We removed/edited some inappropriate posts and responses to them. Let’s please keep the thread on the topic of Mrs. Romney and her accomplishments in the face of adversity. Obviously not something that’s unique to her, but certainly worth celebrating. 
Thanks ~
Mod 1
[QUOTE=Bristol Bay;8520408]
I would be much more accomplished if my husband had a couple of hundred million dollars.[/QUOTE]
I doubt it. People on these forums are always using that excuse for their lack of accomplishment.
[QUOTE=Velvet;8520575]
Stop watching the news and reading the rags. Why not just stop and not give them the time or money? Why not make them go away? Why is it okay to support that behavior? Why do we accept it as human nature? I thought we were supposed to be able to rise above such things.[/QUOTE]
Just TRY to avoid the Kardashians…aaargh. That trashy group is shoved in your face everywhere.
I had thought I read, however, that Mrs. Romey’s MS was in remission? I guess not, so good for her. Whatever, it is a fine accomplishment, and I do think whatever mockery was made of the “dancing horses” was mitigated by Stephen Colbert’s gentle spoofing - which result in GOOD publicity, both for dressage and Mrs. Romey. Yeah, it was made easier by $$$ - good instruction, good horses, etc., but ya still gotta ride.
FWIW, my BFF, who is a somewhat physically fragile person, took her former event horse and got her silver on him when she was in her 60s - but no one but me and her close friend celebrated that. LOL
[QUOTE=Sandy M;8520784]
Just TRY to avoid the Kardashians…aaargh. That trashy group is shoved in your face everywhere.
I had thought I read, however, that Mrs. Romey’s MS was in remission? I guess not, so good for her. Whatever, it is a fine accomplishment, and I do think whatever mockery was made of the “dancing horses” was mitigated by Stephen Colbert’s gentle spoofing - which result in GOOD publicity, both for dressage and Mrs. Romey. Yeah, it was made easier by $$$ - good instruction, good horses, etc., but ya still gotta ride.
FWIW, my BFF, who is a somewhat physically fragile person, took her former event horse and got her silver on him when she was in her 60s - but no one but me and her close friend celebrated that. LOL[/QUOTE]
Remission is no guarantee of future good health, it can end at any time, and it doesn’t mean AR doesn’t struggle with the challenges of MS. I can only think that she must be an inspiration to others who battle serious illness and wish her the best.
[QUOTE=Lucassb;8520570]
Recognizing the accomplishments of one person who happens to be more in the public eye than most, for achieving excellent success in the face of a debilitating condition does not take anything away from others who might also be dealing successfully with that illness.
On the contrary, perhaps Mrs. Romney’s success is something of an inspiration to others with that type of diagnosis, encouraging them to move forward with whatever their passion might be, in dressage or otherwise.
Our society follows people in certain roles; that is just the nature of media coverage.[/QUOTE]
Excellent response I agree whole heartedly.
[QUOTE=SendenHorse;8520533]
what was your role in this? were you actually involved first hand in this? not hearing things second or third hand?
is this all factually supported?
I think slinging this kind of mud is very dangerous, and doesn’t belong here IMHO.[/QUOTE]
Yes, unfortunately the court documents seem to no longer be available, but it was factually supported there. I have also spoken to former working students so I guess that is second-hand.
According to the court documents, the horse also had been injected with steroids directly into the joint affected by the low ringbone several times over five years by Dr. Sullivan. Dr. Grant had warned them that the horse had a chronic lameness that would get worse over time shortly after they acquired him. Dr. Soule said it was one of the worst low ringbone x-Rays he had ever seen. So even without the four tranquilizers, you still have to deduce that they knew they were selling a broken horse. My vet doesn’t even like to inject for low ringbone more than once especially to just prolong ride-ability because injecting steroids does nothing to improve the health of the joint and in fact can contribute to its further degeneration. I am sure if you presented the horse’s history and maintenance requirements here on COTH as an average poster and said “hey, my trainer thinks we can get $125,000 for this horse, what do you think?” - the response would be quite ugly to say the least.
Add to that, it was also revealed that they were deducting the horse expenses as business losses - 77,000 in one year. They did disclose a reasoning was that they were therapy horses for her MS. So if they had just given away the horse with full disclosure or euthanized it they could have written it off anyway I would think. I do believe they no longer write off these horse expenses in the same way because it did come under scrutiny during the campaign.
Yes, she is a great role model for riders battling MS. Hope that since then she has learned to cherish her horses enough to put their well-being first and foremost.
Ugh. Just saw the note from the mods after writing this post. Delete it if you think it is inappropriate. Just wanted to defend that I was not just throwing around un-supported rumors.
From the article
“While in Florida, she has spoken about the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston for research and funding for treatments and cures for multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s (ALS), Parkinson’s and brain tumors.”
This is one of the really good things people with $$ can do as a Nurse I can say first hand that these disease are a horrable way to exsist and die. Any money that can go into research is a benefit to those that suffer and sociaty as a whole. I dont think an incident with a horse some years ago makes her a bad person there are always two sides to any story and with expensive horses there are a lot of individuals involved in the care and treatment of said horse. Im just not that quick to judge.
