Mary Kate Olsen at WEF

[vxf111]

[QUOTE=ChasPonyCat;8534790]
I watched that video too, and one thing that popped out at me right away was the description, in which it was pointed out that she wore tight beige riding pants that clung to her famous booty, or something to that effect. That right there frames the whole thing in a “let’s dissect every little thing this person does riding just because they’re famous” way. I was like, you mean breeches that fit the way they should, and there are any number of women at this very moment with butts of all shapes and sizes wearing tight stretchy pants riding so why does it matter that her butt is famous?[/QUOTE]

I don’t think TMZ knows enough about riding to say anything even remotely accurate other than commenting on how boobs and butts look in riding clothes.

[AmmyByNature]

Anne Kursinki goes into driving reins in great detail in one of her books and I’ve used them in the past to help with my automatic release.

Then I did the hunters for 13 years!

This reminder of their purpose makes me think I’ll whip them out again, since I’m doing the jumpers now and trying very hard not to lean up to a gappy distance…

[chicagojumper]

[QUOTE=ReturnCall90;8534134]
I’ll admit that when I saw these pictures of MK, I screenshotted and sent them to my sister. I truly had no idea that the “driving rein” was teaching tool- I thought she was just grabbing the reins in whatever way she wanted! [/QUOTE]

This response to lack of understanding is what mystifies me and I see it a lot on the fb posts.

Why on earth would anybody assume that she’s just grabbing the reins willy-nilly or has no idea what she’s doing when she’s out there competing and winning at 3’6+ on nice horses in big venues like Wellington? The same photos also show a solid leg and strong fundamentals so she’s clearly not a beginner. If I was unfamiliar with her tack or training methods, I would assume that I was the person in the dark, not her. It creates all of this unwarranted and unnecessary criticism which is then reposted and reblogged ad infinitum.

[ReturnCall90]

[QUOTE=chicagojumper;8534952]
This response to lack of understanding is what mystifies me and I see it a lot on the fb posts.

Why on earth would anybody assume that she’s just grabbing the reins willy-nilly or has no idea what she’s doing when she’s out there competing and winning at 3’6+ on nice horses in big venues like Wellington? The same photos also show a solid leg and strong fundamentals so she’s clearly not a beginner. If I was unfamiliar with her tack or training methods, I would assume that I was the person in the dark, not her. It creates all of this unwarranted and unnecessary criticism which is then reposted and reblogged ad infinitum.[/QUOTE]

Well I’m glad you cut out the part of my response that says “That being said, it seems like many of you endorse or have experience with this, so good for her for going out and doing it. I learned something new today and it’s only 7:30 here on the east coast”.
Yeah, I’ve never seen it done before but I’m not a bumbling idiot be-bopping my way around the horse industry either. Also, she has the money to get nice jumpers and show them wherever she pleases and I’m sure could find someone that would let her ride in whatever way she pleases. Not that that’s true, but you get what I’m saying. This forum is full of criticism, whether warranted or not, and my post was just saying how I didn’t understand her style at first. Sheesh.

[soloudinhere]

[QUOTE=rockonxox;8534887]
MKO is a fashion mogul. I couldn’t ride with all the jewelry, but it makes sense for her and doesn’t seem to be inhibiting her ability to ride. More power to her for being who she is.[/QUOTE]

The rings really are a safety issue. Very easy to break a finger or deglove one with rings on the finger, especially large ones. Otherwise I couldn’t care less but that one does freak me out a little bit.

[enjoytheride]

So because she’s famous and has money and like airplanes and stuff she can pay a trainer to let her do whatever wants? What you’re saying is that was your original thought?

[LadyB]

I had no idea it was a driving rein… I also wondered what the heck she was doing, but didn’t say anything.

Kudos to her for enjoying the hobby that we all love. I love that she’s just enjoying and being an amateur. I think its rather cool of her!

