rings, I have no idea - they're not televised, but they should be given the same courtesy. By the way in which you describe your ride, eclipse, obviously that's not the case. But would your round not have been more enjoyable with less mayhem? Instead, your memories of Spruce will be of the noise and commotion, not the sound of your horse's hoofbeats has he carried you through the course. I guess I'm just an old-fashioned romantic. ( Anyways, I hope you enjoyed your experience. :) It's a gorgeous facility. )

But I simply cannot understand how some folks don't fathom that poor ringside etiquette can be a huge, and potentially dangerous distraction. Accidents do happen, and people get hurt. Sounds like Eventing has it under control - it's about keeping the rider safe and unimpeded, and Dressage doesn't tolerate it - it affects serious concentration, to say the least. I suppose the question is why has this discipline gotten so sloppy? Years ago, you could hear a pin drop if someone was competing. Even whispering got you dirty looks. I guess Common Sense and Common Courtesy are both in alarmingly short supply these days.

When in doubt, ask yourself - what would George Morris say about it? I daresay HE wouldn't tolerate it. That should resolve the issue, without any doubt, if you are serious about outstanding horsemanship.

[mypaintwattie]

To me, it is just plain rude. Almost cost me a flat class once when a group started "kissing" to try to get their riders pony trotting. My horse is very tuned in to voice commands, and to her, a "kiss" means canter. When she heard the mob in the stands "kissing" her reaction was to try to take off, leaving me to try to keep her at a trot, hope the judge didn't see our bobble, and vocalize my displeasure to the group the next time by. That group hasn't done it since. Oh- we did win:D.

[BLBGP]

When in doubt, ask yourself - what would George Morris say about it? I daresay HE wouldn't tolerate it. That should resolve the issue, without any doubt, if you are serious about outstanding horsemanship.

Not to put words in his mouth or anything, but I daresay he'd be more upset that the rider and horse were focused on things outside the ring and not completely focused on the job at hand.

[RugBug]

Instead, your memories of Spruce will be of the noise and commotion, not the sound of your horse's hoofbeats has he carried you through the course. I guess I'm just an old-fashioned romantic. )

Not to put to fine a point on it, but I wish there was a gagging emoticon. Blech.


Sounds like Eventing has it under control - it's about keeping the rider safe and unimpeded, and Dressage doesn't tolerate it - it affects serious concentration, to say the least. I suppose the question is why has this discipline gotten so sloppy? Years ago, you could hear a pin drop if someone was competing. Even whispering got you dirty looks. I guess Common Sense and Common Courtesy are both in alarmingly short supply these days.

Where do you compete? Hunters/jumpers were often showing alongside the ferriswheel and carnival rides in the past.

Please god, don't ever let hunters get so pretentious as dressage. Also You can make plenty of noise at events...you just can't do anything that could be seen as "helping" the riders.


When in doubt, ask yourself - what would George Morris say about it? I daresay HE wouldn't tolerate it. That should resolve the issue, without any doubt, if you are serious about outstanding horsemanship.

I think George would say 'get over yourself and ride."

[kookicat]

I've never done it while watching someone else ride. However, I have clucked at my car, my dogs, and the people walking in front of me if they go too slowly... :winkgrin:

[eclipse]

I've watched Spruce Meadows live on TV for many years, and have it recorded on my PVR, and the ring announcer DOES gently remind the crowd of 60,000+ to be quiet until the rider is done. They do comply and are indeed quiet, and then cheer when the round is finished. ( How difficult was that? ) Now these are the World Class Grand Prix riders -what happens in the secondary rings, I have no idea - they're not televised, but they should be given the same courtesy. By the way in which you describe your ride, eclipse, obviously that's not the case. But would your round not have been more enjoyable with less mayhem? Instead, your memories of Spruce will be of the noise and commotion, not the sound of your horse's hoofbeats has he carried you through the course. I guess I'm just an old-fashioned romantic. ( Anyways, I hope you enjoyed your experience. :) It's a gorgeous facility. ).

