[QUOTE=Anyplace Farm;5353424]
Yes, he was heard saying MULTIPLE times about her, “She have a lovely, classical position.” “Her equitation is always perfect.”[/QUOTE]
I liked where he said <paraphase>
“stretch up in your spine don’t round your back like I do.I’m an old man,you are young.streeetchhhhhh” 
Tamara in TN
And, “Don’t stick your elbows out like I do. That’s a bad habit I have.”
Or, “Look at me…I’m old and fat. I didn’t realize how fat I am. I need to start working on that.”
Everytime he busted on himself, everyone laughed. He loves to make everyone giggle so he kept it up.
[QUOTE=Anyplace Farm;5353415]
And was seen later that day sitting right with him at lunch (when some of the other kids in the clinic were not sitting with him - so, she didn’t HAVE to sit with him) laughing with him and having a great time![/QUOTE]
Respectfully Anyplace Farm and lauriep, I think you are misunderstanding the point that 2ndyrgal and I are making… so let me see if I can at least crystalize the disagreement between the two “camps” (so to speak).
I believe (and I think 2ndyrgal and others believe this too), that GM’s comment should be judged in isolation… at the moment it was made. I believe that because I believe you can only be responsible (and should be responsible) for your choices at the moment you make them. From my vantage point, it doesn’t matter if the girl on the receiving end of it laughed about it, wasn’t mad about it, or whatever. It doesn’t matter if the girl got tons of “riding value” out of the clinic, or none at all. It doesn’t matter if he then said a million nice things to the girl afterward. The question is, in my mind… was it appropriate to say in the first place? I (obviously) think it wasn’t.
I think what I am hearing from many of you, is that you believe his statement should perhaps only be judged in the context of the response. i.e., if it didn’t upset the person it was directed at (who clearly has a tough skin or she wouldn’t be riding in a GM clinic in the first place), then we shouldn’t worry about it. I understand that logic, but I disagree with it.
This may not be a good analogy to this situation, but it may give you another example that will at least shed some light on my thinking: (and no, I’m not comparing the HARM of a horse being euthanized to the harm of a rider being called a dumbbell).
A couple of years ago, there was a big thread on the eventing forum about the very sad demise of Le Samurai - a horse that Amy Tryon was riding at Rolex Kentucky when he broke down 2 jumps from the end of the cross-country course. He had to be euthanized. There was a lot of angst in the eventing community about the event. Many people blamed Amy for not pulling up the very second she felt him bobble… others said it was a forgivable mistake as she only had a split second to make a decision and she didn’t have all the facts in that moment. I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about that incident, but I feel certain of one thing: For me, Amy’s actions should only be judged in the split second she originally had to make them. The terrible terrible outcome shouldn’t figure into the equation. I’m sure there are others who disagree. But I believe being judged on the basis of hindsight isn’t fair.
For the same reason, I think each of us has to be responsible for what we say-- at all times. While some of our mistakes may go unnoticed because they don’t result in a bad outcome, it really doesn’t change the fact that they were mistakes nonetheless. When you same something gratuitously nasty, you don’t really know the effect it will have on the hearer. Many of us have developed nice thick skins over the years and wouldn’t bat an eye. Good for us. But that doesn’t make it less nasty.
Ok, you win. He should be fired and you all are going to start a letter writing campaign demanding his dismissal since you are all members of the USEF/USHJA and financial contributers to Team USA and they need to know how unhappy you are with him and the team results under his wing.
The person appointed will take over our International coaching efforts, travel with the A squad and conduct the master level clinic (at no charge for that clinic) annually.
Resume must include Olympic medal and must have taught other medalists and top ranked International jumpers over a period of at least 10 years.
They must be supportive, kind and willing to take whatever time it takes to gently coax a rider seeking to move up to the 1.5m+ regardless of class size or auditor price. Any hint of verbal abuse will result in their dismissal from the program.
Great you win. Case closed.
Now go picket a GM clinic and write those letters. This is a waste of bandwidth accomplishing nothing.
