Marilyn Little's horse bleeds yet again. Red rag to a groom.

[redalter]

Ughh. As for jurisdiction, the usea told me it is the usef and fei. I am,just so disgusted by this. Thanks for posting the sponsors!

[joiedevie99]

@FatCatFarm

Ran across this article which had some photos I had not seen before. How anyone can defend this is mind blowing.

That first tack set-up is insane:

• double twisted wire gag with only a gag rein, no snaffle rein
• running martingale fitted on the gag rein
• lever noseband with the upper leather strap swapped out for a chain, adjusted low

[flaxenfilly23]

I won’t comment on the ML event specifically, I think everything that could be said on the matter has at this point. However, I was, and still am of the opinion that any blood in the mouth, for any reason, should be automatic DQ.

Yes, accidents happen, and it would be heartbreaking to be eliminated for an unfortunate accident, but we have to always have the horse’s best interest at heart.

I’m sure all of us have bit our tongue/lip at some point. If you have bitten it hard enough to bleed freely IT F’ING HURTS. It is NOT in the horse or rider’s best interest to ask the horse to compete xc with an injury that could be distractingly painful regardless of whether or not that injury was caused by the rider. We do not ask horses to compete if they are slightly off due to a heel grab. This is no different with the exception that a horse doesn’t limp if its face hurts.

[Tigoli]

I’ll totally admit to having a semi-irrational dislike of Marilyn. That said… it’s weird to me that she doesn’t try to change any of the tack to find a configuration that doesn’t make her horses bleed. Once I can forgive, maybe the flash rubbed on the bit funny and caught some skin (I’ve seen this happen… the tack was subsequently changed). But this many times?

I don’t really agree that blood on the mouth needs to be an automatic elimination. I think the blood rule in dressage is a bit over the top and doesn’t leave room for any nuance. I would certainly hope that a well trained ground jury would be able to speak with a vet and make an educated decision about blood found on the horse and rule accordingly.

[LadyB]

@Tigoli

I would certainly hope that a well trained ground jury would be able to speak with a vet and make an educated decision about blood found on the horse and rule accordingly.

One that also is not persuaded because of WHO the rider is, or who the rider rides with, or who the horses owners are.

[ladyj79]

@flaxenfilly23

I won’t comment on the ML event specifically, I think everything that could be said on the matter has at this point. However, I was, and still am of the opinion that any blood in the mouth, for any reason, should be automatic DQ.

Yes, accidents happen, and it would be heartbreaking to be eliminated for an unfortunate accident, but we have to always have the horse’s best interest at heart.

I’m sure all of us have bit our tongue/lip at some point. If you have bitten it hard enough to bleed freely IT F’ING HURTS. It is NOT in the horse or rider’s best interest to ask the horse to compete xc with an injury that could be distractingly painful regardless of whether or not that injury was caused by the rider. We do not ask horses to compete if they are slightly off due to a heel grab. This is no different with the exception that a horse doesn’t limp if its face hurts.

my sentiments exactly. I don’t care about Marilyn Little at all. I do totally think a horse who is bleeding at the mouth is done for the day, live to ride another day.

[BCov]

The only power we have to stand up to Marilyn Little is with our dollars. Stop buying from her sponsors until they drop her. Maybe then she’ll finally get the message and re-evaluate her methods. You can find a complete list of them here with links to their FB pages and websites: https://www.facebook.com/bobby.covington.7/posts/10214224849248391

[Tigoli]

@LadyB

One that also is not persuaded because of WHO the rider is, or who the rider rides with, or who the horses owners are.

I find the longer I’m in the eventing community, the less star struck I am by the UL riders. They’re just another set of humans when you’re around them often enough!

But yes, that is definitely my hope. An impartial ground jury. Likely hard to find though.

[hldyrhrses]

@LadyB

One that also is not persuaded because of WHO the rider is, or who the rider rides with, or who the horses owners are.

Or someone who does realize who the rider is and says… “this is your 10th bleeding horse”… you’re done!

[Mara]

@staceyk

Quote: In all the pics I have seen where the noseband is bulging, the mare is grinding her teeth. That is kind of the purpose of a flash, to close the mouth when a horse is trying to open it.

I know that there are a lot of tight nosebands and flashes out there – outlandishly tight – but I have had trainers tell me that the flash has a role in keeping the bit stable in the horse’s mouth, appropriately adjusted.

