Russian competing at WEF

[Turntable]

It’s a sanction, designed to put pressure on citizens to influence their government. And if a Russian citizen is showing on a Russian horse at WEF and they know and are ignoring it- that is not a good look for the sport at all. And could lead to sanctions of the US team by FEI. Very stupid, if true.

ETA: I looked at the USEF online records and they do not show her competing in March at all so maybe this isn’t true. But the Plaid Horse lists her as coming in 10th place on the 6th in the 4* GP. How is she competing and it does not show up in the USEF search?

[Scribbler]

@touchstone

This is such an odd rule. Is the war the fault of individual Russian citizens?

If you are following the news you will see its being applied across the board to all Russian athletes in international competition. The current range of sanctions are very broad and absolutely do affect regular Russians who can not use their credit cards or social media. Athletes typically fall into 2 categories. State sponsored teams that represent a country and show “pride” in that country and then individual wealthy people in things like equestrian sports. Everybody Russian is being banned now. Individual wealthy Russian citizens have had bank accounts frozen and yachts seized. The intention is to decrease their support for Putin. Of course if they openly oppose Putin they will be arrested if in Russia or face repercussions or assanination if outside the country.

[MHM]

@Turntable

ETA: I looked at the USEF online records and they do not show her competing in March at all so maybe this isn’t true.

If the show ended less than 48 hours ago, they might not have the results in the system yet.

[OntheFnce]

@Turntable

@neigh

If the show ended less than 48 hours ago, they might not have the results in the system yet.

They don’t seem to have any WEF results past 2/27. Very odd. It does not take that long at most venues to post results. But then again, I don’t show at WEF so maybe that is normal for there.

It generally takes about 2 weeks for the WEF results to show up on USEF website. And Liubov did compete on Sunday and came in 10th in the 4*.

[fordtraktor]

The purported reason for delayed implementation was for current shows to end, so it makes sense to me she showed Sunday which is almost certainly part of that show (legally).

This week the ban is in effect.

I don’t know where her money comes from. But the ban is a good one for sport, and with Equestrian being such an expensive sport, maybe it’s even more sensible to block athletes.

Russian oligarchs use expensive hobbies, real estate purchases, etc. to launder vast amounts of money offshore. I have no problem with not letting a random athlete show fancy horses until Putin backs down. The more we make it uncomfortable, the more likely pressure from within is likely to keep Putin in some sort of check.

[OntheFnce]

@fordtraktor

The purported reason for delayed implementation was for current shows to end, so it makes sense to me she showed Sunday which is almost certainly part of that show (legally).

This week the ban is in effect.

I don’t know where her money comes from. But the ban is a good one for sport, and with Equestrian being such an expensive sport, maybe it’s even more sensible to block athletes.

Russian oligarchs use expensive hobbies, real estate purchases, etc. to launder vast amounts of money offshore. I have no problem with not letting a random athlete show fancy horses until Putin backs down. The more we make it uncomfortable, the more likely pressure from within is likely to keep Putin in some sort of check.

Exactly.

[Horselove5]

@touchstone

This is such an odd rule. Is the war the fault of individual Russian citizens?

No, it’s not! Moreover, many ppl don’t have the intellectual capacity to make this distinguishment, so they end up being pissed at the babushka that makes&sells blini on some street corner in NY i.e…

War is politics - it’s the mighty of the day. This particular war is not supported by the average Russian. Sport should absolutely not be made an instrument of politics, not just not, but always. Pity to all the athletes, who give up their youth in persuit of achievements in their respective fields, only to be deprived of this chance due to smth that doesn’t depend in the slightest by them. It’s very cruel IM(unpopular)O.

[neigh]

You can see results by the class, as they finish, on ShowGroundsLive.

[outside_leg]

@Horselove5

No, it’s not! Moreover, many ppl don’t have the intellectual capacity to make this distinguishment, so they end up being pissed at the babushka that makes&sells blini on some street corner in NY i.e…

War is politics - it’s the mighty of the day. This particular war is not supported by the average Russian. Sport should absolutely not be made an instrument of politics, not just not, but always. Pity to all the athletes, who give up their youth in persuit of achievements in their respective fields, only to be deprived of this chance due to smth that doesn’t depend in the slightest by them. It’s very cruel IM(unpopular)O.