GM didn’t make a “split-second” mistake at all
In my book, there are several obscene and/or offensive words and phrases that should never be used in anyone’s company, anywhere, at all. None of what GM has been accused of saying falls into that category, so he should be left alone.
The verbage he uses is an expression of his personality, nothing more. I don’t think anyone has the right to set a PC standard and insist that everyone abide. You may like his personality, or not. You can choose to be around him, or not.
I don’t think bold, effective leaders in any career can be in constant edit mode in fear of offending someone’s sensibilities. Listen to the message and stop wasting energy taking offense. If you don’t like the message, then vote with your feet, pocketbook, or ballot.
GM’s message is always very clear and consistent and IMO, GM gets a :yes: as a coach and as a leader.
[QUOTE=happyhacker;5353258]
Some people think so little of themselves. Amazing! The end, does NOT always justify the means.[/QUOTE]
And some people take themselves sooo seriously. And sometimes the end DOES justify the means!
In this case, it should!
[QUOTE=Muggle Mom;5353746]
I don’t think anyone has the right to set a PC standard and insist that everyone abide. [/QUOTE]
Agree, with that statement, by golly.
One thing George will never be…and that’s PC. :lol:
You do know that in football practice, the boys get called p*ssies by their coaches, right? We see plenty of them go on to play pro ball without ever having to apply a panty liner to their shorts.
It’s a sport dominated by tough people. It’s a tough sport. Like some earlier posters pointed out, those girls have heard WAY worse from their own trainers throughout the year before they even strolled into GMs clinic, otherwise, we’d see the dumbells in tears. By now, they let it roll off. If not, life’s gonna get a hell of a lot tougher for them.
Yeah, that’s just what we need…
The Word Police. Usually accomanied by a unit from the PC Enforcement Department.
And consider a word in context??? NEVER.
yyyyeeehaw.
Having viewed the incident I simply cannot see why GM’s comment is raising such hackles, unless it’s just “GM” that is the point of contention.
The man has the most rhymic cadenced speech, he practically sung the word dumbbell after a young woman who has ridden at the top levels of the sport completely ignored his request to canter a tight circle. As GM is wont to do, he repeated the word “tighter” about 20 times while she cantered an overbent 30m circle. He never raised his voice, he just asked for tighter circles and didn’t get them.
The rider in question clearly wasn’t offended so why should someone who has probably never met her, probably will never meet her, has never met GM.
[QUOTE=rileyt;5353517]
… From my vantage point, it doesn’t matter if the girl on the receiving end of it laughed about it, wasn’t mad about it, or whatever. It doesn’t matter if the girl got tons of “riding value” out of the clinic, or none at all. It doesn’t matter if he then said a million nice things to the girl afterward. The question is, in my mind… was it appropriate to say in the first place? I (obviously) think it wasn’t.
I think what I am hearing from many of you, is that you believe his statement should perhaps only be judged in the context of the response. i.e., if it didn’t upset the person it was directed at (who clearly has a tough skin or she wouldn’t be riding in a GM clinic in the first place), then we shouldn’t worry about it. I understand that logic, but I disagree with it.
For the same reason, I think each of us has to be responsible for what we say-- at all times. While some of our mistakes may go unnoticed because they don’t result in a bad outcome, it really doesn’t change the fact that they were mistakes nonetheless. When you same something gratuitously nasty, you don’t really know the effect it will have on the hearer. Many of us have developed nice thick skins over the years and wouldn’t bat an eye. Good for us. But that doesn’t make it less nasty.[/QUOTE]
No “I” don’t think it’s the context of the riders response justifying a word choice. Because I don’t think it was said in an insulting way. IMHO it’s all in the delivery. How I know people who think he’s rude and I know people that love him, I know people who feel as you do…
But what I find ironic about “some” of those that feel GM should “not ever” use words such as dumbbell - many actually use disrespectful words themselves out of their own frustrations.
I think many are being extremely nit-picky here but to each their own.
