there has been ongoing discussion behind the scenes regarding GM for YEARS. Long before Safe Sport and long before ousting these pedophiles became the “thing”. When Safe Sport came about, there was a lot of speculation within the industry if GM would ever find himself in this spot due to his popularity and historic significance in the sport. These concerns questioned if Safe Sport would have integrity to do so and hold no one to a higher standard.
I am happy to see that Safe Sport is leaving no person immune to the consequences of their choices. This is what the sport needs.
GM is still free to do the appeals process. He will do so. He has the right to do so with this due-process.
With that being said, Safe Sport does not assign permanent ineligibility to someone “just because”. there is due-process that these investigations must follow and it is conducted using skilled investigators outside of the sport world. Investigators with no ties to the horse world have conducted an investigation and had justifiable cause to issue the sanctions that they did. This isn’t a process that is taken lightly, rushed or jumped to conclusions.
Judging by the fact that GM hired a PR firm and had a well-versed statement compiled, he was well aware of the investigation and likely knew exactly what was about to transpire. I knew something like this was going to come about after his book dropped more information than one should in their professional position. When you brag about sleeping with thousands of men and then drop hints of such despicable behavior, you basically place a target on your back for an investigation. And if any one of his former victims took offense to those written words in the book, you bet they are going to use it as ammo to fight him.
I fully understand that GM is from a much older generation. A different world and time where things like this were kept hush-hush and swept under the rug. But even in that era, pedophile behavior was still wrong and against the law. For many of these victim minors; the pressure to win and follow their dream to the top of the podium forces them to keep silent when they are put into this disgusting scenario; and the adult conducting the acts knows it and uses it as a form of power.
It saddens me that people within the industry will shout “Witch Hunt” simply because its GM; he has fame and money and historical significance to the likes of Jimmy Williams. Let it be known that no person, regardless of wealth and fame, should be exempt from receiving punishment for such actions with minors. If this was local Regular Joe at the local rated “C” show, not one person would speak up in his defense, actually quite the opposite.
There has been discussion for years about the potential history of GM’s behavior behind closed doors. I don’t want to see anyone’s life ruined, but I am happy that Safe Sport is doing their job and leaving no person exempt from investigation and action. On the other side of the coin, we must think about the victim(s) in these cases and how this has affected their lives for decades. Being the whistle-blower against someone with the fame of GM cannot be taken lightly and I am not sure I could be the one to do it if I was in that position.
GM has plenty of financial backing and a cult-following. I am sure we will see this enter the court system. I will be waiting to see how this progresses and where it goes from here.
