I had a friend when I was a teenager,who with her sisters, competed regularly. Staying at her place
one night before going to a show with them, their mother was completely laying down the law, the youngest started crying.
I have known many parents like this with my years atPony Club (which is completely against the aim of Pony Club in the first place.) Most parents of this type are trying to acheive fame through their children, so therefore are mentally abusing them, which is actually a crime.
In the Junior Rugby League here in Australia, abusive parents are banned.
Could there not be a similar code put in practice for
Child horse events?
On a lighter note, at one Show I went to, was the scruffiest pony, with a rider not very good, with a parent that was so obviously pround of him. He did badly, but looked like he was having so much fun, that he got a round of applause and cheers from the spectators when he left the ring.
That too is an idea.
Cheer and applaud those that are having fun, and shun the parents who behave like hitlers, who ARE actually abusing their children.