Its always about “Who” you know not “What” you know…sad she has 1 UL horse
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I was the one who sent the new assistant trainer the link to this thread and my trainer also called her to discuss this. Unfortunately, she was already on the road to go work for EDH… It must not have worked out or circumstances changed, as I noticed she, assistant trainer, has moved back to Washington and is advertising lessons/training. Just wanted to update…
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It should be noted that the Rebecca Farm travel grant money isn’t based on merit, etc. Everyone who wrote and applied for it gets a portion of the donated money. The money is a private donation from the Broussard family, so it doesn’t even come from the USEA as the Broussards directly write the checks to recipients.
I’m sure that’s based on competition record. Not social media posts. 
I’m sure the grant is based on competition record. Not social media posts.
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Over the past few days I’ve seen multiple lesson horses of hers listed for sale on FB. Is she liquidating/moving?
It was very hard for me to write this but I finally decided that it was the right thing to do. We came to Ellen’s barn after Stormy left. I never met her or any of her horses. This forum was sent to me by one of my daughter’s friend’s mothers as caution months ago. I also followed the link to her Facebook profile. When I brought up some of the things or mentioned Stormy herself, they were brushed off as a crazy ex boarder etc etc. Everyone was quick to bash Stormy and I regretfully admit that I had preconceived notions of her integrity based on her job. My daughter seemed to be progressing and having fun so we continued with our lessons. I know very little about horses, having only ridden a few times as a child. But these are the things I do know.
I watched Ellen manipulate and bully people. The turnover at her barn is extremely high…some boarders only staying a week before highttailing out of there. I saw at least 10 boarders come and go in our short time. Kids doing unsafe things and jumping far beyond their level. Stormy’s horse is not the only one to die from unnatural causes. There have been at least 2 others recently. 2 well respected trainers have quit working at her farm. No one in the area likes her even the employees at the local tack store openly warned me about ellen. We went to watch some shows and it was clear that other riders steer clear and have no interaction with Ellen. She charges the highest amount for lessons but ofter my child was pawned off on another teacher. When we were thinking of buying a horse, Ellen was quick to push a very expensie green horse on us. We have decided not to own at this time thoughWhen people do leave her barn she openly attacks them as she did to my child’s friend at a show. Again, I am not very horse educated but there seems to be a very high level of injuries and lame horses even most of her own horses are often limping.
The final straw was learning of what happened at a pony club event and that Ellen has been banned and once got her whole team of kids eliminated for causing a scene. I’d also really like to know the real story about what happened at horse show in Florida which caused her own instructor to quit before she went to rolex.
Once again, I can’t contribute info to the original claims on this thread. I still haven’t met Stormy but I have learned that she is well liked and believed by people in the area and cannot say the same for Ellen. I have heard of lots of other things but hope they are just rumors.
We are taking a break for the summer to do some family stuff but if my daughter wants to continue with horseback lessons, it will be at a different barn. Whether or not the things in this thread are true, drama and accidents really seem to follow this woman and it is not worth the risk. I am sure I will be getting a nasty message from Ellen or her husband since that seems to be the pattern when somebody leaves or makes a statement. I will be adding this post to Stormy’s facebook which seems to have more recent activiity between her and ellen about a false vet test or something.
Thank you for listening
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I am sorry to hear of your troubles with EDH, JFB525. I hope, for your sake, that nasty and bullying messages do not follow your post here as they have for so many others as that seems to be the common MO for EDH. I am curious, though, that you mention two more horses (at least) who have died in her care recently, and that is concerning. How is it that one trainer can have so many deaths in such a short span of time?
As JFB525 also pointed out a comment made on Stormy’s Facebook stating that EDH has made several recent claims that Bailey, the grey who drowned during the flooding, did so because he was suffering from “EPM and paralysis”. Stormy has actually posted the test from her vet confirming that Bailey never had EPM. Also, how could a horse who has “EPM and paralysis” be used in lessons and manage to walk all the way to the pasture that is farthest from the barn? I’ve never seen a paralyzed horse make it very far.
I’d also like to point out that after receiving the travel grant for Rebecca Farm, EDH promptly withdrew her entire string of horses who were going to compete. Out of curiosity, what is to happen of that money since she did not go? Is it forfeited and refunded? Or just going to line her pockets? Maybe someone can shed some light on that for me…
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I was also wondering what was going to happen to the money since she scratched.
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No idea what actually happens moneywise, but I certainly hope the granting organization treats it more as an expense to be reimbursed - it’s horses, and things happen. The grant was specifically for travel to Rebecca Farm so it’s not like the money can be re-directed to another event as seems to happen with some grants.
I just want to commend JFB525 for being savvy enough, as a non-rider, to recognize when something is wrong at a barn and get their kid out of there. Kudos to you! I am also glad that people can get over Stormy’s non-traditional career as a reason for not believing her.
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JFB525, I know you have only posted once, but it was a really good post. I hope you come back to visit again, maybe even become a part of our community. There is a world of good information on the CoTH boards, I know I’ve learned a lot and been guided to more information that helps in a real way. It sounds like you would be a welcome addition. Don’t be a stranger.
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Thank you for speaking up JFB525. I am so disgusted with myself, I was intimidated enough to keep quiet all those years ago. I did of course tell people who asked, I didn’t say anything on social media.
Once again I see an Eventing Nation blog attempt to win favour, from whom I wonder.
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which one?
I see an article written about a talented 9 year old kid by her proud mother. It’s part of an ongoing series. I do not have an issue with it. EDH barely mentioned in the article. There maybe many reasons to not like EDH, this isn’t one of them.
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The child appears to be a solid little rider, and who knows, maybe we will see this special little equestrian at the 2028 Olympics.
However, a web site like EN that seems to want to position itself as the “go to” source for eventing news and commentary is making a big mistake IMPO if they are going to do a series like this and accept content from parents.
Let the snowflake games begin…
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perhaps…but massive red flags pop up for me when they put a 9 year kid on a 4 year horse as their move up horse from ponies. I don’t care how good a rider a 9 year old may be…
And I tend to agree with Groom & Taxi…
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EN has become so sycophantic it’s disgusting. The only thing of value on the site lately has been the William Micklem columns.
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How is that “eventing news?” And further, the article is full of content that reads as someone wearing rose colored glasses and who doesn’t understand horses.
A 7 year old child riding for 3 years has done “all the training” for 2 years? No. A 9 year old child is a "junior working student?’ sounds like there is truth to the thought that the horses are in the care of kids.
EN has been turning out crap for content for years. Don’t even waste time with it anymore.
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