Story in Equus magazine/Laine Ashker speaks at length

[BarbB]

I just got my Equus. Less than a fourth of the way thru the article she had blamed the horse and the organizer for the accident (wouldn’t have happened if not for the basket handle).

I was less than impressed. I did like the comments of almost everyone else.

I am going to point out something here…probably won’t make me popular, but …

WE create a culture that allows this behavior. Both the bad riding AND the blaming everyone else for what happened.

There is another thread on board about a rider who was TE’ed at a HT for a minor offense. The post is about how unfair this was, how unfair the rules are and how the rules should have been bent to allow this rider to compete.

MANY MANY people on this board commiserated with this person, agreeing that it was unfair. I felt bad for the rider, it was the sort of dumbsh!t thing I could see myself doing. But I was appalled at the acceptance of blaming everyone except the rider for the rider’s error.

Laine made some mistakes riding that horse at that fence that day. She has, IMHO, made far more grievous mistakes by blaming the horse and the course (the time to blame the course is BEFORE you ride, when you walk away…but that is another topic).

BUT we all create the culture where people think that this behavior is acceptable when we agree with people that the rules should not have to apply to THEM. Anyone, anywhere from BN to ****. This sport is far too dangerous to let ANYONE think that they are so special that the rules don’t apply…
or that the death of a horse can be explained away.

[Ajierene]

[QUOTE=DustInTime04;3380518]
She clearly has enough to deal with in the public eye, and you have added another horrible accusation.[/QUOTE]

I understand your concern - but she is the one electing to do the interviews, she does not need to be in the public eye at all right now, if she doesn’t want to be. These threads are all started because of interviews for articles and news pieces.

@DustInTime04;3380518

His death was not her fault and yes, she made a huge mistake with Frodo Baggins but how does anybody know that she is not feeling enough remorse? Just because she didn’t show it in the 5 minute interviews? She is on television, and it seems like they’d want to put on a good face, judging by how they’ve positively carried themselves whenever I have seen them at events.

The way she carries herself on TV is going to reflect what most people think of her - inside and outside the horse world. Those that know horses are going to pause at the fact that she seems to be blaming her horse. They are not going to read or even know about the blogs to look up her ‘true feelings’. You are only what people see you as. The mask that you put on will be what people think of you as - Laine and her mother are putting on a mask of indifference, and people are likely to interpret this as being indifferent to the life of their horse. The fact that she mentioned, in the CA interview, that people are against her because she ‘was the youngest person by 8 years on the short list’ makes it appear that she has a chip on her shoulder and cares only about the Olympics, not being a better horsewoman.

[RAyers]

[QUOTE=BarbB;3380548]
I
BUT we all create the culture where people think that this behavior is acceptable when we agree with people that the rules should not have to apply to THEM. Anyone, anywhere from BN to ****. This sport is far too dangerous to let ANYONE think that they are so special that the rules don’t apply…
or that the death of a horse can be explained away.[/QUOTE]

To back this up, like I mentioned earlier, I know of a case where a lower level rider was SUSPENDED for 2 months for the horse having a cut due possibly due to the bit (no veterinary evidence). Suspected abuse. Lets’ see, a rider who, while, yes, hurting the horse tried to keep things slow is punished while Lainey and others, tank a horse (according to eyewitness acounts) and walk away.

Reed

[mythical84]

I agree that Laine should maybe change her PR tactic. There’s much to say for accepting blame (whether you’re completely at fault or not) and laying low for a bit. A small amount of time away from the spotlight can do wonders. Celebs and star athletes have PR reps … seems that Laine and a few other eventers could use one.

Does the USEA have a PR/Marketing person on staff?? It wouldn’t be a bad idea for them to make this person available to eventers in times of crisis. Also, for “elite eventers” a workshop on how to deal with the press would be useful. My uncle in high-up in the army, and he carries around a “media do’s/do not’s” card in his wallet, it’s a basic run down of what to say and not say to the media, along with a few key facts about the army. This could easily be done for star eventers.

[Graymaresrule]

It has been a long time since I evented so take this as youwill.

I looked up LA’s results at the qualifying competitions that were listed for her and Frodo.

It looked like they had at least one refusal on XC in each of them.

