The other night City Boy couldn't sleep. He was tossing and turning and keeping me awake. At 12:30, he strikes up a conversation.
"I was just wondering...how did Sears get their money when people in the 1800's ordered from their catalogs? There were no debit cards, so how did people pay? Did they pay before they ordered? Was money wired, do you think? Did they pay the postmaster upon deliver?"
"Seriously, City Boy? Do you know what time it is?"
"I was just wondering."
The next day, City Boy had all the facts he needed. Sears was founded by a man (Richard Sears) who'd worked for the railroad. He'd purchased a bunch of watches that had been unwanted by a local jeweler, and then sold them for a tidy profit. I listened as City Boy went on with the story, which to be honest was a bit more interesting now that it was daylight than the midnight ponderings had been. Of course I shan't bother you with the whole story...you can click the link and read it yourself a bit later. Or perhaps you can read it to your bed mate at midnight. But I will tell you that Sears' catalogs were not well loved by local merchants, who were struggling to compete with the first big box store and their mail order prices.
Today, those catalogs are online. We don't even need to pick up the phone and speak to a real person...just click the little box indicating which color and size we want, and presto!, You've got mail. Yep, good old Richard Sears helped change the way we do business in this world in ways he never imagined.
And that got me to thinking some midnight ponderings of my own. What if we had a virtual horse show? Nothing fancy...just some basics. It's winter, and who wants to give their horse a bath? Who wants to haul 20 miles in winter weather? Not me. I'd much prefer to go outside when it suits me, get a little video of some pattern work, and send it in to the judge ten minutes later. No frost bit fingers and icicles on the forelocks. Just saddle up, take a quick spin around the arena, then go inside and drink hot chocolate while the video uploads.
Of course, the more I pondered, the more doable this began to seem. And as luck would have it, Andrea posted a link on the mustang forum of someone already doing this very thing. Which means...I've got some inspiration! More fuel for the fire!
A fee would be paid, classes selected. Patterns would be given out and you'd need someone to help video your ride for you before submitting it. Everyone would have fun, horses would get worked, prizes would be won. Most importantly, funds would be raised to help support Mustang U's efforts to get sale authority horses into homes.
I can hardly wait to get started.
Today, those catalogs are online. We don't even need to pick up the phone and speak to a real person...just click the little box indicating which color and size we want, and presto!, You've got mail. Yep, good old Richard Sears helped change the way we do business in this world in ways he never imagined.
And that got me to thinking some midnight ponderings of my own. What if we had a virtual horse show? Nothing fancy...just some basics. It's winter, and who wants to give their horse a bath? Who wants to haul 20 miles in winter weather? Not me. I'd much prefer to go outside when it suits me, get a little video of some pattern work, and send it in to the judge ten minutes later. No frost bit fingers and icicles on the forelocks. Just saddle up, take a quick spin around the arena, then go inside and drink hot chocolate while the video uploads.
Of course, the more I pondered, the more doable this began to seem. And as luck would have it, Andrea posted a link on the mustang forum of someone already doing this very thing. Which means...I've got some inspiration! More fuel for the fire!
A fee would be paid, classes selected. Patterns would be given out and you'd need someone to help video your ride for you before submitting it. Everyone would have fun, horses would get worked, prizes would be won. Most importantly, funds would be raised to help support Mustang U's efforts to get sale authority horses into homes.
I can hardly wait to get started.
11 comments:
What a good idea! If you do it, I'll try to get the word out in my horse groups.
That sounds like fun.
I give up!
I love the idea of a virtual horse show!! What a hoot - and great fun in this awful dead of winter weather. Can two different people ride the same horse? I'd enter both me and Equestrian Girl. She'd beat me for sure but I'm getting better!
.... But you never answered the question! Now I'm curious! How did they order? Send in their order with a check? Pay upon delivery? :)
Virtual show.. sounds interesting.... I haven't competed in over 20 years...
Do we have to be in full show dress?
So glad to see y'all are interested!
PC, no worries on sharing a horse. The basics are this: We'll have a handful of different classes, from walk trot, novice rider, junior horse, youth, amateur, and pro division.
We'd have patterns which would reflect the level that a horse may be at...simple figure 8s at the jog, working up to flying changes, 1/4 turns to full turn, backing, stopping...a variety of elements depending on the level. Things that are easy to view online that a judge can give points to on an individual basis, rather than a rail class which can be subjective.
JeniQ, no worries about show clothes. For obvious reasons, you'd want to look neat rather than sloppy as no matter how objective a judge is, they'll always be influenced by that first impression. In other words, parachute pants and tennis shoes probably wouldn't be the right choice.
Becky...in answer to your Sears question, you didn't have to pay until after you received the product, and then only if you liked it! Way to build up a customer base, eh? People must have liked it :)
I'm excited! As soon as you have the details I'll get it out to my horse and show groups.
A little while ago I read in a magazine about "virtual showing"
I believe it was suggested as a good way to get started in shows, and on a budget. Also good for people who want to show but live in remote locations.
Sounds like a neat thing to get organized and raise some money!
And, we furriners can join in too!!
Except down here in Oz we'd be dealing with dust and flies instead of snow. :)
I like the virtual show idea, might even be more relaxed doing it at home instead of on show grounds.
And I hear you about weird topics, I get that all the time, ussually when Im trying to go somewhere, lol
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