George Morris

[Material_Girl]

[QUOTE=IveGotRhythm;3686891]
Very nice how you didn’t bother to address how a “not serious” athelete manages to medal in the Olympics or a " not serious" coach trains riders to major wins and continues to do so even though he doesn’t need the money.

Instead you spread lies ( oh please, like the clinic supplied horses that were staged/planted. That is the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard).

Methinks I smell a troll, and am done feeding it.[/QUOTE]

Olympics were for amateurs when he went. Not really a big deal at the time.

[Foxtrot_s]

Come on, everyone - ignore the girl. She’s immature, writes poorly and is ill informed.
She joined just to get negative attention. Don’t feed her.

[fair_judy]

yeah, its a troll. for sure. [edit].

[Dispatcher]

Ohhhhh—Equinelaw, tell me about Conrad! I had such a crush on him (from afar!)…
I have a fabulous photo of him and Joe Fargis just hanging out leaning on the rail at Devon.

[equinelaw]

[QUOTE=Dispatcher;3687413]
Ohhhhh—Equinelaw, tell me about Conrad! I had such a crush on him (from afar!)…
I have a fabulous photo of him and Joe Fargis just hanging out leaning on the rail at Devon.[/QUOTE]

Um. … not the nicest person on earth. Probably MUCH nicer as he aged. Joe WAS the nicest person on earth. Opposites attract?

[Roulett]

[QUOTE=Material Girl;3686739]

Dont forget - GM was originally a failed actor who settled on horse showing because it was almost as gay as Hollywood. He’s never been a serious athlete or coach.[/QUOTE]

I think you are confusing his friendship with Tab Hunter and super-agent Dick Clayton as his wanting to be an actor. Clayton was my neighbor for 30 years and I would see Tab and George Morris visiting with Clayton over the years ------
I meet George at Clayton’s house maybe 25 years ago --and would see him from time to time visiting but usually with Tab – the connection was thru Tab Hunter.

As Clayton’s health took a serious turn in September, I did see most of his famous clients come by to say Good-bye but didn’t see George – Clayton died 29 Sept. If George wanted to be an actor, Clayton could have made it happen — some of his clients were James Dean, Burt Reynolds, Jane Fonda, Rock Hudson and so on -------- so I doubt George was a failed actor, he was always a horseman first and like I said, Clayton had
the magic touch in Hollywood and George was a good looking man in his day so I think
the failed actor comment is just a rumor-------- JMO

[Roulett]

[QUOTE=Material Girl;3686739]

Dont forget - GM was originally a failed actor who settled on horse showing [edit]. He’s never been a serious athlete or coach.[/QUOTE]

I think you are confusing his friendship with Tab Hunter and super-agent Dick Clayton as his wanting to be an actor. Clayton was my neighbor for 30 years and I would see Tab and George Morris visiting with Clayton over the years ------
I meet George at Clayton’s house maybe 25 years ago --and would see him from time to time visiting but usually with Tab – the connection was thru Tab Hunter.

As Clayton’s health took a serious turn in September, I did see most of his famous clients come by to say Good-bye but didn’t see George – Clayton died 29 Sept. If George wanted to be an actor, Clayton could have made it happen — some of his clients were James Dean, Burt Reynolds, Jane Fonda, Rock Hudson and so on -------- so I doubt George was a failed actor, he was always a horseman first and like I said, Clayton had
the magic touch in Hollywood and George was a good looking man in his day so I think
the failed actor comment is just a rumor-------- JMO

[Dispatcher]

@equinelaw;3687432

Um. … not the nicest person on earth. Probably MUCH nicer as he aged. Joe WAS the nicest person on earth. Opposites attract?

Dang. Sorry to hear that about Conrad. But then Joe was my runner up!!!

[vineyridge]

@Beverley;3671806

That is in my opinion revisionist history on George’s part. I had the pleasure of a few sessions with Gordon Wright in college- and crest release was NOT something he taught!

I’ve got a couple of Gordon Wright books, and the crest release is in both. But it is ONLY for rank beginners without the physical foundation and independent seat to ride in hand.

[equinelaw]

[QUOTE=Dispatcher;3687521]
Dang. Sorry to hear that about Conrad. But then Joe was my runner up!!![/QUOTE]

I think the one’s the girls had crushes on were Michael Matz, Mark Leone and some second rate jumper rider named Farley. I don’t think any of the young girls had crushes on GHM becuase he really wasn’t that cute post 1980 and most girls had figured out the teams by then:) Hero worship yes–crushes no.

Now if I were a gay guy Joe would be #1! I think there is something to be said for actually nice people having successful riding and coaching careers. I think GM could be just as successful without the snarky comments and that may be what makes him the most notorious, but that does not mean his sharp eye and good teaching rely on his being mean. Its just an extra and proves the old adage that if you treat people like shit they will pay you for it:)

Had I been rich and not a working student I would have gone with MM instead of GM. Kind, talented, respectful, all horses went in plain snaffles and braided even for the jumpers, great rider and great teacher. Nasty and me just would not have mixed, but I am sure I am in the minority.

They tell me that my inability to take crap and bow down in fear makes me a good lawyer, but it sure as hell wouldn’t have made me a good student for anyone who yells and screams and is nasty. Hence my auditing GM clinics instead of riding in them–but I get yelled at anyway!

[fair_judy]

[QUOTE=Roulett;3687515]
I think you are confusing his friendship with Tab Hunter and super-agent Dick Clayton as his wanting to be an actor. Clayton was my neighbor for 30 years and I would see Tab and George Morris visiting with Clayton over the years ------
I meet George at Clayton’s house maybe 25 years ago --and would see him from time to time visiting but usually with Tab – the connection was thru Tab Hunter.

