But… we are talking about a full grown professional athlete who is in his late 30’s.
What is with parents of people in their late 30’s and early 40’s coming onto the COTH forums to fight their “children’s” battles on social media?
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when we join USEF down there in the small print at the bottom of the page we sign that we as members are agreeing to abide by the USEF Code of Conduct. In the code of conduct it specifies that it applies AT ALL TIMES (not just in competition) and and has a statement where you agree to:
“Place the well-being, health, and safety of horses and others above all other considerations,
including developing performance.”
His behavior in the videos and photos is in no way in line with the USEF code of conduct…which seems then like this does put it under USEF’s jurisdiction to sanction…if they choose to act.
I’ve been around the forums a long time…and a lot of folks know who I am IRL…but this makes me so mad, disappointed and upset I have no need to hide behind my screen name.
Hannah Ong
USEF 5028570
Owner of a CMA horse who came out of Andrew’s barn
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Wow, how fascinating to read Wick McConnon’s inputs here. So many things to question. First, why would a person come here to comment/defend their adult son without first talking to said-son? I get that he was/is in England, but cannot fathom that anyone with business in the US wouldn’t have an international plan for their phone. While it’s perhaps both an attempt to defend and also humanize his son, not communicating to his son first is just a recipe for disaster. And then, when his vague statements to people who understand the situation far better than he doesn’t bring them to his desired point of view, he tries to go political (arguing with Trump supporters) - good grief! I think some comments/replies reflect thoughts on how someone grows up to be abusive - many emerge from abusive homes. But one can also imagine an overindulged man-child that has never been corrected for any error growing into a monster as well. Popcorn, indeed.
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I would not be surprised at all if Andrew is furious that his father poured fuel on the flames on this thread without so much as a by your leave to Andrew beforehand.
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And even if they don’t, someone around them does. And even if THEY don’t, there’s this global thing called “wifi” that connects you to the internet…
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I know Allie Conrad.
Allie Conrad has had first hand experience with Andrew.
I believe Allie Conrad.
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Agreed, if that’s what somone is commenting on in this long thread, they are SERIOUSLY missing the real issue. Holy hell. 
Edited for clarity
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I dunno, I’ve been following this and I’m going to need verification that’s Mr. McConnon. He sounds too much like the father of another unhinged individual that was on here. Or maybe it’s just a trend in people that attempt to defend the despicable actions of their adult sons and/or daughters.
I get waiting until we have all of the infos and solid proof, but some of it is very evident.
And Crypto Aero…wtf 
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Agreed. This latest series of overnight posts? Very weird.
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Edit: I misread, sorry Fitz, I see you were agreeing with me!
I’m OP, read every post, and derailing this into politics undermines the thread. That’s why I said let’s not make this political.
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I was agreeing with you.
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Whoops, I’m so sorry 
I’ll edit. Reading comprehension isn’t working today 
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I’ll edit for clarity, too!
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No, I don’t have children.
But I do talk to my horses every day, care for them, and tell them how much they mean to me. I wonder if your son does the same?
You would think when his career is on the verge of obliteration his father might call him with some support, but maybe that’s why Andrew is so angry in the first place?
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When you’re tagged you can remove the tag. I do it all the time
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and someone they knew was doing this!!! It’s crazy!!
This just makes me wonder if it is really his father behind the screename. What parent would not IMMEDIATELY contact their child to offer support and love but instead come on to a public forum to defend their child on something rather indefensible?
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[quote=“NaturallyHappy, post:224, topic:798895, full:true”]
I don’t even understand (thankfully) how that could be done w/o the horse panicking and flipping over. What a horrific jerk he is.
[/quote]o
Sadly, many horses have flipped over due to AM training tactics and his vet just sews them back up or gives them dex for the welts.
He was reported many months ago, and nothing has been done so they went to SM.
He did this behavior at WFP and almost got kicked out.
More powerful people in the eventing community are / have been aware of this behavior and have stood by and covered for AM because he rode well.
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We all want to hear what Andrew has to say. An immediate “that’s not me” or “I so regret that” would have limited the speculation. Also seems odd that your son is competing in the biggest event of his life and has had potentially career ending issues arise but you two haven’t spoken. Real name or pseudonym there is no proving who any of us are.
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exactly, I’m having a really hard time believing that’s his dad BUT it has happened before on the forum, more than once.
Also weird he’s demanding names and address which I think is a violation of the forum, but also makes me wonder if it isn’t someone trying to grab info for legal purposes.
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