I thought BOTH the flash and the regular caveson appeared too tight. I wonder how Kitty managed to draw a full breath?

[Jealoushe]

I’m a bit appalled that 1) she was allowed to go onto XC with a supposed bleeding mouth. and 2) she herself made the decision - while apparently knowing she was under a microscope. I think any other rider may have said - not today. She either is FOS or knows she is untouchable.

There are three different accounts coming out now about what happened. 1 being the horse bit its lip. 2 being the horse grazed a warm up jump with its face before XC, and 3 being the horse hit its face on landing on course.

So which is it???

[LadyB]

@Tigoli

I find the longer I’m in the eventing community, the less star struck I am by the UL riders. They’re just another set of humans when you’re around them often enough!

But yes, that is definitely my hope. An impartial ground jury. Likely hard to find though.

I used to be starstruck as well, until I became a groom. Really learned a lot in the barns… a lot about people and their horsemanship behind closed doors. It’s all fluffy on social media, different behind closed doors.

@hldyrhrses completely agree

[Jealoushe]

@Emeritus

Looks like this may be the bit…

ok if that is the bit it is easy to how this would rip your horses mouth apart.

[TMares]

@Emeritus

Looks like this may be the bit…

That looks like a Rutledge Roper gussied up to look english.

[Eventer155]

@Lori T

I believe it is time that a letter campaign needs to be started, with the USEA, USEF and FEI receiving many angry letters. They need to know that the majority of their membership is not going to put up with this blatant excuse. Do we really want ML representing us at WEG? Because that could be a very real possibility.
And I too am disgusted at those who continue to support ML. When I see photos of her on IG or FB, I deliberately do not like that photo. Those are the times that I wish IG had a dislike button!
I found it interesting that Roxy and Nobilis 18 were held this morning, due to “concern over their well being.” Really? I wasn’t there, so maybe it was justifiable, but how can they overlook tight nosebands and bleeding?
And one last thing, this is a really good article about ML:
http://www.grandprix-replay.com/us/article/4062/marilyn-little-legitimate-questions-or-witch-hunt-

i would agree. With a third place result, she’ll be likely on the WEG team. Now would be a really good time to make a difference

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

As a one horse owner and 1/2 horse leaser, I am not a big ticket consumer, but I was all prepared to join the boycott of Bloody Marilyn’s sponsors. Guess what? They are all too high end for me. Not a one that I have ever bought from directly. A few brands that I might consider buying used and one supplier of multiple products (Intrepid) that seem within the scope of folk of normal means. Oh well. I can write USE and FEI.

#notmynationalchampion

[Eventer155]

@Marigold

@Eventer155 I just cross-posted the same in the Kentucky thread. Here is my full comment from there in case anyone wants the links…

Anyone notice a common person here (besides ML)?

From https://www.chronofhorse.com/article…-frustrations:

Land Rover Kentucky team (http://useventing.com/news/fast-fact…ee-day-event):

Official statement (which presumably comes from the GJ) from http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/…an-clears-her:

It seems more than one person in this situation is experiencing…‘unfortunately coincidental’ errors in judgment. You’d think after seeing this once in person, a ground jury member looking out for the best interest of the horses would start to see a pattern instead of dismissing it as “nothing”.

@Marigold I find this pretty significant

[Emeritus]

@TMares

That looks like a Rutledge Roper gussied up to look english.

Good eye!

[Alpha_Mare]

Amateur dressage rider here … one of the reasons for the absolute ban on blood in dressage is the public perception of riding a bleeding horse as BAD.

Agree with all the comments on horse welfare here, just wanted to mention all the reasons ‘why’ blood can be acceptable do not cut it with the general public (who have little understanding of the sport but might like horses). The picture of Scandalous shown is a PR disaster - the mares bridle and martingale are all kinds of leather around her face and neck and a bunch of hardware in her mouth, the mouth is gaping and bloody.

I am aghast that the ground jury permitted this. And like others, it makes me want to turn away from the sport that I otherwise admire.

[MNEventer]

@Jealoushe

ok if that is the bit it is easy to how this would rip your horses mouth apart.

Especially doing the stand and yank on a horse with her mouth cranked shut with a part rope noseband.

The only one of ML’s sponsors that I use is MDC stirrups, which work really well for my bum foot. Bummer, but maybe by the time I need a new saddle, they’ll have dropped her as a sponsored rider. But a lot of her sponsors are too high end for me.