This amusing list landed in the EquiSearch mailbox--a tongue-in-cheek look at the various equestrian types.
WESTERN PLEASURE RIDERS:
Oh, my God, someone fix that bulb, I have to have
light so that my silver and spangles all glow to their
best and so that all the highlighter on Old Peanut
Head makes his nose look so smooth and sparkly. Oh, maybe you without all the silver on your saddle, obviously you can't ride, you can do it.
ENDURANCE RIDER:
Light bulb? Do you mind, I'm trying to get my horse's
pulse respiration/hydration levels down to
respectable levels. Once that is done, I have another
50 miles to go before I can even think about changing
a light bulb.
DRESSAGE QUEEN:
Change a light bulb? Are you joking? I couldn't
possibly be expected to subject myself to such a
menial task. Change it yourself. Oh, and wash your
hands when you are finished. The very thought!
CLASSICAL DRESSAGE QUEEN:
These things cannot be rushed, but must be approached
slowly, with great patience, and adherence to the
principles laid down by the classical masters,
otherwise the light bulb will not attain its true
potential, but will forever be just be a shadow of its
true self. Never, ever, use any type of gadget when
changing the light bulb. That is an offense to the principles of
classical light bulb changing.
EVENTER:
Wuss! As soon as my arm is out of this sling broken
after falling off at that stone wall while riding Hell
Bent for Leather cross-country, I'll change it. Until
then, deal with the dark. It'll put hair on your
chest. Only dressage riders require lights, anyway.
SHOW JUMPER:
Why on Earth would I need to change a light bulb when
the whole world knows that the sun shines out of my
rear. Why, when I release over a jump, the spectators
are practically blinded.
NATURAL HORSEMAN:
You must instill respect in the light bulb, so that it
sees you as the Alpha light bulb, using "light bulb
dynamics" (video set available for $179.00 on my
Web site). Once you have done this, you will find that
there is really no need to change the light bulb at
all, but that the light bulb will, with very little
coaxing from you (using patented "light bulb coaxer"
designed by me--$99.00 each, for extra $49.99 you get
an introductory video thrown in), behave as all good
light bulbs should.
HUNTER RIDER:
Well, I'm waiting for my trainer to tell me exactly
how but he's changing light bulbs somewhere else right
now.
FOX HUNTER:
As soon as we finish with the hunt breakfast, Darling, and polish off what's
left in our flasks... heck we only need light at 5 AM to braid on a High Holy
Day. We're used to catching our horses in the dark! OK, so after we collect
all the hounds, hose our horses and ourselves down, have another glass of
refreshment, I'll send someone else out to do it later, I need a nap.

