Point being, parents don’t seem to mind their boys (or girls) being yelled at in football and soccer practice but oh my, don’t let the spectators hear GM call you a dumb bell. Dumb bell? Ha! That’s SOFT.
Maybe we should all just agree to disagree on this one.
As I said before, I worked day one of what was supposed to be a 3 day clinic in Green Cove the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
It was frigid - as in below freezing. Upon arrival, GM was very upset to find the footing in the ring hard as a rock - his concern was totally for the horses - and, while there were lots of poles, no jump standards.
We all jumped to and produced standards, had a man on the tractor working on the ring. The clinic began, a little late, but it began. Then there was an issue with the sound system - GM tried to do the flat portion from up in the booth - but nobody could hear or understand him. He hooked up his wireless and headed into the ring.
As I said before, he was somewhat grumpy and short - but he taught. When riders did well, he spoke up. When they didn’t he spoke up. If a coach only sings your praises - how will you ever improve?
He had set up a (I think) 5 jump gymnastic that started out with one pole out of the cup on each jump. As the lesson progressed, the poles got raised. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that when the 2nd group started, to put them back where they started.
I found him very informative and thrilling to watch - especially since he rode a horse out of each group. I felt like a sponge - trying to soak up what he said, what he did and how he rode.
This grumpy, “bullying” man - at the end of the day, I said something like see you in the morning to GM - and he turned and looked me in the eye and said - “You were a good student.” I even got a laugh from him when I replied that I had several “duh” moments. I was a bit confused - I did not ride for him. But, I found out later that to him, a good student is somebody who pays attention - whether in the saddle or on the ground.
The cost of this 3 day clinic: $750 per rider. Out of that had to come the following: rental of the covered arena (by far the biggest expense); hotel room for GM, food for GM (although this was a money saver since he did not feel well and ate very little); transportation for GM. I suspect that, had the clinic continued for all 3 days, GM would have seen very little of that money. I have it on good authority that he loves doing these kinds of clinics - the ones where the chances of seeing an olympic caliber rider are slim, but are filled with people who just want to ride better.
Jaeger - I think your idea of a scholarship for a rider to clinic with GM is great - perhaps that is something USEF or USHJA would be willing to promote, or even a local show association would do.
Because when anyone mentions the name GM, people look, listen, and want to talk about what he said. Whether they like him or not.
Lemme tell ya, in 2008, when I posted my notes from his clinic at Persimmon Tree, over ONE THOUSAND people came to my blog in ONE DAY. That’s about 900 more than usual in a day.
This year, since they had the live streaming for the Horsemastership Clinic, I didn’t get as many hits. Just 700 or so in one day.
Love him or hate him, he is a big draw. People WANT to know what the guy is saying. I can post about several other top name trainers and tag their names and it barely increases my traffic. But GM, he’s always a winner!
sits down with a bowl of fresh popcorn and an ice cold root beer
[QUOTE=lauriep;5359958]
Auditors in these clinics should be as attentive as the riders, or not be there. I have attended perhaps a dozen of George’s clinics, and some of other riders. The auditors are talking, leaving cell phones on, texting, completely oblivious to how easy it is to hear them from the ring (and there is nothing wrong with George’s hearing) and how distracting it is to him and other auditors. Good for him to call them out on it. I’d do the same thing.[/QUOTE]
When I audited he was VERY CLEAR what he expected from the riders AND the auditors. He often spoke to the auditors showing them examples etc… After all, the auditors are paying clients too.
He demands respect and attention and safety of the horse (period) It may seem rude to some and I could see how it does - demanding people sometimes come across rude…
I actually love the fact some people think he’s a bully; When a woman is strong she is known as a b i ---- h. If a man is strong he is known as a leader.
[QUOTE=jaslyn1701;5360429The cost of this 3 day clinic: $750 per rider. Out of that had to come the following: rental of the covered arena (by far the biggest expense); hotel room for GM, food for GM (although this was a money saver since he did not feel well and ate very little); transportation for GM. I suspect that, had the clinic continued for all 3 days, GM would have seen very little of that money.Jaeger - I think your idea of a scholarship for a rider to clinic with GM is great - perhaps that is something USEF or USHJA would be willing to promote, or even a local show association would do.[/QUOTE]
IME, the way it works with clinics re the $$ is the clinician has a rate they charge per day or per clinic if they prefer their clinics be a certain number of days (2, 3, 4 or whatever) for a certain number of sessions with a certain number of riders, and on top of that they charge for their expenses (airfare, hotel, transportation etc). Their food and rental of the facility, equipment, staff etc are the responsibility of whomever is organizing the clinic, in the N FL case it was that group in South Carolina that set it up. So usually the clinician gets paid the same amount regardless of whatever the other expenses are. I think there were 3 sessions with about 6 riders in each one, so that’s 18 riders times $750 which is $13500 for the three days. But whatever other expenses should not have affected George’s bottom line, all things being equal and had he been able to finish the clinic.