It’s easy enough to google “superhit dressage horse” and get the gist of the situation. The case was not dismissed, it was settled.
It’s not an easy feat for anyone to get to FEI, even if you are rich and can get the best horses, so I give her credit for that.
[QUOTE=candico;8520905]
to that, it was also revealed that they were deducting the horse expenses as business losses - 77,000 in one year. They did disclose a reasoning was that they were therapy horses for her MS. So if they had just given away the horse with full disclosure or euthanized it they could have written it off anyway I would think. I do believe they no longer write off these horse expenses in the same way because it did come under scrutiny during the campaign. [/QUOTE]
You are conflating several things on this that are not accurate.
Kudos! And I am grateful to anyone who choses to participate in this sport at the highest levels and support our international competitors/Olympic pairs. I sure as hell can’t do it. It makes us all better - it is pretty much a gift to all of us!
When I think of Mrs Romney I have to laugh. I’m sure I don’t have the quote exactly right but I remember her saying in an interview when her husband was running, “I’m just like every other horse crazy woman, if I have to get up a 5 am and fly to California to ride with my trainer, I will”. Ya, I hate when I have to do that. LOL. Otherwise, good for her.
[QUOTE=candico;8520905]
Yes, unfortunately the court documents seem to no longer be available, but it was factually supported there. I have also spoken to former working students so I guess that is second-hand.
According to the court documents, the horse also had been injected with steroids directly into the joint affected by the low ringbone several times over five years by Dr. Sullivan. Dr. Grant had warned them that the horse had a chronic lameness that would get worse over time shortly after they acquired him. Dr. Soule said it was one of the worst low ringbone x-Rays he had ever seen. So even without the four tranquilizers, you still have to deduce that they knew they were selling a broken horse. My vet doesn’t even like to inject for low ringbone more than once especially to just prolong ride-ability because injecting steroids does nothing to improve the health of the joint and in fact can contribute to its further degeneration. I am sure if you presented the horse’s history and maintenance requirements here on COTH as an average poster and said “hey, my trainer thinks we can get $125,000 for this horse, what do you think?” - the response would be quite ugly to say the least.
Add to that, it was also revealed that they were deducting the horse expenses as business losses - 77,000 in one year. They did disclose a reasoning was that they were therapy horses for her MS. So if they had just given away the horse with full disclosure or euthanized it they could have written it off anyway I would think. I do believe they no longer write off these horse expenses in the same way because it did come under scrutiny during the campaign.
Yes, she is a great role model for riders battling MS. Hope that since then she has learned to cherish her horses enough to put their well-being first and foremost.
Ugh. Just saw the note from the mods after writing this post. Delete it if you think it is inappropriate. Just wanted to defend that I was not just throwing around un-supported rumors.[/QUOTE]
I think this is a fair statement of the facts.
What mod post? must go back and look.
[QUOTE=scheherazadetbmare;8521818]
I think this is a fair statement of the facts.
What mod post? must go back and look.[/QUOTE]
How am I supposed to be able to understand who is giving “a fair statement of the facts” from this side of the computer? We see all the time here even people involved IRL have vastly different views on the same situation.
that is why I think these suggestions of wrong doing don’t belong on these forums.
At some point I wonder if much of this negativity towards upper level (wealthy) riders is rooted in jealousy. Who knows, I wish we could all just be happy for her and build up the sport and not try to undermine everything positive that comes out of the upper levels.
A co-worker of mine who deals with MS was inspired by Ms. Romney’s story. She had ridden as a girl and still loved horses. After reading Romney’s book, she decided to explore riding again. For a person dealing with the challenges of MS, she has said coming back to riding has been one of the best things for her health wise and personally. So yes, Ms. Romney has made a difference by her story being shared.
Happy riding,
Jessie
Jealousy is right. Of course I’m jealous! Wouldn’t anyone be? I, and anyone else in their right mind, caught by the horse bug, would LOVE unlimited funds to pursue their dream.
Which still doesn’t mean that money makes your life a sweet bed of roses with no pain. No one escapes that.
Or that you can ride an FEI horse just for the wanting. Dream on!
And as far as this Super Hit thing goes, reading the court testimony it sounds to me as if Dr. Herthel lied to his client regarding the pre-purchase exam. Instead of discussing his findings with his client, he discussed it with the seller’s trainer.
It appears from the court records that Dr. Herthel had a long standing relationship (20 years) with Amy & Jan Ebling, and that he had routinely treated Super Hit for lameness, but that he failed to disclose any of this to his client. Also, Dr. Herthel suspected that Super Hit had been drugged up prior to his pre-purchase exam, and Dr. Herthel also failed to disclose this to his client, but instead discussed it with the Eblings.
Talk about breech of ethics! The vet you hire to do a pre-purchase conspires with the sellers to conceal from you the knowledge you need to make an informed decision about whether to buy the horse!!
Ann was questioned for 4 hours and then dismissed from the lawsuit.
No wonder- it’s clear from Dr. Soule’s expert testimony that the guilty parties were the Eblings and most especially Dr. Herthel.
