“…what else can be done?”
A GOOD Certification Program - not the ones we have now which often mimic the same difficulties.
Stormy has kept everything about this above board. She has focused on facts that can be proven.
These facts in and of themselves show exactly what type of person and how ‘professional’ EDH is.
She has let the facts do the talking.
Smart girl!
Additionally, she has publicly acknowledged there are things she could have done differently. As we all know, there are 2 sides to every story, and it’s never just one persons fault. I have been very impressed by this.
Hopefully this information may prevent a tragedy in the future. I hate to use those words, but I feel that is actually correct in this case. Even though we will never know what tragedies might have been averted, Stormy should always know she did the right thing and made the world a better place.
Thank you Stormy!
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Agree with WB Mom and Hayhay.
It is very difficult to ascertain the good from the bad in instruction until you are experienced enough to be able to judge for yourself.
One would think that if someone competes at the upper levels, they must be skilled enough to be a good instructor. It is often not until you are in a program with this person that you may begin to question your decision to lesson with them. By then it may be too late and you may find yourself in a toxic relationship but not recognize it for what it is.
In deciding to lesson with someone or be in their program, we agree to suspend our beliefs somewhat in order to be open to learning more. A good pupil listens and absorbs what it being taught. A bad pupil argues or ignores what is being taught. I think this is the crux of the problem, especially at the learning stage before a rider is experienced enough to judge for themselves. If the instructor is manipulative or has a personality disorder, it is a recipe for disaster.
Which brings me to a question. How do you judge who you would like to lesson from if you are new to an area? I guess the best way would be to watch them teach, if at all possible.
I used to believe that an instructor with plenty of successful students would be a good choice, but sometimes the success of students is more based on the quality of horses purchased or number of shows attended than perhaps the skill of the instructor.
I also think that different teaching styles resonate with different students. Some are drawn to theory, others mostly repetition and practice.
If you clinic with multiple people, is that better or worse than being in one person’s program?
I can understand how people stay in bad situations because they do not know any better or have never dealt before with someone with a personality disorder of that magnitude. Being someone’s teacher automatically puts one in the position of control, and that can be abused, especially for someone with a personality type that is predisposed to that.
Wow! Just read through this entire thread. OP I am so sorry you went through this and I am glad you got out of the situation. My heart goes out to you. Thank you for sharing this saga with us all. I wish more people would speak up. It reminds me of an MLK quote that I love.
“Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way”
OP, I wish you the best. Thanks for being so strong!
Just a side note… chiming in from the Seattle area and have NEVER heard of her assistant trainer. Nevermind!!! Jealoushe has better Google skills than I!
Wow! Just read through this entire thread. OP I am so sorry you went through this and I am glad you got out of the situation. My heart goes out to you. Thank you for sharing this saga with us all. I wish more people would speak up. It reminds me of an MLK quote that I love.
“Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way”
OP, I wish you the best. Thanks for being so strong!
Just a side note… chiming in from the Seattle area and have NEVER heard of her assistant trainer.
[QUOTE=kbrethauer;9015412]
Just a side note… chiming in from the Seattle area and have NEVER heard of her assistant trainer.[/QUOTE]
https://www.facebook.com/Holly-Would-Eventing-175617149132176/
Ah… sorry Jealoushe! On the offending trainer’s website she lists a different last name for the new assistant trainer. That’s why I couldn’t find her. Very sad that this girl is moving to work for such an offensive person. My bad.
How ironic to be on her show team (new assistant) in WA these were a few of her requirements:
Commit to becoming a better horse person—on and off your horse!
Display EXCEPTIONAL turn out AT ALL times (you and your horse!)
Have a passion for not only eventing, but everything horses
Display EXCEPTIONAL sportsmanship!!
Wonder, wonder… how this is going to play out?
I do hope this young lady thought to do a little research before she decided to make this move.