a lot of truth but,…
There is a lot of truth to "this what it takes to become an
P
Olympian:eek:; also, "it’s a tough world out there:eek:; these girls need to learn that NOW " said to me by the mother of one of ChristinaS chlusemeryers’ top eq riders being pushed for he "big 3 finals; as far as the military comparison; that precisely is where most of todays’’ instructors, or their instructors were trained in the military, Ft. Riley; this however this not :no:the military; moreover, we know now that the mind/ body does not process the word "not 
"swiftly; There have been top class horsemen/ teachers who, did not use the insults :no:of GM yet, produced World Class riders:yes:; think for instance of Jim Wofford:cool:, Bert deNemethy; 
and Col. Lundquist
[QUOTE=lauriep;5359958]
[QUOTE=Touchstone Farm;5359588]
I don’t think anyone (certainly not me!) is suggesting that GM should be fired or strung up by his toes. For me, it was just a surprise that someone of his caliber even needed to make some of his belittling comments (and in my experience, his comments were directed at an auditor. That was ridiculous!).
Auditors in these clinics should be as attentive as the riders, or not be there. I have attended perhaps a dozen of George’s clinics, and some of other riders. The auditors are talking, leaving cell phones on, texting, completely oblivious to how easy it is to hear them from the ring (and there is nothing wrong with George’s hearing) and how distracting it is to him and other auditors. Good for him to call them out on it. I’d do the same thing.
Why are you assuming the auditor was on the phone, texting, talking or oblivious to what was going on? The auditor was sitting in the front row, attentively listening to his wrap-up at the clinic’s end. Honestly, can’t you just admit that GM was rude? He was! And there really was no excuse for calling out an auditor for wiggling her foot. Seriously, folks, the guy was rude. Period. No excuse.
[QUOTE=Touchstone Farm;5361307]
Why are you assuming the auditor was on the phone, texting, talking or oblivious to what was going on? The auditor was sitting in the front row, attentively listening to his wrap-up at the clinic’s end. Honestly, can’t you just admit that GM was rude? He was! And there really was no excuse for calling out an auditor for wiggling her foot. Seriously, folks, the guy was rude. Period. No excuse.[/QUOTE]
I heard the person was on the phone… sorry for misunderstanding.
I was sitting in the front row at one of his clinics and I was careful when I moved, and I did not get up during the session and turned my phone off… Everyone in the stands was extremely quiet.
I wasn’t at the wiggling foot event so I cannot say if he was rude or not… but I guess it was bothering him enough to say something.
I have asked playing kids to wait until my horse goes by because they were doing something that my horse was upset about. I hope they don’t think I was being rude?
George is paid a flat fee for the entire weekend, it is not per student. The organizer adds on a fee on top of what they have to give to George, to cover the other expenses. He has a maximum number of students allowed. The auditor money is what can make or break a clinic.
I have been to many, many of his clinics. I will admit that I have been to a few where he was grumpy and out of sorts. But most have been excellent. The florida one was great as he had a great group to work with.
[QUOTE=Carol Ames;5361125]
There is a lot of truth to "this what it takes to become an
P
Olympian:eek:; also, "it’s a tough world out there:eek:; these girls need to learn that NOW " said to me by the mother of one of ChristinaS chlusemeryers’ top eq riders being pushed for he "big 3 finals; as far as the military comparison; that precisely is where most of todays’’ instructors, or their instructors were trained in the military, Ft. Riley; this however this not :no:the military; moreover, we know now that the mind/ body does not process the word "not "swiftly; There have been top class horsemen/ teachers who, did not use the insults :no:of GM yet, produced World Class riders:yes:; think for instance of Jim Wofford:cool:, Bert deNemethy; and Col. Lundquist[/QUOTE]
Think again if you think Bert couldn’t be insulting…
Imagine yourselves in a clinician’s boots. You show up to clinic to be met with bad footing,not enough jumps,some inattentive riders, riders who need to go back to the very basics,riders who are not fit riding horses that they just pulled out of the field,lame horses,riders who have no hope of understanding what the clinician is talking about because they have been lessoning with a “trainer” who is as clueless as the rider is,inattentive auditors,screaming children,loose dogs,rider’s looking as dirty and unkempt as their horses ,etc. I have seen all of the above at clinics given by GM,MM,RJ,etc. As far as I see it…if you cowboy up to clinic with a real “trainer” then you AND your horse better be ready and able to cowboy!.
and another thing…I do have empathy for the many,many people out there being duped by the plethora of loser’s out there that have shingles out. They show up at one of these clinics thinking they have been being instructed well only to find out that they only thing they are capable of riding is the Kmart pony.
Took me forever to find this post, otherwise, I would have responded sooner in GM’s defense.
I used to work in DC and rode the Metro every day. Hated riding it because I don’t dig people in that close of proximity - that whole ‘sardines’ thing.
I was standing on the platform minding my own business, lost in my own thoughts and was not feeling very well and feeling quite empty.
I’ll be damned if some guy walks by me and goes, “Smile.” It wasn’t a cheerful suggestion. It was more like, “Geez! Smile why don’t ya!”
I had just lost my mother to cancer.
I was so pissed off that I just stood there speechless because I wasn’t about to yell out, “MY MOTHER JUST DIED YOU IDOT!!” Even though I wanted to.
