This is interesting. Laura and Katie are doing a program to get young, non Uber rich riders to the top. What do you all think? https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/between-rounds-who-are-our-next-gold-medalists/
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It sounds great, but my first thought was ādonāt tell me, show meā. Iāll be curious to see what (if anything) actually materializes here. Thereās no question that the astronomical costs are a barrier to success at the top of the sport.
Interesting that Carlee McCutcheon is among the first riders being supported by the program. Given her familyās success across multiple disciplines in the industry, Iām a bit skeptical of the idea that she would struggle to make it as a pro.
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This was my instant reaction, too.
Like most programs designed by wealthy people, this one has anā¦unconventionalā¦definition of āfinancially challengedā. Selecting participants from a pool of riders who can already afford to compete at the top of the sport does absolutely nothing to grow the industry.
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Thatās something I noticed - they have to already be showing at 1.30m to even be considered. You have to have some pretty serious horses to get to that level, meaning some decent parental backing most likely. I always envisioned a program like this starting at the 3ā finals level.
I will say though, Carlee has had some amazing success already with this program over in Europe over the summer. From what Iāve seen of her, sheās deserving of that success.
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I can imagine somebody could be showing (although not necessarily winning with) a single horse in the 1.30 that was maybe a sale horse on the cuff or a green project or whatever on a relative shoestring. That person might have the talent, but not the funds, to get much further on their own.
To me that seems like an entirely different category from somebody who has already had a lot of success with multiple horses they owned in multiple rings and divisions.
Good for Carlee for her success in Europe. There is absolutely no question she has a lot of talent.
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I suspect that Carlee comes from money, not bags and bags, but maybe a bag. Hereās the piece about her family and their history with horses. https://eqliving.com/meet-the-masterful-mccutcheons/
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I donāt think thereās much doubt. As I recall, in addition to winning the Medal final at Harrisburg last year, I believe she was also very successful in the junior jumper classes, and maybe the junior hunters as well. Plus I think sheās also done quite well in the western horsemanship.
Good for her.
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They are one of the few families who actually have made money in the horse business so the third generation has not lacked horsepower or family support. But they are sure not trust fund babies.
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I wasnāt suggesting that she was, however, she is hardly impoverished which was the implied point of this program. Besides, there are lots of people who make money with horses, they just are rarely riders. :).
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Hmm, perhaps the issue isnāt just developing top talent but also on how that talent earns its spot on national teams?
I believe Karl Cook mentioned not too long ago that part of the selection process is both from the leading horse list, and then also the leading rider list. And suggested that perhaps the way to select is to focus on the leading horse list, as the leading rider list is more of a popularly contest of all the FEI points garnered (tipping the advantage to the riders with an established string of horses, as opposed to the āshoestringā amateur or young pro that has excellent point worthy results, but perhaps only one or two horses to collect those points on).
It would certainly advantage results as a horse & rider pair (as you can only place one team on the Olympic list) as opposed to over-advantaging the large string and established combinations - if theyāre that good, wouldnāt they end up on the horse list?? 
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They had me nodding a little bit and dreaming of the what ifās from my childhood, until they said āsend videos of them already competing at the 1.3m levelāā¦ Thatās a whole lot of opportunity that I never had access to to start with.
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My takeaway isnāt that theyāre necessarily looking for an Eliza Doolittle to take from rags to riches, though the article led with those kind of examples (not saying that Michael Matz was a street urchin). I agree with the author that those stories arenāt likely today. It sounded to me like theyāre just trying to give a boost to talented riders who want to turn pro and will need to build an international caliber string through sponsors.
āYoung riders coming up, they have a hard time making it,ā explains Prudent. āFor the young, struggling professional trying to get to the top, they are going to need some help. And thatās what I am trying to do.ā
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And who are already well-connected with top pros in the industry.
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I watched that video and what I thought was a valid point was ultimately overshadowed by him going on to dunk [I wanted to use a more vulgar word] on his teammate(s). If that wasnāt his intent he shouldāve communicated the point more clearly because it came across as unsportsmanlike.
Edited to add: apart from explaining the selection process and how it might be improved (fine!), some of his further comments seem to indicate that he thinks at least one other rider on the team didnāt deserve to be selected.
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There is a huge gap between impoverished and āmaking a living in the horse business, but not being able to afford a multimillion dollar top competitor and a six figure a year show billā.
The sad reality is you can even be a millionaire and still have the very top of the sport be out of reach due to funds without a very lucky break on a good horse and a very supportive owner. And being able to ride that one lucky break isnāt really possible without some experience on almost-top horses at top venues. It costs a lot of money and takes a lot of horses to get good enough. And no one wants not-good enough-yet on their animal to get that experience.
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Wow. Seriously?!?
Where is this video?
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It was on his social media accounts a month or two backāWalking and Talking. Watch on YouTube so you can increase the playback speed to 2x and it comes after he made reasonable points. I actually hope Iām misinterpreting what he said, but it sounded like heās throwing shade.
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Isnāt he a billionaire?
Seems a bit, forgive me, rich for him to throw shade that someone else made it onto the team because they have more, better horsesā¦
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Thanks.
I donāt think the program is intended to help riders make it as a pro. I think itās intended to help riders make it as successful international contenders and Olympians. Get them the experience and exposure necessary to secure a sponsor to fund the horse and the outrageous expenses of competing at that level. The fact that the sport requires billionaire sponsors to sustain it is a whole ānother discussion.
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