Letter to Oprah POSTED HERE FOR REVIEW

[Kat the Horse]

After too many starts and a case of 'performance anxiety' I HAVE started the missive to Oprah Winfrey regarding the Johnsons' and Champagne Watchtower. I want to reiterate that I am writing FOR THE GROUP and not as a solitary individual. This is important, because if anybody has to go on her show, it is NOT gonna be me. I'd rather die than be on national television. So, <span class="ev_code_RED">somebody</span> needs to step up as the 'representative' if such a thing should happen. However, I get the horse and/or horsey-related stuff if she gives you such!

Hey! It could happen!

So I need to know a few things to 'round out' the letter. Just to add some 'gravitas' to the entire potential project:

1. How many TOTAL members belong to the Chronicle BB? Just want to show that COTH has a large number of folks who hang out here.

2. Can anyone give me a ballpark figure of the number of Big Lick type shows there are a year?

3. Can anyone give me a ballpark figure of the number of showhorses we are talking about here that may or may not be sored, but DO the BL-type gaits? I know, I'm asking alot, but some numbers would help.

I am mostly going to push the Johnson's situation, and do my best to let THEM speak for the anti-Big Lick community. I believe that Natalie's ride during the Celebration will do much to illustrate--in stark contrast--the negative aspect of BL and the attendant 'old boy network' that keeps horses, literally, in chains.

I realize I've been awefully slow. However, I've a full-time job (I do advertising, publishing, clerical, secretarial, office management and computer care, training, and general fuss-budgetry for a small civil rights office) plus the super cold weather has me running to the barn daily to insure the horses are properly cared for; ("Water? You mean they need MORE water when it's cold? And more HAY? They're just standing around, why do they have to EAT?")(It's a big 0 degrees today!)

HELP!

[MyPaintSpot]

Why not do something like write the letter here. Then each who support can add a reply and add our names and email addresses to it. Maybe better do a mail in thing. Like we can print the letter. Each can personally sign it then send it to a PO BOX to you. This way you would have hard paper and actually signatures.

[mrsbwayne]

How about put the letter on the boards, then people can cut, paste, and print it out, edit it if they want to add anything, or to personalize it, and then sign it. I think if Oprah's mail room got TONS of letters, they'd take notice.
Sarina

[Kat the Horse]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Scary. Okay....;;;;gulp;;;;;....HERE IT IS:

Dear Ms Winfrey:

I belong to an online bulletin board community of like-minded women—oh, and a few men— named after the 70-year-old publication "The Chronicle of the Horse" where all have the love of one animal in common—the horse. Our community spans all parts of the world, and posters come from all sorts of backgrounds, jobs, ages, and incomes: We have professional horsewomen(men), as well as the casual backyard trail riders (that’s me), and everything in-between. On COTH we discuss horse care, training, different disciplines, and generally just any and all things ‘horse’. We seek to become as roundly educated in all things for the betterment of our relationship with our partners, our horses.

Every once in a while an issue is brought before the board community that raises our collective concern, and that recently happened with the posting by one member regarding the plight of the “Performance” Tennessee Walking Horses. She brought our attention to the issues related to ‘enhancing’ their natural gaits by use of caustic chemicals and heavy chains applied to their front pasterns. She posted these three websites that dealt with the ‘Big Lick’ Tennessee Walking Horses.

What is Soring?
http://www.silverphoenixranch.com/in...s/Page1156.htm

More than Sore
http://www.friendsofsoundhorses.org/docs/More_than_Sore...hair%20big%20lick%22

Sore Winners
http://www.friendsofsoundhorses.org/docs/SoreWinners.pd...ig%20lick%20abuse%22

Because I am a ‘natural’ hoof trimmer, and do not advocate shoes for ANY horse, I (and several others on that particular thread) also talked about the injurious and visually obscene built-up shoes that are used on the Big Lick horses. ‘Big Lick’ refers to the exaggerated gait the Tennessee Walker displays when shown in the devices referred to above. And ANYONE who knows horses will tell you: this gait is the result of continuous pain and repeated abusive training.

It is a travesty of the natural gaits that the Tennessee Walker was bred to; which are kind to both horse and rider. The Walker’s natural gaits are easily attainable through gentle training, applied appropriately to the horse’s level of maturity, and good rider skills. Although I am a ‘barefoot fanatic’ I have NO issue with those who flat-shoe their walkers correctly for competition. OUR issue is with the big-name, big-show breeders AND the TWHBEA (Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association) and it’s blatant disregard for the Horse Protection Act, and discrimination against those who do NOT subscribe to the painful shoeing and training necessitated by Performance-class shows.

