Yes, that was Nick Haness’ flat tire she changed. And he later helped her in getting Tornado.
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Oh, I didn’t think you made it up. There’s just not much anyone can do about a person copying another’s style, especially if it’s their coach. Hopefully most people will develop a good, balanced, effective, position as they become more experienced.
There are “trainers” out there who don’t know what they don’t know and are teaching their clients incorrect position, in Jumping as well Dressage. Until the U.S. has a qualifying system for instructors and horse trainers (which will never happen) we’re stuck with them.
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This is a really good explanation. I have often been baffled in some of his interviews and occasionally find him to come off as haughty or rude, but, in actuality, he is just different than your typical professional equestrian because he truly does not have anyone he needs to impress in order to continue in the sport. He is allowed to be different because, even if he offends the entire equestrian community (NOT saying he does this), but if that were to happen, he would still have a lovely string of horses and the funds to compete.
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This is the thing - Karl is right that there are some kids in the eq that just pose and aren’t effective. But I worked at a barn that did the big eq and those kids can RIDE. Certainly not every trainer is the same, but the trainer I worked for didn’t allow tall boots or half chaps in lessons, and you only got to show in tall boots when you turned 14. I still see videos of her kids doing the 1m jumpers (and winning) in paddock boots and garters. 
Dropping your stirrups to jump in a lesson (or in the warm up at a show if she thought you were ducking/bracing/whatever) was a daily occurrence. There are still people out there doing the eq right, and creating strong, balanced, effective riders, and maybe McLain sees more of that than Karl does.
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That’s true in every division. It doesn’t undermine the importance of doing it right.
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Karen Healey didn’t hold back. lol.
I’m guessing Karl is not a great teammate or anyone’s favorite on the circuit. If he was an affable guy, this fairly innocuous post wouldn’t have received such backlash.
Also, his Walking & Talking brand is so cringe.
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No, he would not be. You want to buy a top dollar horse to develop into an Olympian and you can send it to anyone in the world. Is Karl in your top ten? Top 25? Where is McLain?
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And the game isn’t just about money, it’s also about politics and hierarchy. A lot of the vitriol and defensiveness from big name US pros is because they see Karl’s success as a threat to — and a criticism of — the American system these trainers have built their lives and businesses around.
If you are a very wealthy young American rider who wants to compete for the team one day, you are meant to do what Reed Kessler or Jessica Springsteen or Lillie Keenan did. Ride with Andre or Stacia for your junior years, then with McLain or Laura Kraut or Katie Prudent for the next phase of your career. At some point you will want to spread your wings and move to Europe or work with a European trainer… and that’s fine, once you are a confirmed product of the American system. All the millions of dollars your family is spending on your riding will circulate among a small group of US pros from your pony days until your early to mid 20s, and you will be connected to those pros who mentored you for the rest of your career.
But Karl came up in the jumpers, not the eq. He’s from CA but didn’t align himself with Karen Healey or Archie Cox, who would have sent him up the chain to someone on the team. Instead, he linked up with Eric Navet of his own accord and has worked with him since. He did something different than he was “supposed” to at every point, bypassed the long-standing US system of mentorship with a select handful of pros, and ended up with an Olympic medal anyway.
His success threatens the status quo. The importance of equitation is a huge part of that status quo and the lineage of the team via Katie and GM. The argument has always been that the eq is what makes the US system different and better than our competitors. Karl’s career shows there is another way, and worse, he’s openly STATING that there’s another way.
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We aren’t talking about developing young horses for the Olympics. I simply pointed out that neither Karl nor McLain are bankrolling their careers by themselves, with their own money. Whether the money is coming from family or unrelated sponsors, neither would be where he is without it.
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Ding ding ding! Well said.
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Yes, he’s an experienced and talented rider with quality horses.
As for California critics, a few years ago, during his time in southern California,
he was looking for a facility for his training business, and he contacted the owner of an upscale private farm in San Diego. This farm is very private, and the owner was not advertising that space was available. Somehow he was referred to the owner, and they spoke, and he was very interested in moving to the farm. The barn owner had top USEF/FEI horses of an other discipline, but knew that Karl was a BNT in h/j with solid financial backing, so the BO took his inquiry seriously, and held space for him.
Time passed, and the BO hadn’t heard back from him, so phone calls were made to follow up.
Not one phone call was returned, and the BO never heard from him again.
The lack of respect to return a call following up on his inquiry didn’t sit well with the BO to say the least, nor people who were aware of what happened.
Perhaps that wasn’t business as usual for him, but in some circles, that’s what is remembered about him.
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Still not the point. Karl would not be there without family money. McLain and Kent and Laura have the skills and work ethic and past successes to garner the support of people with money. Karl? Not so much.
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You aren’t reading for comprehension, although you at least recognize that they all need finiancial support. Without that financial support, none of them would have top international horses to ride. You are disagreeing with me on a point that has nothing to do with what I was talking about, which is:
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Beautifully stated, thank you for layering in those key details.
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So the BO held space without a contract, just a verbal agreement? Poor business practice doesn’t equate to anything other than a life lesson. Sad for the very private BO but still . . . .
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I actually disagree. I held space for a new neighbor to bring her horses here until she built a barn. The horses never showed up. After several calls, I finally reached the husband who told me they decided to leave the horses w the trainer. Like the aforementioned barn owner, I am private and did not seek them out. Nor did I really want them-was just trying to do a good turn for a new neighbor.
I have a boarding contract…which I would have had them sign when horses arrived.
Karl sought them out …then radio silence. Contract or not, that is not how you treat people.
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Amen. The word is inconsiderate, if anyone is not clear.
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I don’t disagree with you. I’m just pointing out modern practices. People don’t reply to text messages (from work), HR people don’t let interviewees know who they picked or not, the list goes on. Karl is just a creature of our times.
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Agreed…and I think they should be ashamed of themselves, too!
Especially HR people.
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Ugh, as a current job seeker, I hate this. If you actually interviewed me, just tell me if you don’t want me already!
And OMG don’t have references fill out a survey as the only input they have. Talk to them, already!
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