Thanks!
BIG MAAAAC!!! goddamn that critter was cool!! Odd, but soo cool!
I never heard about GM laying into HRH David. I musta missed that story. Full of himself. Trust me ya’ll, she’s being kind. HRH David was the second most self-important person in the business I’ve ever met. We shall not discuss the other fellow. My BP is at a reasonable rate and I’d like to keep it there.
GM clinics aren’t that hard to get into it’s not like there’s an interview process. I would expect one to fill quickly, so if you are thinking about it don’t dawdle. But don’t go to one unless you are prepared.
He does NOT like to see unprepared riders. That’s a quick way to start off wrong. Once upon a time, there used to be a nice show at the USET, The Festival of Champions. If that date still runs it’s dressage only now, but I digress. Hisself would do a clinic there the day before the show started. I got to audit once for free, as I knew the voluteer coordinator. I “volunteered” to make sure nobody snuck in to audit for free. I still get a kick out of that… Any way it was a clinic ON GRASS, over the PERMANENT jumps. First question for the first section? Raise your hand if you have studs in your shoes. ONE hand went up. An ammy rider from Lionshare, and she came with a groom, so it’s not like SHE put the studs in. Come ON!! A clinic on GRASS??? That screams put in studs!! He didn’t rip them up too much, but the dissappointment was fairly obvious. When the 3’6" kids came in, they all had studs in. How many grooms were the responsible party, I can’t say, but they didn’t dissappoint him. On that point, any way…
He did excuse one horse from one section. He gave it a pretty long leash but it was kinda out of control, so it was gonna happen. The sucker kept getting more and more wound up and was getting close to dangerous. I don’t recall thinking it was due to bad riding. He sent her away and said that they’d just try again in the second session the next day.
He’s made some downright mean comments in the past, but he has mellowed by all accounts. As do many people. But his ‘approach’ is NOT a state secret. It’s stuff of legends, so if you give him ammunition to fire back at you, then geez, what do you think will happen??
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I would like to contribute something utterly useless but amusing none the less, a photo of a very handsome young george morris… bonus points if you can name the young lady.
http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/24267/2526061230063226135S600x600Q85.jpg
[QUOTE=TheOrangeOne;3676627]
I would like to contribute something utterly useless but amusing none the less, a photo of a very handsome young george morris… bonus points if you can name the young lady.
http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/24267/2526061230063226135S600x600Q85.jpg[/QUOTE]
HOLY CRAP! I am not as old as I thought I was because he never looked like that in my memory:)
[QUOTE=ZIL;3676053]
I totally disagree with both of you. 
People with limited experience can and do get a lot out of riding in his clinics. Someone on COTH even said that they heard him say that he enjoys teaching beginning students the most. Please don’t let inexperience prevent you from participating.[/QUOTE]
Don’t encourage me! I really would love to ride with him more than anything, and if I want to, I have to do it soon… he’s not getting any younger, and my horse is 21 (will be 22–pushing 23–next time he does the clinic here). We’re nowhere near ready right now–we’ve jumped 3’+ a grand total of 4 times–3’ twice (once bareback!), 3’3" once, 3’6" once… and the lowest division he does at the clinic is 2’6"-3’. I wouldn’t go unless we were doing solid 3’. Maybe if I work really hard all winter at getting him good over fences and am diligent about taking lessons all summer, we could be ready by November…
Would we make him cry? Me and my boy over 3’6". My first (and so far only) time jumping that height… and probably his too, actually.
Holy crap, is that picture really GM??? He’s pretty hot! It’s a shame…
My, I had no idea that my innocent question would prompt so many responses. It’s all very interesting, though.
[QUOTE=Bluey;3670485]
With all the good GM has done for mankind and horsekind, he started and promoted the little known trick for beginners to lean into the horse’s neck for support into a necessary show technique.