Please Lord, get me a barf bag right now! and, nope my memories are definatly NOT any less enjoyable because it wasn't quiet! I actually prefer that the crowd gets in on the action & shows some emotion & enjoyment! I liked it and my horse LOVED it...her ears pricked up & she really strutted her stuff entering those gorgeous rings...there's no feeling like it in the World; you should try it sometime! Guess you better never come & watch the Beaver Drilling Puissance (gasp, the riders actually dress up, ride to rock music, people cheer & clap & the riders egg them on..oh the horrors); the ATCO Double Slalom; the Derby's; oh and that big finale, the CN International....it's definatley NOT quiet in the International Ring!!! LOL :lol:

[amylmac]

Seriously, we are debating about clucking???? What do you people who feel the " Hunters " have become hot house flowers feel about this? Ever been on a hunt field ??? There's some serious rackett going on there. Bottom line is ,if the horse is concentrating on his job it shouldn't be a factor. And yes I have shown in big arenas and I have been oblivious to the spectator mileu. It's a sport, with fans and badly needing MORE fans.

[Against all Odds]

I understand that at times there might be an occasional cluck let out in the stands just out of natural reaction, but any clucks like that I hear are fairly quite and you would not make them out from far away. It's the ones that cluck at every jump, or every time they think they know better that drive me nuts. and those I've found are the really loud obnoxious ones.

but what drives me nuts even more than cluckers is when your at a show that requires tickets (ie you're stuck in the same seats) and you are near someone that just feels the need to talk loud enough for everyone to hear them. and this is about every single possible subject, and clearly they know everything there is to know about horses and just have to show off their knowledge to others :mad:

[twobays]

Why should someone have to stick something in the ears of their horse or for that matter their ears. cluckers to me are like the 'kissers' and 'smackers' that is common in hte pleasure horse rings.. I had a horse jump out of her skin straight up seem to go in 4 diffrent directions at same time when a kisser came along one side of my and began to kiss to their horse to get it to do what ever it was we were doing at the moment. The horse was concitrating on me but the kiss off the one side was not expected so the animal jumped out of her skin. When I got hte horse back together I went to the kisser and read her the riot act very loudly. not in any of the other flat classes we had together for the rest of the year did that kisser kiss once during a class..

There is no reason for someone to cluck from the outside of the ring.

I'm not trying to be rude, but if your horse "jumped out of her skin" because of someone made some noise, does she really belong in a pleasure class?

[Instant Karma]

I understand that at times there might be an occasional cluck let out in the stands just out of natural reaction, but any clucks like that I hear are fairly quite and you would not make them out from far away. It's the ones that cluck at every jump, or every time they think they know better that drive me nuts. and those I've found are the really loud obnoxious ones.



THIS is what I am talking about!

The "cluckers" are acting like they see something coming that the rider doesn't. Come on, we are at Harrisburg, and I am not talking the local hunters here, people did something pretty great to get there! They seem to think they know the horse, or the plan, better than the rider otherwise they would understand to SHUT UP and leave it to the rider's judgement.

Going back to the original question... a horse SPOOKS at a fence, then, on the reapproach, the mother cluckers in the audience start going mad. THEY are making the decision to cluck. Do THEY really feel like their actions are going to help that horse/rider get over the fence? I saw multiple times this past week where it appeared to be a detriment.

As a rider, I wouldn't notice the clucking, my horse may or may not and he does have ear stuffies in when showing. But as a spectator, I think it's pretty arm chair quarterback'ish to try and make decisions for the rider in the ring unless you are a) the rider in question or b) the trainer.

[slinky]

Seems to me this is much ado about nothing. People don't just sit around in the stands and cluck. They only participate in this activity AFTER your horse has stopped at the fence. Either way, you are out of the ribbons by that point and the crowd wasn't even involved. As for those people blaming refusals on the crowd, I suggest you need a lot more show exposure. There are plenty of horses showing indoors that don't stop, and don't need any clucking from the crowd, thus a non-issue.

[Koniucha]

Until they make a rule that clucking, or whatever, is not allowed, seems to me you will have to just deal with it.

[Instant Karma]

Seems to me this is much ado about nothing. People don't just sit around in the stands and cluck.

:lol::lol:What shows have you been to recently? Because I guarantee you weren't at Harrisburg then! I am focusing on the group that insisted on clucking after a horse refused, but there were plenty clucking at almost every fence. It was very obnoxious. Glad they all know better than the riders there!

[Koniucha]

Seriously, we are debating about clucking???? What do you people who feel the " Hunters " have become hot house flowers feel about this? Ever been on a hunt field ??? There's some serious rackett going on there. Bottom line is ,if the horse is concentrating on his job it shouldn't be a factor. And yes I have shown in big arenas and I have been oblivious to the spectator mileu. It's a sport, with fans and badly needing MORE fans.

Exactly! Seems like some people are seriously running out things to complain about!

[Pirateer]

I can't say that I've ever given a hoot if anyone clucks at me when I'm course.