And to be frank, after reading the above - I feel like a horrible person - I always try to be a kind person; But being responsible for what we say “at all times” I fail - even my own kids catch me when I call a driver that just cut me off “stupid”… :lol:
[QUOTE=Anyplace Farm;5353953]
You do know that in football practice, the boys get called p*ssies by their coaches, right? We see plenty of them go on to play pro ball without ever having to apply a panty liner to their shorts.
It’s a sport dominated by tough people. It’s a tough sport. Like some earlier posters pointed out, those girls have heard WAY worse from their own trainers throughout the year before they even strolled into GMs clinic, otherwise, we’d see the dumbells in tears. By now, they let it roll off. If not, life’s gonna get a hell of a lot tougher for them.[/QUOTE]
God no. P*ssies??!! Well hell. If that’s the case, then let’s try to be more like the football coaches. Because you know, no one ever ended up a productive member of society (or a good football player or horseback rider for that matter) unless they’ve been subjected to a few years of verbal abuse. That is a standard we should undoubtedly aspire to.
Maybe we should be writing USET and DEMANDING that GM use stronger language and more profanity? In fact, maybe George could include a chapter in his next book on teaching beginners titled: “how to demean your students into better performance: fatso, porker, dumbbell and other useful terms” After all – we want our young girls to grow up to be tough competitors, don’t we?
I’m just speaking from my personal experience
Which was a bit like the meeting oh, let’s say the winningest coach of all time of your college football team. Let’s say the storied coach of Notre Dame. And I’m a supporting Alumi. And, in the only opportunity I’ve ever had to tell the coach what a great job he’s doing… how much I’ve admired his life’s work…
he’s a prick.
I’m a nurse and I’ve been around some brilliant doctors and surgeons. They are the people I’d want working on my loved ones because they are the best around.
But they’re rude and think that they are far superior beings, and that being nice is for Other People.
My perception of Mr. Morris had been, prior to that, he was tough but fair and got results, and that people who’d seen him be less than friendly just got their feelings hurt.
The biggest disapointment, although why I was surprised I have no idea, was when I wrote a letter to the USET foundation to say hey, sorry if I caught GM at a bad time (and he was sitting in a chair, in a public area, by himself, simply watching people pass), but in light of the fact that I’m a donor (and was in a VIP area as a Patron) he might have a least responded to my quiet hello with at least a nod that said “not right now please”.
I got no responsefrom TPTB.
My opinion only has to do with the fact that when dealing With The Public, who Might Be Donors, someone with that high of a profile, might find a way to be a bit more user friendly. Especially in light of the fact that in spite of making a request both in writing and by email, I requested to be removed from their solicitation list, I still continue to receive requests to “support our Olympic team”. Mr. Morris, is the sole reason I’ve discontinued my monetary donations to the foundation. My last name is not one you’d recognize, I don’t own an Olympic hopeful, Bruce and Buck don’t ride for me. They probably won’t even notice the several thousand a year. But at some point, it could be very profitable for them for the chef d’equip to be at least civil.
[QUOTE=2ndyrgal;5354607]
Which was a bit like the meeting oh, let’s say the winningest coach of all time of your college football team. Let’s say the storied coach of Notre Dame. And I’m a supporting Alumi. And, in the only opportunity I’ve ever had to tell the coach what a great job he’s doing… how much I’ve admired his life’s work…
he’s a prick.
I’m a nurse and I’ve been around some brilliant doctors and surgeons. They are the people I’d want working on my loved ones because they are the best around.
But they’re rude and think that they are far superior beings, and that being nice is for Other People.
My perception of Mr. Morris had been, prior to that, he was tough but fair and got results, and that people who’d seen him be less than friendly just got their feelings hurt.
The biggest disapointment, although why I was surprised I have no idea, was when I wrote a letter to the USET foundation to say hey, sorry if I caught GM at a bad time (and he was sitting in a chair, in a public area, by himself, simply watching people pass), but in light of the fact that I’m a donor (and was in a VIP area as a Patron) he might have a least responded to my quiet hello with at least a nod that said “not right now please”.
I got no responsefrom TPTB.