Today, thanks to all those years of GM’s hard won “crest resease or else” look, practically all american riders over jumps don’t use a direct line from the hand to the horse’s mouth, their behind sticks out in the air over jumps, looking like a constipated duck, and many never advance past that, even at their attempts at the higher jumping levels, as the winning pictures on COTH the magazine weekly attest to.
With all the good he has done, I am afraid that the crest release will be what he will be remembered for most.;)[/QUOTE]
I seem to hear him talk all the time about Automatic release, not crest release and that at a certain level riders should use Auto release…I’m not thinking he’s a fan of the praying mantis position
He really was good looking! Yup, too bad… OK - who is the girl?
Is that Lord Helpus??
…And how much do you LOFF that paisley choker!!! Gorgeous!!
That can’t be GM–that guy looks like he has teeth :lol::lol:
[QUOTE=galwaybay;3676976]
I seem to hear him talk all the time about Automatic release, not crest release and that at a certain level riders should use Auto release…I’m not thinking he’s a fan of the praying mantis position[/QUOTE]
You are talking today.
Don’t you wonder how we even got to use a crest release today to the point we are, just look at any one COTH issue?
Yep, it can’t be denied, it was GM himself that got us there by his insistence on it for many years, can’t really deny it now.
He was not misunderstood, he was the main proponent, lets say browbeater of anyone daring to teach any other.
I grant you that was several decades ago and he is living to repent, which is fine, it was a harebrained idea to push that as he did and it is to see it still today in practically every hunter rider and many jumpers, I don’t know about equitation riders.
I was glad to hear the last few years that he is not as fond of that any more, as he used to be.
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Teddi Ismond. And yes, he was VERY handsome when he was younger.
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[QUOTE=Bluey;3677126]
You are talking today.
Don’t you wonder how we even got to use a crest release today to the point we are, just look at any one COTH issue?
Yep, it can’t be denied, it was GM himself that got us there by his insistence on it for many years, can’t really deny it now.
He was not misunderstood, he was the main proponent, lets say browbeater of anyone daring to teach any other.
I grant you that was several decades ago and he is living to repent, which is fine, it was a harebrained idea to push that as he did and it is to see it still today in practically every hunter rider and many jumpers, I don’t know about equitation riders.
I was glad to hear the last few years that he is not as fond of that any more, as he used to be.[/QUOTE]
[Bull], Bluey. He ALWAYS taught it as part of a PROGRESSION, not as the end-all of his method. I first watched a clinic of his in 1974, back in the day when everyone foxhunted or rode cross country, and only the lowest level was taught the crest release. In the ensuing years, it has ALWAYS been taught as the beginning/intermediate release. But an advanced ride should always use the auto.
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[QUOTE=lauriep;3677156]
[Bull], Bluey. He ALWAYS taught it as part of a PROGRESSION, not as the end-all of his method. I first watched a clinic of his in 1974, back in the day when everyone foxhunted or rode cross country, and only the lowest level was taught the crest release. In the ensuing years, it has ALWAYS been taught as the beginning/intermediate release. But an advanced ride should always use the auto.[/QUOTE]
In 1971, the crest release was THE way to ride over jumps for GM students.
I had some of them and had to listen to their wisdom on why.
Yes, I told them it was not a real working technique, but a temporary crutch and not even necessary, if they learned to have a good base and independent hand first, but that is what was placing, what was taught and so be it.
We will just have to agree to disagree there.:yes:
[QUOTE=lauriep;3672693]
That makes sense. It isn’t the release itself that is important, but the necessary balance, strength and independent seat/leg/hand that no longer exist, even at the upper levels. Only a very few ride in anything approaching a “classic” style. And they get away with it because the sport has so dumbed itself down.[/QUOTE]
I’ll admit to having been out of hunters longer than many have been riding. What happened to endless lessons without stirrups on the flat and over fences? Gymnastics without stirrups and arms out at your sides?