Clapping before i've finished? Now that is something that I get really cranky about.

My horses are generally oblivious to both, which is just the way I like it.

[MistyBlue]

I definitely agree that a horse and rider should be able to easily ignore the peanut gallery clucking like chickens on crack. :yes: It's showing....shite happens.
I just find the peanut gallery clucking like chickens on crack ridiculous. Might as well wear a shirt that says, "I know BEST about everything and will prive it verbally!!!" Bother horse and rider? Nah. Look ridiculous and narcistic? Yep. Can't control it? Unless you have equestrian tourettes...yeah, you can control it.
Seriously... I promise it's a controllable thing. Stop looking foolish. :D

[Instant Karma]

Exactly! Seems like some people are seriously running out things to complain about!

Are you kidding me??? Half of the posts on this board are completely petty and frivolous, why should mine be any different?! :lol::lol::lol:

[slinky]

:lol::lol:What shows have you been to recently? Because I guarantee you weren't at Harrisburg then! I am focusing on the group that insisted on clucking after a horse refused, but there were plenty clucking at almost every fence. It was very obnoxious. Glad they all know better than the riders there!

Indeed I was at Harrisburg, several days. Maybe next year you will need to sit in a different section, as people in the section were I was seated were very respectful, positive, and encouraging about the horses and riders. Either way, I appreciate that it bothers you, but it is not something I see changing anytime soon.

[Koniucha]

Are you kidding me??? Half of the posts on this board are completely petty and frivolous, why should mine be any different?! :lol::lol::lol:

Ain't that the truth! I wish I had these problems!

[CenterStage123]

As for those people blaming refusals on the crowd, I suggest you need a lot more show exposure.

Your right, my horse does need a lot more show exposure. At the show I mentioned he was only 6 (he was started in nov. of the year he was 4). And it was his first time in a ring like harrisburg (Zone finals). He short, so his head wasn't even above the wall (yes, he's a little downhill too), so I don't blame him foor stopping at the jump he not only found scary but suddenly made noise too! He is much better now, and something like that only happened one other time, but ti was with a power drill(different story).

[Jersey Fresh]

:lol::lol:What shows have you been to recently? Because I guarantee you weren't at Harrisburg then! I am focusing on the group that insisted on clucking after a horse refused, but there were plenty clucking at almost every fence. It was very obnoxious. Glad they all know better than the riders there!

If it bothered you that much, wouldn't it have made more sense to voice your opinion to those who were clucking? Wouldnt it have solved your problem a bit more than posting this on COTH?

[Polydor]

Can't say i have seen/heard much clucking at fences up here but it is entertaining to watch all of the riders/grooms/trainers in the rider's lounge at spruce Meadows international ring riding every ride! Plus the yelling /cursing in 5+ different languages. Pretty entertaining!

P.

[RoyalTRider]

I really dislike the phrase get over yourself, but I think if anyone needs to do it, it's the ones who think their opinion of the ride/ helpful suggestions for the ride/ whatever else their clucks are for are wanted, needed, or appreciated by the rider.

a horse SPOOKS at a fence, then, on the reapproach, the mother cluckers in the audience start going mad

:lol::lol::lol: If I ever show hunters again, can I please yell at anyone who clucks to "Shut up, you mother clucker!"

I'm seeing a lot of what I call the life's-not-fair argument. People who wrong you in some way (I realize that many here don't believe this is wrong) and then rationalize it by saying that life isn't fair. The fact that life isn't fair should not be a rationalization for making it unfair when it's in your power to not do so. Same here... doing something potentially distracting or detrimental to a ride should not be rationalized by saying, "Well, it happens." Not if people don't do it, it doesn't.

[tidy rabbit]

Thinking back now, I was at a show here in Ohio that was indoors in the winter time. A friend and her family showed up to check it all out. I was sitting with them watching the paint dry and the kids were giggling and being kids. The rider in the ring actually shushed the children as she rode by. LOL. Was it that bad? Really? That people were ACTUALLY THERE TO WATCH the paint dry and you had to shush them?

[enjoytheride]

So basically a bunch of people have actually admitted to being railbirds. Not only that, they refuse to honor the rider's request to NOT make loud and unhelpful noises for no reason at all at a horse and rider they don't know. For some reason they believe an important part of being a spectator is making expectant chicken noises from the stands. Further, they are actually pissed that somone would dare ask them to be respectful and quiet.

Seriously?

