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Sjef Janssen quits

Dressage
#41

I don’t know about all this. I would have to hear directly from the riders he is speaking about before forming an opinion here.

I do think he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. This is partly because he is the husband of Anky. It is partly because of all the Rolkur stuff. But for me, it has nothing to do with the first two and really is just because of things like the lawsuit against him (which he lost) where he was accused of taking some American on the sale of a Grand Prix horse. Lying about commissions, the sale price etc. That is where I lost credibility for the guy. I know those kind of dealings are not so uncommon in the horseworld, but it does not make it sit with me any better.

So I don’t know if he is in the right or wrong in this particular case, but I know I don’t particularily like the guy. He may very well be telling the truth here, but I would not trust him or his motives nonetheless.

#42

It’s nice that you just assume that I am speculating. One of the reasons I posted to stop all these speculations but … alas.
Sjef and Anky and other riders trained by them have stated in several magazines and other media in the past that to be an athlete is to be top fit. And they also stated that that is to be expected of both rider AND horse. And they practice what they preach. Not to be fit as a rider wouldn’t be fair to the horse and stupid to even try to be the best.
This was already stated in the time of the Sydney games when the dutch riders were together in training camp Sjef stated that most horses and riders were not in top condition and so not up to (their) standards.
So this really is one of the items they live by. It is not to say that this is the only point he would be disappointed in but I know they think fitness and in general to go for the highest possible is very important to Sjef and that’s why I included it here.

And in the statements given recently Sjef stated that he talked about his points of critic about not being dedicated/motivated enough in several sessions and in one on ones and that they didn’t give the proper results in attitude and motivation /dedication that he wished for and that’s why he quits.

So you are saying that Bartels, Balaans, Gaal and their horses are not fit enough? Just because Sjef says so? Sorry, just don’t believe that AT ALL. I really think it has more to do with his “methods”, but that is speculation as well.

#43

What I dont get is why you would agree to be the chef if your wife (and her student) were on the team. Isnt there conflict of interest? And even if theres not, seems like your just asking for trouble.

#44

Um, Imke’s dad is Sjef’s best friend. And you need to look at the entire Top and Subtop groups in the Netherlands to understand his big picture.

#45

Fargo is totally right, and he has been very vocal since the beginning re the dedication required by the rider as well. Sjef has never, ever kept his feelings a secret re what he expected his riders to put in, whether they used his own training methods or rode with someone else. It’s not his way or the highway re the training of the horses.

#46

I only hope that the riders on the team he is commenting on are allowed to have their point of view stated in a major publication.

Oh good grief! What stops them from expressing their views, especially on that anti ANky rag?

The man has a big ego. So what? It doesn’t really affect any of us, does it? Oh right, it does give fuel to a certain contingent.

People who speak their mind without reservation are not usually popular.

Although I have never been a big fan of Himself, I credit him at least for saying what he thinks no matter what. He is what he is. It does not affect anyone on this board, does it"?

#47

DaniS wrot “e:In an ideal world he should have just left gracefully, I agree, but…
do you really think he would have been allowed to without an explanation as to why?”

I don’t think being “allowed” has anything to do with it. He wasn’t coerced into making his statement. And yes, I think he could have come up with an explanation that didn’t damn others. It’s called being a good sport, it’s called maintaining composure and professionalism in a situation. He decided to quit, so it wasn’t like he was caught by surprise by “Sixty Minutes” in his barn and fumbled for words. He knew he was going to quit so he could have prepared a statement that not only put himself in a positive light, but wished the team well too. But I don’t think that’s Sjef’s “style.”

#48

I am not going to offer or speculate anything on Sjefis decision as I really have no opinion on it.

But I will make a comment re DutchMikes comments re not the glory etc attached to being in a Dutch Team.

I donot know what it is like in Holland but can only make comparisons between NZ and Holland being small countries with no little big business support.
There is just not the population base thus not the big business like you have in the US. American has tremendous wealth compared to a small country and that has immense spin offs.
I worked for a couple of US Multinationals here in NZ for most of my working life and was constantly amazing at how blinkered the Americans are to what they often consider normal in terms of wealth.

In NZ our Olympic athletes are not stars either and struggle to make a living.
We don’t have big business to support or sponsor athletes. Its pretty unheard of. Most athletes are on the bones of their backside. Winning even a gold medal does not ensure you a livleyhood. It never comes easy and even Mark Todd/Blyth Taits success never made them wealthy. Mark lived overseas for most of his career and fortunately got overseas sponsorship. He would never have been able to survive had he stayed in NZ.

Most often when NZ riders compete at the Olympics their mounts have to be sold as they cannot afford to bring them home.

Its getting harder and harder in NZ to be really competitive in Equestrian sports unless you have money and quite honestly there are very very few that can fund an Olympic buildup campaign let alone be able to actually compete. ]
Our past Olympic heros and gold medallists mostly just disappear into the background working hard to make a living.

Both Mark Todd and Blyth Tait now train racehorses. They can not even make a living out of training riders or event horses without something like the racehorses behind them. What a waste of talent many would say but they have to pay the bills like all of us.

#49

A cover up

You have to be an insider to understand the motives of Sjef Janssen.

I don’t blame the posters on this forum to base their opinions on the official press release, but did it come to your minds that this press release is published only to cover up the real problems.

#50

… and I’m sure that you, happydressage, are the only one aware of the REAL problems… :slight_smile:

Do you write Harlequin novels in your spare time?

#51

That’s really sad… imagine getting all the way to the Olympics, only to loose your partner :frowning:

#52

[QUOTE=Touchstone Farm;2363117]
DaniS wrot “e:In an ideal world he should have just left gracefully, I agree, but…
do you really think he would have been allowed to without an explanation as to why?”

