Black dressage rider goes to the Olympics

[ridgeback]

[QUOTE=slc2;3412654]
I would suggest that when a rider tosses an African-American rider her reins, she is saying to him, ‘You do NOT belong here - except as a groom’. IT IS racist to toss your reins to an African American person as if they are your servant, and couldn’t ever be anything else.

Most likely when this was done to the rider mentioned (and it was done more than once, by the way), that was the message.

Keep in mind no one tosses their reins to an unknown person - under normal circumstances.

Also, I have to say, that commenting on there being too many black people around the tack shop, that hispanics are too stupid to do dressage, and that all blacks stink - yeah, I would consider that to be racist remarks. I would also consider it racist when someone has two equally eager, energetic applicants for an apprentice rider, two equally inexperienced girls, and chooses the white girl, and says, ‘I just don’t think the other girl will be reliable or be able to learn to ride very well…YOU know…’ yeah, i’d call that racist.[/QUOTE]

One racist fool does not make a sport… You seem to have heard a lot are you friends with this person? Did you sit by and listen and say nothing, to me that is just as bad…

[springer]

So are you saying that a black person working as a groom is unfair and discriminatory and a white person working as a groom is not? That’s REVERSE discrimination in my book. There’s alot of that going on in this country, in case you haven’t noticed.

[slc2]

sure, great comeback, ridgeback, bravo, but avoiding the issue - you can’t deny it happens, and more than one person here has reported it - i myself have seen it plenty of time with different people…that means it is not exactly rare and most absolutely is not restricted to ‘a few’.

plus there are several million african americans in the top two fifths of income range who could well afford to ride. insisting there are so few african americans in dressage because of money is ridiculous. there are enough with sufficient income that 10 % of ALL riders could be african american.

no, springer, that’s the same BS argument constantly given - and it’s totally meaningless. the racist part of it is looking at a black person, and assuming the only possible reason they could be at the show is because they are a groom. and you know that is the point, i’m quite sure of that - as well a how meaningless it is to argue that a white groom is reverse descrimination.

[ridgeback]

[QUOTE=slc2;3412706]
sure, great comeback, bravo, but avoiding the issue - you can’t deny it happens, and more than one person here has reported it - i myself have seen it plenty of time with different people…that means it is not exactly rare.

plus there are several million african americans in the top two fifths of income range who could well afford to ride.[/QUOTE]

Again so you sit back and say nothing…HMM Well it must be dressage people because it’s not so wide spread in the hunter/jumper world… I have to wonder who do you hang out with that you hear such conversations. Because African American’s who can afford to ride don’t does not mean it’s for racist reasons.:lol: Just so you know you would have to hold me back because if I heard that come out of anyone’s mouth I would have to say something…

[seeuatx]

No one racist fool does not turn the whole sport racist. But I think it is far more prominent than any of us would care to admit.

How about the story of Mr. Johnston (father of Paige Johnston, Showjumping rider), the Founder of BET, who built a super fancy equestrian center. He has had people (including a interviewee for a manager position) think he is a groom when he is in his own barn. The story was originally told on some 20/20 type program that I caught about a year ago, but it stuck with me. It apparently also stuck with him, because I have seen it repeated in several magazine articles as well. It’s not exactly something that makes the equestrian community look good.

Or how about the time I went to dressage show with several friends. One friend had a half-full wheel barrow when she was done with her stall, and so she scooped up some mess in the aisle left by a horse across from us. The rider of that horse pops her head out of her stall and says “Oh, thanks Juan”. I don’t think there was a person in hearing distance that was not offended by that girl’s statement. She was also overheard complaining about not having “a Mexican” to groom for her. :no:

[katarine]

Tempest in a teapot.

I am trying to imagine how confused some horse peeps would be in a polo barn, where one can’t tell a high goal player from their groom, based on their ethnicity

It’s really confusing in the south where we’re supposedly still slapping people down with firehoses in the eyes of much of the rest of the world, despite having almost exclusively black governing officials in Bham for what, 30 years? Here in the south you get fabulous horse trainers that are black, excellent central/south American riders, and a mix of grooms of all colors and styles. Sure would be simpler if it really was still plantation days around here, no one would have to think or anything :lol:

Can’t we just enjoy a good looking rider on a good looking horse? In the OP’s defense I think it is neat to see a non-traditional ‘toned’ (I’m NOT saying colored!!) tone is safe right? Tint? Pigment? LOL rider doing super well, I think that’s just neat.

