Rob Gage

[2bayboys]

@Roser123

Well, let me walk you through it s l o w l y. OJ Simpson and Rob Gage have nothing in common (except perhaps in your sorted little mind). In fact, OJ Simpson’s accusers/charges were put out there for all the world to see … Rob’s weren’t, and he was never an ‘awful human being’.

And I happen to believe that Gage practiced “sordid behavior” against more than one minor who probably worshiped him as much as you do.

[Roser123]

@Capall

Wow. Is there something you know that the rest of us don’t? The man was banned for abhorrent behaviors towards MINOR CHILDREN and you want to pout and call people “idiots” on here. I think many here would like answers. Like, why is it OK to victim shame and to ignore something someone did just because they are/were “an amazing trainer” I’m sorry your friend turned out to have a dark not-so-secret secret, but getting mad at people for thinking his behavior was disgusting is ridiculous IMO.

Yes, evidently I know something that either you don’t, or can’t comprehend. Grapple as you might, he wasn’t banned for “abhorrent behaviors towards MINOR CHILDREN”. That’s just something you made up in your sick little mind, and I have never victim shamed anyone, ever.

[ladyj79]

I think Roser is a minor child. And confused. And in denial. probably best ignored.

[MHM]

@poltroon

AQHA has not been a part of USEF and runs their own ship, completely… and that is why when Paul Valliere got set down from USEF, he moved his business to the Quarter Horse circuit.

He did?!? I did not know that. Was there no pushback from anyone at the AQHA?

[Roser123]

@2bayboys

And I happen to believe that Gage practiced “sordid behavior” against more than one minor who probably worshiped him as much as you do.

OMG, did that auto correct to “sorted”?? The horror!
You’ve got me laughing at the “minor who probably worshipped him as much as you” part.
Its ridiculous to think that anyone who questions the process of SS, or believes that Rob Gage was a good man “worshipped him”, and the backlash from me posting anything in his favor is really unfortunate.

[Roser123]

@ladyj79

I think Roser is a minor child. And confused. And in denial. probably best ignored.

Absolutely! I agree! If she has a differing opinion, she must be a child in denial. How ironic.

[Virginia_Horse_Mom]

@Roser123

Yes, evidently I know something that either you don’t, or can’t comprehend. Grapple as you might, he wasn’t banned for “abhorrent behaviors towards MINOR CHILDREN”. That’s just something you made up in your sick little mind, and I have never victim shamed anyone, ever.

So are you saying you saw the full report? Because unless you do know what is in that report, you really don’t know why the ban happened. You do, however, know that he was someone you cared for. And are absolutely entitled to your memory.

Look, I think Tex’s suggestion that the thread be renamed is a kind one. But Tex can’t accomplish that…It’s a public forum. You can message the person who started the thread and ask them to change the title. Or you can ignore the thread.

I’m sorry for your loss.

[roseymare]

@MHM

He did?!? I did not know that. Was there no pushback from anyone at the AQHA?

I don’t remember it either but I may not have been paying attention. I was showing AQ shows in the southeast around that time but not under saddle so completely possible I didn’t know.

I did a quick search and didn’t come up with anything but that also doesn’t mean much.

[poltroon]

@Roser123

Oh, okay, you could retitle this thread, and then I could start another one and speak my truth there because, something titled “Rob Gage” isn’t the place for it.
i feel sad. I have looked to this forum so often for answers, especially with my horses health, and to witness this fever against a man I thought so highly of is really tough.

This is tough for everyone. No one is happy about any part of this, realistically.

Rob was an important person in our community, especially in the southern California hunter-jumper scene, and popular. No one wants to think he did the actions that SafeSport found him guilty of. And no one wanted hm to take his own life.

That said, we don’t throw out the law or the rules on that basis. And there’s reason to believe that the findings of the investigation were as thoughtful and thorough as anyone could make them. It was his choice not to continue on to his appeal.

Whether or not he presented current or future danger, that is a harder question and I’m glad it’s not my call to make. But, may I point out, an impartial third party is the only group who could possibly try.

The people who accused him have carried their own pain for many years. That they still carry it, if it was indeed long ago, speaks to the depth of the harm. I am sure that the people involved in the case are all carrying more pain because of Rob’s suicide, which is also deeply unfair to them: accusers, witnesses, investigators, friends, supporters alike.

There’s a fever of denial, that this couldn’t have been true, let’s tear things down … and it’s understandable but it’s not okay. On this thread, there’s pushback. Suicide is tragic but it is not evidence of innocence nor evidence of bad process. Mostly it just sucks, sucks for everyone left behind, in whatever capacity.

People are complicated and there can be a mix of good and bad. Roser123, I urge you to read some of the interviews with Anne Kursinski and about what she says about Jimmy Williams.

I may take some flames for this but I think we’ve had a real problem with role models in our industry, and one of those problems has been the idea that it’s acceptable, appropriate, and even desirable to look for sexual partners among one’s students and employees. IMHO this has been a disservice to everyone - to the professionals who grew up in the industry as well as to every student (not just those targeted). Our sport is just 30 years behind everyone else in understanding what is professional behavior in this realm.

[Roser123]

@Virginia Horse Mom

So are you saying you saw the full report? Because unless you do know what is in that report, you really don’t know why the ban happened. You do, however, know that he was someone you cared for. And are absolutely entitled to your memory.

Look, I think Tex’s suggestion that the thread be renamed is a kind one. But Tex can’t accomplish that…It’s a public forum. You can message the person who started the thread and ask them to change the title. Or you can ignore the thread.

I’m sorry for your loss.

