And now I want to get some true answers !

[narcisco]

I have a Friesian horse who really taught me a ton about human nature. He is strangely sensitive in an insensitive sort of way. If you know Friesians, you will know what I mean.

Then I realized some of my friends are the same way. When it comes to others, they are as straightforward, blunt and insensitive as can be. They come from a place of total honesty bordering on rudeness. They seem quite insensitive and aren’t afraid to say anything they want.

But inwardly directed, they are very sensitive. You would think they could take the same things they dish out, but NO. They are very sensitive about what others think and say about them. Their feelings get hurt much more easily than my other friends.

There may be some connection between these two seemingly opposite traits that I haven’t thought out yet, but I just try to take them as they are.

[sm1]

to answer the OP re posting their own videos, I think if you don’t know the horse and riders’ background, it is usually more effective to be nice, not rattle them, but also get in the corrections.

Granted it takes much longer to make the same points this way, but if the person who posts the video actually learns something (instead of being horrified and withdrawing their video) then all is well.

[Ambrey]

[QUOTE=Coreene;3773926]
If everyone would go back and read Theo’s post, you’d see that nowhere does he mention nasty. He wondered why people didn’t call a spade a spade. George Morris is not nasty, he calls a spade a spade as well. No one said dish it out sans compliments - there will always be something nice you can find.[/QUOTE]

So what you’re saying, Coreene, is that those who are in a position where critique is expected (i.e. commentators) aren’t doing a very good job?

You know, it’s not true in other sports. I don’t think that’s an American thing. I think it is, as some have said, because we don’t have good, experienced commentators for equestrian sports. I certainly don’t think making everything rainbows and fluffy bunnies is expected in American sports commentating! I don’t speak German or Dutch so don’t have the benefit of knowing how other countries do it, but if what you say is true it sounds more like they just have more skilled commentating, rather than a culture difference.

But that’s different from the concept of making a comment on a youtube video. In that case, I agree wholeheartedly with the comments made by DressageArt. Blunt laying out of flaws is reserved for people who have already established a positive relationship- critique of those unknown to you, even if asked for, should be sandwiched.

[ridgeback]

[QUOTE=Thomas_1;3773822]
Yeh but they’re rubbish riders ;)[/QUOTE]

Thomas clearly some are missing your wink…:sigh:

[claire]

@Coreene;3773926

If everyone would go back and read Theo’s post, you’d see that nowhere does he mention nasty. He wondered why people didn’t call a spade a spade. George Morris is not nasty, he calls a spade a spade as well. No one said dish it out sans compliments - there will always be something nice you can find.

Re: George Morris. He is definitely a straight shooter, but a lot of what he dishes out at clinics is part of his “show”. He is known for his “rude remarks” and making people cry at his clinics.
Part of his “schitck” like Simon Cowell.

I recently learned that he has a drama/acting background. No big surprise huh? :lol:

I do think maybe there is a big difference in how trainers would coach their Olympic Team riders vs. how they operate at their ammie clinics. (regardless of nationality) No?

[ridgeback]

[QUOTE=Coreene;3773926]
If everyone would go back and read Theo’s post, you’d see that nowhere does he mention nasty. He wondered why people didn’t call a spade a spade. George Morris is not nasty, he calls a spade a spade as well. No one said dish it out sans compliments - there will always be something nice you can find.[/QUOTE]

LOL George isn’t nasty…:lol::lol::lol:

[slc2]

A wink icon doesn’t change a nasty comment to a nice comment.

[ridgeback]

[QUOTE=Thomas_1;3774011]
Erm JOKE!!

In exactly the same way as the one I posted in response to was a JOKE!!

Sure that is a joke isn’t it.

Sorry I forgot that Americans don’t get irony and sarcasm[/QUOTE]

That is like saying all Brits have bad teeth:lol:Now come on we are great at irony and sarcasm…yes my post was tongue and cheek:)

[ridgeback]

[QUOTE=slc2;3774199]
A wink icon doesn’t change a nasty comment to a nice comment.[/QUOTE]

Lighten up SLC do you really think a brit was be serious about Americans being rubish riders. Hello we consistently do well in Show Jumping and Dressage and even eventing. He was being FUNNY…:eek:

[sm1]

@claire;3774194

Re: George Morris. He is definitely a straight shooter, but a lot of what he dishes out at clinics is part of his “show”. He is known for his “rude remarks” and making people cry at his clinics.
Part of his “schitck” like Simon Cowell.

Then there’s the greatly respected Jimmy Wofford, who routinely hollers out in his clinics, “You can’t fix stupid.”

[Ambrey]

[QUOTE=sm;3774214]
Then there’s the greatly respected Jimmy Wofford, who routinely hollers out in his clinics, “You can’t fix stupid.”[/QUOTE]

The secret there is, if you’re rude you’d better be good.