[QUOTE]I do hope this young lady thought to do a little research before she decided to make this move. [\QUOTE]
I hope for her sake that someone warned her, or at least sent the links for the Facebook post and this thread. However, if someone did end up warning her, and she’s aware of this, and still decided to go forward with the relocation, well, that worries me a bit. I know I’d definitely start rethinking things if I was presented with this information. I would hope that someone who seems like a rather dedicated horsewoman would have the wherewithal to take this thread and the supporting Facebook into consideration when uprooting their life.
I’m probably stupid for doing it, but I sent her the link.
I don’t think you’re stupid, I think you did the right thing.
Thanks Pictureonemore 
[QUOTE=pictureonemore;9015574]
I don’t think you’re stupid, I think you did the right thing.[/QUOTE]
I agree!
When you really think about it, that’s what this post is really for, right? To put this information out into the universe so that others may know what has happened to boarders, students, and barn owners. Kudos to you for doing it, and let’s hope it helps!
This thread helped me dodge a bullet.
I’m not new to horses, but I am very new to both Eventing and English riding. I found Ellen in 2015 when searching for USEA instructors near Dallas (she is Certified Level III). I did not grow up in this area and I knew very few North TX horsepeople at the time… so I turned to the internet when I decided to dip my toe into the world of Eventing. I figured I probably couldn’t go wrong with an upper level rider and certified instructor. I then proceeded to research. Visited her Facebook, Pegasus Eventing’s Facebook, Rockwall Hills Equestrian Center’s Facebook, and her Instagram account. Lots of likes, positive commentary and positive reviews. I didn’t look into any specifics regarding her students’ achievements because competition wasn’t on my radar at the time. I just wanted to try something new, and do it right with a seemingly reputable instructor. Everything checked out and looked good, so I scheduled a lesson.
I spent a few months taking weekly lessons with her on school horses since my horse was boarded elsewhere. There were quite a few things at RHEC that caused me to raise an eyebrow, but I just assumed that this must be how things are done in an upper level eventing barn. I had nothing to compare it to. There’s good and bad with everything in life and no barn is ever perfect, so I figured I’d learn what I could and I ignored the practices that didn’t seem right to me (I won’t mention specific instances since I have no hard evidence… just stories of things I saw and experienced). In hindsight, I’m very glad I never moved my mare out there. I ultimately decided to discontinue lessons because life got crazy and horses had to temporarily go on the back burner. I haven’t ridden regularly since then, but I do plan to jump back into the horse world when the timing is right.
When I start riding again, I will steer clear of Ellen and look for a different instructor. I’m not one to jump to conclusions and I take everything on the internet with a grain of salt, but the facts in this thread (backed up by legitimate evidence and multiple firsthand accounts) are very telling. And the screenshot of the passive aggressive text! I want to learn from someone that I admire and respect, both as a rider AND as a person (especially when there’s a decent amount of money involved).
Stormy, I felt compelled to create an account on here primarily so I could post to say thank you for sharing your story. Horses and people will benefit from it, myself included. I’m deeply sorry for your loss, and for all the negativity and heartache you’ve had to endure. I remember Mouse and he seemed like a sweet guy. Best of luck to you and your horses moving forward!
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Rhythm17, if you want recs of who else to take lessons with when the time comes, there are several eventing trainers I’d recommend in the area. I train with Angela (Grzywinski) Bowles, another 4* rider who has EXCELLENT horsemanship.
[QUOTE=PaintedHunter;9015692]
Rhythm17, if you want recs of who else to take lessons with when the time comes, there are several eventing trainers I’d recommend in the area. I train with Angela (Grzywinski) Bowles, another 4* rider who has EXCELLENT horsemanship.[/QUOTE]
Of course you do.
CashEm, what is that supposed to mean?
[QUOTE=CashEm;9015700]
Of course you do.[/QUOTE]
in case it poofs
I think this thread is the record for the most houseguests.
I am proud it happened in the eventing forum, we don’t get too much action around here often
