Well… @JER does actually know a fair amount about Annika, and how much she rides, etc.
As for passing judgement on someone else’s ride… isn’t that the fundamental nature of equestrian competition? You are deeply committed to dressage, if memory serves me well… does a dressage judge need to know you personally, or know your training schedule in order to evaluate your ride? No. No they don’t. They evaluate the ride you have in the arena , while doing a particular test, in comparison to the accepted standard for what is expected at a particular level.
Your comment about having a hard time believing a German entering a competition at this level would attempt to do it without the required riding experience… well… I can understand that. I find it surprising as well, given that Germany has a love of many equestrian disciplines in general, and there is no shortage of excellent coaching available in the country.
I do think the Russian rider fried the horse. Agreed. But the way Annika rode the horse next? With that hold on his face in a bit as unforgiving as a gag, combined with her seat? C’mon. You ride DRESSAGE. That must have appalled you in terms of how it was a brutal application of aids.
As for posters on this board piling on certain targets… yup… it happens. I’ve been on the receiving end of one or two, once the dreaded ‘p’ word sneaks it’s way into the discussion, because I shockingly don’t vote the same way as many others who post here a lot. Oh well. I still post here and participate in discussions, even after getting fried once or twice on different threads, because I actually appreciate it when I see eye to eye with others on something I feel strongly about… especially others who are not part of my usual ‘tribe.’ That pretty much sums up every single thread I’ve participated in with respect to SafeSport. I feel strongly about that topic, do not align with many folks from my regular tribe on that topic, and I value participation on these forums with other like minded folks who care about that issue.
Sometimes it’s healthy to look at sports and life issue by issue, and step away from one’s usual ‘tribe’ and really listen to what others are saying…