If that is indeed the case what the heck was she doing moving up a level?

[pwynnnorman]

@carolprudm;3380668

It has been a long time since I evented so take this as youwill.

I looked up LA’s results at the qualifying competitions that were listed for her and Frodo.

It looked like they had at least one refusal on XC in each of them.

If that is indeed the case what the heck was she doing moving up a level?

Wait a minute. Not defending or denying, but looking at her record, on ALL of her horses, I see a pretty impressive number of NO x-c jump penalties. I’ve never looked at her record before, but it looks pretty complimentary to me, especially her results with younger horses.

Let’s not deny her her due just to beef up the criticism.

[Graymaresrule]

@pwynnnorman;3380898

Wait a minute. Not defending or denying, but looking at her record, on ALL of her horses, I see a pretty impressive number of NO x-c jump penalties. I’ve never looked at her record before, but it looks pretty complimentary to me, especially her results with younger horses.

Let’s not deny her her due just to beef up the criticism.

I am talking specifically about the qualifying *** on Frodo

ETA: if she did go clean at this level on this horse I do sincerely apologize

[NCRider]

I’m with PWynn here. When you first posted that I looked up Frodo’s record on the US Eventing website. No CC jumping penalties at Red Hills this year, none at Fair Hill or Jersey Fresh last year. I don’t understand the need to exaggerate to make the situation seem worse than it is.

[Ajierene]

[QUOTE=carolprudm;3381100]
I am talking specifically about the qualifying *** on Frodo

ETA: if she did go clean at this level on this horse I do sincerely apologize[/QUOTE]

I double checked the 3*'s on the USEA leaderboard. He ran 7 3*'s in the last three years. The first was 60 jump penalties, second is 20 jump penalties, third is clean jumping, fourth 20 jumping penalties, fifth is clean, sixth is clean, Seventh is clean.

She started out with a lot of time faults also, but the last two she did she had under 10 time faults. She did have time faults on every 3*.

EDITED FOR CLARIFICATION

[piaffeprincess98]

[QUOTE=AKDragooPhoto;3380485]
I am sure it is not. Lauren was facing to the left. I was at Jersey Fresh too, and was at the fence.[/QUOTE]
Oh, to me it looked like the same accident. The rider looks like she was pinned under like Lauren was. Photos can be reversed too, but who knows.

[Graymaresrule]

@Ajierene;3381144

I double checked the 3*'s on the USEA leaderboard. He ran 4 3*'s in the last three years. The first was 60 jump penalties, second is 20 jump penalties, third is clean jumping, fourth 20 jumping penalties, fifth is clean, sixth is clean, Seventh is clean.

She started out with a lot of time faults also, but the last two she did she had under 10 time faults. She did have time faults on every 3*.

I do not understand. You say he ran in 4 *** but give the results for 7

[Ajierene]

[QUOTE=carolprudm;3381201]
I do not understand. You say he ran in 4 *** but give the results for 7[/QUOTE]

Sorry, initially I thought it was 4, but when I looked again, I missed a few-some of them are written a bit differently. I didn’t realize that I didn’t change it.

Editing it now.

[Graymaresrule]

@Ajierene;3381223

Sorry, initially I thought it was 4, but when I looked again, I missed a few-some of them are written a bit differently. I didn’t realize that I didn’t change it.

Editing it now.

In that case I do apologize. I did not find all the ***'s Frodo completed

[Ajierene]

[QUOTE=carolprudm;3381247]
In that case I do apologize. I did not find all the ***'s Frodo completed[/QUOTE]

Yeah, some are written differently - originally I found the 4, two of which were ones with jumping penalties. The other three, one had jumping penalties, but she did get better.

Here’s the link so you can look yourself.

http://useventing.com/competitions.php?id=831&horse_id=84995

Having to decipher the little titles above the horse’s name can be tough… makes me feel like I need glasses.

[LexInVA]

[QUOTE=mythical84;3380649]
I agree that Laine should maybe change her PR tactic. There’s much to say for accepting blame (whether you’re completely at fault or not) and laying low for a bit. A small amount of time away from the spotlight can do wonders. Celebs and star athletes have PR reps … seems that Laine and a few other eventers could use one.