Website on Horse Protection Act & Amendments
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/hpainfo.html

A decision by the Texas Court of Appeals - 957 S.W.2d 121 - November 11, 1997 - Wherein a ‘trainer/breeder’ attempted to overthrow the Horse Protection Act/Association. Information contained is about soring of the Ten Walking Horse: http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/dawson...l/rrr_farm.htm

Ms Winfrey, I believe the best champion of the Tennessee Walking Horse in it’s near-natural state is the young stallion Champagne Watchout, shown by Jennie and Nathanael Jackson, and ridden by their 16 year old daughter, Natalie. I will refer you to their website wherein you will find a page devoted to the 1997 to 1999 Hell-in-Tennessee they endured at the ungentle racist hands of the TWHBEA in their lawful attempts to show ‘CW’ in the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, specifically the WORLD GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP CLASS.
http://www.walkinonranch.com/1999Celebration.html

This is a very powerful story, the kind that NEEDS TELLING and retelling. It has EVERYTHING going for it—a young, beautiful girl, caring supportive parents, and a beautiful stallion, calm and confident yet strong and elemental. We had ‘Seabiscuit’ and ‘Pharlap’ in 2004-2005. Would you be interested in filming the story of Natalie and Champagne Watchtower for 2007? For the Tennessee Walking Horse?

PLEASE go to the videos that the Jacksons’ have uploaded to their website of Natalie, riding CW in the WGCC in 1999 (finally!). I don’t want to say much about the video, because I KNOW you will see exactly what I (and everybody else on our ‘Big Lick” thread) saw. It will truly inspire and amaze you. I would proudly hang a picture of Natalie & CW on any wall in my house—such beauty and class. To watch this ‘amateur’ and her homebred stallion calmly upstage and blow away the shambling "performance" wrecks about them will bring the hair up on your neck. It’s that powerful a story!
http://www.walkinonranch.com/Celebration.html

The ‘Big Lick’ industry is BIG in Tennessee, and it is apparent that Big Lick makes money. However, so many times in history it is by the blood and suffering of others that the few prosper, and even though it is an ANIMAL, it is still wrong. We think that the story of Natalie Jackson and the Tennessee Walker stallion, Champagne Watchtower, would do much to educate the citizens of the United States, as well as horse lovers and animal lovers the world over of the plight of the Tennessee Walkers in the ‘Big Lick’ industry, if presented well. Too many folks think the TWH Big Lick performance horses are living the ‘good life’ when indeed; theirs is a short, violent existence, and a true testament of man’s inhumanity to those who depend upon him for their very lives.

<span class="ev_code_RED">And so, the final pitch: </span> We are horsewomen(men) who love our horses, who show in huntseat and western pleasure, jump indoors at show, or outdoors in competitive trail or eventing. We have a ‘driving’ board, where a member who posts there might drive one fancy pony hitched to a pleasure cart, and another poster drive four massive drafts pulling a heavy wagon. There is Foxhunting, and Racing, Sporthorse Breeding, and the ‘Off Course’ board where the common issues and news of the every-day are posted (as long as it’s horse-related!). We even have a board where we can list our horses ‘to a good home ONLY’ for free lease or give away.

COTH has an eclectic membership, who make it a community of great warmth, much fun, and lots of education.

I would like this letter to be presented as if EVERYONE WHO BELONGS TO CHRONICLE OF THE HORSE had written this letter to you, asking for your consideration in giving the Jacksons’ and Champagne Watchtower a venue in which to lay bare the ugliness and rot within the TWHBEA, as well as an alert to the mindless cruelty that is the performance Tennessee Walker’s lot.

I know you have staff who can research up a storm on this subject. I hope I have attached a few that can get them started!


Respectfully Yours,

Kat the Horse ______real name here______

[hitchinmygetalong]

In my eyes, what would be most effective is ONE letter signed by many people. Is there some way we could do this electronically?

Great job Kat. You done good.

[Ridgetop Ghost]

Bravo, Kat the Horse!!! Standing ovation from me and my TWH!!! *clapping wildly and stomping barefoot hooves*

[Caylei]

im only 17, but i love getting up in front of people and public speaking...hehe if anyone else is willing to discuss thsi with Oprah if it comes to that. I think the letter you just wrote is simply wonderful....I think it should be one member...signed by many

[jetsmom]

I'd omit the part about not having shoes on ANY horse, as there are horses who need shoes, and it makes it appear as if you are a "fringe" fanatic.
I would mention people being threatened and tires slashed if they try to butt heads with the BL people.
But that's just my opinion.

