CDJ was in contention for medals, judging by her form in European competition. Without her, Team GB would be far weaker and likely out of the medals. The video was released by a Dutch lawyer just a few days, hours even, before the Olympics. I’m really not a conspiracy theorist but the timing did look oddly suspicious, given the age of the video, almost as if somebody was aiming for maximum damage. No one expected Becky Moody to step up at such very short notice, on her young homebred horse, and do so well.
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Yeah, good point.
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Yes that’s exactly what they are implying. And I agree she played it shrewd.
A few years ago I was contacted by a former employee at the barn of CDJ/CH due to something on FB. This person had been a groom and spoke of abusive practices there.
Later, I saw from another person an additional statement of abuse as modus operandi there.
No idea if these statements were true, but this was certainly not the first allegation. So allegations are out there. People are afraid due to the dominant positions of CDJ and CH in British Dressage
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Hmmm. I don’t believe we have the same awe and respect for fame and name in this country. “Who do you think you are?” is a habitual retort to someone throwing their weight around, claiming some self perceived superiority. “Bloshy” is one term for it, derived from the Bolshevists. I live quite local and, personally, I’ve never heard any comments about abuse, even from those in direct competition at shows.
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It’s “bolshy” (or really, “bolshie”), not “bloshy.” And it can be more accurately defined as being unduly argumentative, not presumptuous. Also, the claim that the nation of “Love Island” and “The Only Way is Essex” and an out-of-control paparazzi and a royal family is not in awe of “fame and name” is, well, pretty amusing, to say the least.
My own personal view, which is worth a hill of beans, is that Piers Morgan and the Daily Mail would have happily given other detractors a platform and 15 minutes of fame simply in the interest of tearing CDJ down and maximizing clicks. The fact that THEY didn’t find someone, coupled with the absence of any legitimate media outlets reporting additional complaints, suggests that there probably are not other credible claims that can be easily corroborated. I hope I am not wrong, for the sake of the horses.
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Based on the behavior shown in the video it’s entirely possible - some would say probable - this wasn’t a solitary act.
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Agree. If you are rape victim, have researched how 1/4 women are raped, yet understand how data shows most don’t report, then you understand why people don’t come out. I can’t compare rape with victimization of our equines, but I wholeheartedly agree we can’t assume everyone will come forward. Thank you for emphasizing this.
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I trained with someone for years (but not at their place) who had a reputation for being “tough” (on riders) but fair (on riders and horses). I never saw or heard about anything untoward until they were dumb enough to post that pro-CDJ thing that was going around (written by a vet or ?? Can’t remember) and trainers of all “sizes” were glomming onto and posting all over the place like it was the word of god that would make us lowly commoners understand that what happened was sort of ok because the horse didn’t die. Or something.
The comment section of that re-post was enlightening. Unfortunately it got (wisely on their part) taken down quickly, but some of the comments have remained with me. I felt stunned, but not shocked - similar to the feeling the CDJ video gave me.
Those comments left me wondering what all happened to my horse when I left it with that trainer for a while and was unable to visit - first couple weeks by their request and remainder spotty due to distance. What I do know is I got back a horse that was fit and appeared ok, but was unrideable, the habits I’d hoped to have fixed were deeper ingrained. (Happy ending - that was the horse that taught me treat training is a thing and came fully round to biddable and happy to work with no signs remaining of the ingrained dangerous behaviours)
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I agree, the trainer I rode with was very adaptable 
… in public you would think he was the nicest person ever, but in his facility or with persons he didn’t think to be important he could show a different side… when he abused that poor horse in front of me he knew that I wouldn’t tell anybody and even if I would have, it was the word of a young student against the word of an accomplished Grand Prix Rider . So he saw no risk in doing it in front of me, I guess sometimes Grooms are not taken serious either because they might be dependent on the job…. And that might be the reason why some people never see any bad things….
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Yes, and speaking up about one trainer will probably have negative effects on their ability to gain grooming jobs with other trainers. Some people will say, "But the GOOD trainers … " Nobody likes a snitch 
I’d bet the number of trainers out there who would be happy to hire someone who had made that sort of report would be somewhat limited, sadly. That’s not saying all trainers are bad, it’s that everyone wants to cover their ass in case something gets interpreted the wrong way. For instance, I would never let a potential employer know that I took a former employer to court because that would probably label me as a trouble maker for many. I have the ability to keep that quiet. Someone who comes forward about abuse in the horse world doesn’t necessarily have that luxury.
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People absolutely do keep their mouths shut in the horse world and it’s a major problem. I’ve witnessed it happening more times than I care to count. Look at the Andrew McCannon situation as a current example. So many times I’ve heard or known people to witness abuse of animals (or people!) without reporting or saying anything as to not jeopardize future opportunities, whether that be future boarding, training opportunities, job opportunities, etc. A few years back people turned a blind eye to a local child sex offender who was working around children as a low level trainer while violating parole. People didn’t report him as they didn’t want to sabotage “their child’s riding career.” He eventually raped another minor and was charged, hence why everything eventually became public knowledge. These were entry level riders taking lessons at a backyard barn. The things people will overlook when larger things like a life long career, big money or major competitions are at stake is absolutely sickening. Like I said, it’s a major, major problem.
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