I definitely think you need to assess the thickness of your skin before signing on to ride with George – as much as I’d love to clinic with him, I know I’m not cut out for it, so I content myself with reading his books and articles and simply watching his clinics, because he is an incredible rider with so much to teach us – but if he’s angry about the holes in these riders’ training, why isn’t he calling out their BNTs instead of (or in addition to) slinging insults at the kids? If what we’re seeing really does represent actual omissions in training (or faulty training), rather than the kids’ not bothering to use what they’re being taught, yelling at them isn’t going to solve much.
He told one of my friends she was too fat to jump. She definitely was not fat. I decided he must be getting nastier as he gets older. Plenty of other trainers out there that are just as skilled with better attitudes toward students.
Hells bells, it’s a riding lesson, not Up With People. If everyone needs a trophy and a kissy, go play AYSO soccer instead.
He is what he is and I’m sure all of these riders knew what to expect when agreeing to participate in the clinic.
OMG, we might hurt the children and damage their self-esteem!! :eek:
You have got to be kidding me. The problem is that anyone would be scarred or damaged by George Morris calling them a dumbell.
GM was pretty much known for causing tears in his clinics back in the 1970s for goodness sake. I would give my right-arm for the opportunity to ride in a GM clinic on a 6-figure horse and he can call me a “stupid, worthless POS that couldn’t ride a donkey” all day long if he wanted to.
[QUOTE=Sunnyhorse;5337602]
I definitely think you need to assess the thickness of your skin before signing on to ride with George – as much as I’d love to clinic with him, I know I’m not cut out for it, so I content myself with reading his books and articles and simply watching his clinics, because he is an incredible rider with so much to teach us – but if he’s angry about the holes in these riders’ training, why isn’t he calling out their BNTs instead of (or in addition to) slinging insults at the kids? If what we’re seeing really does represent actual omissions in training (or faulty training), rather than the kids’ not bothering to use what they’re being taught, yelling at them isn’t going to solve much.[/QUOTE]
Actually he has directed quite a few comments to the trainers on the sidelines.
In this particular case, the rider was told to make a very prompt, tight turn (and was told more than once.) She ignored that direction and kept going way out, which basically negated the point of the exercise and made it useless. Especially at that level of riding, I can see why that would create frustration and I am sure GM was deliberate in his approach to getting the rider to do as she was instructed.
I just wanted to add that there is a VERY important reason why, at this level, a rider must get exercises correct very quickly if not actually on the first try. It’s because at the top levels of jumping there is no room for error- not only will you not win but you can jeopardize horse and rider safety. Coming into a fence incorrectly at that level can have devastating consequences.
Hells bells, it’s a riding lesson, not Up With People. If everyone needs a trophy and a kissy, go play AYSO soccer instead.
:yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:
(hey, looks like an AC/DC concert with little grey people head banging!)
[QUOTE=rileyt;5337430]
Really? REALLY??? Are you f-ing kidding me?
but its best you ride off into the sunset now
Your mouth and unprofessional behavior no longer outweighs your considerable equestrian knowledge
wouldn’t be tolerated in Kindergarten
For all he preaches
Knowledgeable enough that I totally understand why grown adults may decide to buy a set of earplugs, don their armour and go clinic with the man
But why are we subjecting our young riders to this crap?
And why, as a profession that has SO MANY problems with professional behavior, is the USEF ENDORSING a man who cannot be relied upon to show basic manners?
But now he really just makes my skin crawl.
He’s a bully.
You’re a class act George.
Go ahead defenders. Go ahead. Just try to defend this one
It makes me sick to my stomach.[/QUOTE]
You felt comfortable writing all above comments (which if I were being picky I would think are rude and unprofessional).
Not only are you insulting him, but those that support him threatening those people to defend him.
I have watched as much of the Horsemastership clinic as I can (which means getting up at 5 am here in California-been worth it!).
As many have stated, his style and comments are not for everyone. He becomes exasperated easily.
As someone mentioned, these riders who’re participating, are supposed to be the “pick” of the litter as far as riding is concerned in this country. At the risk of offending, are you kidding me???
These riders have trainers, these riders are mounted on the hundred thousand dollar types of horses. Yes, there are serious holes in the riders training.
What do those holes say about what the trainers are teaching now?
These riders, from what I understand, come from the equitation ranks. Sorry, guys…I wouldn’t let any of these kids near anything I have except for one little girl. These riders can count strides and that’s about it.
Tell me…perhaps I am SO barking up the wrong tree…why do these riders all ride with their toes out? The horses are being banged with that spur at almost every stride. It is toes in, always.
These riders may “sit pretty” but as far as effective riding is concerned…I see very little on these videos.
My post is not meant to irritate or annoy anyone. Just to be thought provoking. I was not taught to “ride” in America…my outlook is a bit different…I much prefer effective riding…get the job done.
I would not speak up if I were not a coach and trainer myself. What I teach is effective riding which is learned by many hours in the saddle. Yes, of course riders must know diagonals, correct posture etc…but my riders do not perch, they use their seats in an effective manner to elicit the response from the horse when needed. We don’t have fancy horses, but we rehab horses from all walks of life. Our job is to find out what makes the horses tick and place them in the right program. I won’t send my riders thru the equitation ranks. I am saddened by what I have seen on tape. Can I put my money where my mouth is, yepper!
