dang it i havent gotten my magazine yet… anyone have a pic?
2ndyrgal - I agree wholeheartedly with your posts!! 
Twosimple: you disgust me by your looking back through the child’s website just to find another picture of her with a bad leg.
I am sure that all of us wish we are so perfect, and wonderful as you.
Honestly, I think you need to cut the immature crap out! You sound like a middle schooler.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>I noticed this immediately when I looked at the catalog. . </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
That’s funny…because I noticed the pony’s knees and head, and his beautiful round jump. But then again, I am not looking to critique an 8 yr old
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>I’ve never been recruited for a national catalog, </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I think that pretty much sums it up, no?
Well put jetsmom.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>Originally posted by C.Boylen:
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>Rather, I am critiquing the trainer and or parents who should remove the spurs, strengthen the leg, and then put the spurs back on </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
You’re critiquing one of the country’s top equitation barns, and a parent who was a national junior champion. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
That’s fine. I have a right to do so. If my photo were on the front cover of Dover catalogue, I would fully expect to be critiqued as well. It’s how we all become better riders. And every single last one of us can improve in some way or another. I look at my own photos and think, hmm, I should be doing this or that or improve this or that. Saying the child could benefit from strengthening the leg is certainly not a vicious attack by any means.
Wow, the drama queens are out in full force tonight! hahaha
I have to admit I ran to get my catalog as soon as I saw this thread. And, uh…it looks to me like Pony is going to live through this.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>…be gone, before someone drops a house on you. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
My favorite movie too!!
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>Originally posted by snowsecret:
I agree with those who are saying it’s Dover’s fault. Whoever chooses cover photos there should be fired! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
WOW!! Fired??!! For what? Choosing a photo of an adorable kid on an adorable pony in (what I consider) a very typical jumping style for that age. Perfect equitation? Maybe not - but I don’t think that’s a prerequisite for a catalog cover, or for that matter, a great photograph.
Since when is using spurs a bad thing? What did I miss?!? I see this all the time - little kid (or big kid, or adult) trying her darndest to get bratty pony over jump without ducking out, or falling left, or whatever it was she needed her spur for. Maybe give the kid the benefit of the doubt for using the spur because she needed to !!
Frankly I found this cover a refreshing change - good for Dover for not always putting a grand prix rider or national hunter champion (who probably used spurs occasionally to get to where they are) on the cover -
<<Watch Irish as she runs screaming from the oncoming train…>>
Oncoming? The train is already here, has been for awhile. Wonder how many more cars have to go by before the caboose finally passes? Anyone lost count yet?
This is sick - humiliating an adorable and talented 8 year old.
This child and her ponies are fabulous. I am positive that this child will go one to be a top equitation rider and whatever else she aspires to.
Julhar, I can’t believe you are commenting on her leg position when YOU (I assume)have the EXACT SAME leg position in the photo on your website. Ridiculous.
What’s the little ‘poof’ coming out the hind end? haha! 
well a year or so ago they sent out a sale flyer and the cover was of a woman grazing her horse with the lead rope wrapped around her hand 
i’m sure neither model of photographer new any better but i would have thought someone at Dover would have noticed it and not sent the flyer out.
we used it in the barn to show kids how NOT to hold a horse. hehehe.
Anyone happen to have this picture so I could see? And who was the rider?
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>Originally posted by Scaramouch:
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-title”>quote:</div><div class=“ip-ubbcode-quote-content”>Originally posted by CFiona:
And 10 yr olds that “Laughs her head off and think no more of it” don’t really appeal to me. Makes for snotty pony riders, which turn into snotty adults, which give this sport a nasty reputation. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I agree, but I’d prefer a snotty child than one who would burst into tears at the sight of this thread, as that would be just a little pathetic. After all, it’s the Internet, anyone could be saying anything. I would personally hope that the kid would see this, think about it and ask her trainer/coach if there’s any truth to it and to explain why if she doesn’t already know, before either taking it seriously or discounting it completely. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>It’s a kid, for the love of god. It would be a rare child to read something about herself on the internet and just blow it off. I know when I read random comments about myself from people who have never even met me, it is very hurtful and I am in my mid-20s!
You all should feel ashamed talking about a child as if there is no way she, her parents, or any of her friends would ever read what you say. I think it has been proven time and again that you really never know who reads these BBs and things like this have a tendancy to turn around and bite people in the ass.
The picture is one moment in time, perhaps not the most flattering ever but you know what? For eight years old I think it is pretty damn good. The spurs are not exactly huge, they’re very tiny nubby spurs by the looks of it and again, don’t think it’s exactly hurting the pony.
BTW - Here and this one as well are pictures of the same child riding - in neither of them are her toes “turned way out” or is she using her spurs (or rather where her spurs would be if she was wearing them on this pony) “to grip for balance”. Ever stop to think that that particular picture may have been a “bad” one for her (although I’d be QUITE satisfied with one equal to it of me at that age)?
And for those who will say “well then they should’ve used another picture of the kid if she doesn’t do it ALL the time” or something stupid like that - I’m pretty sure Dover chose the picture becuase it shows a happy child, her happy pony, and is a beautiful, well taken picture.
Also I have to agree with whoever said that MOST parents would prefer their child wear spurs and get threw lead changes, get over the fences, etc. rather than deal with a dirty stop or something similiar because the child didn’t have enough actual leg strength (she is TINY and those ponies can be stubborn!), plus she trains with a pretty well known barn/trainer so I think they know what they’re doing seeing as how they’ve turned out many a beautiful rider, doubtful they need any help from the people of COTH.
Alright already! Whomever has an issue with the cover, write or email or call Dover and bitch about it.
Now obviously her leg is not so good, the right one seems to look a bit better. But ya know what? Who cares? It’s a cute picture, not perfect but cute anyway. Maybe she’s trying to get the lead after the fence. Who cares. Don’t pick the girl apart. How many of us have been on a cover at maybe 10yrs old?
Julhar–GET A LIFE! Wish the only thing I had to worry about was the cover of Dover’s catalog.
Too much jealousy on this board these days.
Two Simple, … And your qualifications to critique are…? We all wait breathlessly for a list of your personal accomplishments and the accomplishments of those you have trained. Sans spurs of course darling, because we all know that all you really need is an effective seat and leg.
I would think it would be more useful to have a thread about “earning one’s spurs” instead of being specific about some poor eight year old kid.
There’s a rational discussion to be had, but I’d sure hate to be that kid and stumble across this on the internet.
Ha ! yes I saw it too…at first glance what a nice picture, then you take a look at the equitation, and wonder what happened ?
I remember in the '70’s everyone was so concerned about what show photo they would use for ads, and how their riding/equitation looked.
NEVER would the rider or the family have allowed the use of that photo.
Times have changed !