[Ridgetop Ghost]

Yes--definitely talk about the threats--remember how Oprah got treated by the beef people? Maybe also mention how the BL people run for their trailers if government inspectors are at a show--I'd like to see this, for sure!

[Little Indian]

isn't the horse's name Champange WatchOUT, not Watchtower? You referred to him as both in your letter.

[MyPaintSpot]

I like the letter.
However, I personally would leave out the barefoot part. Because not everyone who signs this will feel the same way.

I am one of them.. I have shod horses.

[hitchinmygetalong]

Don't get too inflammatory - if someone has actually received threats and would like to contribute word-for-word testament, that's fine. But you MUST avoid the "he said she said she saw them say" trap.

Less is more.

[Showponymom Aefvue Mid Atlantic Division]

I may be wrong but on the sore winners link isn't that a picture of William Shatner? I know he shows saddle seat. If it is it would be great for Oprah to have him on and pick his mind on the Big Lick.

[hitchinmygetalong]

Originally posted by Showponymom Aefvue Mid Atlantic Division:
I may be wrong but on the sore winners link isn't that a picture of William Shatner?

I don't think so.

[chai]

English major here, and ex-advertising executive who wrote a lot of press releases along the way. It's a great letter, but you asked for opinions/suggestions, so here are a few:
If the letter is supposed to be representative of the group as a whole, I would suggest the following:
1. Shorten the letter and stick to the point. Oprah and her assistants must receive thousands of letters every day, and they probably don't have time to wade through personal information and opinion to get to the heart of the matter.
2. Delete the part about you being a natural trim professional. If you are speaking for a group, it shouldn't be about you, and you also don't want to confuse the message: This issue is not about whether to go barefoot or shod, it's about soring horses which is basically cruelty to animals.
3. Get rid of the ALL CAPS. If your message is clear and consice, you don't have to use capital letters for emphasis, as the reader will get the message without being 'shouted' at.
4. Check and recheck your facts.

[twotrudoc]

William Shatner probably was there. He is known around the Saddlebred and Arab circuit down in Ca and AZ. And his reputation is definately not stellar!

[Lambie Boat]

Get it down to 2 paragraphs. Even I, a horseperson, only skimmed this letter. Also don't like the barefoot part. And, I promise you, Oprah will not make a movie about this so don't even go there

[dizzywriter]

I agree with Chai. As a person who wears many hats, and has sent similar letters and also received them, I'm certain the letter is way too long and contains way too much information.

The opening paragraph should refer to something Oprah has done in the past that would indicate she might be interested in the subject of cruelty to animals at all.(I don't know what, I don't usually watch her, tho I did love her flaying of that Frey guy). Say you loved that show or something like that. But the introduction should be very short. Two or three sentences.

Next paragraph, transition to the Tennessee walking horse and, in one or two sentences, explain what exactly is cruel about what people are doing to them. Forget the barefoot issue completely.

You may also mention that equestrian sports have (evidently) become a female passion. If you can provide statistics --number of US horse riders, percentage of which are women, that would be excellent. If you can't, or even you can, you can mention that many women in her audience remember a childhood passion for horses, even if they don't ride.

Third paragraph: explain why TWH is a bigger story than just the concerns of a small group of enthusiasts, or just you -- because that's exactly what it sounds like (I know nothing about TWHs). Vanity vs. kindness to animals? Lazy trainers who want quick results at the animals' expense? But it should be something that Oprah's audience can relate to.

Last paragraph: an offer to provide more information if they are interested and a willingness to work with her staff in any way you can, with web references, video or personal stories. Don't detail them. Just say you have them.

What you're writing is basically a letter of introduction, or a query letter. It's not a memoir, opinion piece or rant. It should absolutely not be longer than one page.

But even if your letter interests them, don't be surprised if the story turns out to be very different than what you proposed. They may just do a story about women and horses, or something else.

Best of luck

dz

[Louie]

Shorter letter

Focus letter on soring issues both flatshod and performance- be clearly and directly about this problem.

Abreviate info on Johnson's and Champayne Watchout- if you still wish to include- just enough that subject can be pursued if it sparks any interest

[Louie]

Additional thought.

TWHBEA is the breed registry. I have registered TWH's doesn't mean I condone soring. Could the registry association do more, perhaps..but "blatant disregard" ? I wouldn't agree with this statement

Agree with prior poster, you want just enough to introduce and hopefully capture an editor/directors attention as a good subject matter for Oprah