Andrew McConnon horse abuse

[Virginia_Horse_Mom]

@Jealoushe

That was shockingly well written and not protecting him at all…very pleasantly surprised by EN taking a firm stance. Well done.

Agreed.

[Bensmom]

@AskMyAccountant.17

In this case, my question. Does AM owe “us,” those who are dissapointed and maddened by his abuse a statement. Let’s say for example, AM reached out personally to the parties involved like AC, PDF, USEF, Broussards… Ok, while owed, maybe not what will happen. But, let’s just say he did reach out privately to those he directly affected.

Does he owe the public a statement?

I, too, usually assume that statements prepared by PR firms in these situations are frequently insincere. But, what troubled me specifically, was that the community was already addressing compassion and empathy towards someone who hasn’t indicated that they acknowledged any problem or even made an insincere apology. If the community as a whole is so quick to assure someone that the group will not shun the offender, even without any sort of public statement of wrongdoing and request for forgiveness, why should anyone fear any retribution from the community at all?

It really is something that I’m ruminating on today. Any system of laws and acceptable standards of behavior is, at its core, built on society’s approval and disapproval. And to remove the pain of disapproval and exclusion publicly prior to there even having been an acceptance of accountability publicly seems a bit like a waiving of the rules of the group, when no waiver has even been requested. And it leaves me wondering if the rules and codes of behavior matter at all, if they are waived in this way.

Deep thoughts today from me, I guess.

[AMWookey]

As a person who spoke on empathy, yes, even without an apology i can have empathy.

I can have empathy that someone’s career is ruined, and livihood is ruined, without providing forgiveness.

I can have compassion for him, while being angry and disgusted by the actions.

And most certainly I can have compassion for the people who didn’t know, or who did know and couldn’t find a way to speak up, or were to afraid to, and for those in his circle that maybe didn’t know the extent, or were put in such a power imbalance that they didn’t know what to to.

You can have two opposing thoughts or feelings at the same time. I want to ensure that the actions are punished, and the horses are safe, while equally hoping for rehabilitation, growth, and changing of behavior. Whether it happens is not on me, or you, or anyone of us here. I’m not enabling anyone by having compassion or empathy. I am just able to have it.

[jcc813]

Well written and researched piece. I’m glad they took the time to be thorough and fact check. The timeline and FAQ were particularly helpful. I also appreciated the disclosures at the beginning and end about their approach to the article as well as relationship with AM.

A few sections that stood out to me (bolding mine):

June – August 2024: The FEI confirmed to the anonymous reporters that they would begin collecting information surrounding the allegations in preparation to open a case. During the period of the end of May through the end of August, multiple emails were exchanged between the initial witness and the FEI, and the FEI spoke on the phone with the four individuals named in the initial report. Throughout this period of time, the witnesses verified, the FEI took several days or even up to nearly two weeks to respond to emails, prompting the witnesses to follow up inquiring about the status of the investigation. Though we have not been able to confirm that Andrew has yet received a formal notification or charge letter, during this period of time he did become aware that the FEI was looking into the matter. He has indicated to EN that he is fully cooperating with their investigation, which is still ongoing. EN has also not been able to verify that a formal case has been opened yet, though witnesses confirm that the FEI did communicate that they were working on preparing one, and that the process would take some time. The witnesses expressed concern to the FEI about the time the investigation was taking, as by the end of August Andrew was preparing to compete at Defender Burghley. The witnesses also requested additional clarity from the FEI in terms of the investigation process and what would be needed to open a formal case. The next reply with an update on the investigation was provided from the FEI on September 11, though we are not privy to what that step is.

That is just mind boggling. And the fact the FEI would not give any more info in their replies to EN. And they didn’t provide the reporters with another update until after everything blew up on social. Also AM knew before Burghley he was being investigated and unlike CDJ chose to continue competing.

Now, the USEA is a little different. Despite the fact that the USEA is not actually a governing body – they are an affiliated association that contracts with USEF on regulation – their by-laws do state that they have the power to suspend a member…Had the USEA and USEA Foundation been made aware of the investigation sooner, Rob says, there could have been more action taken.

Interesting that USEA could have taken action but USEF could not.

We’re certainly not going to add our voices to the brigade of folks who refer to many fair rebuttals against wrongdoing as “witch hunts”, but what we do implore you to do is this: when you see something that sparks these negative feelings in you, take a moment to process how you feel, and then think about the most productive way you can react to it. Often, sharing to spread awareness of wrongdoing is impactful. In many cases, videos can be shared far and wide across social media and never once actually submitted to the appropriate safeguarding channels. In this process, damage can be done to both accuser and accused while little due process is actually followed.

I like this better than the fuzziness of Matt Brown’s post

…outside of our small world, there’s no quantifiable reason for any of this to exist, which quickly undermines any argument that any specific method is the only way to train a horse to do something. If there isn’t a strong argument for why the horse should need to know how to do the thing in the first place, how can we argue that abusive methods are a justifiable way to get there?

THIS

[endlessclimb]

@CanteringCarrot

On a somewhat related note, there seem to be far too many negative consequences to using animals in sport. The drive to be competitive and pure ego costs these animals way too much. It’s something that I contemplate often.

I think of this as well. Some of the training methods for dogs are ridiculous too. Why? What is the actual purpose?

[anonevent]

The only point I find interesting is his memory of feeling ashamed of his poor horsemanship while being rewarded by judges and congratulated by peers. It exists in all disciplines, but it is probably discussed most in dressage. Every rider knows that causing gaping mouths, hyperflexion etc etc is mistreatment and that these things are hallmarks of poor riding, but when judges reward that type of riding with top scores, riders are understandably conflicted.

