Ridden over rough-shod, ignored, not consulted, ill-informed and mindlessly spoken ‘at’ by DPI, State governments and MP’s

To say that we should be outraged regarding the previous post (Horse Deals – EI Situation in Victoria post 2/11) is an understatement. Again, again and again, the 80% of non-racing horse owners (whether it is in Victoria or elsewhere) are being ridden over rough-shod, ignored, not consulted, ill-informed and mindlessly spoken ‘at’ by DPI, State governments and MP’s as well, it seems, as by some within the groups that are supposed to be working with us.

When is enough going to be enough I wonder? Now that Werribee is going to be used as a quarantine station (which genius thought this one up by the way?) you can effectively cancel anything that might have been held there for the next 6 months, never mind the next 3 months.

We have had vague agreement about when small horse events might take place again in Victoria, where the public could be excluded. In reality, the only time you get the 2 mixing is at Ag shows and other local shows / celebrations where the 2 might mingle. Many horse events take place without the presence of the public in great numbers. So, if common sense was to prevail, might not small shows be held where the competitors were from a certain radius, with appropriate bio-security measures in place?

I suppose what concerns me most is that the horse sports we all have taken as part of our everyday lives is going to be eroded into a shadow of its former self as a result of this travesty, and we do not even have EI in Victoria. If we accept that Werribee is going to be a quarantine station, then quite frankly it will only be a matter of time before something happens human nature being what it is. No human interactions ever occur without error. No rider in their right mind will wish to take their horses to Werribee to compete even if they could.

I also have to say, that the response from the Federal Member for Wannon, David Hawker (I wrote to him about 10 days ago now) has been eerily missing. Therefore, the chance that we have to be heard needs to be at the upcoming EI public information sessions to be held around Victoria during November. Please attend and listen, and make your point politely!

Regards,

Karen Harrison