The Bigger Picture.
Date:December 5, 2003

I would like to start this by saying its late and I’m tired  so please don't laugh at the grammar and I hope my spell  check is on.
  I wish I could take the time to sit down with every  teampenner in US and Canada and say, could you imagine what  it would be like to show up at a show with the feeling you  can't loose? There's enough money added by true sponsors  and enough products available, that it's possible  to win your fair share. What if I said to a producer, WANT  A FORD TRUCK FOR YOUR SHOW? Would that interest the common  rider to know every time you showed up to a show and rode  well, you would have a shot at winning a product that is  worth more than the average American makes in a year. This  is possible. We have been throwing money at this sport for  years and what have we gained from it? I’ll tell you what  we have, organizations in total disarray, riders dropping  like flies and inflation going up with earnings going down.  If I attend a major show with the expenses the way they are  today, I’m a $1000.00 in the hole before I pay an entry  fee. Does this sound like I’m slamming on the sport? OF  COURSE I'M NOT, I’m simply stating the facts. I spoke with  a major horse radio personality a few days ago. He did not  even know Teampenning now has an organization like ALL-Pro.  What is wrong with our sport? Teampenning is not being  promoted on a national or local level. Its only in  magazines that are sent out to it's members. What about  Western Horseman, Horse Illustrated, ect? Why haven’t they  heard of Jared Lesh, Bobby Atwood, David Hall or Scott  Lumley. Haven’t these people earned the respect of their  piers.  
 
I’m not real smart, and I’m sure not the best at much of  anything. I do know one thing, if someone is going to work  hard to bring our sport to a place of prestige and respect  he/she/ or they will have to be paid for their time. I once  sold a horse to a guy for $4,000 3 days later he sold it  for $15,000.00. Does this make me stupid and him smart. I  don’t think so, you see I got what I wanted, why should I  care if he got what he wanted. You know what? I’m glad for  him. You see I think someone paid for the knowledge he has  to see something I didn’t. Whether is was from the lack of  time to notice or simply just not knowing better. Anyway  who cares, right? I got $4000.00 for a horse and was glad  for it. In short take a little extra advice from a dummy.  NO ONE WORKS FOR FREE!   EVERYONE HAS TO EAT!!   If this isn’t enough information for you to get my point,  Stay tuned. I promise you, there’s much more to come from  Scott Lumley.com  

  Me