Maybe we need facial recognition software instead or in addition to of a chip scanner?? 
I don’t know whether there is facial recognition software to ID the horse? If so maybe we can go without numbers? And save ten cents per competitor and the stress of sending someone running back to the stall if you forget to put it on the bridle or have the wrong one? And improve the show’s carbon footprint by not needing the cardboard numbers, which may or may not get recycled? (just kidding of course, but someday it may come to this; if so I will probably retire as a volunteer and leave it to the generation that prefers expensive technology to a list on a clipboard)
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What the actual F did this thread devolve into?
The comments about a mother’s postpartum choices on the ears of this adoptee… 
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ok this I can get behind 
Another solution – Maybe we can license the sales of mobile robots that can a) hold on to the numbers, keep up with the numbers, know where each number should be and when, and turn up at the right place and time with the number, and … b) will also trundle back to the trailer or barn to find that number that someone’s best friend or mom was supposed to hold to give over at warm-up but forgot about … A robot technology upgrade designed to not scare the horses! 
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It’s been coming apart faster all the time … there are some useful bits still clinging to the rim …
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At this point I think I would rather be raised by an elephant
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I see that some people do like to yammer on borderline hysterically about points they claim to be missing. Sick face, laughing face, double crying laughing face, etc etc
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Once again, an Olympian proves they are not someone to look up to or emulate.
I was a WS for an Olympian who put gravel in the horses’ mouths to stop the grinding. Then did the noseband and flash up as tight as they could be levered. Including cinching up the strap over the poll.
Just horrifying what the poor horses are subjected to when the rider is “single-minded, driven, and doesn’t come from wealth”. (I am deeply ashamed of the things I did in that program. I started there as a very naive teen, and idolized an Olympian who “obviously knew better” than me.)
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Its devolved into a hate on for several riders it seems, which is pretty disappointing from a group that generally prides itself on its friendliness. I’ve seen this happen over the years with several riders.
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It takes more than two hands to count the number of times I have seen event riders stuff arena sand into the horses mouth to hide any sort of blood or imperfection, so I can’t even imagine the number of pure dressage riders who do this. CM is certainly guilty of the sand trick.
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I’m not saying that “hating” on anyone is a positive but in a couple cases folks speaking out about improper treatment (of horses or humans) has been correct.
From the highlights:
ML - Proven to be abusive, but largely swept under the rug
Andrew - Valid
Denny (Me Too offender)
I mean, I don’t love false rumors but when it’s real and it prevents misery for horses or people, I’m thankful someone said something.
Em
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It just blows my mind that professional riders would stuff sand and gravel (or anything) into a horse’s mouth. SMH
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I believe they were supporting between 3 and 6 for some time before they said they would only keep the one.
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Stuffing sand or gravel into a horse’s mouth to win a ribbon.
I was already disgusted with dish soap, and I suppose I should have anticipated it would only get worse.
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Yeah, makes putting marshmallow fluff on the mouth sound positively beneficial. At least the horses get a sweet treat.
No wonder the company of animals is preferable to that of many people. 
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Yes, I believe it was something like that. They were supporting her more when she was younger, which makes sense.
The girl is only 30.
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Agreed. Trying to fake a happy mouth is pretty sad, but I always though it was wild how people went absolutely bonkers over the marshmallow thing. Unfortunately, that’s not the worst thing that happens to them.
I remember once wrapping a bit in a fruit roll up for a young horse that was a bit fussy putting it in his mouth. He loved it honestly haha.
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the majority of CM’s UL horses are partnered with her mother. So her family is still supporting her business. They have very deep pockets for sure.
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perhaps I have missed some of the last few days posts or have misread your post, but I hope no one is excusing bad behaviour by a girl who is “only” 30 y.o.
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No one was excusing alleged bad behavior because of her age.
It was in regard to the former parental support. People saying her family has supported her in the past. Well yeah, they supported her through her young rider years, but she started her business to support herself because they backed way off. (As parents should IMO)
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See this is the kind of post that evolves into rumors about other riders… a person says X rider and then it ends up that another rider is the one who does this nonsense. I was taken aback when a dressage trainer friend was talking about marshmallow fluff was used by some at dressage show -I have a hard enough time finding it to make Christmas fudge let alone use it on a horse. Frankly in attending events in person or watching live stream - I’ve not personally seen a lot of event horses with the foamy mouths that you see in straight dressage. It would never occur to me to put a handful of sand into a horse’s mouth - who comes up with some of this stuff. You see some “creative” stuff being done in any number of disciplines. Some is just mind blowing.
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