How about next time the railbird rides (if they indeed ride) someone brings a set of symbols and then bangs them just before your hunter takes off. Then when you are screaming and swearing in the dirt they can tell you to get over it.

[Instant Karma]

If it bothered you that much, wouldn't it have made more sense to voice your opinion to those who were clucking? Wouldnt it have solved your problem a bit more than posting this on COTH?

No one in my immediate section sounded like they were clucking. It was a few sections down in each direction, and I wasn't about to go walking over there to ask them to stop.

Well actually, one night someone near me did cluck, and I said "I really can't stand when people cluck like that." So she commenced to growling instead:lol:

And come on, if I didn't post this here, we wouldn't be able to have this lively pro-cluck/anti-cluck conversation!

[Instant Karma]

How about next time the railbird rides (if they indeed ride) someone brings a set of symbols and then bangs them just before your hunter takes off. Then when you are screaming and swearing in the dirt they can tell you to get over it.

Good point... just like someone in the stands shouldn't wag a crop in the air, or snap a lunge whip. By everyone's admission, a cluck is part of our arsenal of vocal aids... and an aid should really only be used by the rider on the horse.

[JinxyFish313]

So basically a bunch of people have actually admitted to being railbirds. Not only that, they refuse to honor the rider's request to NOT make loud and unhelpful noises for no reason at all at a horse and rider they don't know. For some reason they believe an important part of being a spectator is making expectant chicken noises from the stands. Further, they are actually pissed that somone would dare ask them to be respectful and quiet.

Seriously?

How about next time the railbird rides (if they indeed ride) someone brings a set of symbols and then bangs them just before your hunter takes off. Then when you are screaming and swearing in the dirt they can tell you to get over it.
How about someone blows a HORN before your horse takes off...if he can't handle that, he ain't a hunter.

[Maya01]

please, i cluck at cars in traffic, and idiots in line. get over it or push your horse forward and we'll shut up.

:lol::lol::lol: I cluck most things that are going slow. Including once in the high school hallway when a herd of niners were slowly meandering through the halls (they really don't know hallway etiquette) which received some pretty harsh looks. Not abnormal for me :yes:

It actually doesn't bother most people because when you're in the ring you don't hear much except for your own thoughts. If you don't we shall blame it on ADD because you shouldn't be listening to the crowd while you're in the ring :) I'm not 100% sure about what the horse thinks, but I'm sure it is more worried about the scary fence monster than the demented chipmunk audience.

Ignore the self-righteous cluckers - you aren't going to change the habits of hundreds of thousands of people by complaining about it on here. Sorry :no:

I always feel the need to write something about all my opinions being final - no drastic changes will be made unless I feel the need to change my opinion nor will I fight with you about it because that is a pointless waste of my time and, not to mention, yours. Oh goodness, I feel like a bloody lawyer. Too bad I suck at arguing because it could be a viable life path for me. The money is good.

[Seven-up]

I think we need a separate show series for some people.

1. The only food available will be cotton candy, creamed corn and oatmeal. No potato chips, peanut brittle or crunchy pickles. A note from Ms. Manners is required as proof you only chew with your mouth closed.

2. Spectators must rid their noses of whistly boogers before entering the stands. Inspections will be administered before being seated.

3. It is understood that our spectators will be clenched too tight to fart, but in the event that you are bloated, please remain in your car until the Gas-X takes effect. We need not remind you how metal bleachers will amplify normal farts.

4. Absolutely no sneezing. Armed guards will be standing by to shoot you. The guns are, of course, equipped with silencers.

5. If your enthusiasm for a good round overwhelms you, please note that applause is not allowed. Only rapid blinking is acceptable.

[Haalter]

Seven-Up, you are my hero!

I would like to ask also that only soft, slipper-type shoes are to be worn - anything with a hard sole would make an awful racket walking around.

[Serah]

The couple times I've been to watch the world cup in Vegas and people clucking at the likes of Rodrigo and Merridith... right, like THEY need YOUR input. I hate that. Have some self control people.

OMG THIS DROVE ME CRAZY THIS YEAR!!!!! That is the problem i have with the people clucking on the rail is that narcissistic attitude like they can ride the horse better than the person in the ring... or they have a better eye... Gimme a friggin' break!!!

And riders/horses shouldn't get distracted obviously, but a cluck is a sound that most people have TAUGHT their horse to react to, so its understandable that they would react to the stands clucking....

