It applies to both, not sure why you are so offended by my question? It wasn’t meant as anything ill towards you. He explained really well in the podcast why he is successful and others might not be. If you didn’t listen, it’s worth the time.
I totally agree with Boyd about the “poor me” ideology and I think it results in many people’s inertia…but I can’t help but roll my eyes when I hear that coming from a tall, handsome and healthy white guy who self describes to have had a fortunate upbringing. I know I sound like a whiny liberal…but even as a white middle class woman, I try to tailor my message to suit the audience. Even though I know that I have worked by absolute A$$ off to get where I am in my career, that doesn’t mean that the same or even harder work would allow a disabled or ethnic minority to achieve what I have within the same time frame.
The other off-putting remark (IMO) was when he said that aside from himself he can only name 5 riders in the US (reiterating that there are >300 million people in the country) who are good enough at the sport that he would recommend send a kid to them to learn the horsemanship, the sport, and the business. Even if he IS that good, it is just icky to hear someone speak that grandiosely of themselves.
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I DO have Spotify! I will look for it!
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TBH, I thought it was one of the most honest, insightful and in depth interviews I’ve ever heard from a rider/ any rider. I enjoyed it immensely. I would love for all interviews to be this in depth. The majority of interviews and articles are the same questions and you don’t get to really know that person. For many amateurs, or people who may be just a LL, knowing what is on the mind of those at the top is interesting and fascinating.
Granted I do know Boyd, have worked with him with my horses and he is a good guy. Works his ass off and expects the same from the people around him. I don’t think we should be bashing him for his opinion, and that is what it was an opinion. He loves this sport, opened his farm to the public, so what if he happens to be white, or handsome or has an accent- good on him if makes it an advantage for sponsors or owners.
What you have to remember that neither Rob and Karen, have formal training on interviews. It may not be the most sophisticated interviews that you will hear, but it’s real and authentic.
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I don’t think this is quite fair. He was asking Rob/Karen where they would send their child, who is currently a working student of Boyd’s, if they couldn’t send him to work for Boyd. His point was not that he is the best of the best, but that there aren’t many options to go in America get the whole package, despite the great programs we have for young/developing riders, the great funding, etc. we have in this country.
100% agree with the comments about the “icky-ness” of both Boyd and Rob’s archaic opinions on the male/female thing.
I thought one of the more interesting things was when he was talking about what Erik Duvander has brought to the program. Erik is teaching him about better ways to organize his day, run his business, etc. in order to prioritize producing the horses and himself as a rider the best way possible. Who amongst us hasn’t had a trainer who was fantastic with the teaching/riding but everything else about the business was a “shitshow” (in Boyd’s words)? I think a focus from the top on professionalism and prioritizing the most important things is a good thing!
I did not like how long they dwelled on the Will Coleman flag controversy - Boyd and Will have different opinions on what happened and how it should have been handled. Got it. Please move on without forcing Boyd to publicly comment on his teammate/colleague’s behavior any further.
Since I know Karen posts here - I LOVE your podcast and listen to every episode - you guys do a super job getting new stories out there and open/candid thoughts from everybody you interview, so PLEASE keep doing them*
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I figured they read CoTH based on a couple of the comments in the interview :lol:
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Ah, okay I see what you’re saying…since Rob and Karen ACTUALLY send their kid to Boyd, that is why Boyd assumed he was one of the top guys. I bet you’re right. I definitely did not give him the benefit of the doubt on that one.
I also agree with you about the Will Coleman thing. I personally sided with WC on that whole issue, so I guess I was feeling a bit annoyed with Boyd already at that point in the interview since they really dwelled on WC being a big baby. :lol:
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Sexism is alive and well. There is no question - how to address it is the question. I find those with more fragile egos are often more sexist, or they may be quite naive (not much of an excuse these days). Women will always be in a position to have to compensate for their uterus. Time off is required for pregnancy. And the patronizing man in this sport - ugh.
What I find interesting and more concerning is that if is more prevalent here in the US than say, the U.K.