[danceronice]

[QUOTE=enjoytheride;8535195]
So because she’s famous and has money and like airplanes and stuff she can pay a trainer to let her do whatever wants? What you’re saying is that was your original thought?[/QUOTE]

Even if she could, would that magically make her stick on over 3’6"? Because for the assumption to be true that would also have to be true, as she’s clearly not falling all over.

[enjoytheride]

Yes it would because money buys experience in the saddle. Oh wait, it doesn’t.

At the level she’s riding I don’t think any amount of money can make a trainer of that level ignore poor riding skills like grabbing the reins however you can. I’m pretty sure her trainer still takes her stirrups away as a form of torture.

[jetsmom]

[QUOTE=AmmyByNature;8532482]
I saw the driving reins photo and it sent me down a rabbit hole of youtube videos of her riding.

She’s actually quite a good amateur. This grey horse does NOT look particularly easy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY2Irjgv-HU

and she does it very well. She has a good forward eye. My trainer would be very happy with me if I could let go and gallop a bit between the jumps like she does.

I hope she is able to enjoy herself without getting harassed every 5 minutes. She seems to enjoy it and always looks appropriate. I’ve seen plenty of non-famous people ride with more jewelry than I’m comfortable with. Hell, Serena Williams plays tennis in giant earrings bigger than what I would wear out to dinner!

I also found a video of Iggy Azalea getting stalked while all the poor girl is trying to do is take a lesson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcT__AS7g-4

Must suck to be famous sometimes.[/QUOTE]
Mko has a really quiet upper body over fences and a tight leg. I bet that on a nice hunter, she would be a really pretty rider. It’s harder to look pretty on a horse like the grey, but her upper body and leg really impressed me.

[Mouse_amp_Bay]

It seems that there is a significant proportion of you that need to cease the rail birding and consider picking up a book and learning some theory.

Not all knowledge comes from your coach. You can learn on your own too! :yes:

[mvp]

[QUOTE=ReturnCall90;8535129]
Well I’m glad you cut out the part of my response that says “That being said, it seems like many of you endorse or have experience with this, so good for her for going out and doing it. I learned something new today and it’s only 7:30 here on the east coast”.
Yeah, I’ve never seen it done before but I’m not a bumbling idiot be-bopping my way around the horse industry either. Also, she has the money to get nice jumpers and show them wherever she pleases and I’m sure could find someone that would let her ride in whatever way she pleases. Not that that’s true, but you get what I’m saying. This forum is full of criticism, whether warranted or not, and my post was just saying how I didn’t understand her style at first. Sheesh.[/QUOTE]

The point is that you didn’t stop to ask if there was something you didn’t know before tweeting a picture and an opinion.

So I don’t see how, in the same breath, you get to criticize others for being selective and unkind in their use of the internet.

Back on topic: Good for MKO! I think it’s great that she wants to ride.

[Pennywell_Bay]

To the haters:

1. Money can’t buy a leg and seat (lessons, yes, but you still have to do the work)
2. Saggy boots blah blah, whatever. It isn’t like she can’t AFFORD to have pristine equipment. She is wearing what she presumably wants, is comfortable in, I think it is great and quite refreshing.
3. I wish I had that position.
4. I noticed the jewelry, though I can’t ride in it and yes, rings are a safety issue- to each her/his own. For all intents- she’s an ammy doing her thing, not a spokesperson for Pony Club or attempting to be a role model of any kind
5. Seriously someone brought up X doesn’t match the ear bonnet or was that sarcasm? If it was sarcasm- two thumbs up, if it was serious- get a life.

She’s a celebrity who enjoys showing her horses and seems to be pretty decent at it. I think it is awesome.

and ba ha ha. I had no idea what a driving rein was, I assumed it was some long rein typically used for driving horses that was being used in some different way for jumpers. Who knew. Guess I need to brush up.