I don’t think being “allowed” has anything to do with it. He wasn’t coerced into making his statement. And yes, I think he could have come up with an explanation that didn’t damn others. It’s called being a good sport, it’s called maintaining composure and professionalism in a situation. He decided to quit, so it wasn’t like he was caught by surprise by “Sixty Minutes” in his barn and fumbled for words. He knew he was going to quit so he could have prepared a statement that not only put himself in a positive light, but wished the team well too. But I don’t think that’s Sjef’s “style.”[/QUOTE]

Exactly, it’s not his style.:wink:
He has never hidden that fact and if people don’t like him for it I don’t think he’ll lose any sleep over it.

This is on Edward Gal’s site.
http://www.edwardgal.nl/?p=11&id=158&l=EN
He didn’t seem to have an issue with putting it there and he IS a rider affected.

#53

Maybe if the U.S. hired Sjef as chef, we’d chance better than a bronze in 2008!

#54

Eventer13 yep sadly a real fact of life for many NZ horses. The very elite like Our Gold Medal Dream teams were mostly able to bring back thier mounts with the help of sponsors but since many of the other horses were sold or left behind.

Glengarrick who was a great Olympic and WEG campaigner for NZ was left in the UK after the last world games as his rider could not afford bring him home.
He had been just the most amazing horse for his owner and she was heartbroken that the money could not be found to bring him home to retire.
He was the oldest horse at the 2004 Athens Olympics at 20 finishing in 7th place overall and then he went on to compete at the WEG in 2006 also finishing 7th. Not bad for a 22 year old ex racehorse.

Fortunately last year and unknown overseas benefactor sent him home to a delighted Heelan.

Mostly our NZ riders have to be based away from NZ to compete and be able to hold onto their horses. Many are in the UK or Europe and have to be independantly wealthy or have good overseas sponsors to keep going.

One of our best young Showjumping riders actually changed her nationality so that she had a chance to ride at the Olympics (for Bulgaria) Sad but a fact of life for us here in NZ. We are very poor cousins compared to the money of America.

None of our Dream Team who were so invincible at the Olympic 3 day events for so many years can even earn a living from helping our new riders come through. They have to do other things to pay the bills.

#55

Opinion on Sjef according to Cartman from South Park:
“It’s my ball, it’s my bat, and I’m going home. Screw you guys”.

#56

[QUOTE=Elatu;2363936]
Opinion on Sjef according to Cartman from South Park:
“It’s my ball, it’s my bat, and I’m going home. Screw you guys”.[/QUOTE]

A South Park take on the entire proceedings :winkgrin:

Cartman: Alright. Look. I didn’t want to have to say this, but I think maybe we’re not seeing heaven because one of us doesn’t believe in it enough.
Kyle: Huh?
Cartman: Heaven could be like the pixie fairies of Bubblegum Forest. You only see them if you really believe in them.

Stan: I don’t want to shoot the bunny.
Uncle Jimbo: No nephew of mine is going to be a tree hugger.
Cartman: Yeah, hippie. Go back to Woodstock if you don’t want to shoot anything.

Cartman: Oh, this is a democratic boy band, is it?

Stan: No, I Iearned something today, and it’s that this is our home team, and if you don’t want to root for the home team then get the hell out of the stadium.

Cartman: I’ve learned something, too: selling out is sweet because when you sell out, you get to make a lot of money, and when you have money, you don’t have to hang out with a bunch of poor a$$es like you guys. Screw you guys, I’m going home.

Phillip: Look at their silly American heads.
Terrance: They look like groundhogs.

Rob Reiner: Sometimes lying is okay, like when you know what’s good for people more than they do.

Cartman: Respect My Authority!

Tolerance Camp Leader: Around here, intolerance will not be tolerated.

Cartman: Sticks and stones may break my bones but I’m Jesus.

Choir Teacher: Well, that about does it. If you have any questions, I’ll leave information packets up front.
Cartman: Oh that’s good, we need some more toilet paper.

#57

:lol: :yes: :lol: :yes: :lol: :yes: :lol: :yes: :lol:

#58

Well seigi, perhaps hd IS the only one aware?! :lol:

That said, SJ was never really noted for his PR/marketing skills…:winkgrin:

#59

Press conference Sjef

The press conference Sjef gave was broadcasted on national Dutch television.

His major point was that he couldn’t work with people who are satisfied with
75%, because his job was to take these riders to 80% and the worldtop.

The underlying story however is that Imke (mother Tineke), Edward (partner Hans Peter Minderhoud), Laurens (father Leunes), Marlies (mother Coby and Jo Hinnemann) didn’t feel good with Sjef’s system. And it is no secret that the riders mentioned performed better when they quit training with Sjef.

The truth is not told during a press conference but at the bar after the press conference. :yes: :cool:

#60

“The underlying story however is that Imke (mother Tineke), Edward (partner Hans Peter Minderhoud), Laurens (father Leunes), Marlies (mother Coby and Jo Hinnemann) didn’t feel good with Sjef’s system. And it is no secret that the riders mentioned performed better when they quit training with Sjef.”

Finally. Something other than that ridiculous spin that no one trains/tries hard enough for the Olympics, which is a statement that:

  • insults/attacks the top and sub-top Dutch riders
  • concerns the sponsors that fund these riders
  • concerns the RaboTalentPlan fundraising efforts that promotes new Dutch riders
  • oh yes, insults the horse world that they are probably stupid enough to believe no one knows how to train hard enough. Duh, being 200% fit for competition is BASIC no matter what your discipline.

Thank you KathyMagee and happydressage. Although why Janssen felt he needed to position himself publicly this way for his leaving, which as far as I’m concerned could have been left unsaid. Most people are like, “thank you for the experience, it was a privilege, etc, etc,” no matter what inner political turmoil is going on.

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