While at diversity & inclusion training for my Corporate job a lengthy discussion was had about unconscious bias. No, people may not have ill intentions - but the Dr is often the male, the nurse is the female. The man is always strong, the women has to work on it. Men take charge, women are bossy. White male privilege is deeply engrained in our country, and no, it’s not always the blatant over the top stuff we think about when we think about sexism.
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I know current events are generally off limits on this forum, but can there really be any question that the US is lagging behind the UK and Europe in pretty much every category when it comes to women’s rights?
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Behind and continuing to regress. :no:
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A girls ride horses, not boys.
My husband started riding two years ago. He is tall, athletic (a former international volleyball player, triathlete, runner, etc etc). Other then not being able to find mens riding clothes his entry into riding and eventing has been seamless.
He is good looking, he stands out in a crowd, especially in the equestrian world. When we showed in the jumpers, he was so welcomed, and our coaches adored him, I basically figured I was going to become his groom. As an athletic man, he caught attention and got extras everywhere we went.
Since we moved, and entered into the eventing world, it’s even more pronounced. He has had invitations by people who haven’t even seen him ride, to come train with them. Some of the top riders and coaches around, have extended invitations. Its opened doors for me too, but I am “his wife” not a rider in my own right most of the time. I am just another woman in the sport. He is a NEW Male rider who looks like he is going to be talented and athletic. He has been asked to participate and be part of some pretty high profile things too. As a BN who literally only started showing a year ago, really lessoning and trg in September, and only just completed his first 2 HT.
Yes, I do think there are areas of struggle, especially for young men. But the ones who stick with it, sometimes will get a better go, purely because they stand out in a crowd and get noticed.
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That’s not where the pain in the stereotype is. The stereotype is girls ride horses, men train them.
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To play devils advocate, though … How much of this is due to the fact that he’s male, versus the fact that he’s already very athletic, seems to have a natural aptitude for riding, is likely pretty fearless given his prior experience in competitive sports, and seems to be pretty dedicated to learning?
Many adult amateurs - especially beginners - are fearful, or out of shape, or inconsistent with their practice due to other ‘adulting’ responsibilities … so in that way, he’s already far from a ‘typical’ amateur who’s new to the sport, whether he’s a man or not.
A ton of his opportunities have come from people who have literally never seen him ride. He volunteered a bunch, and was obviously all the things you said, however- so am I, and the opportunities came to him and not me.
All of the above are very true, and the reason why I am not bitter about it, because he does truly work hard. At the end of the day though, he got most of these opportunities before anyone saw him go.
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He is also a cool enough human being to feel sheepish about it, because he believes its partially based on his gender as well. Part of it is based on the fact that in 6 mths, he volunteered over 150hrs with eventing, which is why I fully encourage him to take advantage of every opportunity. I just appreciate that he recognizes a gender bias. He recognizes it in our careers as well.
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THIS!!
He puts bad events or losses behind him quickly. He does not dwell. He moves forward. He accepts and believes in sucking it up and going forward. He believes in gratitude and rode the crap horses on the way to the better horses.
soooooo many boys and girls quit hard and quit fast. Few press on.
and whomever doesn’t like the Male interviewer, I agree. He’s annoying.
THIS!!
He puts bad events or losses behind him quickly. He does not dwell. He moves forward. He accepts and believes in sucking it up and going forward. He believes in gratitude and rode the crap horses on the way to the better horses.
soooooo many boys and girls quit. They see it’s hard and they quit. I can’t answer why women aren’t at the highest levels in greater numbers. I’m guessing many bail on it given that there aren’t that many role models. Some yes, but not the the field the boys can seek out for mentoring, working student slots, or just emulation.
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@TMares Dwelling on what I can’t control (and still lugging around emotional &#&^^! from my past) has always been my worst psychological trait, both as a rider and as a human being, so I definitely need to channel a little bit more of Boyd Martin’s attitude in that regard! :lol:
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There’s freedom in “well **** , next”. You have to kick on and learn along the way. Navel gazing cuts your wind off. Chin up!
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