The thing about the rules on that page is “no bullying!!” while Mr Buck bullies and belittles and gaslights at every turn. It would be amusing were it not sad.
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Yes it is, and the U.S. is where the “Reverend Buck” began his dressage con and had people paying him for “lessons.” It didn’t last because he was so obviously unqualified, much like Peronace, but he sure did try.
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There are a ton of dressage discussion pages on Facebook (many formed as “friendlier” alternatives to this page) – but they are all unsuccessful. I genuinely believe that this page is as popular as it is because folks want to watch Buck blow up. It is sort of a spectator sport.
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Everyone can offer their opinion in the world of dressage (unless a mod decides to delete that opinion). And people can ask about qualifications or question their opinions/experiences. The things that differ with dressage than other sports are: there’s horses involved who can’t just up and quit the sport if they want or if they suffer abuse and dressage is more complicated than most sports. It’s much easier to explain the rules and intricacies of football than dressage to a person who’s never watch a game in their life. People who may not have the experience or educated eye can really push some dangerous ideas out there (and yes, that can happen with Olympic riders as well…) that end up affecting the welfare of the horse.
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I can only imagine. 
I’m not on Facebook. Only familiar with The Reverend from his appearance on this BB years ago.
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Simply because other sports don’t use animals. But nevertheless other sports do. Like fishing. Fishing is a sport. So is hunting and with those anyone can also comment.
I know some people want the eliteness to continue but it won’t. Those below the highest level are the majority and they won’t be shut up. Even if they’re wrong because the top sport people threw away any dignity from the sport.
So now everyone comments. They almost have to.
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The page is interesting in that it reads like a pushmepullyou.
About 50% of the commenters on any photo/video think it’s wonderful and about 50% think it is the worst thing ever, then certain individuals who are in every single dressage group on the face of the planet (I swear, there is one who comments on literally every dressage related post I’ve ever seen…when does this person have time to actually ride???) who always bring in a long-winded explanation that is very authoritative but not accessible to most humans, and then the next photo is posted.
What it doesn’t really seem to be is an interesting discussion about training techniques and theories but rather a place to argue.
I enjoy reading different theories but I’ll admit, the lack of theory and the amount of melodrama were a bit off putting.
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That back and forth is fantastic though! People can learn a lot from the back and forth when posters cite the reasons and explanations they feel as they do.
I’ve belonged to other pages that were Brit and if you questioned any Brit rider you were kicked out. All that makes is a vacuum and a fan club.
As for me, I’d rather learn. At least on pages like Bucks, things the average rider never even knew existed are discussed.
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I didn’t see any real discussion, just “it’s this” “no it isn’t, it is that” over and over and over again.
I love dissent, don’t get me wrong, and different ideas are great - it’s one of the reasons I’ve spent so much time learning from other disciplines as well. I just didn’t see an educated discussion about it in that group.
Perhaps I missed a post in which people did more than just bicker?
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And because dressage is more complicated.
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Through the years there have been many great discussions.
Allan always presents such helpful critiques. This rider was brave enough to post their own photo and Allan gave her such good advice 
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I am in this FB group but never post because it is mostly delulu people (including the person that runs the page) – but I wanted so badly to ask Catherine what bridle that is in the first two photos - the cognac one. Anyone a sleuth??
It is an overwhelmingly negative atmosphere. I give kudos to Catherine and Kyra for trying.
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Just saying is it ok to copy parts of the discussion and post it here?
I see that early in this thread years ago I scoffed at this page.
Later I ended up following it for a bit because a friend of mine joined and was enjoying posting. I think they found it useful to articulate their own thoughts on training even if no one was listening. I followed for a bit and fairly soon unfriended the group. I wasn’t learning anything, I didn’t find hair splitting over single photos terribly useful, and there was enough cray cray including Mr Buck that I didn’t want to be there. So even though on paper I look like the right demographic I found it tiresome and quarrelsome.
Thinking about it, I’ve stuck with COTH all these years for a couple of things. First, I learn new things about nutrition, health, first aid, breeding, outside my personal experience, that turn out to be credible. Second, horse world gossip with a properly dry sense of humor and no tolerance for frauds.
I had my “OMG Rolkur is bad!!” moment quite some time ago, and while I think everyone should get there sooner rather than later 
it’s just a moment, you don’t need to spend a decade rehashing the same pearl clutching. You realize there’s a line of riding and training you don’t want to participate in, you go a different direction, you forget about those folks and see what you can do now.
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I just got one of my posts from back then (in 23) flagged by the mods. Obviously they went through the thread as well. I am sorry for being to personal back then, but overall I dont think I changed my opinion…
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/95KrXRQ7VLEaYpWC/?mibextid=oFDknk
Here is the full link, hope it works for you. I’m not sure if those who aren’t in the group can see it or not?
I didn’t realize there were rules on COTH. Mods, feel free to delete or PM me if so.
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FYI I have been a member for several years…
Okay but I don’t know about all of COTH, is what I meant. Feel free to check out the thread and add anything that you think was missed in the screenshot. To me, it nailed the vibe of Allan Buck perfectly!
Thankfully there were encouraging comments from some others to the OP.