For all you mother clucking railbirds, are you seriously that cocky that you think you are going to coach a random rider? Would you walk into the schooling ring and critique someone?
I'm embarassed for all of you clucking in the stands... and I would expect that none of you EVER miss...

[Instant Karma]

2. Spectators must rid their noses of whistly boogers before entering the stands. Inspections will be administered before being seated.

3. It is understood that our spectators will be clenched too tight to fart, but in the event that you are bloated, please remain in your car until the Gas-X takes effect. We need not remind you how metal bleachers will amplify normal farts.


This thread was well worth posting, just to receive this gem of an answer:lol::lol::lol:

[dags]

Nylon jackets, and their incessant rustling, are not permitted. Neither are ponchos nor their brightly colored counterpart rainjackets. Should you be caught attempting to enter the grounds with an umbrella your wing-sprouting-horse-eater will be immediately confiscated and a liverpool will be sent to live in your horses stall for the duration of the show.

[nlk]

I'm guilty but not to others horses!

When my kids are in the ring (my ponies:D) and they are at the other end of the ring, NO WAY can they hear my say "pick up the pace" so I often find myself give a cluck and then quickly feel like an idiot because the horse or the rider can't even HEAR me.:lol::lol::lol:


On the other hand does anyone find themselves 2 pointing while whatching others ride????:lol: I'm guilty all the way!

[GreystoneKC]

This thread is hilarious! Personally, I am not a fan of outsiders excessively clucking. However, I do see why it happens sometimes when a horse is being particularly spooky or has already stopped. I will admit to clucking twice to a pony at Zones on Sunday that had stopped already and was having a really tough time of getting around. It was funny to my friend and students that I was with because I had JUST been complaining about the ONSLAUGHT of clucking for a previous jump! Somehow watching the pony come out of the corner and start sitting back saying "No way in jabumbleflip am I going to the other end of the ring!" right in front of us made the evil cluck slip from my lips, lol. It happens. Silly argument to say, "do I think I could have done a better job?", because, well, yes, I do... but duh, the kid looked petrified and upset by that point and wasn't having her best day... But still. I think sometimes with some people it just slips out in an effort to "help" - others are just obnoxious. I certainly can't imagine anyone making a habit of it or taking a stand saying "I WILL cluck at you if I FEEL like it!" - that's just rude.

I get laughed at for this opinion, but you know what I hate? People who clap when you fall off. I get it - they're just happy to see you up, alive, and in one piece... but the LAST thing I want to hear is the sound of someone applauding for my epik fail. LOL

[Haalter]

I get laughed at for this opinion, but you know what I hate? People who clap when you fall off. I get it - they're just happy to see you up, alive, and in one piece... but the LAST thing I want to hear is the sound of someone applauding for my epik fail. LOL
I don't mind the golf-clapping when one gets up from a fall, but whooping in such a case is absurd...and it happens. If anyone felt the need to whoop and cheer loudly if I fell and got up, I would probably find them and smack them. Hard.

My personal least favorite is a "trainer" who frequents some of the shows that I do, and has a bunch of scary students who hardly ever get around a course without a stop or a scary jump. And all their rounds get whooping from trainer and barnmates at the end. In fact, it seems like the whooping is louder the more chips/stops/scary add strides that happen. And shouts like, "Way to go, Jane!!!" At the end of a round with a stop. At an A show. In the Hunter ring. For reals. Maybe trainer is just vocally expressing her relief that the rider finished the course without dying? I dunno, just gets me every time though.

You know how sometimes you are just so embarrased for someone that you involuntarily cringe? That. Times two.

[klmck63]

I second the hating when people clap because you've stood up after eating dirt. Everyone gets it. I'm fine. Please don't rub it in.

And clapping after a G.P. rider successfully goes through a combination. ONE, it's not THAT big a deal and TWO, it's so distracting!

It bothers me when I see it happening to other people and I'd never do it myself, but frankly I have never noticed when someone does it to me and I don't think my horses have either.

On another note, there is a coach in my area who hangs onto the fence when her kids are going and every time they reach the best 'take off spot' she leans way back suddenly. It's really cute. And if they chip or go long she sighs. The non horsey parents can tell how the round went by how many sighs there were :)

Oh, and to everything Seven-Up said :lol::lol: Excellent. I whole heartedly agree, who's going to send it to USEF? :)

[TrueGrit]

" Courtesy and thoughtfulness to others make for the best exhibitors. Nothing beats common sense and a little good taste. "

hmmm....