You’re very kind, Horse Mom. I Have never suggested that I saw the full report, and that’s exactly the point - no one on this bulletin board has (and for god sake … it wasn’t me who suggested the name of the thread be changed to more depict the rage of the writers …), but it hasn’t stopped any of them from speculating, and that’s fine. I just think it’s pretty self righteous of y’all to get SO aflutter when someone suggests that your indignation is misguided.
I don’t think Tex was being kind. I thing she was being dismissive, and that’s why everyone thinks COTH is so United … no one wants to bother here.

[roseymare]

@poltroon

I may take some flames for this but I think we’ve had a real problem with role models in our industry, and one of those problems has been the idea that it’s acceptable, appropriate, and even desirable to look for sexual partners among one’s students and employees. IMHO this has been a disservice to everyone - to the professionals who grew up in the industry as well as to every student (not just those targeted). Our sport is just 30 years behind everyone else in understanding what is professional behavior in this realm.

I’ll agree completely and add that alcohol and youth is an issue in some breeds as well. All youth shows shouldn’t have alcohol. If National Finals High School Rodeo can be alcohol free any youth championship can be. Didn’t mean to derail but it irritates me to no end. And I am not a tea totaler AT ALL.

[Roser123]

@poltroon

This tough for everyone. No one is happy about any part of this, realistically.

Rob was an important person in our community, especially in the southern California hunter-jumper scene, and popular. No one wants to think he did the actions that SafeSport found him guilty of. And no one wanted hm to take his own life.

That said, we don’t throw out the law or the rules on that basis. And there’s reason to believe that the findings of the investigation were as thoughtful and thorough as anyone could make them. It was his choice not to continue on to his appeal.

Whether or not he presented current or future danger, that is a harder question and I’m glad it’s not my call to make. But, may I point out, an impartial third party is the only group who could possibly try.

The people who accused him have carried their own pain for many years. That they still carry it, if it was indeed long ago, speaks to the depth of the harm. I am sure that the people involved in the case are all carrying more pain because of Rob’s suicide, which is also deeply unfair to them: accusers, witnesses, investigators, friends, supporters alike.

There’s a fever of denial, that this couldn’t have been true, let’s tear things down … and it’s understandable but it’s not okay. On this thread, there’s pushback. Suicide is tragic but it is not evidence of innocence nor evidence of bad process. Mostly it just sucks, sucks for everyone left behind, in whatever capacity.

People are complicated and there can be a mix of good and bad. Roser123, I urge you to read some of the interviews with Anne Kursinski and about what she says about Jimmy Williams.

I may take some flames for this but I think we’ve had a real problem with role models in our industry, and one of those problems has been the idea that it’s acceptable, appropriate, and even desirable to look for sexual partners among one’s students and employees. IMHO this has been a disservice to everyone - to the professionals who grew up in the industry as well as to every student (not just those targeted). Our sport is just 30 years behind everyone else in understanding what is professional behavior in this realm.

Thank you for your thoughts - I appreciate them. It’s a tough time.

[Midge]

@MHM

He did?!? I did not know that. Was there no pushback from anyone at the AQHA?

His current wife shows quarter horses. His main business is still hunters and jumpers.

[Midge]

@Roser123

Yes, evidently I know something that either you don’t, or can’t comprehend. Grapple as you might, he wasn’t banned for “abhorrent behaviors towards MINOR CHILDREN”. That’s just something you made up in your sick little mind, and I have never victim shamed anyone, ever.

What was he banned for?

[2bayboys]

@Midge

What was he banned for?

Good question. According to Safesport, he was banned for “sexual misconduct involving a minor”. But apparently Roser123 knows something we don’t know.

[Roser123]

@2bayboys

Good question. According to Safesport, he was banned for “sexual misconduct involving a minor”. But apparently Roser123 knows something we don’t know.

Haha! For someone who was so quick to point out my typo, you sure are sloppy with your facts.
Theres a difference between “ abhorrent behaviors toward MINOR CHILDREN” and “sexual conduct involving a minor”.
Clearly, you have a personal grudge against the man. I hope this is helping you get your feelings out.

[bip]

@Roser123

Haha! For someone who was so quick to point out my typo, you sure are sloppy with your facts.
Theres a difference between “ abhorrent behaviors toward MINOR CHILDREN” and “sexual conduct involving a minor”.
Clearly, you have a personal grudge against the man. I hope this is helping you get your feelings out.

I mean, the actual wording still doesn’t sound great. I don’t know if I would call it a personal grudge, but I’m against sexual conduct with a minor.

[2bayboys]

@Roser123

Haha! For someone who was so quick to point out my typo, you sure are sloppy with your facts.
Theres a difference between “ abhorrent behaviors toward MINOR CHILDREN” and “sexual conduct involving a minor”.
Clearly, you have a personal grudge against the man. I hope this is helping you get your feelings out.

Sorry Roser, but I was not the one to describe Rob’s transgressions as abhorrent behaviors toward minor children. That was someone else.

I described them as sordid. I stand by that statement, as ANY sexual conduct involving an adult with a minor is, indeed, sordid. And inexcusable.

[Roser123]

@bip

I mean, the actual wording still doesn’t sound great. I don’t know if I would call it a personal grudge, but I’m against sexual conduct with a minor.

Me too, but words have meanings, and there’s a reason (sick/sad) people change them.
Sticking to the facts is the least we can do.

[2bayboys]

@Roser123

Me too, but words have meanings, and there’s a reason (sick/sad) people change them.
Sticking to the facts is the least we can do.

What facts are those?