The best outcome for this situation will be the release of the ruling of the SDRCC - and if it is released, as promised, I would encourage EVERYONE to read it.
The process is available to all, not just those with deep pockets - and if an athlete felt that they were not dealt a fair hand, then wouldn’t every one of them/us use this process? Thought so…
Now, let the games begin ! And let’s cheer the team on to their personal best performances!
The appeal verdict is now public: http://eventingconnect.today/2016/07/25/clayton-fredericks-conduct-at-bromont-deems-him-a-biassed-selector-phoenix-appeal-verdict-now-public/
For those interested in reading about why the initial team decision was overturned.
Link to the whole published decision:
http://www.crdsc-sdrcc.ca/resource_centre/pdf/English/807_SDRCC%2016-0301.pdf
[QUOTE=vineyridge;8762820]
Link to the whole published decision:
http://www.crdsc-sdrcc.ca/resource_centre/pdf/English/807_SDRCC%2016-0301.pdf[/QUOTE]
thank you for posting this!!
I think we should all read it - though, don’t tell my employer what I will be spending at least an hour today reading and mulling over…
so 10 pages into the decision, it appears that JP would replace specifically Kathryn Robinson on the team should the appeal be successful.
not that the selectors would have to decide who to bump off the team.
(maybe this is normal before this tribunal - I truly have no idea)
and JP represented by Peter Howard, (husband i think of US show jumper Leslie Burr Howard) as counsel from one of the big Toronto Bay street law firms, EC only represented by Ozzie Sawicki who may have also unofficially put KR’s position forth.
I gave it a read. Finally, a look at the selection criteria.
Outside of the specifics of this actual case - is EC giving their selectors any guidance in how to make proper selection decisions, and document those decisions in such a manner that their decisions are less appeal able? And more importantly, why is EC sending a non-horse knowledge non-lawyer to represent EC?
So, the testimony bears out the suspicions of early on pretty well. That’s sad and frustrating on so many levels
I’m surprised on EC’s choice of sending Ozzie (as opposed to a qualified representative, at least to advise?) and KR’s decision to (basically) stay out of it.
Going forward, I sincerely hope there is some sort of process and procedure put forth to avoid this sloppy mess before the next WEG. The Canadian eventers are all very hardworking and deserve better than this sideshow.
Also, when are Clayton’s duties of coach completed? And who would be your coach pick for the CAN team?
So what it comes down to is Clayton is a shady character, something we already knew.
Maybe EC and/or Kathryn sought legal opinion before the hearing, and on the basis of that opinion, decided not to spend the money on legal representation at the hearing.
That is the most positive spin I can put on it, which presumes that Clayton’s conduct was disclosed to the legal advisor(s) in question.
[QUOTE=WW_Queen;8763026]
Who would be your coach pick for the CAN team?[/QUOTE]
Mark Todd was retained by the Brazilians, who are not consistently a particularly well-funded organization, in the lead-up to their home Olympics. I wonder if they will continue to enjoy that level of funding following the Games, and consequently whether that they will have the resources to keep him with them (of course, this likely depends on their results, and their drastic improvement in recent years may be a point in favour of continued funding if they can produce similarly strong runs at Rio).
My understanding is that, back in 2012, Canada passed on both Toddy and Leslie Law in favour of Clayton because there were concerns about the ability of an active upper-level rider to multi-task with team responsibilities. Given that both of these riders have gone on to be incredibly successful coaches while continuing to ride (Toddy with the Brazilians, who he will coach while he himself also rides at Rio for NZ; Leslie with the US Developing Riders while continuing to compete through three star), I’d hope that criterion would be taken off the table next time around.
Of course, since being named coach in 2012, we now know that Clayton once again has multiple current rides through the two star level (some of which are owned by previous Canadian team owners), and what can only be described as quite an active sales business. From that sales business, he sells many horses to Canadian riders, not the least of which is, of course, Bentley’s Best to Jessica Phoenix in 2014. So whether that criterion actually had any bearing on the day-to-day activities of the chosen coach and how his time is split is somewhat debatable.
Short answer: would love to see Toddy, if available.
[QUOTE=WW_Queen;8763026]
Also, when are Clayton’s duties of coach completed? And who would be your coach pick for the CAN team?[/QUOTE]
Clayton is supposed to be done after Rio IIRC but the current EC president (who he is close with personally and has done several business deals with eg. the attempted sale of Shandiss’ horse which is still before the courts) is apparently hoping that they can find a way for him to stay on. At least that is the word on the street. vomits quietly into her empty coffee cup
I have heard through the grapevine that KOC or Mark Todd is being considered, but who the hell would want to work with us after this years catastrophe?!
Clayton is done after the Olympics THANK GOD!
What would it take to have a coach picked by the people who will actually be riding with him/her?
I was reviewing some of our provincial HT meeting minutes and ominously the president was reporting a lack of transparency and difficulty figuring things out in the new EC organization (not a surprise).
I for one would not want to see KOC, as I have not appreciated some horsemanship decisions by her and her students in the past 8+ years.
wow. so JP has gone from keeping her horses’ schedules/soundness concerns close to her chest to having everything blown wide in the open. I can’t imagine her ever running Pavarotti again now that the whole world knows that she knows that his tendons are fragile. If he did break down in competition, she would never hear the end of it because people would say “she knew.” It will be interesting to see where his career goes from this point forward.
As for Clayton - it seems like she was playing her cards assuming she was a given on the team and trying to manage horses’ soundness issues. And it seems CF didn’t like not being listened to. He sounds like an unbelievable jerk on all accounts. I seriously hope that this is the last nail in the coffin and we’ll see the end of him.
What a complete shitshow. I can’t imagine what the “vibe” must be like at the training camp. I’m still rooting for our Canadians, and hoping in particular that JP and the lovely Blue have a good show…I can only imagine that the pressure would be higher than ever this time.
Well, I imagine if one ultra sounded the crap out of the Ultrasound tendons you’d get some interesting findings. Or you can shockwave the crap out of them, make it nearly impossible for a vet to find anything, and run the crap out of them. Then they break down. This is likely why he has a very sparse record, because he’s been carefully managed to only run when he’s capable. Kudos to JP there.
Give the mare has varying degrees of soundness, well, life as an UL horse is all about management…
Geez, Clayton sounds like an arrogant ass.
I do feel bad for both Jessica and Kathryn in this situation though.
Back when CF was chosen, they passed over Leslie Law because he wanted to still be able to compete. Yet here we have CF who competed heavily, promoted his imports and apparently threatened riders. Good choice EC.
I don’t have any inside information but even I already knew that Pavarotti was challenging to manage, aka soundness issues. So I wouldn’t say it’s big news, except that now I know it’s tendonitis specifically.
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