Incredible how some people, be it exhibitor or spectator (or trainer!), think that they're exempt. :sigh:

As to my riding history, and who *I* studied under, is irrelevant to the point of this discussion, except to underscore the above quote, which is what I was taught is applicable both inside and outside the showring.

Just simple common courtesy. It's really not as complicated as some folks make it out to be.

Now if someone would post a video of the hoopla in 5 languages in the Rider's Lounge at a Grand Prix event - THAT would be entertaining! :lol:

[Bluehorsesjp]

Please Lord, get me a barf bag right now! and, nope my memories are definatly NOT any less enjoyable because it wasn't quiet! I actually prefer that the crowd gets in on the action & shows some emotion & enjoyment! I liked it and my horse LOVED it...her ears pricked up & she really strutted her stuff entering those gorgeous rings...there's no feeling like it in the World; you should try it sometime! Guess you better never come & watch the Beaver Drilling Puissance (gasp, the riders actually dress up, ride to rock music, people cheer & clap & the riders egg them on..oh the horrors); the ATCO Double Slalom; the Derby's; oh and that big finale, the CN International....it's definatley NOT quiet in the International Ring!!! LOL :lol:
I have to agree with eclipse here. Spruce is not a quiet place. The crowd is hugely involved in each round. You might hear clucking on occasion, a whoa, a gasp at a miss (yes I know in the international ring!) and applause after a combination or difficult question on the course.

[Polydor]

So wished i had filmed some of it! Pretty sure the spruce tv crews did get a bit to use in one of their "highlight" type footage.

Any horse going into the spruce rings become accustom to the cheering very fast or they don't do well. The crowd is very reactive with each fence and are very supportive of the favorite riders complete with screaming,noise makers etc. Lots of other scary things like dogs, tarps, umbrellas....

P.

[seespotrun]

The couple times I've been to watch the world cup in Vegas and people clucking at the likes of Rodrigo and Merridith... right, like THEY need YOUR input. I hate that. Have some self control people.

That's exactly what I was thinking! Watching Beezie and others in KY getting 'help' from the peanut gallery... so not necessary!

[bascher]

I'm guilty but not to others horses!



On the other hand does anyone find themselves 2 pointing while whatching others ride????:lol: I'm guilty all the way!

Raises hand! Yes, and "riding" along to the rhythm also!

[eclipse]

So wished i had filmed some of it! Pretty sure the spruce tv crews did get a bit to use in one of their "highlight" type footage.

Any horse going into the spruce rings become accustom to the cheering very fast or they don't do well. The crowd is very reactive with each fence and are very supportive of the favorite riders complete with screaming,noise makers etc. Lots of other scary things like dogs, tarps, umbrellas....

P.

And, let's not forget the new feature of "show us your team colours" held in the International Ring stands during the National. If your horse can handle THAT it can handle anything! :lol: What Spruce has done has basically invited any amature(sp) team that wishes to participate to show up on the big Grand Prix Day, put them all on one section of the stands & have them "dress up & show them some team spirit". They make a LOT of noise & do a LOT of dancing around to win some money for their teams. It's amazing fun & it's great to see these kids being exposed to a sport they wouldn't normally come too. This year there was a guy's rugby team running up & down with flags & horns doing the can-can...and guess what? Not one horse spooked at them & all of the riders laughed along with them.

Too bad, they never show it on TV!

[tidy rabbit]

5. If your enthusiasm for a good round overwhelms you, please note that applause is not allowed. Only rapid blinking is acceptable.

I LOVE THIS! <blink><blink>

[Instant Karma]

I get laughed at for this opinion, but you know what I hate? People who clap when you fall off. I get it - they're just happy to see you up, alive, and in one piece... but the LAST thing I want to hear is the sound of someone applauding for my epik fail. LOL

Oh yes, I feel the same way!

[Go Fish]

When I see that someone is not going to make that long distance, I start bouncing up and down in my seat. My trainer has had to whack me in the head several times, telling me to sit still, just like a five-year-old in church.

[War Admiral]

Oh yes, I feel the same way!

No offense, but how old are y'all??

Applauding the rider after a fall is intended to be a COURTESY to the rider.

Has been thus since at least the 1930s.

Did no one ever give you the big reveal?

Clucking at other riders on course is rude, and should not be tolerated. If I were any of y'all's trainers, you would be sent to the penalty box until you could behave yourselves.

If you want to break the habit, try saying to yourself - "The next time I cluck, my trainer will scratch me from a class. And if it happens again, I'm dropped from the division." Because that's what happened to my generation. It's how we learned our manners.

