Bump.
We just can’t let this die and go away. Part of the reason these perverts are around is because we allow it.
Completely Agree
I was just thinking about this thread tonight at the barn. Someone mentioned it and asked how it was fairing, especially with KY National approaching.
A friend of our trainer called last week to say after carfeul consideration of all they had learned from this thread they have decided not only to bypass KY but have cancelled their Capital Challenge trip after learning KK will be both announcing and working under his press privilidges. We don’t always do CC and weren’t planning on it this year but I have to say I am impressed by their choice. CC is a huge deal and to have the courage to bypass it to make a personal statement speaks volumes in my opinion. Applause to them.
Sadly I don’t have much faith others will make similar stands. I fear most people subscribe to the old theory if it’s not directly effecting me why should I get involved or worse yet the “but I’ll lose points” excuse. Until the day comes people choose not to wait for these monsters to directly effect them nothing will change. Mason Phelps knows that, how else or why else would he continue to sending KK to events with kids? Because he can. If points are more important than making a change in the rules then at least try changing show choices. How this issue turns out is in fact our choice. We have made ours. Have you?
Yes, it is AWESOME to see that some actually took a stand. Wish more would.
Sorry to say that I think you are right though about others being too focused on themselves. The attitude of some that “hey it’s not me or my kid so why should I care.” or “I’m afraid to make waves.”
Where has everyones sense of humanity, duty and rightness gone?
so KK is not on probation?
Do I have that right? Is that why he can leave Florida and come to Maryland?
WAY TO GO CORSICA!!
I event so I’m not at these shows but I do have daughters (non-riding) and I applaud your decision.
I actually think if you are a trainer you should be posting your name and barn name on this thread. If my daughters wanted to ride I would want them to go to you! Seriously you give me hope. Thank you.
Good for all of you!!!
I wandered over here from Eventing. I am glad to hear you are all taking action and not turning a deaf ear. We could use some more of that attitude in society.
West5 please, I am no hero by any means or the only one making this decision. The entire barn had a meeting to openly discuss this situation, the lack of anything being done, and what could we as a group do to protect our young riders. It is our choice. Our decision is based on what we can do to make a difference and help us sleep better at night.
Me a trainer? Hardly, more like lifelong student. The meeting was called by our head trainer and barn owner based upon learning KK would be at an event we normally attend each year but after an incident at that show last year none of us were comfortable in going. Even less so when show management expressed no concerns at all. We’re going to TN instead for the fall and are now going to Gulfport for winter.
I would love to name our trainer but feel real guilty now. When I posted here what we had chosen to do someone sent what seemed like a nice pm and asked who the trainer was with such guts. Not long after that our poor trainer became the subject matter in one of Phelps gossips snips. We all know it’s bull but sadly too many believe the crap he writes. I won’t put anyone at risk of that again.
My nephew rides in jr jumpers and sometimes hunters so this issue is personal, but after what one of his friends had happen last year with KK I realized we got lucky. THIS TIME. It could have been my nephew or it could be him next time. I can not speak for anyone else but myself and I don’t want there to be “a next time”.
Someone asked about KK’s probation, he IS on probation according to the sex offenders registry web site but from what we have seen and heard it doesn’t mean a thing to him. He and certainly not Mason aren’t going to change anything. So who WILL? We’re the only ones who CAN.
if he is on probation…what does the state of Florida think about him leaving? I would think he can’t. I believe letters are in order.
I applaud those who have chosen to boycott shows where KK works, that is their decision. But to keep a rider away from Indoors or Florida because they may cross paths with him seems punishing the rider and not him. He will continue to be hired at these shows. Believe me, I wish there was more that could be done to keep him out of the shows. Going to USEF will do no good. He’s an insider, one of the “good old boys” (per se) and that is it. They play by different rules. As we have found out in the past there are few rules that apply to people like that and they (KK) don’t follows society’s rules. Look at PV, they know what he’s doing and no one does anything to stop it. In a perfect world we would be able to keep people like this out of the horseshows but as we all know “there isn’t a snowball’s chance in ****”.
In case anyone is concerned, Mr. Kraus will no longer be under any kind of supervision as of 12/15/2009, so if anyone has experienced any kind of incident or unhealthy behavior with him, now would be the best time to come forward with it before he is released from the system.
[QUOTE=bosox;2681533]
if he is on probation…what does the state of Florida think about him leaving? I would think he can’t. I believe letters are in order.[/QUOTE]
He most likely is allowed to come and go as he pleases. Most people think offenders on probation are somehow tied down but it’s hardly ever like that. Usually they just have to call their probation officer or meet with them every so often. Given Mr. Kraus’ connections to the PB equestrian elite, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was given no jail time and a once-a-year contact stipulation.
[QUOTE=Lost In Space;2681701]
I applaud those who have chosen to boycott shows where KK works, that is their decision. But to keep a rider away from Indoors or Florida because they may cross paths with him seems punishing the rider and not him. He will continue to be hired at these shows.[/QUOTE]
Maybe the rider and their parents realize that there is a life outside of Indoors and Florida... and choose to not have their life defined by those venues.It is exactly this attitude that allows these folks to continue. It is simply a “cop out” by those that are too lazy, scared or ambivalent to get involved and take some sort of action for what is right.
