Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

Laws Intended For Following

“Rules are meant to be broken.”

Whether that’s a completely accurate statement, it sure is a fact. There might be an exception in some cases, but most rules are broken at some time.

This has been a frequent topic of conversations in recent weeks at horse shows and county fairs. Too many rules interpretation sessions have been called.

Every time there’s even controversy among those committee members meeting, and decision always makes somebody glad and another mad.

Rules are set as guidelines, instructions, directions, laws, regulations and policy for all concerned with the subject at hand. Hopefully, there would be increased honesty and fairness for everyone, yet that’s not always the case.

Think of what are likely the two most often broken rules, laws, or group thereof?

It’d be nearly impossible to find someone who hasn’t broken the speed limit, at least a little bit. Speculating, most people drive faster than the posted speed limit all the time. That’s a broken rule certainly by definition.

Many people, perhaps most, intend to live by the Ten Commandments, laws for a moral life. Still, most have broken these “rules,” and some on a very regular basis.

Despite frequent broken rules, in reality, usually people just don’t understand exactly what is expected. Or, many times, they have not studied, or even scanned rules.

There are rules for nearly every sport and they vary considerably from one to another.  Horseshow and fair guidelines are considerably different among each organization.

Top it off, the rules can be changed, and are without everybody being properly informed.

Generally what come up are most simple things like dress codes which on the forefront would seem so insignificant. Still, it’s surprising how many might wear a beach-type outfit into the barrel race than appropriate and demanded Western attire.

More complex, especially for newcomers, whatever the show is rules regarding equipment. Those participating in slow relaxing pleasure riding obviously wouldn’t use the same tack as a speedy barrel race. It’s not that easy to understand for many.

Certain opinion is that if something has to be stated as a rule, it is something that is not absolutely necessary, but rather preferable.

Reminded of Second Timothy 2:5: “If anyone enters competitive games, he is not crowned unless he competes fairly according to the rules laid down.”

+++ALLELUIA+++

XII–31–7-29-18

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