I have just experienced my second
Tasmanian yearling sale. I have to say that the presentation of most of the lots on offer certainly continues to improve and Kevin Neilson's untiring promotion of the event can't be faulted. There is no doubt that, like yearling sales everywhere, it is more of a spectator sport than anything else, but certainly everyone present seemed to enjoy the day out. And to see BOTRA committee men slaving over a hot barbecue all day was awesome; well done guys!
One thing which I believe could be improved enormously is the yearling parade. There is a beautiful grassed area next to the sales marquee which could be put to good use for this. In my personal opinion, a parade means having the opportunity to see all the yearlings, in their separate colts and fillies groups, shown together, along the lines of a regular horse show. How else can they be compared and judged?
An added advantage of this would be to give prospective purchasers the opportunity to see the yearlings moving out in the open, rather than being led up and down the crowded aisles in the stabling area, which is, quite frankly, both useless and dangerous.
Brenda Bourne
(Webwoman)
Labels: Australia, harness racing, tasmania, yearling sale