[class]

@slc2;3412706

plus there are several million african americans in the top two fifths of income range who could well afford to ride. insisting there are so few african americans in dressage because of money is ridiculous. there are enough with sufficient income that 10 % of ALL riders could be african american.

perhaps they are simply smarter than white folks and don’t want to be on top of a 1,500 lb beast with the brain the size of a turnip? i have heard that there are also not a lot of black people into base jumping. is it because base jumpers are racist? is it because they can’t afford a parachute? or maybe, could it be, that they just aren’t interested? wow, what a concept.

[AZ_Native]

[QUOTE=Eventer13;3408797]
Well, seeing that there is a black trainer that used to WORK in our tack shop (he rode hunters), no I haven’t heard of anyone speaking of “darkies” there. Honestly, never heard it anywhere around horses, but maybe I am deaf.

I think the fact that there are more white people riding is due to class issues more than racism. Riding is expensive, and the general public sees it as something that only the upper class can afford (even if this isnt really the case).

I’m probably not going to go to a show and see lower class white kids riding, why would I see lower class black kids? If there were the same percentage of middle and upper-class black famlies, we would probably see more riding and training.

Sad that equestrian sports have to cut people out because of money, but its true.[/QUOTE]
Just excellent.

[AZ_Native]

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;3410412]
It doesn’t seem so difficult, or deep, to me. - Just a story of a stable hand, worked hard, made it to the top, 'cept he is black. Good for him, or anybody who has a lot to overcome. End of story. Perhaps I’m just shallow.[/QUOTE]

No, you’re not. Or , I am too . Great and humorous post from Class, as well.

[Keep1Belle]

[QUOTE=CosmosMariner;3409858]

I have two very good friends both african american who show. One is male and the other female. BOTH are constantly asked if they are grooms or stable hands. I have witnessed this. The man has actually had someone hand their horse off to him to walk it out. He graciously said “No, I cannot walk your horse I need to ride in the next class”.

.[/QUOTE]

Welcome to my world.

crazy trainer to my client. “Sally” (my client) can you get your girl (me) to pick up the wash stall.

No, “Susie” (crazy 2nd trainer), I’ll get it “sandy” (me) is here to ride boopsie and poopsie.

Oh i didnt know Sany rode (that explains the breeches and boots) I thought she helped clean the stables.

LOL, this is very common. I wouldnt call it racist. id call it prejudiced. In that people look at you and pre-judge who you are why you are there, your abilities, etc.

Racism would be if she called me a name, denied me entry to a show, made the environment hostile in attempt to get me to leave.

I will say i do see lots of prejudice in the equestrian world in the US. And some racism. very little and mostly 5 to 10 years ago at a few venues. Even then I might say the people dishing it out may have just been really prejudice and bigoted and didnt know any better.

[Foxtrot_s]

Pre-judging and ignorant. Like when somebody asks an overweight person if they are pregnant, or when they are “due”. If you are not sure, scope out the scene and shutup.

[flshgordon]

@slc2;3412706

plus there are several million african americans in the top two fifths of income range who could well afford to ride. insisting there are so few african americans in dressage because of money is ridiculous. there are enough with sufficient income that 10 % of ALL riders could be african american.

Then maybe, JUST MAYBE, they don’t WANT to be riders! :eek: :eek: :eek: I know, I must be crazy…everyone with enough money must want to ride. It must be because all non-minority riders are racist and keeping them out. :rolleyes:

Maybe where you live everyone with more than $500 wants to ride, but I have tons of above average income friends that simply choose to have a different hobby.

[flshgordon]

@seeuatx;3412767

How about the story of Mr. Johnston (father of Paige Johnston, Showjumping rider), the Founder of BET, who built a super fancy equestrian center. He has had people (including a interviewee for a manager position) think he is a groom when he is in his own barn. The story was originally told on some 20/20 type program that I caught about a year ago, but it stuck with me. It apparently also stuck with him, because I have seen it repeated in several magazine articles as well. It’s not exactly something that makes the equestrian community look good.

But again…how is this racist? I have had people mistake me for a groom or barn employee before, I’ve also had people mistake me for someone who works in a retail store. Should I be furious because someone was “profiling” me?

Thinking someone is a groom has absolutely nothing to do with the color of a person’s skin.

And lest someone think I am bashing this guy in the OP—I’m not! I think it’s a great accomplishment for anyone, I just take offense to the idea that we are inherently a racist group (riders) because many of my rider friends are WAY more likely to embrace diversity than my non-riding friends.

