The following is a letter I wrote to the Horse & Pony magazine in NZ . It is published as their letter of the month in the September issue. It was written in support of Kevin Cholmondeley-Smith’s Show Scene column, ‘Too Many Cooks’ in the July issue of H&P.
Apart from a strong interest in horses, I work in organisation development, that is, working to help organisations become high performers and become great places to work where staff are highly engaged in the purpose of the business. ‘Engaged’ in this sense is a positive involvement as opposed to selfish, negative and divisive behaviour.
In any organisation the aim is for everyone to believe in the common purpose and to commit to collectively achieving that purpose. The employment selection process, if conducted properly, ensures that only such people make it through. The combined energy of this collective is the driving force behind organisational success.
The selection process for membership of an organisation such as a breed society is not so robust. The usual requirement for membership is either to have one of the breed or have an interest. There is no selection process to determine the true motivation or psychometric profile of the individual, as we do in business.
Breed societies are very important, especially where they are supporting breeders of purebred animals and maintain a true stud book, in which, as Kevin noted, “…we can track full pedigrees and verify parentage.”
Of course the development of registers for cross breeds probably causes the blood of purists to run cold, but I understand the interest as many cross breed to develop ‘types’ such as the NZ Sport Horse.
To a certain extent I have been an observer of both the emergence and proliferation of societies. I have been directly associated with one over a considerable period of time which works well with everyone sharing the common purpose, and I am a Life Member of that organisation. The same cannot be said for the other two. One has, after some considerable effort and a threat from the European parent body, come together in an uneasy truce. The other is embroiled in petty and personal bickering.
Both the latter organisations have consumed considerable non productive energy. Much of the division and proliferation is driven by personalities and the fervent desire of some to exert their dominance over others, no matter what the cost, for purely selfish personal reasons – often disguised as some righteous greater purpose. Much of the behaviour is emotional claptrap and shouldn’t be tolerated.
I do wonder at peoples readiness to fan or contribute to disunity, then offer the disunity as a reason why they won’t sit on committees or otherwise involve themselves productively in the common cause. And I agree with Kevin’s proposition that; “…this proliferation of registers weakens the industry.” It does nothing to support either the Pure Breeds or the New Zealand breed.
Kevin’s proposition that we, ‘tighten things up’, should be universally supported by the equestrian community. His view that, “…our shows would suddenly have greater relevance and leave classes with more meaning…” makes sense. I for one am happy to engage in discussion with positive people to look to a more rational approach for the breed organisation environment to “…breed produce and offer New Zealand winners on every level for the many disciplines we aspire to.”
Those who can’t engage positively need not apply.
In any organisation the aim is for everyone to believe in the common purpose and to commit to collectively achieving that purpose. The employment selection process, if conducted properly, ensures that only such people make it through. The combined energy of this collective is the driving force behind organisational success.
The selection process for membership of an organisation such as a breed society is not so robust. The usual requirement for membership is either to have one of the breed or have an interest. There is no selection process to determine the true motivation or psychometric profile of the individual, as we do in business.
Breed societies are very important, especially where they are supporting breeders of purebred animals and maintain a true stud book, in which, as Kevin noted, “…we can track full pedigrees and verify parentage.”
Of course the development of registers for cross breeds probably causes the blood of purists to run cold, but I understand the interest as many cross breed to develop ‘types’ such as the NZ Sport Horse.
To a certain extent I have been an observer of both the emergence and proliferation of societies. I have been directly associated with one over a considerable period of time which works well with everyone sharing the common purpose, and I am a Life Member of that organisation. The same cannot be said for the other two. One has, after some considerable effort and a threat from the European parent body, come together in an uneasy truce. The other is embroiled in petty and personal bickering.
Both the latter organisations have consumed considerable non productive energy. Much of the division and proliferation is driven by personalities and the fervent desire of some to exert their dominance over others, no matter what the cost, for purely selfish personal reasons – often disguised as some righteous greater purpose. Much of the behaviour is emotional claptrap and shouldn’t be tolerated.
I do wonder at peoples readiness to fan or contribute to disunity, then offer the disunity as a reason why they won’t sit on committees or otherwise involve themselves productively in the common cause. And I agree with Kevin’s proposition that; “…this proliferation of registers weakens the industry.” It does nothing to support either the Pure Breeds or the New Zealand breed.
Kevin’s proposition that we, ‘tighten things up’, should be universally supported by the equestrian community. His view that, “…our shows would suddenly have greater relevance and leave classes with more meaning…” makes sense. I for one am happy to engage in discussion with positive people to look to a more rational approach for the breed organisation environment to “…breed produce and offer New Zealand winners on every level for the many disciplines we aspire to.”
Those who can’t engage positively need not apply.
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