When I learned to ride, all I ever heard was GM says… After that start way back in the 70s and 80s, even as an old dressage broad, I spent a year riding my horse in a bareback pad (I couldn’t find a saddle that fit her well enough that I could also afford :rolleyes:) and did ladies night jumping classes that year for giggles.
Oh yeah… and I walked uphill to school in 10 feet of snow… both ways. :lol:
I never rode with GM, so can’t quote anything other than what I read. The progression was supposed to be “grab mane, crest release, auto release.” I had to laugh though, when I looked at an old pic I have online of myself showing at the hill, I am indeed crest releasing… no surprise there. But right after it is Steve Stephens catch riding a green horse I had a year or two before that, and sure enough he’s using a crest release.
On a side note at that show, I remember sassing my trainer about Rodney Jenkins’ equitation and being told when I could ride as well as Rodney, I was welcome to ride “like” Rodney. :lol:
[QUOTE=War Admiral;3673075]
I disagree here - it stems from the military style of teaching. I’m guessing GM inherited that from Gordon Wright, who was a military man - or any number of other ex-cavalrymen who were still around and teaching when GM was a sprout. 
My first H/J trainer was ex-cavalry and of similar vintage to those guys - and it was just a teaching style, that’s all. One quickly learned NOT to take it personally. I got called a “Dumb Swede” 15-30 times EVERY lesson throughout my junior career. :lol:[/QUOTE]
Actually I rode with a real military instructor. Colonel Alfred Kitts. I learned more from him than I have any other instructor. He, unlike George Morris, knew how to treat people.
I’m all for being honest, but their is a big difference between being honest and being nasty about it. It amazes me what people will forgive someone just because they are famous. Just because someone is well known does not mean they get a free pass from being human.
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I audited his clinic last year (April 07). He comes to this area every April. I could only make it to one day. I know I’m NO WHERE near ready to clinic with him. Heck, I don’t even jump 2’6" yet. And probably won’t get the chance.
During the lunch break, he came over to the table I was sitting at with a friend and asked if he could join us. :eek: Sure… He was so nice and chatted with us about anything we wanted to talk about.
The day I audited, he never said anything horrible. He was tough on a rider or two. But for VERY good reason. And I learned a ton.
I have his “Advanced 3 Day Clinic” set on DVD. I watch it all the time. He makes a few “tough” remarks but nothing over the top.
One comment made me chuckle… and hence, the reason for my siggy!
[QUOTE=lauriep;3677152]
Teddi Ismond. And yes, he was VERY handsome when he was younger.[/QUOTE]
teddi and timex. i rode with george during that era. gorgeous didn’t tell it by half. i remember getting to go into the city with the group a few times, and heads turned as you walked down the sidewalk.
my 11 year old niece loved ronzo, but never got my lifelong infatuation with him. when she met hugh , emily swooned. then i told her that was exactly how ronnie looked when i rode at nimrod.
i still think george is a handsome older man.
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[QUOTE=tabula rashah;3677306]
I’m all for being honest, but their is a big difference between being honest and being nasty about it. It amazes me what people will forgive someone just because they are famous. Just because someone is well known does not mean they get a free pass from being human.[/QUOTE]
Extremely well put. I respect George Morris’ abilities and knowledge, but I still dislike his teaching methods, especially before he mellowed with age. I also think that that particular teaching style has become common in the hunters in large part because of George Morris. When I used to show hunters, so many of the instructors felt that it was OK to yell at and insult people.
I finally had it out with one of my old trainers (who was trained by George Morris) after yet another of his blow ups at a show. I told him that I am doing this (riding and showing) because I enjoy it. It is my stress release and my break from work. I want to learn, I do not want to be coddled. I want constructive criticism. But I am an adult and a paying customer and I do not pay my hard earned money to be belittled and insulted.
While I understand that George Morris is offering constructive criticism, and he is doing so in a less nasty way than he used to, I also feel that he has in large part helped to create a generation of instructors who believe that insulting customers is an OK way to behave. And most of them do not have a knowledge base that approaches that of Mr. Morris.
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