[cloudyandcallie]

Perception is everything, or not what it seems

It is so weird. I’ve had friends that when I tried to fix them up with guys, the guys, “black” asked me why my “white” friends wanted to date them. I have “black” friends who have lighter skin and straighter hair that I do and I am “white”.
I’ve always thought the whole “race” issue was weird. Like years ago, in school we were taught that in Louisiana, a person who was 1/38 black was “black” but a person who was 1/39th black was “white”. That was the law over there.
But here in GA it was always whether you could “pass” or not.
Then when I went to Calif. in the 1960s, peace y’all, the Californians accepted “blacks” but said hispanics were “lazy” and “criminals”. Duh, southern girl learns that white male politicians always blame it on someone other than white male politicians.
But keeping this horse related, is he riding a light grey or dark grey Luisitano? Or Lusitano?
If I spelled that right? And would that make the horse hispanic? :lol:
Probably some multicultural people have ridden in the Olympics, just they didn’t announce their heritage.

[Ajierene]

[QUOTE=seeuatx;3412767]
How about the story of Mr. Johnston (father of Paige Johnston, Showjumping rider), the Founder of BET, who built a super fancy equestrian center. He has had people (including a interviewee for a manager position) think he is a groom when he is in his own barn. The story was originally told on some 20/20 type program that I caught about a year ago, but it stuck with me. It apparently also stuck with him, because I have seen it repeated in several magazine articles as well. It’s not exactly something that makes the equestrian community look good.[/QUOTE]

This sounds like an urban legend. I could not find any reference for it, can you find the reference to back up this story?

Similar stories have circulated about Eddie Murphy, Reggie Jackson and others:
http://www.snopes.com/racial/mistaken/hitfloor.asp

@seeuatx;3412767

Or how about the time I went to dressage show with several friends. One friend had a half-full wheel barrow when she was done with her stall, and so she scooped up some mess in the aisle left by a horse across from us. The rider of that horse pops her head out of her stall and says “Oh, thanks Juan”. I don’t think there was a person in hearing distance that was not offended by that girl’s statement. She was also overheard complaining about not having “a Mexican” to groom for her. :no:

Juan is a guy’s name…are you sure the girl did not just assume that the regular stable hand (named Juan) had cleaned up the mess and not realized it was your friend? If not, the girl in question really needs glasses…

[Melyni]

Racism and horse riding/training

I think a lot depends on which discipline you are in and where you live.
I have shared barns with no less than 2 “black” guys who were as it happens also horse trainers. One was a H/J trainer (Esters Sims)and the other did dressage (Lawrence ? I can’t remember Lawrence’s last name).

A friend of mine in WPB has a black trainer who trains a shows all her horses (hunters).

There’s a black guy, Bruce someone or other who does a whole lot of showing in hand in the VA/MD circuit, he gets hired to run the horses cos he can run, nothing to do with his skin color. He also rides and shows apparently though I have yet to see him other than running all the youngstock.

The lass who won the Robert Dover’s Search for a Dressage Star is black, I didn’t think anything of that at all.

It didn’t even dawn on me that it would be special to see a black rider cos I see so many around here.

I suspect it’s more a case of the black community has fewer folks interested in being riders and thus a smaller pool to draw from.

Either way it’s no biggie to see persons of color showing and riding horses.
MW

[Dixon]

Not okay to point out color when the person is accused of wrongdoing or substandard performance. Only when praise is handed out.

[Foxtrot_s]

Oh - I can’t keep up with all the reasonings - but honestly, it is hard to be in coversation with someone without noticing who they are, not good, not bad, just is. Same as male or female, tall or thin, foreign or local.

But we are Canadian and it is different up here. We don’t have the history that the US has in the South. We can’t be expected to get it
or understand it in the same way…until we happen to be on the other side of the tracks, even here.

[canticle]

[QUOTE=class;3413009]
perhaps they are simply smarter than white folks and don’t want to be on top of a 1,500 lb beast with the brain the size of a turnip? i have heard that there are also not a lot of black people into base jumping. is it because base jumpers are racist? is it because they can’t afford a parachute? or maybe, could it be, that they just aren’t interested? wow, what a concept.[/QUOTE]
bingo! :lol:

[cloudyandcallie]

[QUOTE=Dixon;3413727]
Not okay to point out color when the person is accused of wrongdoing or substandard performance. Only when praise is handed out.[/QUOTE]

haha, on a non horsey BB, I pointed out that most serial killers are white males, and was accused of being a racist. so funny.
but horsewise here, I hope the best person and best horse wins, not by color or race or religion, but by performance.
Go TBs and WBs (I’m for both, guess that means I’m not a horsist?)