So, for all you know, GM had gotten a call or word that a very dear friend had passed. Or that he’d lost one of his dogs or had gotten some other very bad news. And he was sitting down, alone, trying to process the bad news and needed some time alone. And, like me, couldn’t even get words together to explain why he needed his time alone.
I’ve randomly approached that man many a time for autographs and pictures and he’s always been accommodating. It just doesn’t sound like him to be impolite. I’m sure there was a valid reason of which he did not feel or want to share. He’s a pretty private guy.
No…no…can’t help it…need a fix…
OK, just a few specific issues.
#1, the USEF DOES offer help to up and coming riders that do not necessarily come from BNTs and gifted backgrounds with the Emerging Athletes Program, and invites a few of the successful candidates to this very Horsemastership Clinic right down to getting them horses to use. there were 2 in the group, neither with extensive show results or well known reputations.
#2, GM was hospitalized just days before this clinic after being unable to finish another clinic. He is not and has not been as healthy as we would like for some years now.
#3, yeah, he gets paid to teach, that is why he is called a “pro”. However he does not accept payment for this annual clinic he came out of the hospital to teach.
#4…and my FAVORITE…NASCAR:lol:. Are you kidding???
Nothing like a leading, much idolized superstar and “role model” for younger fans busting a sponsoring foreign track official in the face-leaving a large mark-in front of a large number of witnesses then leaving that country to prepare to compete at Daytona with absolutely no apology.
Talk about hypocrisy…
[QUOTE=MHCSK725;5344706]
I never participate in these discussions, but after reading this thread, I felt the need to register for an account so that I could add my input.
As a rider who participated in this clinic, I would like to say that most of you are being oversensitive and really quite ridiculous. George was tough on us, but also was very quick to compliment us when we did something correctly. He was also very quick to criticize himself during the photo critique saying things such as, “Do I really look that bad?” “My elbows look terrible…Don’t copy that…” He was tough when riders were not doing what he was asking them to do, and became impatient when he had to repeatedly ask someone to do the same thing. None of his comments, both positive and negative, were undeserved. I also think it is important to point out that upper level riding is not a sport for the weak. Riders need to be tough, both physically and mentally, and sometimes that means riding with a trainer who tells it like it is, instead of “holding one’s hand” throughout the entire lesson. So if a rider cannot handle this “tough love” every so often, he or she may want to consider a different career.[/QUOTE]
I didn’t quote your whole post, but just wanted to say thank you for your input. As an English professor, I would like to compliment you on your writing. Well done. Well ridden. Well written.
I just can’t help it.
It wasn’t just my encounter with GM, it was that when I sent a well crafted, polite letter to the USET Foundation, I got no response. They still send me solicit mail.
I can certainly understand “being alone, or bad news”, part of my letter to the USET Foundation addressed that possibility, and in fact, offered my apology if that had been the case.
I got no response.
They still send me solicit mail.
And my Nascar remarks only regard how one should behave in front of potential sponsors. I realize the demographic is somewhat different. Then again, maybe not as different as some of us would like to pretend it is…
So you are PO’d with he USET foundation and not just GM for the bully remark.
And, really, comparing a younger and very successful businessman and political negotiator (face it, he was instrumental in getting the state and local governents to $upport the WEG) to a coach who is past 70, not healthy, up late and and back up early to, you know, work with participants in the sport and not sit around the hospitality tent for 8 hours??? Probably a good bet he was aware we would be lacking in that medal count and preoccupied. You may have read that as imperious and rude despite no words being spoken-maybe it was, I have no idea what he meant when he said nothing.
If you do not care for the teaching style, that’s fine. But this has strayed well beyond that to perceptions and assumptions colored by things having nothing to do with teaching style.
Viv,
Great clip. My 10 year old needs to watch that. So much comes easy to him that when something difficult rears its ugly head he gets angry and frustrated. I may just have to make him watch the original Rocky, then this one.
[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;5345956]
The old military method of cutting you down and then building you up again is passe in the context of training the modern athlete. For the few athletes who truly want to be the best of the best the coaches do not have to put them down, there is a team working to bring out the best in them - same as in the business models of successful companies.
GM is not in the league of deliberately cutting down - he is just who he is and sincerely wants to help riders ride better…he’s funny, charming and quick, too.[/QUOTE]
Really? You think? My son swam on a competitive team for a couple years. He doesn’t have a competitive bone in his body so we put our time, money, and energy elsewhere. However, he practiced at the pool at the University of Arizona which, a couple of years ago, swept the swimming and diving championships in men AND women divisions. I can tell you those coaches were tough. As tough as George. The director of the pool dove in the Olympics and has been on organizing committees and such. The stories he tells … Across the street the football team practices (behind an iron fence and wall of shrubs in secrecy), but man can you hear the coaches pushing, motivating, and, yes, occasionally ripping down.
I went to UCONN, and I can tell you that Jim Calhoun and Geno Auriemma both are as tough as George. But do you think that those girls would work as they do for Geno and still love him, and still win if it wasn’t effective.
This is college ball, the next step before the pros.