Gives me a whole different color to Alamo Pintata…geezus.
And about this ridiculous tax issue- IMHO, if ANYONE can write off (legitimate) expenses and have accountants that can get that past the IRS Nazis, GO FOR IT.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRS_targeting_controversy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lois_Lerner
http://dailycaller.com/2013/05/26/paper-gibson-guitar-raids-may-be-another-case-of-obama-administration-targeting/
Most corrupt organization with a private army AND the ability to completely screw you to the wall in this country today. Ever been audited? Good luck with that.
Funny you won’t hear a word about the IRS on the campaign trail- by anyone…yet this country was founded in revolution against unfair taxation…
[QUOTE=HSS;8522205]
Jealousy is right. Of course I’m jealous! Wouldn’t anyone be? I, and anyone else in their right mind, caught by the horse bug, would LOVE unlimited funds to pursue their dream.
Which still doesn’t mean that money makes your life a sweet bed of roses with no pain. No one escapes that.
Or that you can ride an FEI horse just for the wanting. Dream on!
And as far as this Super Hit thing goes, reading the court testimony it sounds to me as if Dr. Herthel lied to his client regarding the pre-purchase exam. Instead of discussing his findings with his client, he discussed it with the seller’s trainer.
It appears from the court records that Dr. Herthel had a long standing relationship (20 years) with Amy & Jan Ebling, and that he had routinely treated Super Hit for lameness, but that he failed to disclose any of this to his client. Also, Dr. Herthel suspected that Super Hit had been drugged up prior to his pre-purchase exam, and Dr. Herthel also failed to disclose this to his client, but instead discussed it with the Eblings.
Talk about breech of ethics! The vet you hire to do a pre-purchase conspires with the sellers to conceal from you the knowledge you need to make an informed decision about whether to buy the horse!!
Ann was questioned for 4 hours and then dismissed from the lawsuit.
No wonder- it’s clear from Dr. Soule’s expert testimony that the guilty parties were the Eblings and most especially Dr. Herthel.
Gives me a whole different color to Alamo Pintata…geezus.
And about this ridiculous tax issue- IMHO, if ANYONE can write off (legitimate) expenses and have accountants that can get that past the IRS Nazis, GO FOR IT.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRS_targeting_controversy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lois_Lerner
http://dailycaller.com/2013/05/26/paper-gibson-guitar-raids-may-be-another-case-of-obama-administration-targeting/
Most corrupt organization with a private army AND the ability to completely screw you to the wall in this country today. Ever been audited? Good luck with that.
Funny you won’t hear a word about the IRS on the campaign trail- by anyone…yet this country was founded in revolution against unfair taxation…[/QUOTE]
Sounds like its all on the vet, not the Romneys. He didn’t disclose the findings.
I’ll avoid assuming anything one way or the other about them as owners, there is not enough info here to factually make statements.
[QUOTE=Velvet;8520319]
But, would you even care and make this public announcement if her husband wasn’t a well known politician? If she was one of the masses, who would be out here announcing her accomplishments? Seems a bit ridiculous when others, with less name recognition, achieve similar goals and are never pointed out on this board or in articles.[/QUOTE]
There are feel good stories in the media ALL THE TIME about people who are overcoming adversity, beating the odds, exceeding expectations etc.
I think this story is more about a rider achieving remarkable success while facing many obstacles. It also seems as though she is actively involved in advocacy work that is worthy of promotion as well. The fact the she is famous through marriage seems secondary.
Sounds like its all on the vet, not the Romneys. He didn’t disclose the findings.
Apparently. However, how could the rider and owner of the horse not know the horse was chronically lame? From the 3 series of exams over a period of years, and the veterinary history of the horse presented in the court documents, this was not a sudden injury, but a chronic, progressive disease, which, as we all know, navicular syndrome is.
But who knows what this obviously completely unethical vet told the owners? Or this suspiciously acting trainers either? I couldn’t find anything with Ann’s testimony. That’s why I don’t want to throw stones, because…I don’t know anything other than that the Romney’s were dropped from the suit after Ann’s testimony by the plaintiffs. Which does not sound as though her testimony indicated that she was part and parcel of this scheme. In a lawsuit, its is unusual for anyone with money to be dropped when attempting to recover funds. But that is speculation on my part.
I know that if this had happened to me, I would be searching for a new trainer though. Someone with a few more ethics. It’s far from my favorite activity, to be testifying in a lawsuit and being sued because of my involvement with a questionable person or persons…plus getting my name splashed all over the media.
[QUOTE=HSS;8522205]
Jealousy is right. Of course I’m jealous! Wouldn’t anyone be? I, and anyone else in their right mind, caught by the horse bug, would LOVE unlimited funds to pursue their dream…[/QUOTE]
What you are saying doesn’t mean what you think it means–
https://www.vocabulary.com/articles/chooseyourwords/envy-jealousy/
There was a good article out recently in the Untacked magazine. She also has an autobiography - In This Together - http://www.amazon.com/In-This-Together-My-Story/dp/1250083974
I thought the article was well done and the book is on my reading list.
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