Good sportsmanship?????????????

1. - No, not really. It was always about winning, except with a few trainers, who were very classy, old-time trainers. Miss them.

2. I think the only way to promote good sportsmanship is to start at the beginning, and actually, it begins with people's parents. Unfortunately is seems that people are increasingly rude and inconsiderate, especially people from the northeast in USA. Southerners are still usually polite and well-mannerred. Competitiveness is fine and should be encouraged in the correct arenas (sports and even in school, in terms of grades). But not at the expense of good manners, courteousness and compassion. Just because someone is better at something than someone else, that does not make them more valuablea as a person, and that's the difference, I think. No one is great at everything.

3. Sportsmanship is doing the best that you can, but not at the expense of your horse's welfare, and not with any sort of cheating. Honesty and hard work are more important than winning. People need to have a conscience - and to NOT be willing to damage their horses in the interest of winning. I'm referring to the use of inhumane "training" methods, which are pervasive in virtually every discipline. Makes me furious. It also means, as you indicated, not being a sore loser. Being gracious to your fellow competitors and willing to congratulate them when they've done a good job.

People may not always remember your wins but they will always remember how you acted when you have lost. Being a good loser is very important.