[ybiaw]

[QUOTE=Pennywell Bay;8536263]
To the haters:

1. Money can’t buy a leg and seat (lessons, yes, but you still have to do the work)
2. Saggy boots blah blah, whatever. It isn’t like she can’t AFFORD to have pristine equipment. She is wearing what she presumably wants, is comfortable in, I think it is great and quite refreshing.
3. I wish I had that position.
4. I noticed the jewelry, though I can’t ride in it and yes, rings are a safety issue- to each her/his own. For all intents- she’s an ammy doing her thing, not a spokesperson for Pony Club or attempting to be a role model of any kind
5. Seriously someone brought up X doesn’t match the ear bonnet or was that sarcasm? If it was sarcasm- two thumbs up, if it was serious- get a life.

She’s a celebrity who enjoys showing her horses and seems to be pretty decent at it. I think it is awesome.

and ba ha ha. I had no idea what a driving rein was, I assumed it was some long rein typically used for driving horses that was being used in some different way for jumpers. Who knew. Guess I need to brush up. :)[/QUOTE]

RE: rings…Beezie Madden rides with plenty of rings on. If it’s good enough for Beezie, it’s good enough for me. :lol:

[ParadoxFarm]

I ride with my wedding ring as well, even though last year I was grooming my saint of a horse and he flung his head up in the crossties as I was brushing his face and my ring got caught in the clip to his halter and OUCH. But when I used my other hand to settle him, he waited quietly until I dislodged my hand from his face. Bent the heck out of the ring, but I was okay. So now I just make sure to wear gloves when grooming and I always wear them when riding.

[DinkDunk]

I didn’t read most of the comments and just looked at the pictures for some entertainment. I’m not sure there is much argument here - she looks like a lovely rider. Better than most amateurs, really, myself included.

[RugBug]

@Pennywell Bay;8536263

2. Saggy boots blah blah, whatever. It isn’t like she can’t AFFORD to have pristine equipment. She is wearing what she presumably wants, is comfortable in, I think it is great and quite refreshing.

By the look of her boots, they were plenty tall when she purchased them but they are most likely unlined, french calf and they shrunk A LOT. Those are some hefty wrinkles.

But the thing is, if she doesn’t care about them…I’m not sure why anyone else should.

[AmmyByNature]

@Pennywell Bay;8536263

5. Seriously someone brought up X doesn’t match the ear bonnet or was that sarcasm? If it was sarcasm- two thumbs up, if it was serious- get a life.

And not for nothing, but if I’m going to match anything to anything, it’s ear net to pad, certainly not to my coat. I have lots of pads and ear nets that go together. I only have like 2 jackets…

[BAC]

[QUOTE=ReturnCall90;8535129]
Well I’m glad you cut out the part of my response that says “That being said, it seems like many of you endorse or have experience with this, so good for her for going out and doing it. I learned something new today and it’s only 7:30 here on the east coast”.
Yeah, I’ve never seen it done before but I’m not a bumbling idiot be-bopping my way around the horse industry either. Also, she has the money to get nice jumpers and show them wherever she pleases and I’m sure could find someone that would let her ride in whatever way she pleases. Not that that’s true, but you get what I’m saying. This forum is full of criticism, whether warranted or not, and my post was just saying how I didn’t understand her style at first. Sheesh.[/QUOTE]

I have to admit I was very surprised that you said you have been riding for 20+ years and yet you didn’t know what a driving rein was.

Mouse&Bay, you are so right, many on this forum need to read some books and become truly educated riders.

I think the OP was serious about matching jacket to ear bonnet. :rolleyes:

[cuatx55]

[QUOTE=BAC;8536580]
I have to admit I was very surprised that you said you have been riding for 20+ years and yet you didn’t know what a driving rein was. [/QUOTE]

I’ve been around a long time and I have also not heard about a driving rein, so let’s not get too judgy, OK?

can anyone here tell me the different ways to hold a double bridle? Hmmm… no? can you still be a good rider? of course.