[twofatponies]

[QUOTE=siegi b.;3772471]
It’s definitely a cultural thing…

I know that when I first came to the US I couldn’t get over all the superlatives used - so and so is fantastic, outstanding, incredible, etc. etc. - when nothing was that great about the subject. It goes hand in hand with high-pitched voices that squeek their pleasure at a new baby, new car, new apartment, whatever.

The best example is the “Letter of Recommendation” issued by a company to a former employee… In Europe an employee that performed her job well and according to expectation levels would be delighted to get such praise. In the US the same person would expect nothing short of outstanding and showing knowledge above and beyond expectation before they’d be happy with the recommendation.

In short, it’s inflationary language! You do get used to it at some point but to this day I have a hard time using superlatives to describe an average thing/job.[/QUOTE]

:lol::lol: That explains why Europeans always seem so serious and crabby! (kidding!)

On the topic, though, I have no idea why someone would want strangers commenting on their video anyway. I would only want comments on my riding or horse from a horseperson I knew had a good eye and something useful to say. Otherwise what’s the point? You can turn comments off, you know.

[sm1]

@Ambrey;3774228

The secret there is, if you’re rude you’d better be good.

and he is the best isn’t he, he has had at least one student on every US Olympic, World Championship, or Pan Am team since 1978.

[Coreene]

No, Ambre, what I said was exactly what I said. No more, no less.

[Dressage_Art]

[QUOTE=grayarabpony;3773893]
I can’t count the number of times he’s stomped off in a fit of rage, because someone gave an honest opinion[/QUOTE]

:lol: he did, didn’t he? Thinking about it, Theo you do take criticism quite personally and go in to an attack mode and then leave… In this case, you can find an answer to your question in yourself, even if you are not an American
You yourself respond better to a sheepskin glove than to an iron one.

[Jeito]

[QUOTE=ridgeback;3774197]
LOL George isn’t nasty…:lol::lol::lol:[/QUOTE]

Have you ever ridden with him? I have two friends who rode regularly with him when he was at Hunterdon, and he was as nice as could be. I’ve been to his clinics. He is blunt but not nasty. I know this thread isn’t about George Morris, but what I am reading just doesn’t match “my reality” (as happens a lot on the internet :rolleyes: ) If you’ve ridden with him and he was “nasty” to you, say so. . .but don’t perpetuate rumors. I suspect George Morris gets a chuckle out of the way he is perceived. . .but most of the stories I hear about him are from people who haven’t been within 1000 feet of him :lol: . . .and I call a spade a spade too

Sorry to digress. . .I can’t resist :winkgrin:

[Nojacketrequired]

Why don’t people (I’m thinking of instructors), say what they think?

Awhile back we had Rolf I. in this area to give a clinic. The guy was absolutely amazing. Best I’ve ever seen.

He was gracious and wanted to help the riders improve. When the two local “wunderkind” rode in expecting heaps of praise, one was told to drop his curb reins completely and put on a 20 m w/t circle for the entire ride and the other was told that she had a fantastic horse, but it was too bad she rode like a monkey and had no interest in actually learning from him.

I believe he was never invited back?

THAT is why people don’t say what they think. It impinges on their business.

NJR

[ToN_Farm]

[QUOTE=Nojacketrequired;3774935]
Why don’t people (I’m thinking of instructors), say what they think?

Awhile back we had Rolf I. in this area to give a clinic. The guy was absolutely amazing. Best I’ve ever seen.

He was gracious and wanted to help the riders improve. When the two local “wunderkind” rode in expecting heaps of praise, one was told to drop his curb reins completely and put on a 20 m w/t circle for the entire ride and the other was told that she had a fantastic horse, but it was too bad she rode like a monkey and had no interest in actually learning from him.

I believe he was never invited back?

THAT is why people don’t say what they think. It impinges on their business.

NJR[/QUOTE]Sounds like my kind of trainer. Yes, I can see the point where brutal honesty about one’s riding or riding potential would impinge on business. However, a trainer ought to be able to tell which students can take it and which ones can’t. And, it’s also bad for business when a new student sees other students doing poorly and the trainer isn’t addressing the issues.

About George, I agree with Discobold. I’m in NJ and I used to live just a couple miles from Hunterdon. I saw George at shows back in the early 80’s when he was coaching Medal/Maclay kids and also watched several of his clinics and visited there when friends were riding with him. I think he is a class act and not rude/nasty at all.

[rcloisonne]

[QUOTE=Thomas_1;3773822]
Yeh but they’re rubbish riders ;)[/QUOTE]
That’s exactly what the Native Americans said. :lol:

[mishmash]

I’m not a rding instructor or judge, but teaching and judging is teaching and judging, no matter what the occupation. I do frequenthly precept and mentor students in my chosen field. Sometimes, you get a student that is such a mess, you just pick out one or two basic things and start working on them. I agree with whomever posted this earlier, that it is important to put it in such a way as to inspire change. Trashing someone does not benefit anyone.

And, as a side note, I always find it amusing how all these ladies jump to Thomas 1’s defense, no matter what he said. So cute. Is it because he is one of the few males on the board? I outgrew my need for male approval years ago…