[Instant Karma]

I'm 28, and honestly, I would not want someone whooping or clapping for me if I fell off. But I guess I will have to deal with it, just like the dern clucking!

[Hauwse]

I've watched Spruce Meadows live on TV for many years, and have it recorded on my PVR, and the ring announcer DOES gently remind the crowd of 60,000+ to be quiet until the rider is done. They do comply and are indeed quiet, and then cheer when the round is finished. ( How difficult was that? ) Now these are the World Class Grand Prix riders -what happens in the secondary rings, I have no idea - they're not televised, but they should be given the same courtesy. By the way in which you describe your ride, eclipse, obviously that's not the case. But would your round not have been more enjoyable with less mayhem? Instead, your memories of Spruce will be of the noise and commotion, not the sound of your horse's hoofbeats has he carried you through the course. I guess I'm just an old-fashioned romantic. ( Anyways, I hope you enjoyed your experience. :) It's a gorgeous facility. )

But I simply cannot understand how some folks don't fathom that poor ringside etiquette can be a huge, and potentially dangerous distraction. Accidents do happen, and people get hurt. Sounds like Eventing has it under control - it's about keeping the rider safe and unimpeded, and Dressage doesn't tolerate it - it affects serious concentration, to say the least. I suppose the question is why has this discipline gotten so sloppy? Years ago, you could hear a pin drop if someone was competing. Even whispering got you dirty looks. I guess Common Sense and Common Courtesy are both in alarmingly short supply these days.

When in doubt, ask yourself - what would George Morris say about it? I daresay HE wouldn't tolerate it. That should resolve the issue, without any doubt, if you are serious about outstanding horsemanship.

First off, I have ridden in SM's International ring a zillion times and you could not hear people clucking in the crowd if your life depended on it. There are a zillion other "real" distractions in that ring that far usurp someone clucking. The reason they ask people to be quiet is because frequently people start cheering long before the course is over, after a difficulty combination or the likes, and 50,000 people clapping and cheering can be a little distracting especially if you are heading to a fence along the main grand stand.

Secondly are you all clucking-haters kidding me?????

Stop being a bunch of whiny babies!!

Please I have seen GM ride the whole damn course with riders, let alone clucking!!

[Release First]

This thread cracks me up. Yes, I have been clucked at and I have clucked at others. It is just part of my riding and almost happens before I can think. I have never heard it in the ring and never seen it distract a horse or rider. I love the feeling that the audience is involved.

Clicking is a voice aide that I teach my horses and my riders. It can come in very handy.

When I started dog agility, the trainer looked at me like I was nuts because I was clucking at my dog as she went over the dog walk the first couple of times. I didn't even realize it.

Last night, I couldn't sleep so I was watching a three star event from England. One horse was spooking a bit and without thinking I gave a single cluck. My poor puppy, who had been fast asleep by me, leap up wondering what was going on. I had to laugh as I thought of this thread. :lol:

[SportNCurls]

can't cluck I usually hold my breath at every jump when watching :)

[enjoytheride]

What is it about asking someone to be respectful that makes people want to be the opposite? Clapping after a horse makes it around is entirely different. I have been to shows where the announcer asks the audience to NOT clap because the particular horse doesn't handle it well. I imagine there will be a bunch of COTHers in the audience going "I'll be GDd if someone tells me to NOT clap, F this, even if the rider falls off and dies obviously they should appreciate my involuntary need to clap and should have trained their horse better."

[BLBGP]

I have been to shows where the announcer asks the audience to NOT clap because the particular horse doesn't handle it well.

Seriously? Where were these shows (plural?)? I am shocked a horse could handle any show atmosphere if it can't handle applause.

This is a strange thread.

[tidy rabbit]

This is a strange thread.

FOR SURE!

[Gry2Yng]

I clucked at my husband once! Went over just about as well as it does with the OP.

[enjoytheride]

One was at Traders Point during a grandprix. The other two were at the Circle City 500 Grandprix in the indoor arena. All 3 spooky places where people often bring green grandprix horses.

[tidy rabbit]

The other two were at the Circle City 500 Grandprix in the indoor arena.

That indoor is spooky enough without people clapping. Its so dim/dark in there.

[War Admiral]

Seriously? Where were these shows (plural?)? I am shocked a horse could handle any show atmosphere if it can't handle applause.