As Clayton’s health took a serious turn in September, I did see most of his famous clients come by to say Good-bye but didn’t see George – Clayton died 29 Sept. If George wanted to be an actor, Clayton could have made it happen — some of his clients were James Dean, Burt Reynolds, Jane Fonda, Rock Hudson and so on -------- so I doubt George was a failed actor, he was always a horseman first and like I said, Clayton had
the magic touch in Hollywood and George was a good looking man in his day so I think
the failed actor comment is just a rumor-------- JMO[/QUOTE]

actually, george is famous for explaining that he learned how to “project” his voice during his short acting stint. i have heard him speak about those days often. even went to far as to describe a “bedroom scene”… . his short lived ambition was to be a stage actor… not screen.

[SBT]

Oh my, he was droolworthy in his younger years! I took a few lessons and audited a few clinics with him in the mid-late 90’s, and I recall thinking that he still had really nice eyes, and a great smile if you were lucky enough to get a real one.

I’ve told my GM tales too many times on this BB, and truly, there are only two things that bear repeating again. Firstly, that riding with him was a highlight of my life, honestly. I learned soooo much from spending such a short amount of time with the man, that I envy anyone who ever got to work regularly with him. And secondly, that he admired my butt. :lol:

[Foxtrot_s]

I wish someone who has really worked with him at the top levels would chime in. I’d love to know what it is like to work with him at, say, the Olympics, and what he has to add to their already impressive knowledge. I’m sure he treats them differently to us plebs.

[lauriep]

[QUOTE=Material Girl;3686813]
Yeah the problem horses he gets on are often staged or planted as well (though not always). Even when its not an overt set-up, he usually makes sure he only gets on the horse if he knows he can make it go right.

More often that you’d think, he falls off too! hahaha what a turd.[/QUOTE]

WHERE DO YOU GET THIS [stuff]??

[lauriep]

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;3687996]
I wish someone who has really worked with him at the top levels would chime in. I’d love to know what it is like to work with him at, say, the Olympics, and what he has to add to their already impressive knowledge. I’m sure he treats them differently to us plebs.[/QUOTE]

I’ll tell you the story that makes me a forever GM fan, and trust me, I know all of his weaknesses too.

While I was working for J & C, we were at the Valley Forge GP. At dinner one night, J & C came in for dinner with the Butlers. Some friends and I were waiting for a table. J & C walked by and barely said hello. Shortly afterwards, GM and Kathy Moore came in for dinner. He immediately came over, spoke to all of us, chatted for awhile, and then asked all of us to join them. He has ALWAYS considered the help as part of the team that gets the medals, which is NOT how other employers I had felt (Rodney was also terrific). He has ALWAYS treated me and my peers as equals, as good at what we do as he is at what he does (well, almost!).

Much of what is written about him, many of the stories, are third or fourth hand. Many cannot be verified. But yes, in years past he was less than diplomatic. But ALWAYS about things that were very important to him: SAFETY, attention, putting the horse first. The actions taken out of context, and they always are, seem atrocious. But if you also see what really precipitated the action, you usually agree that it was somewhat deserved.

The man has taught a system of riding that he believes in, he has never changed to suit the latest fad, and he continues to produce results. I honestly don’t think he owes ANYBODY ANYTHING. He teaches because he loves it. Sometimes he finds a really good rider that has both talent AND desire. Often he finds really lovely horses (mostly in VA, or so he says). Love him or hate him, he is the real deal. The sport will be much the worse when he isn’t in it anymore.

And the stories of his answering all correspondence with hand written notes are true. He was raised to be a gentleman, and he is. And he will never touch a computer!

[Seal_Harbor]

I wrote him a letter asking a question when I was 13 or 14 and received a hand written note on powder blue Hunterdon stationary from him. It was not condescending but well thought out and lovely and he answered the question I had asked.

I don’t remember the question, I don’t know where the letter is now, but I do remember the tone of the letter and the fact that he took the time to answer me.

[Pat]

Well, all I have to add is that this Material Girl is probably the chick who got kicked in the ass or had to roll in the dirt… Or she’s like, 13 or something.

Come on, really? Staged events at clinics? Or, my fav, the Olympics were’nt ‘all that’ when he rode in them, because they were for ammys? REally?? Um, so, that means you don’t think Bill Steinkraus is any good either? Yeah, [edit], he was an ammy, straight and narrow at that time.

How many GP’s have YOU ridden in? On a horse that wasn’t shown to death by a real pro first. (mummy buying you a made up GP horse doesn’t count) How many youngsters have YOU started and brought along to the upper levels? How many students have you started and brought along? How many Big EQ finals did you win??

Yeah, riiiiight… Bless your little heart! Don’t go tossing rocks unless you are actually capable of doing the things he’s done. He’s NOT perfect, not by a long shot. [edit]

[LexInVA]

You guys do know that this is likely [someone] from HSS, HSD, or CR trying to get their jollies? Right? Anyone?

[equinelaw]

HSD and probably 30 year old man:)

[poltroon]

[QUOTE=Material Girl;3686813]
Yeah the problem horses he gets on are often staged or planted as well (though not always). Even when its not an overt set-up, he usually makes sure he only gets on the horse if he knows he can make it go right.

More often that you’d think, he falls off too! [edit].[/QUOTE]

Shoot, the gig’s up, people!

All those years of hard work, the hundreds of us who were trying to pull a fast one on Material Girl, it’s all wasted.

I could just cry. Too bad I don’t have the time. The cat needs flossing.