That was really well done, thanks for bringing it to my attention.
I know very little about Bernie Traurig outside of his achievements, but that was really well done.
2 Likes
You seem to really think highly of him.
Wish I would have recorded the clinic I âauditedâ. Might make you think twice about who youâre lauding.
5 Likes
That was an article by Jay Duke, Bernie just shared it.
10 Likes
Just to clarify, that was not written by Bernie Traurig. He is way older than 55. Bernie just posted it to his facebook page.
5 Likes
Where did you come up with that assumption? I merely said Bernie Traurig posted in his FB with regards to someone asking if any other trainers had commented. Smh
3 Likes
While I agree with you - not a SINGLE person on this thread has shown a shred of evidence (even anecdotal) that the clinician in question flips horses, abuses them and runs them into walls. The evidence would suggest she is not diplomatic and that it was a poor choice to live-stream the clinic and a really really stupid and insensitive decision from USET.
When questioned about the facts, everyone responds with yes, we know all these bad practices exists and she comes from that world. It strikes me that someone as disliked as this woman presumably is would have folks coming out of the woodwork with anecdotal claims of actual abuse sheâs no doubt inflicted over the last several decades on horse and human alike.
It doesnât make sense to me. My view is that we should defend everyone (even those we donât like, donât want to train with or donât agree with) or if not defend, at the minimum, refrain from spreading untruths or rumors we have no evidence to substantiate. The Helgstrand issue I thought was treated reasonably well state-side by the dressage community. There was evidence captured (by photo and video), it was shared and there were consequences. It gives dressage people and their relevant orgs âsomewhere to goâ from a comms standpoint when having these broader questions discussed societally.
Itâs appropriate in my mind as a paying USET member to provide communication back to that org that this clinician was not a good choice and you were frustrated with her approach and style for all the reasons weâve discussed. But accusing someone of persistent and dangerous horse and rider abuse while implying their words are enough to convict them of that terrible charge, is dangerous.
As an example, this weekend, I was helping a sweet mother with a very timid child on a very naughty little pony who, while adorable, had her number and would bolt and throw her and had broken her brotherâs collar bone. I jokingly told the Mom while working with said naughty pony - âtell perfect pony that weâll send him to the dog food factory if he wonât behave.â We all had a laugh, gave the pony a carrot and called it a day. But by your logic, I just instructed what might be an impressionable person that if a horse doesnât behave, you kill them.
The clinic was a bad look for USET, for the riders and for the clinician. It was a poor choice. But jumping to âshe abuses horses, flips them, runs them into walls and teaches riders to do the sameâ is a massive leap of logic and incredibly harmful to your fellow equestrians and those who have zero experience with the industry.
Harangue USET all you want for a poor decision and by all means if you see of or know of abuse - stop it and call it out, but letâs be cautious about accusations without proof.
17 Likes
Itâs a good article. My take on the entire concept of âsocial license to operateâ is that itâs not a winning concept from a crisis comms/PR standpoint. Itâs a lot of defense and very little offense. It strikes me that USET understands this less than the average adult ammy does and if anyone thinks you can stave off zealots who are resourced, powerful and who have decades of patience to spare with compromises and apologies hasnât been paying attention.
4 Likes
Why would you ever tell a child, jokingly, that you would send a pony to the dog food factory?
7 Likes
Iâm not super familiar as Iâm not a h/j rider but I would assume there is quite a bit more to the GM school of horsemanship than polling a horse in the legs and intentionally breaking students arms and legs. Of course thatâs terrible, abusive and should never be allowed.
Iâm not a person that idolizes others, but many people do, only to be horrified by who their âheroesâ actually are and that (gasp) theyâre imperfect people. People who get to the top are often there b/c they will push past standards (good and bad) others wonât. Thatâs a life lesson to learn and applies to everyone.
To bring the example back to dressage, itâs perpetually frustrating to me that a couple of the most prominent Team-destined dressage riders in our country crank their talented horses into frames via the tightest side reins Iâve ever seen when they have the talent, means and resources to give the horses the time and attention they need to succeed. How do I know they do it? Iâve seen it on their instagramâs, and the clips have been promptly pulled down before they could be shared. That said, there are plenty of talented, compassionate, hard-working and yes, COMPETITIVE, riders in our midst at every level. And Iâd assume the same to be true for h/j land.
4 Likes
Thanks for the concern @OntheFnce - you make my point and you didnât read the post. There are cultural differences in every region of the United States. The mother and I made the joke, it was not directed at the child who had a first great confident-building ride on the pony - thanks for asking!
8 Likes
I also understand the concept but there is a point where you just canât try to please everyone with your word choices. Animal Rights activists are going to take anything and construe it. I really am not trying to make a slippery slope argument just more of a where does it end? Obviously if one says something and sees a confused or dismayed or frightened reaction one should explain and apologize and not use that analogy again.
6 Likes
Quite honestly, Iâve ridden with two trainers who rode with him. As in, travelled with him around the world riding for teams and competing under him.
One doesnât speak about his time with George, whether or not his training methods reflect what he learned.
The other did a lot of yelling.
I learned a LOT from both trainers.
7 Likes
đ€Š
Thanks
Right - Iâm not sure about the definition of GM school of horsemanship, and not a h/j rider, but my understanding is that essentially the foundation to todayâs equitation and hunter show riding is GM led? Maybe thatâs not the case. In any event, I have zero doubt about your experience and glad you learned a lot (likely what not to do and what to do!)
He, who?
I agree with you here @roseymare. I made a comment on a thread to Dags about my thoughts on the need to âplay offenseâ and not defense with regard to social license to operate. I think playing offense does not involve putting yourself as an org, or the pros you elevate as org leaders into situations like these.
Separately, I do think itâs also a slight to USEF members who are required to comply with Safe Sport guidelines, etc.
1 Like
Anyone remember the impaled horse (GHM)?
The Prudent dilemma reminds me of those days.
9 Likes
Not the same.
Though I donât lay horses down either. In the case of the movie the laying down was a last resort thing to do. Not the same as telling a child that if a horse doesnât obey use violence and flip it over.
It looks like the Instagram post was from Bernie Traurigâs Equestrian Coach account.
1 Like