Well, the classic example would be Shutterfly (http://www.cyberhorse.net.au/tve/photos/20090420wcsjmeredithwins/shutterfly450.jpg), who usually skips the ribbon/medal presentations b/c the noise is too much for him.

You've heard of him, right?

[RougeEmpire]

How about someone blows a HORN before your horse takes off...if he can't handle that, he ain't a hunter.

OH SNAP!:lol:

so true so true, heh.

[thegirlwonder]

I think I'm one of the one's that puts everything but the horse and the course out of their heads. I had my mom's mare at the Hunter Futurity when I was 12 and she was great during our first trip. Of course after waiting around for the second trip a stallion just standing near her had brought her to instant attention. It was like riding a horse with no brain - she'd stare out of the ring the entire time around and I'd have to nudge and bonk her behind the saddle with a bat (which I rarely carry) to every fence. I know there were people on the sides clucking because I know I would have been. She was most obviously in her own little "mare world". I guess you have to be that focused when you know your horse is so genuinely "unfocused".

[sisu27]

please, i cluck at cars in traffic, and idiots in line. get over it or push your horse forward and we'll shut up.

Ha! You're like my coach who says "Ho" to brooms and yells "Door" when answering the phone!

Too funny!

Clucking? Don't care. The applause when asked to hold it is my pet peeve. Two years ago they asked that applause be held at the jog at Rolex and idiots still applauded....horse fell. Same horse goes in for stadium round and announcer asks for people to hold applause....everyone applauds. How hard is it to restrain yourself?

[JinxyFish313]

I had to laugh last night @ the Verizon Center when a girl had a stop (it was her fault) and I heard loud clucking coming from the in-gate end of the arena as she approached the second time. Made me think of this thread for sure. It was more awkward than annoying I imagine. I would have been infinitely more annoyed by the cheesy music they played during every round than some people clucking.

[Carnelian]

Things are worse in the dressage world. These horses, competing in a discipline meant to develop war horses, are ridden by people who will *lose their mind* if someone brings a stroller-n-kid to watch and the kid does something kid-like.

I had to laugh at this one. Dressage rider here who likes to lurk on the H/J forum because y'all have interesting threads.

I have to admit that I used to get pissed at the stroller coming through during a test. Then I realized I was acting like a DQ--not going there.

Now: at home if something gets my potential "warhorse" upset, I ask the "offender" to do it again so she can get her prissy self over it. I'm constantly looking for things to desensitize her.

I've learned that in dressage a little nervous energy can be redirected into a brilliant test because it wakes maresy up. Shoulder in fixes most spooks.

A friend posted on Facebook about a Chihuahua that upset her mare during a clinic, and ranted about the merits of banning all dogs from shows, etc. She shows up at the showgrounds two days before the start of a show so maresy can settle in. Desensitize your horse at home!

[BLBGP]

Well, the classic example would be Shutterfly (http://www.cyberhorse.net.au/tve/photos/20090420wcsjmeredithwins/shutterfly450.jpg), who usually skips the ribbon/medal presentations b/c the noise is too much for him.

You've heard of him, right?

Sure have, but I haven't heard announcers ask people not to applaud or make any noise when he's in the ring competing. There are quite a few top horses who can't handle the victory gallop/presentations, but are totally focused in competition.

[bumknees]

twobays the reason the horse and I were in 'pleasure' class is becuse the 4 jumping classes held during the yr that are with in a 40 mile drive of where I live are for those in the 4h age group and I have not been in that age group since 1982.. So if I want to ride/shw I dont have choice but the 'pleasure horse' rings..

[ktm2007]

The really vocal morons only seem to be at the big indoor shows, and when I look to see who they are, it's certainly not coming from the exhibitor section. More like, a bunch of yayhoos who think they are showing their horsie expertise by clucking when they see fit.

EXACTLY. OR the people who like to pretend to play trainer. These people drive me nuts. It is completely rude and obnoxious to have a group of people clucking away while you are on course, IMO

Almost as obnoxious at the non horse person (or even the horse person for that matter) who feels it necessary to "shoosh" your horse into the ring during a jog.

[klmck63]

Almost as obnoxious at the non horse person (or even the horse person for that matter) who feels it necessary to "shoosh" your horse into the ring during a jog.


Do people really do that?? :eek: If anyone other than my own coach 'shooshed' my horse into the ring for a jog, I'd be pretty livid!

[ktm2007]

Do people really do that?? :eek: If anyone other than my own coach 'shooshed' my horse into the ring for a jog, I'd be pretty livid!

yes I've had it done to me on more than one occasion....