Does the USEA have a PR/Marketing person on staff?? It wouldn’t be a bad idea for them to make this person available to eventers in times of crisis. Also, for “elite eventers” a workshop on how to deal with the press would be useful. My uncle in high-up in the army, and he carries around a “media do’s/do not’s” card in his wallet, it’s a basic run down of what to say and not say to the media, along with a few key facts about the army. This could easily be done for star eventers.[/QUOTE]

The USEF doesn’t really have PR folk (except for whatever committees come together for the specific purpose of promotion) but what they do have on their staff are marketing people who deal (primarily) with the business relationships that are formed with sponsors and such. From what I know, they focus on the membership and horse industry. In reality, they are not any any different than other NGBs in that regard, but unfortunately, the big problem that keeps coming back to kick their balls is the lack of visibility and sponsorship in general that equestrian sports have to deal with compared to sports like soccer, football, etc. which not only have televised events on a regular basis but are also commonplace enough in the public eye due to the large number of participants in youth and high school teams that PR and sponsorship is not a big issue for the sports when everything takes care of itself.

As far as press training goes, that would be nice and I think it’s a good idea but it just won’t fly because the mindset (or at least the one that I see expressed from the USEF’s own DOC) is that they (top equestrian athletes) feel they shouldn’t have to bother with the press and there’s always been apprehension about outside scrutiny. The idea several years ago was that everything would fall into place after the USEF came about and the international success that came from the Olympics would bring them what they were hoping for but it just hasn’t happened yet.

[AlexMakowski]

unfortunately the video is currently posted on youtube of their fall. It doesnt seem like the horses was ducking out, but the rpm’s were defiently there. Heart breaking.

[AKDragooPhoto]

Lindsay,

I stand corrected. I am at home and holding the magazine as I look at my photos. You are correct.

Amy

[piaffeprincess98]

[QUOTE=AKDragooPhoto;3381464]
Lindsay,

I stand corrected. I am at home and holding the magazine as I look at my photos. You are correct.

Amy[/QUOTE]
Ok, thanks for the clarification. I’m not good enough to remember what color everyone was wearing, but it just seemed familiar.

[Sannois]

I have to ask this

after reading all that Lainie has said and watch the Virginia interview.
Has she EVER watched the video?? I mean seriously to be at that level and not be honest with yourself and others as to what happened.
To be so flip and non chalant, I got at it wrong, My horse ducks at frames. Christ almighty, the fact that she is alive is amazing, and that poor soul of a horse payed the ultimate price for her bad mistake. Now I am not at all saying that no one makes mistakes, But to be at that level, trying to make a name for yourself in the sport, Honestly It makes me sick. And truly sad. I think Barbb summed it up. It is the mentality today in many young people. Its never there fault. OWN UP to your mistakes, be a bit humble learn from your mistakes, improve, Truthfully, I doubt she learned anything at all, except she has a mom who enables her and she can go on and be in the limelight like nothing ever happened.
I am ranting, sorry but it is certain death for this sport if people like her are in the limelight and are the Darlings of the sport. :no::no::no:

[Phaxxton]

@Sannois;3381972

after reading all that Lainie has said and watch the Virginia interview.
Has she EVER watched the video?? I mean seriously to be at that level and not be honest with yourself and others as to what happened.
To be so flip and non chalant, I got at it wrong, My horse ducks at frames. Christ almighty, the fact that she is alive is amazing, and that poor soul of a horse payed the ultimate price for her bad mistake. Now I am not at all saying that no one makes mistakes, But to be at that level, trying to make a name for yourself in the sport, Honestly It makes me sick. And truly sad. I think Barbb summed it up. It is the mentality today in many young people. Its never there fault. OWN UP to your mistakes, be a bit humble learn from your mistakes, improve, Truthfully, I doubt she learned anything at all, except she has a mom who enables her and she can go on and be in the limelight like nothing ever happened.
I am ranting, sorry but it is certain death for this sport if people like her are in the limelight and are the Darlings of the sport. :no::no::no:

I agree that it’s a horrible mentality, but it isn’t one reserved for young people. It’s a maturity issue… and I know plenty of horse people nearing their 70s who take about as little responsibility for things and Laine appears to be doing for her accident. Let’s not blame young people - let’s blame immature and irresponsible people. They come in all ages.