Where animal cruelty is revealed, the hope is always that the abuser is reformed, but hopefully not in this tone of oh yeah, I’ve hit “a horse in the face, kicked a horse in the gut” shrug now, let me condescend to you about how you should really be more kind to the animal abusers, because they’re the real victims here.

[Jealoushe]

@jcc813

Actually the article states that the individual did not follow up in providing USEF with a full evidence report and thus they were not able to open an official inquiry at that time.

Yes but…they should have looked into imo

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

Look, there people’s careers have been ruined by dumb tweets sent at 1am (which I’d argue don’t have personal, physical consequences like this). The types of actions in the videos are not those sorts of “bad moments on a bad day.” This guy also had so many advantages that many ethical pros who are good riders will never access. Of all cases where there should be empathy for the wrongdoer, this seems pretty low down on my list. Did he have a very large following in his area? It seems inexcusable to me, based on the pattern in the videos.

[Jealoushe]

100% x 100000000

[Virginia_Horse_Mom]

@Impractical_Horsewoman

Look, there people’s careers have been ruined by dumb tweets sent at 1am (which I’d argue don’t have personal, physical consequences like this). The types of actions in the videos are not those sorts of “bad moments on a bad day.” This guy also had so many advantages that many ethical pros who are good riders will never access. Of all cases where there should be empathy for the wrongdoer, this seems pretty low down on my list. Did he have a very large following in his area? It seems inexcusable to me, based on the pattern in the videos.

He does have a large following in his area, and is apparently very well liked by, and connected to, top tier people in the sport.

Back to the EN report… which I think was really well done, and they deserve credit for that…

There was one particular section that REALLY stood out to me and upset me…

April-May 2024: An anonymous witness began to reach out to individuals within the sport seeking advice on how to handle a report on abusive behavior. They told EN during their interview with us that they were primarily met with ambivalence from the individuals, including officials and coaches, rather than support and backing.

Let me be blunt. Whoever the officials and coaches were that this anonymous reporter reached out to privately back in April of 2024, who were apparently ambivalent about this abuse?

You people are a BIG part of the problem. You are supposed to be leaders in the sport, and looking out for welfare concerns when it comes to horses and students and staff (like working students and grooms)…

And you people failed a key leadership test in this situation.

[skydy]

@fivestrideline

ETA: however, not being a member DOES lessen the impact of your criticism of the organization. At least to TPTB, why would they care what a non-paying random person has to say? Short of social media firestorms, there is something to be said for remaining a member and pushing HARD for change, in whatever way you can. That’s the other side to these two options - don’t give the org your money, or keep your membership and get LOUD.

That was my point. Every one of the random public is entitled to have an opinion, but if you really want to see change happen you need to be a member and make a big fuss.

[Jealoushe]

Bobby Costello is my guess.

[Rallycairn]

@Marigold, thank you for your perspective and for sharing your experiences at an upper level barn. You make an extremely important point that we should not assume abuse ever was or is universal.

At the same time, I do feel the collective “we“ are moving toward using less and less physical methods, and that the general view of what is okay is changing - I agree with that part of Matt and Cecily’s statement. I do not agree with the part about the witch hunt, etc., in the sense that, as you, bensmom, ake987 and others have said, in the current situation, so far, Andrew McConnon does not appear to have acknowledged a problem or expressed any desire or need to change or do better. And that it appears to have been a longstanding approach or pattern of behavior, not just an occasional bad moment. I do feel concern for mental health struggles, (do not know enough to assume that is what is happening here, but have seen repeated comments about anger mgt issues, but there are different possibilities} – but at the same time want to protect horses,

[DownYonder]

@Virginia_Horse_Mom

And you people failed a key leadership test in this situation.

They also failed a key moral test.

[skydy]

@endlessclimb

Saying you must support USEF in order to comment on their DEMONSTRATED lack of action against abusers might be the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard today. Why don’t we tell that to the NYT, when they finish their article on this latest round of abuse that USEF and FEI turned a blind eye towards.

Anyone can comment about how USEF has fallen down on the job repeatedly. People can and do express their feelings on the internet. That’s not the point.

If you (G) are a member you have a much better chance of making a difference and/or having the ear of someone who can. If you aren’t you (G) won’t have a say.

[endlessclimb]

And if no one is, the usef and their empty promises and catering to the good ol boys cease to exist.

Seems like a win to me.

[endlessclimb]

And! If usef continues on the status quo, John Q Public will end up having the ultimate say.

Maybe they need to be USEF members too?

[millerra]

I feel very Polly Anna-ish (naive), betrayed and demoralized if Matt Brown’s description of abuse is common or even an odd occurrence at UL barns. I am truly ashamed of our sport if it is.

[Virginia_Horse_Mom]

@DownYonder

@Virginia_Horse_Mom

And you people failed a key leadership test in this situation.

They also failed a key moral test.

Well, there’s a former USEA president publicly chastising others on social media because they think the reaction to this situation has turned into a “witch hunt.”

They seem to not be particularly concerned about any leadership or moral failures at the governing bodies of the sport, and instead come across as more concerned about making sure people settle down already over stuff like extensive whip welts on multiple horses, horses getting punched in the head, and horses having their heads tied to their front legs.

I mean, who amongst us hasn’t been guilty of such things? Have some empathy! I mean, we can “string up one person” but that won’t help us move forward “collectively.”

[AmmyHour926]

@millerra

I feel very Polly Anna-ish (naive), betrayed and demoralized if Matt Brown’s description of abuse is common or even an odd occurrence at UL barns. I am truly ashamed of our sport if it is.

From more than a handful encounters, it is more common than not.