Terranova-Lauren Nicholson what happened?

[McGurk]

Sorry, that was rhetorical. I am well aware.

I spent the previous weekend grooming and coaching one horse and rider pair at a one day event and was exhausted from all the walking and horse care.

Now, I am old and not a professional groom. I need to work on my stud technique, because it takes me forever to put studs in/take studs out on one horse.

I also think riding an advanced XC 7 times in one day, or as I see from the schedule at Terra Nova, they split the FEI and National levels up, so a rider might have 4 XC rounds and 3 SJ on Saturday, and 3 XC rounds on 4 SJ on Sunday. That is in no way analogous to even the hardest working H/J pro.

I am in awe of the skills and organization it takes to compete that many horses, at that level, in a single weekend.

[Pennywell_Bay]

On the situation with the officials, one general reminder: if Exhibitor A is suspected of breaking the rules and the TDs or Stewards are notified, an appropriate investigation or fact-finding process begins. If Exhibitor B approaches the TD/Steward for information about the situation, it’s important to understand that the officials can’t and shouldn’t share details about how the matter is being handled. Regardless of how well-known Exhibitor A or B may be in the eventing community, the process must remain impartial and based on facts. The system of repercussions exists to ensure fairness and consistency, not speculation or assumption — even when “everyone knows” what might have happened.

[Rel6]

To me, that kind of post invites even more speculation and seems incredibly ominous.

It seems clear from Lauren’s post that there were several issues, including: (1) an official started counting down a rider incorrectly for XC, the rider corrected them, and then had to go back re-warm up as a result; and (2) riders who raised horse welfare issues being ignored. Lauren managed to say these two things happened and need to be addressed within the confines of a strict social media policy, which I applaud her for.

[pony_grandma]

@Texarkana

Last year at KY it seemed like every other horse lost a shoe on course.

And they sell them as souvenirs at the Campground Office

[hopashore1]

For me, the issue here though is it is totally unclear who the audience of her post is or what the takeaway is. If the audience is the FEI, I doubt they’re reading it, unless she had posted enough to fall under their social media policy and it was brought to their attention.

That leaves several potential “actual” audiences, but where no clear action items are stated:

• Other professionals/attendees of the show who are in the “know” of what actually happened. Is this an ask for more people to reach out to the FEI with their concerns so an investigation/better training on the rules could happen?

• Her social media followers who are “not” in the know (probably most of us here) and have no idea what happened and could in no way advocate for any of these changes without more information

• Event organizers who could…I don’t know? Request different FEI staffing? Do more to help competitors navigate with the FEI?

It’s clear at least two potentially discrete events happened where she was unsatisfied (rightly or wrongly) with the FEI response, but the vague-ness makes it hard for those not in the know to take anything to any other level or advocate for any change or understand the actual “purpose” of her posting, other than just to get something off her chest.

[alyssaequestrian]

@lizloveshorses

you could give context to how you know Lauren’s post is about one of the riders who was riding multiple horses in each division?

Its not fully inferred from Lauren’s post that this is who it is about, but eyewitnesses state this individual was who Lauren confronted for her behavior to her horse. So the person being referenced in Shamrockers post is the one who Lauren brought to the officials attention for her behavior and the officials did nothing about it… again…

[Baybear]

When a former trainer competed my horse I’m not sure who was more tired, me the “groom” or the rider. LOL. Both of us are in the “boomer” category LOL.

I too am in awe of the skills and organization it takes with any of these pro riders. To add, at the few events I volunteer, several pro riders often opt to send their grooms w/ tack in our shuttle to their trailers/stabling while they stay and look after their horse, walk them back and get ready for their next ride. I have a lot of admiration for those riders.

[MHM]

@pony_grandma

@Texarkana

Last year at KY it seemed like every other horse lost a shoe on course.

And they sell them as souvenirs at the Campground Office

And in the gift shops at Keeneland and the airport.

[Ottbaxel]

@alyssaequestrian

eyewitnesses state

I feel like I’ve missed something - did the eyewitnesses post in this thread or do you know this by word of mouth or something?

Has anyone actually explicitly said who this is allegedly about yet?

[Djones]

@shamrocker58

Lauren uses discretion in calling out riders, which is very professional of her. It is great to see her speaking out in a sport where VIP riders rule the roost and not in a positive way. One of the riders, rides multiple horses in each division, that should give you a clue on who this person is.

Bingo.

I was not there, but there’s a well known female rider competing on very nice horses on the global stage with a well earned reputation of chicanery that the FEI chooses to overlook.

Why would Lauren risk getting in trouble when the real troublemaker is getting away with serious horsemanship faults and terrible decisions? The whole system is broken.

[shamrocker58]

You hit the nail on the head!!

[Texarkana]

@Djones

I was not there, but there’s a well known female rider competing on very nice horses on the global stage with a well earned reputation of chicanery that the FEI chooses to overlook.

Why would Lauren risk getting in trouble when the real troublemaker is getting away with serious horsemanship faults and terrible decisions? The whole system is broken.

I can think of another female rider (who was most definitely not at Terranova) for whom this would apply.

But the person to whom I assume you are referring tends to be on the up and up IME.

[Old_Mac_Donald]

As someone with no clue, is the person in question… competing under a USA flag?

[Ghazzu]

@MNEventer

The FEI social media policy is nonsense and shouldn’t exist. Given that their commitment to actual horse welfare can most charitably be described as tepid, it says a lot that they’re more concerned about policing what riders can and cannot say.

Given their abysmal record with endurance horses, I’d say “tepid” is overly generous.

[enjoytheride]

Yes

[Djones]

@Texarkana

I can think of another female rider (who was most definitely not at Terranova) for whom this would apply.

But the person to whom I assume you are referring tends to be on the up and up IME

Anyone who was not competing at Terranova is not the person of concern.

[McGurk]

The person based in Texas that has a whole thread here devoted to her conduct was definitely not at Terra Nova.

[Texarkana]

I am not referring to the person based in Texas nor was I suggesting the person I hinted at was involved with Lauren’s post.

But I’m pretty sure who is allegedly getting thrown under the bus here and I’m not cool with it.

[Djones]

What are you bothered by?

[Texarkana]

@Djones

What are you bothered by?

Accusations of poor horsemanship or endangered equine welfare by this individual.

I feel like that is petty and undeserved.

I do feel like this person gets continued flack for perceived favoritism.