I don’t see it as punishing the rider but rather teaching them that some things more important, like respect, dignity, morals, good character, concern for others, etc.
There is power in numbers. If everyone did just a little I’m sure it would make a difference.
How difficult can it be to write a few letters to our governing body and the advertisers, make a few phone calls, skip a show, point out these perverts to other parents when they are seen at shows, etc.
Sorry jumping to the last page here only read the first 2.
Neither Kraus or Soresi are listed in my 2007 USEF roster of licensed officials. And they aren’t listed in the back as having officiated in 2006. Kraus is listed in a 2003 directory I still have on my shelf.
I am a mother and I think as parents we just need to closely monitor who our children are associating with, while there are many pedophiles that have been caught and convicted there are so many more that have yet to be “outed” so to speak, It’s sad. They could be in our schools, neighborhoods and even behind us in line at the grocery store. UNfortunately in this country someone must die at a dangerous intersection before a stoplight is installed, and in that same way an innocent child must suffer for these people to be brought to justice, and even then they are only forced to register as sex offenders, but can still live, work , and show at the same horse shows as our children, in my opinion the laws are far to leniant (sp?). Knowing this it s the parents responsibility to limit and monitor associations that our children have,they are at horse shows to compete not have there pictures taken with sex offenders. That is on the parents, these people are pedophiles!! That picture that you just let your son or daughter take that you feel just must have is only creating temptation for the pedophile that priceless picture to you is like a photo straight out of Maxim for him!! AS PARENTS WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL!
I´m reluctantly responding to this post and using an alter, for which I hope I will be forgiven. First of all, as long as the sport in this country has a leadership that is top-heavy with inividuals that have extremely permissive lifestyles, nothing is going to change. I´ll not mention any names (or even any initials). My father explained about those guys when I was a kid, which was a long time ago. Perhaps the best way for parents to deal with the situation is to communicate directly with their children about it. There are too many dangers in this world to hide from. However, since the restructuring of our Federation, are we not uinder the umbrella of the Olympic Committee? Perhaps they might take a different view of the whole situatation.
[QUOTE=xegeba;2681915]
Maybe the rider and their parents realize that there is a life outside of Indoors and Florida… [/QUOTE]
There is? LOL
Sorry, not making light of the thread, but I just had to say it. 
GEE I didn’t realize you did those circuits. I thought you only did local showing.
[QUOTE=Flying Hippotamus;2682317]
Sorry jumping to the last page here only read the first 2.
Neither Kraus or Soresi are listed in my 2007 USEF roster of licensed officials. And they aren’t listed in the back as having officiated in 2006. Kraus is listed in a 2003 directory I still have on my shelf.[/QUOTE]
Soresi JUDGED 2005 at SNOWBIRD, 2006 at FAIRFIELD, AND 2007 COMMONWEALTH PARK for HITS. Kraus does not do Judging. He is into reporting, publicity etc.
Lost In Space, sorry you feel that way but please understand our riders are not being punished in any way. OUR decision was a group one and is OUR choice. My point has been that we all have the ability to make a choice. We and a few other have made our own decisions and choices based upon how WE feel. What WE think is best for our own. As for losing points by bypassing FL Winter, no not really we can gain just as many and possibly more elsewhere, we’ve elected to winter in Gulfport this year. Having heard nice comments on the grounds, the schedule,the fun parties, wonderful people who show regularly there, and a show management that has come out and barred KK from their events. If you want to look at it differently how about it’s an excuse to try something new?
USEF and it’s higher ups do not seem to have any interest or intent on taking parents’ concerns seriously. KK is not a judge, however he is an announcer not only at WEF but is announicng at Capital Challenge. He will also be walking about freely among the crowds with his media credentials. Just as it is USEF’s choice to ignore us and it’s KK’s choice to ignore the law or his illness, it is OUR choice to not subject our young riders to a known offender. I agree there are so many we do not know about and it falls to us to watch more closely, be more selective, and just be there for our kids. Does the same rationale not hold true with KK, the one we DO know about?
Sadly it all comes down to these things; Money- it powers them all, Connections-see Money, and Indivdual Choice-the one thing we DO have and they CAN’T take or control. We made our choice and since have learned we are not the only ones making new decisions based on what’s right. KY National may be huge as expected but there will be several regular faces missing this year, from exhibitors to vendors to photographers, in large part because of managments lack of concern and KK roaming freely among the kids. Maybe not a big impact on the show but some of us feel it’s the right thing for us.
Someone directed me to the court documents on his case. Yes he does come off supervision in 2009 but he is consisting breaking what the court ordered definition of supervision is everytime he is around a child. He did get a modification so that he can travel outside of FL but seriously doubt that restriction is followed either. Our barn mates are writing letters to USEF, USHJA, FL Dept of Corrections, Show Managers, and even Phelps. Will that change anything? Maybe-Maybe Not. Will not trying change anything? Absolutely Not. It’s all about Choice.