I got on my soapbox guys…just a pet peeve of mine…truly, I did not write anything to offend anyone. Apologies if anyone takes offense…so much is lost in the written word and I am no author! 
There are darn few trainers out there of his caliber.
Thank you!
(I wish COTH would add a “like” button for posts.)
Of course it would be nice if he corrected people in a more tactful manner however what strikes me as a rider is that GM is like it or not brilliant and brilliant people do not suffer fools well. He even quotes that in the training.
My Dad is much like him and because he is genius you (if you really wish to learn) will certainly put yourself willingly under the microscope. For heaven’s sake we all pay for lessons and go to shows where we are judged. What is the difference?
HJ people are trained to have a hypercritical eye…the only difference is he puts voice to it…which BTW is what you are paying him to do. I had a German riding instructor who would scream bloody murder at you if you did something wrong.
Personally speaking I was struck by his level of passion and commitment to excellence after all these years. Wow he really has it together. He is a constant stream of information…not too many clinicians give you that much …I can tell you that. I would definately jump at the chance to ride with him…anytime anywhere.
Keep it up George!! Par Excellance
At what point does USEF say, “Thanks for all you’ve done George… but its best you ride off into the sunset now. Your mouth and unprofessional behavior no longer outweighs your considerable equestrian knowledge.”
Because his knowledge still outweighs his grouchiness… I, for one, hope he never quits. I have done a clinic with him, and I got yelled at plenty… but i learned even more. If you dont like it, then dont watch him 
[QUOTE=ponymom64;5337613]
He is what he is and I’m sure all of these riders knew what to expect when agreeing to participate in the clinic.[/QUOTE]
Exactly. Is he perfect? No. Is he worth it? Obviously many people think so, or there would be no demand for his services.
It surprises me that more people don’t get this concept.
Anyone in any sport who has trained many, many successful competitors must have a pretty good understanding of when to apply the metaphorical carrot and stick.
Some people respond better to the carrot (praise), some respond better to the stick (the opposite of praise). Most people respond to a mix of both at the appropriate times.
Anyone who has trained so many successful horses and riders must have a pretty good idea how to get that balance right.
As others have said, nobody is forced to work with him or listen to him. If he’s not your cup of tea, steer clear.
[QUOTE=europa;5337671]
Of course it would be nice if he corrected people in a more tactful manner however what strikes me as a rider is that GM is like it or not brilliant and brilliant people do not suffer fools well. He even quotes that in the training.
My Dad is much like him and because he is genius you (if you really wish to learn) will certainly put yourself willingly under the microscope. For heaven’s sake we all pay for lessons and go to shows where we are judged. What is the difference?
HJ people are trained to have a hypercritical eye…the only difference is he puts voice to it…which BTW is what you are paying him to do. I had a German riding instructor who would scream bloody murder at you if you did something wrong.
Personally speaking I was struck by his level of passion and commitment to excellence after all these years. Wow he really has it together. He is a constant stream of information…not too many clinicians give you that much …I can tell you that. I would definately jump at the chance to ride with him…anytime anywhere.
Keep it up George!! Par Excellance[/QUOTE]
:yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:
Allow me to quote a master:
Maybe we should chug on over to mamby pamby land and maybe we can find some self confidence for you – you jack wagon! Tissue?
R. Lee Ermy
I’d give my right arm to participate in a George Morris clinic. :yes:
I’m going to apologize right now for using “f-ing”… but honestly, even with all I have read, seen and heard about GM and his numerous tactless comments about peoples weight, riding skill, etc… I was gobsmacked by this one.
And for those of you who say “this is sports” “the girls know what they’re getting into” and “being called a dumbell isn’t going to permanently wound anyone”… you are entirely missing my point.
I have no problem with a teacher being brutally honest with someone. Especially at this level. Even if he had said, “If you can’t ride this exercise better than that, you really don’t belong here.” or “If you can’t get the right number of strides on this circle, you might as well get off your horse and put him away, because you’ll never make it as a pro.” I think either of those would be tremendously obnoxious… but if he truthfully believes that, fine.
But calling someone a dumbell? Really. That is tremendously self-indulgent.
Name calling and humiliation is just, as I said, unprofessional. It’s counterproductive, and does nothing in terms of teaching or educating a rider. And I think it reflects poorly on the industry, and the organization (in this case the USEF) that tolerates it.
There are limits even for famous people. Bob Knight comes to mind. I don’t care if GM continues (as I know he will) to hold clinics for the next 20 years, and if people (especially adults) continue to patronize the man.
But it seems to me that our national sporting federation should hold people to a higher standard than this.
Exactly. And with age comes wisdom. If you work with enough different coaching/teaching styles you figure out which style you can achieve the most with. And you may not like stronger, more direct criticism, but you are only cheating yourself if you don’t at least challenge yourself to see if the reason you don’t like it is because it a) really doesn’t make you a better [insert discipline] or b) it’s because it pushes you past your comfort zone where you would be a better [insert discipline].
But GM isn’t that special. There’s plenty of coaches as successful or more that have his style (or more direct) in ballet, football, tennis, gymnastics, eventing reining hockey basketball(Bobby Knight, anyone) and a thousand other sports I never dreamed of. Hell, I bet there’s a GM style out there in bridge.
So what? Figure out what works for you and get on with life.
If there are such big holes in these riders’ training, why isn’t he calling out their trainers for a dose of GM-isms?
