Please don’t speak for me when you couldn’t be more wrong.
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So sorry. Please, take my most sincere apology. You are so right.
You were talking about layers of investment.
But what you’re forgetting is that Karl’s “sponsor” is his family. They aren’t going to pull the plug.
So your point is entirely moot. My point of who has to act professional and who doesn’t is actually more valid.
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My point is one has the depth of talent and experience to get a wide range of people investing, in multiple ways, in that talent and experience, and those people have an excellent chance of getting the expected return. The other doesn’t.
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Yes, sadly, this seems to be common practice. I can’t count the number of people who have tried a horse I have for sale, and they say they really like the horse, want to come back out and ride again – and never show up, call, text. Nothing. I’d much rather hear, Hey, I decided to go another route, or something. Not just crickets. Also, we’ve had SEVERAL jobs that we want done (entry gates for the property, arena builders, etc.) where vendors come out, spend over an hour here talking about the project. They tell us we’ll work up a quote and get back with you. Then, nothing. Again, just text saying you decided you didn’t want to do the project, and I’d be fine. But don’t tell me “you have my word” and never respond again. It is rude, but I’m coming to see that this must be common practice these days. It’s not the odd one-off because I cannot count the number of times this has happened in the last five, ten years.
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What’s really hard about this “practice” is that job seekers and people seeking employees become more and more jaded about everything. It’s like we are gradually just freezing in place. . .
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The clothing and products brand, the bourbon tumblers, sipping whiskey at the end of the videos, flying his horses on Qatar airways with fine art and Ferraris…it’s all very douchey.
I’ve never seen anything like the pile on from international riders. My guess is Karl pissed off a lot of people at the IJRC General Assembly.
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Wait, what?
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McLain is still at it. Sharing an article about position. I don’t think he’s ever been this active on social media. LMAO
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And the equestrian of the year thing/share today as well.
I just want to comment “we get it. you don’t like him.” 
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Why don’t you? Maybe it would help him see that he is looking like a fool.
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It’s hard to be the old lion when the young lion is roaring.
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Even if that’s true, do you think McLain flies economy? They all fly on private jets. Back when Jen Gates was in high school, she posted a photo of the inside of her private jet flying to Florida from Seattle. As far as flying Qatar, Karl probably took whatever airline could accommodate him. I think it was Connor Swail who was number 10 in the FEI jumper rides and qualified for the Geneva final, who could not find transport for his horses from USA to Europe, so Martin Fuchs moved up. But for that, Martin would not have won 2 of the 3 big classes. Trust me, none of these people are traveling steerage. As far as whatever else was on the flight for Karl’s horses, it may have been his car, or not. Airlines tend to like to fly full planes around the world, not partly filled.
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https://www.instagram.com/stories/kristin.hardin/3526893337573072657?igsh=ZzJycmRvNGl2eDJj
Ok this is funny…
If you can’t see it:
Karl hugging Mclain to the tune of “you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me”
Original reel:
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He seems very frustrated. Maybe he’s not getting enough attention at home.
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I’ve lost a good amount of respect for some people in the industry who I used to hold in high regard, watching this unfold. Unfortunate.
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I’m sorry, I get it, and I know you’ve ridden with some of these folks.
The internet and social media has afforded unparalleled opportunities for people to make asses of themselves to a very large audience, and in a permanent manner that can’t be erased . I’m sorry that some of the people I’ve enjoyed watching ride, on U.S. teams and nationally over the years, have such animosity toward eachother, and are not wise enough to refrain from doing this. 
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Gentleman’s agreement. The BO had no reason to think KC wasn’t serious. If KC changed his mind, he owed the BO a phone call, which is common courtesy. The BO doesn’t consider it a life lesson, rather it was a dodged bullet.
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The ironic part of these awful comments is that it is no secret what abhorrent business practices many of the people dogpiling in the comments have, and what they have done or continue to do to horses to get them to the ring to win or to get them sold. Some really dirty, underhanded, and straight up abusive stuff that I wish I didn’t know about… but they all know yet just keep on keeping on as if it is totally normal.
Which makes it extra rich to read the comments bashing Karl from people who shouldn’t be trusted to babysit a potted plant.
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Again, everyone is born to their parents without a choice in the matter. However, people also are taught and learn from their parents either by example or instruction. Some overcome the worst and take the best. Others just do their best to get by.
Having been in school with many people from very wealthy and/or famous parents (I was neither) great wealth and or fame changes how young people are treated by everyone, their peers included and different people handle that differently. It was very difficult for many of those kids to deal with the obsequiousness shown towards them on the one hand, and the disdain on the other, and that was before the ubiquitous internet . The ones that seemed to be most ok were those with parents whom were present and well grounded. I’m sure those difficulties still affect people as adults as well.
I wish McLain Ward wouldn’t have gone on the offensive against a team mate. I have always been in awe of his iron leg, however the real nastiness and implied hauteur from him, towards Cook, leaves me cold.
Again, people can’t help who they were born to.
It’s a real shame that some of our U.S. Olympians, national riders, and instructors, are apparently displaying (and reinforcing) the epitome of the “ugly American” stereotype.
Has Ward complained about Cook’s family wealth? (I’m not on Facebook.) If he has, than he should know better. If a rider feels the need to drag someones parents input into their riding, whether positive or negative, Ward should have more common sense and/or kindness than most, to know not to go there.
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No. Not at all.
He has only addressed riding theory.
So you stated that family connections should not be dragged into the discussion, and then immediately posted a link about family connections?
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