Except there is a significant difference between a kid playing soccer in their neighborhood league and an athlete wealthy enough to compete internationally. As others mentioned, the intent of these sanctions is to increase pressure on the oligarchs to pressure Putin into changing course. Will innocent athletes be caught in the crossfire and maybe unable to jump horses over sticks? Yes. But right now innocent Ukrainians are being caught in literal crossfire. So it doesn’t seem like the Russians have the short end of the stick here.

[skydy]

@Horselove5

@touchstone

This is such an odd rule. Is the war the fault of individual Russian citizens?

No, it’s not! Moreover, many ppl don’t have the intellectual capacity to make this distinguishment, so they end up being pissed at the babushka that makes&sells blini on some street corner in NY i.e…

War is politics - it’s the mighty of the day. This particular war is not supported by the average Russian. Sport should absolutely not be made an instrument of politics, not just not, but always.

Really? If anyone can be accused of making sport “an instrument of politics”, it is the Russian government with their State sponsored doping programs.

[MHM]

@skydy

Really? If anyone can be accused of making sport “an instrument of politics”, it is the Russian government with their State sponsored doping programs.

Right? The Olympics just ended a couple of weeks ago. What was the biggest story there? Hmm, let me think.

[dani0303]

Just found out the 2 of the top show jumping stallions in the world are trapped in Ukraine; Comme Il Faut and Coronet Oblensky

NEWS: FEI prohibit Russian athletes from competition

[neigh]

The last 4 Olympics, I believe.

[AmmyHunter]

@dani0303

Just found out the 2 of the top show jumping stallions in the world are trapped in Ukraine; Comme Il Faut and Coronet Oblensky

The latest reporting is that they have made it to the border and appear to be making it out!! Hoping all goes smoothly and the next report is that they are somewhere safe! Such a heartbreaking situation for horse owners in Ukraine right now, I can’t even imagine.

[Horselove5]

Let me repeat myself - the average Russian citizen is against this war! Sport often is a way to escape poverty and strengthen the mental health (especially in these countries). Idk what L. Kochetova’s case is, but AFAIK she’s been living in Flo since decades, no? She certainly does not ride Russian horses only, I know that for a fact because she showed successfully one of our German born & owned horses few years ago.

[leheath]

@Horselove5

Let me repeat myself - the average Russian citizen is against this war!

And I think it bears repeated that I am 100% sure the average Ukranian citizen in against the war. Those innocent people are enduring bombings, lack of food/heat/water/shelter, and death. I really think being unable to participate in elite level sports is not a comparable hardship! If it puts even a tiny bit of pressure on the Russian government to rethink it’s conduct, then it is absolutely worth it. Sadly, innocent people on all sides are always the ones who most feel the brunt of war.

[Turntable]

@Horselove5

Let me repeat myself - the average Russian citizen is against this war! Sport often is a way to escape poverty and strengthen the mental health (especially in these countries). Idk what L. Kochetova’s case is, but AFAIK she’s been living in Flo since decades, no? She certainly does not ride Russian horses only, I know that for a fact because she showed successfully one of our German born & owned horses few years ago.

Polls show 58% support it as of today so it appears the average Russian is OK with this war.

Russian people are still free to ride their own horses for mental health all they want.

[lonewolf]

Liubov has had VAST amounts of money to spend on horses, and that phenomenal wealth definitely came from Russia (at least in the past, not sure about now). Her Instagram suggests she’s now married to an American so maybe she will be able to change countries.

Beyond her specifically, many of the Russian athletes competing internationally have been financially supported by the government and its wealthiest citizens, so I understand banning them. Russia cares a lot about sports prestige in general and puts a lot of effort into winning.

I’m not saying little Russian kids shouldn’t be able to play in local soccer leagues, but banning international competitors that are financed by the country’s government or its powerful class (which, let’s face it, is definitely most show jumpers) totally makes sense.

It sucks for the athletes, who are not at fault at all, but it sucks a lot more for the people of Ukraine. Stopping Russia’s athletes from winning money and amassing awards for their country is the least we can do.

[hoopoe]

@Turntable

Polls show 58% support it as of today so it appears the average Russian is OK with this war.

The average Russian citizen is not free to speak their mind

[NaturallyHappy]

And they are fed propaganda.