On his Facebook page it’s more - he’s implying he has super secret insider knowledge. He was probably interviewed as part of a Safe Sport investigation but I find it very unlikely he’s heard any details firsthand from anyone other than the Ebelings.
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I hope people screenshot the hell out of his Facebook.
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I found both Madden and Ridland’s quotes to be respectful. Neither denied the allegations, both acknowledged their relationship with and fondness for GM, and both expressed support and belief in SS and the process, IMO.
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Yes! For RD ranting and demanding what better way to voice his opinion, those are two perfect examples.
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Ridland has dealt with the flip side as his wife was a victim. But they were both classy in their responses in my opinion, regardless.
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They responded as mature adults, rather than ranting like someone whose emotional and social development ended in high school.
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It is pointless to counter CH. She/he has a pattern of victim shaming on other threads. Save yourself time and energy and just scroll on by.
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Well… except for that ONE set of threads.
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Please, don’t start this again. The ignore function works quite well.
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Read his latest posts. They are doozies. He’s trying to work some angles, particularly saying that he was abused and plugs his book, too.
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He’s also claiming that he’s shown empathy and support for the victim but if you read through all his comments on the thread, you have to search pretty hard to find evidence of that.
I don’t know why he couldn’t have written something supportive of the Ebelings without coming across like such an asshat about their accuser.
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Aachen means nothing compared to the potential sexual crime. It’s a horse show. Priorities.
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I am not really familiar with the timing of their move, other public details, etc. But if their training farm is also their primary residence, and if they relocated to Florist, then it is a protected asset. If the civil litigation is successful and they have to pay the victim something, they can still hang onto their home.
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Look at his history. Not surprised at all.
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Seeing how he acted in regards to George Morris; not surprised at all. I dont get why his words don’t seem to have any repercussions? Come on, the winking emoji? How messed up is that?
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RD has a lot of influence in the Dressage “team” world…mostly because he knows everyone and is shmoozie. He’s no Carl Hester or Charlotte Dujardin that’s for sure. He needs to take the young ladies advice and go away.
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Utterly classless. That line read exactly like the Maestro.
Beyond messed up - repulsive. What a horrible human being. I am sorry he’s associated with the US team. How this behaviour, especially as it’s a pattern, isn’t actionable by the governing body I cannot imagine.
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That’s what I find so odd about Robert’s public support for accused sex offenders and dismissal of the victims’ claims - he genuinely doesn’t seem to be a horrible human being in all other respects. He’s passionate about animal welfare, equal rights, politics, and a number of wonderful charities. He doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk by getting hands on involved and by fundraising and donating money himself for many causes.
And I don’t think being empathetic and supportive towards the accused is a bad thing at all; however doing so while essentially calling the accuser a liar is classless, not to mention premature in this case.
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And while crassly plugging his book and the winking emoji - just so tone deaf and gross. He really should be brought up by the team or one of the governing bodies b/c his behaviour here casts a terrible light and clearly goes against several rules.
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Dont know the man personally but still was shocked at the tone of his comments. That said, if you read the USEF member rules of conduct, this doesn’t fall under any of them.
- Horsemanship- welfare more important than anything
- Sportsmanship. the team matters more than the individual, fair play, respect of the governing body decisions
- Citizenship - respect the laws of US and any country where competing. Be an ambassador of the US.
The USEF is not a social media police for members, and he is not its staff, or board member (they have a more detailed code of conduct).
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