My opinion only has to do with the fact that when dealing With The Public, who Might Be Donors, someone with that high of a profile, might find a way to be a bit more user friendly. Especially in light of the fact that in spite of making a request both in writing and by email, I requested to be removed from their solicitation list, I still continue to receive requests to “support our Olympic team”. Mr. Morris, is the sole reason I’ve discontinued my monetary donations to the foundation. My last name is not one you’d recognize, I don’t own an Olympic hopeful, Bruce and Buck don’t ride for me. They probably won’t even notice the several thousand a year. But at some point, it could be very profitable for them for the chef d’equip to be at least civil.[/QUOTE]
Your post doesn’t make any sense.
So you donated money. Did you do it because you believe in USET or you want some big congrats and a pat on the back? Did you think that perhaps, maybe, your quiet hello couldn’t be heard? Or maybe, just maybe you have crappy timing and he just wanted a break for a minute without some squeeking mouse hoping for some recognition? Or maybe even he knows who you are and that you whine and complain about his behavior and he just didn’t want to be bothered by YOU?
Just like the young men who strive to play in the NFL or NBA, these young riders are NOT children or beginners. If this was a X-rail lesson, it would be entirely different. If having the word “dumbbell” sung to you by GM is the worst thing that happens to you in your riding life, you are indeed blessed.
If the rider to whom it was said was satisfied that no cruelty was intended, why is this an issue?
.
Ah, see but that is in CONTEXT and “we” have been admonished that context should not be considered. And CONTEXT means related to the words around it-not whether the person spoken to liked it or not-that would be called reaction or interpretation.
Oh, I never lessoned with the man, never paid to audit. Watched him teach my trainers kid and other clients at the shows a dozen times or more, stood with him in the coffee line a few mornings and I once rode past him in the early AM hacking out at the KHP and he called me by name and complimented my mare despite me never having been formally introduced:). And I am pretty much nobody. I even once was a volunteer at a Myopia show outside Boston in a horrible, cold downpour. He cracked a joke when he came back in the office.
Yeah, definately not somebody worthy of teaching with that kind of behavior.
I think the problem is that many people are failing to remember what George’s primary job is… training upper level riders and preparing them for national and international level competition. While he DOES do other things like schmooze with donors, give clinics to lower caliber athletes, post critiques with PH, etc; those aren’t his main job nor do they always reflect his main talents.
To the poster who is upset that she didn’t get more recognition for being a donor- GM is probably not always the warmest person and may have just had a bad day. I would assume that USET dropped the ball if this was some sort of fund raising event and you felt ignored. If this was the case then USET should have done a better job hiring PR people to schmooze with guests.
To the posters who think that GM is not a good teacher because of his personality- well as GM would say “the proof is in the pudding”! He has done a fabulous job instructing and, like him or not, you can’t deny that he has done a good job creating successful riders. Again, his job is not to teach short stirrup riders but upper level riders- and he gets that job done.
i have studiously refrained from posting on this hoping it would die a natural death.
i (almost) feel sorry for the whiners who insist on keeping this up. you are not going to change anyone’s mind. we don’t care if you aren’t donating to the organization because GM is a meanie. we don’t care about your “vantage point” what part of that do you dumbbells not get? :lol:
[QUOTE=rileyt;5354603]
God no. P*ssies??!! Well hell. If that’s the case, then let’s try to be more like the football coaches. Because you know, no one ever ended up a productive member of society (or a good football player or horseback rider for that matter) unless they’ve been subjected to a few years of verbal abuse. That is a standard we should undoubtedly aspire to.
Maybe we should be writing USET and DEMANDING that GM use stronger language and more profanity? In fact, maybe George could include a chapter in his next book on teaching beginners titled: “how to demean your students into better performance: fatso, porker, dumbbell and other useful terms” After all – we want our young girls to grow up to be tough competitors, don’t we?[/QUOTE]
:lol: I find this really amusing… you expect a professional trainer to refrain from laughing-ly calling someone not paying attention a dumbbell; you have no quams about writing the above paragraph of sarcastic insults?
So funny!
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