The very first thing Clark must do is get out in the world. I don’t really think
she can possibly grow in a “ pot with no soil”. Additionally, I don’t believe for one minute that Missy penned this little tome on her own.
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I believe she does have the power to change the horse world, in so many ways.
She is an amazing horsewomen, she is at the very top of our sport, and she has the trust and friendships from many other top professionals. People respect her, and so many of them will follow her lead. I don’t know what her position is on SafeSport, but she could bring the horse world together in that area as well (and still support her friends).
Changing the horse world isn’t something she has to take on, but she did put herself out there.
Missy, I truly believe you can change the horse world!
Missy’s apology looks like the work of a PR person to me.
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Even if so, it’s a welcome step. She probably didn’t have to do anything and I’m glad she felt she needed to. It’s clear she’s talked to a few people at least and her change may help some other people to do a half-halt and reconsider their thoughts on the matter.
All she can do going forward is try to do better. Reward her for the effort. It’s the only way to help anyone improve in any endeavor.
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every time I try to “like” this post, I get an error message.
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It is a welcome step. However, I am surprised she did not at least acknowledged that she shifted the burden of her education to some of the people already carrying the burden of the racism she initially denied. It would have been nice if she had at least mentioned that. It’s a realization that should come very early in the process.
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Eric Lamaze had some thoughts on this I can’t figure out how to link it. But it is on his personal Facebook page (his comments are public).
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It looks like it was removed. I saw nothing of the sort there.
It’s on his personal fb page, not his Athlete page.
🙄🙄🙄
Typical “for the love of God, let’s not make the white people uncomfortable” response.
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LaurieP and Junior parted ways a while back. Laurie doesn’t post here anymore I don’t believe but I see her on FB. Junior is a magician with a horse but I have heard the slurs directed towards him first hand. If my filly hadn’t freaked out when they placed her at the front of the lineup and she couldn’t see any of the other horses I might have gotten him that Best Young Horse at Devon because they moved her back to second and the horse they moved up won it all.
Yeah that was pretty special.
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We live in a world that if you have an opinion that does not agree with someone’s agenda; you will be berated publicly, your business and job will be ruined and your life will be ruined until you step up and apologize for your opinion. There is examples of this going on all over the place.
Example: a mother on facebook posted a video of herself explaining why she did not agree with the looting, the vandalism, the riots, and even protesters shutting down highways. She also went on to explain why she does not feel guilt for being white and she will not apologize for being white. The video was public and it garnered a lot of shares. It appeared in my news-feed and this is how I came about this story. Her comments were very tactful and professional. As the video garnered more shares and spread widely; those on the other side of the fence tracked this woman down and started harassing her employer (a hospital) non-stop over her opinions. These individuals took this so far that the Hospital ultimately fired her (after 20 years of service). She is now receiving death threats and has been in the process of trying to relocate her children temporarily.
Missy Clark could be in the same situation as this woman mentioned above. And I wholeheartedly believe that this is sick and disgusting behavior. The world goes around everyday and functions because we are all individuals. We are all free to have our own opinions and views on different subjects. People are actually cutting lifelong ties with friends and family if the other person refuses to stand behind the vandalism and BLM agenda right now. What is wrong with people?
I may not agree with everything that Missy Clark said in her original article. But I do not take it to heart. And I refuse to allow one person’s singular opinion define an entire world and an entire industry. I am also not going to waste my breathe demanding an apology from her nor would I ever consider never giving her my business; she is entitled to her view points and her opinions and I respect her for doing so; even if it doesn’t fit the agenda of the current times. Hostility in retaliation is never the answer.
I comment Missy for coming out with an apology but I am almost saddened that one would have to feel the need to issue one. I believe there is always room for improvement and change is inevitable and sometimes needed. I think Missy recognizes this and agrees with this; however she has little experience on the other side of the fence; which is why her opinion may come across as judgmental, harsh, inconsiderate, or even wrong.
What many fail to realize is that Missy Clark has given the shirt off of her back to help many underprivileged but talented riders in her lifetime. Her business thrives on the business from the upper echelon of wealth in the horse show world. But that is not to say that Miss has not helped countless individuals reach dreams that wouldn’t have been attainable without some charity.
So instead of berating people for having an opinion that differs from yours; please enlighten us as to what your plan would be to improve the equestrian community from a black–> white perspective? The equestrian community cannot even change the current wage gap/Financial wealth situation within its walls; so it leaves me to believe that any racial bias that occurs in our community would take the far back seat. This industry is FULL of elite wealth. So are we going to redistribute wealth to the latino grooms to level the playing field? Are the upper wealthy going to hand out free lessons and free horses and all expense paid show bills to the African American community who want to play at the upper levels? What would be the plan, the steps, the agenda and what would be the goal? Its very easy to say “to have an African American individual at the top of the podium at the Olympics”; that’s great, a great goal. But what is the entire industry going to do to get there? Arguing on peoples opinions goes no where. In hindsight, for me, picketing on the street corner does nothing as well. It gets your opinion in the limelight but what action does it force? very little. Make a plan and lets hear it.
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Wow!
There is so much racism, privilege, white privilege, and entitlement in this post, I don’t even know where to begin.
I will try to get back to this later…too busy celebrating a couple of big wins in the Supreme Court!
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I am noticing a trend in these posts, even among many of the supporters of the movement, and that is the assumption that POC are poor and that is why they don’t participate. Not all POC live in poverty in the inner cities and can’t afford horses. There are plenty of middle/upper class folks who are more than capable of showing at all levels of our sport. They choose not to.
Changing perceptions is the best way to increase diversity in our sport. Media is the most effective way to do that. Highlight POC who do participate in our sport in magazines and social media. Direct advertising towards young, middle upper class POC. Grassroots recruiting would also be likely effective. I got into riding because my friends rode. Then once we have hooked them, because we all know how addictive that little soft spot on a pony’s nose is, the current horse community needs to behave like civilized individuals, which I am confident we can manage. Most of us anyway…
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No question Eric Lamaze has not had an easy life.
However, his path would have likely been impossible for a black man. If he’d ever even gotten a chance to ride, if he’d ever even gotten the opportunity for the world class horses he’s had, he would be in jail for his drug use now. If he wasn’t already dead for lack of appropriate medical care.
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feel free to enlighten me as to where exactly I exhibited privilege and especially white privilege in my post? Again… are you assuming I am white? Isn’t that a racist assumption/ Because you very well could be wrong. 
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my post was not to insinuate the POC were poor and the reason why they don’t participate. But for many families; regardless of race; the reason they do not play in the horse games is because of financial wealth. Which brings me full circle back to the fact that the biggest problem facing equestrian sports is the finances and how expensive and elitist this sport has become. That effect then trickles down to everyone; regardless of race. The equestrian community cannot seem to address that one simple issue within its sport. And perhaps, if they did, the race gap would become less because everyone could play in the horse world.
Why do we need to direct advertising towards young, upper-middle class POC. Isn’t that catering to the wealth side of things which is the #1 problem in hunter/jumper America? There are many urban horse organizations at work to give African American urban children a chance at horses. But I don’t see any barn in America helping those kids advance beyond those programs.
And PSA: this is not just an American problem. What is Canada, Europe, England, etc doing to embrace their communities of race into the horse sport world?
