I remember when Boyd first came to the U.S. (2007 maybe?) and he had what, one or two horses and nothing else? I don’t think he landed on U.S. soil with a boatload of sponsors and money. It probably wasn’t until after he started riding for the U.S. that he got the majority of his sponsors.
Lynn may have started at a different point, but she certainly has plenty of sponsors now… and having the background she does (Pony Club, riding an OTTB from Novice to Rolex, etc.) and - if we’re going to say looks help - she’s certainly not unmarketable.
If you have an iPhone, search for your app called “Podcasts” and then search for “major league eventing”. That’s it! Can’t speak to how this works if you don’t have an iPhone, but I suspect it is similar.
Jonelle Price certainly came back from having a baby with all cylinders blazing, and I was surprised how young Piggy’s child was–it’s definitely testimony to both women’s talent and determination they are able to balance their personal and professional lives, but having understanding partners is very helpful, as well as perhaps the environment outside of the US in terms of support.
Lynn is tough as nails, and like everyone has observed, has a really interesting and eclectic resume. It will be interesting to see what happens with her in the next few years.
Boyd was pretty funny on the subject of Ros Canter–“she’s like four feet tall!” She is! (As a short person, one reason I love her so much.)
Re: the interview style. I’ve listened to a few of the podcasts now, and agree that interviewing is an art that’s much more difficult than one might assume. I will say, though, the level of candor of some of the subjects was very impressive, and I learned many things about Boyd–factually and in terms of his views and personality–I never had before.
If you look at the current leaderboard for USEA in the US, it’s pretty even as far as men vs women, there are actually more women than men in the top 50. Same for FEI, in the top 10, half are women. There might be slightly more men at the top levels FEI, but I think that’s more what was previously stated, that men tend to be a bit braver (or less likely to care about injury). And I think there are more men worldwide at the top levels than in the US because here, guys really are looked down on for riding horses. The general public isn’t really aware of how bad*** eventing, and riding in general, actually is. It’s more of a women’s thing here. If a guy rides in the US, it’s more likely going to be western events. I know a bunch of cowboys that won’t even get in an english saddle (though one did admit that he wouldn’t do it because he didn’t think he could stay on, not that he thought it was sissy). I wish more guys would get into it.
Aside from the gender issue I really liked Boyds POV on the “poor me” ideology. Basically saying that a lot of riders play the poor me, “oh they didn’t help me”, “oh I don’t have owners”, “oh that person has more money than me”, instead of just focusing and making things happen.
I also thought the bit about the tallest poppy in the field was super interesting, in terms of Australia’s mentality to life. It makes total sense why he would want to ride for US over Aus after hearing that. I actually find Canada is very very similar to that Aus mindset, and it is annoying and gets old fast. I have been experiencing that even telling people I want to do my first my FEI this summer.
Partially (and ironically), I think persevering through all the teasing/societal pressure to do something else reinforces a lot of male riders’ determination to succeed and win. If you’re a male rider and you stick with this sport, it is 100% because you truly love it and have decided that you’re willing to commit. You have to decide early on that you’re doing this for you and not anybody else.
I see a lot of young girls whose parents are so involved with their riding that the kids never really have to fight through anything to make it happen. And that’s beyond just financial support. Growing up, my parents gave me X amount for board and the rest of it I had to figure out on my own. I remember being 12 and calling trainers asking if I could come work for lessons and calling local barns to ask if anyone had any horses that needed to be hacked or just groomed. I learned the importance of networking and working hard early because I had to in order to keep getting better.
I know there are plenty of girls who have done the same thing, I just feel like the early stage adversity that most boys face is a lot higher than what most girls face and getting past that shapes you A LOT.
@Jealoushe Above all else, that was what struck me about Boyd’s personality–the mad faith that he has absolute control over what happens to him. I’ve known professional athletes in many disciplines, and I have to say that’s one of the connecting personality traits I’ve seen in all of them, male and female.
Now, I personally think that many environmental and social factors do affect one’s success in life. BUT (if this makes sense), even if it’s not really, factually accurate, I think that attitude is very helpful for success in athletic endeavors. To go in, assuming that success is likely, no matter what.
It was very interesting in terms of sports psychology.
The negative flip side to that attitude, though, is that it can sometimes leave certain issues that do need to be addressed once the competition is over–like sexism, economics, safety–overlooked.
Jealoushe- Sigh. I’m talking about success in terms of sponsorship, not riding ability and accolades. Nevermind. Thanks for reminder of reminder why I stopped visiting this forum. Sheesh. Enjoy.
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.
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.
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*
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:
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.
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?
