Side note: BN named a horse/pony Baby Gage. Insert vomit emoticon.
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Apropos of nothing, but what is TSâs relation to Louise, if there is one?
They were married a long time ago
What a sad person she is.
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Ah yes - the ranting about pro football being responsible for vaginas being inflicted on innocent American children and the likeâŠ
It seems that the alleged âskankyâ behavior is not coming from COTH posters in their measured discussion⊠some have a very odd idea of âentertainmentâ.
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[Posting as an alter for the sake of privacy]
I rode and boarded at Kathyâs barn in WV during the late 90s/early 2000s. I wouldnât say she was a ânobodyâ (she has always ridden beautifully and if I recall correctly, she did fairly well and even won some big classes here and there) but she certainly wasnât well-known like she is now. She and her husband worked incredibly hard to build their farm, but in the end I think it became too much. During the winter of 2001-2002 when she was at the FL winter circuit, she decided she wasnât coming home. It was beyond devastating for everyone she left behind, especially her non-horsey husband, who was forced to close down the barn and ultimately sell it. The whole thing was horrible and sad.
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I think a lot of it is the stress of cash flow. At the top of the sport, you can make a lot of money - but the cash flow out is pretty serious too, for the farm, the employees, the rent, the show bills. When your ability to make the next set of bills you have to pay is on the shoulders of one young horse going around well this weekend so it will be sold, the ethics get pretty thin. How much harm will come to this horse from this little shot versus what will happen if I miss the loan payment and payroll? And once it works out okay, it just encourages the person to do the same thing next time.
On top of that, all the students who grow up with a trainer who teaches you thatâs how you ethically run your business never learn anything different. Knowing that thereâs a rule against it isnât the same as knowing how to ethically and successfully proceed on a different path.
This isnât new. Itâs damning, for example, to read George Morris admitting to drugging horses in his autobiography - while he was on the D&M committee! - because he thought heâd have another few months grace period before the tests were running. Then he let his assistant take the fall. He trained a lot of people how to be horsemen, and I fear his ethics were as much a part of his training as his grooming routines.
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GMâs book also stated that they were spending a million dollars a month to run Hunterdon when he shut it down. I donât doubt that figure as much as I doubt many others in the bookâŠ
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Just my 2 cents: I blame GM for most of the atrocities in hunterland.
Even ignoring the reasons for his suspension or the claims in his book, the way he treats people and his views of how the sport should be conducted are nothing to idolize or emulate. Yes, he brought his genius to hunters⊠but he also created generations of wannabes who think that acting like, pardon my French, aholes or accepting abuse from aholes is how you get to the top. :no:
I think it creates a disconnect that causes even good, honest people to turn a blind eye to a lot of terrible behavior.
This doesnât have much to do with TS except the fact that I blame GM for the fact that so many BNTs are now running scared of SafeSport. Many likely realize their house of cards is about to come tumbling down.
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We have removed or edited some comments or replies to other comments that contained personal insults or unsubstantiated accusations of criminal investigation against named individuals to comply with our posting policies. Users are permitted to discuss news items and and give their opinions of or experiences with related issues/individuals in the industry, but please do so within the guidelines of the site.
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[QUOTE=Moderator 1;n10659683]
We have removed or edited some comments or replies to other comments that contained personal insults or unsubstantiated accusations of criminal investigation against named individuals to comply with our posting policies. Users are permitted to discuss news items and and give their opinions of or experiences with related issues/individuals in the industry, but please do so within the guidelines of the site. [/QUOTE
I think there are still posts remaining that are untrue and perhaps even libelous that should be removed -
Along the vein of finding helpful ways to support SS, I am curious if and how adults review the SS tests with young people so that they have an understanding as to what situations are in violation. Lots of pony kids ride better than adults over complicated courses, so I would hope that they are capable of understanding, in their own way, when they are being taken advantage of. Is there a video on SS that helps children? Helpful suggestions appreciated.
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Are you suggesting that there is a connection between a childâs athletic ability and their ability to recognize and avoid emotional and sexual exploitation by adults with age and power differentials and that puts some (any?) responsibility on such âpony kidsâ to thwart such behaviour?
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There is a reason minors are considered minors by law, and their inability to understand things thoroughly is the reason.
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Just whoa.
Seriously- what is wrong with you? My 6th grader would not think " I ride a course better than my mom. Maybe I need to go out and research Safe Sport." And if someone is nice to her- she generally thinks âgee- they are being nice to meâ. Not- hmmmm- they complimented my riding- I suspect a pedophile". Her spidey senses are not honed.
Seriously? And we talk about it, have talked about it and will continue. Sheâs 12. Maybe you had super human kids, Iâm lucky if mine remembers to bring down her laundry.
There are resources that include courses for minor athletes. The course(s) requires a parent or legal guardian to create an account and provide consent and what courses are appropriate for their child, based on their age- actual or developmental. Again- parents âdrive the busâ sort to speak because - they ARENâT MINORS.
The courses start at Preschool and are then broken up, K-2, 3-5, Middle School, High School, along with a parent guide.
Your attitude is exactly why we, as a sport, are struggling to protect everyone (especially kids) and be able to make headway in moving forward and improving.
I am an active competitor, as is my kid. Unlike some- I have actually gone through the SS site and looked at the material provided. I suggest some do the same.
You attitude is appalling.
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Tommy catch-rode my OTTB for me at 2 KY shows about 16 years ago. My horse did not behave well and at no point did Tommy recommend drugging or lunging to death. In fact, my older trainer even asked it there was something we could give my horse that wasnât yet deemed to be illegal. Tommy said no. I also spent some time around Tommy in Florida. I have never seen him to be anything but a gentleman and consummate horseman. My big question is would he risk his livelihood and life for drugging or dalliances? I think not.
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Your exposure to the real world must be extremely limited for you to ask this question.
Thereâs not enough storage space on the COTH web site to list all the eminently successful businessmen, elected officials, sports figures, and entertainment personalities who have risked their livelihood, reputation, and life for drugs, dalliances, and a whole host of other illegal or unethical activities.
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NoSuchPerson. Do you know Tommy?
Whattttt???
Because a child can ride better than you they should understand when theyâre being preyed upon?
Thatâs just messed up. And contributes towards victim blaming in such a blatant way. âWell, she ribboned at pony finals, she should have known her trainer was just trying to take advantage of her by showing her extra attention.â WTF?
Heck there are adults who donât fully understand theyâre being manipulated because the manipulator or exploiter is so deft. Children do not have the capacity to understand this. Thatâs why theyâre children and protected by the law.
I just canât even.
@Bascule Baby your attitude too contributes to the overall issues. Just because you had a good interaction with him does not mean that TS has not done bad things. No personâs experience with someone invalidates someone elseâs. A serial killer may be the most loving person to his mother or wife or children; that doesnât mean he didnât kill people.
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Do you understand that your response has absolutely nothing to do with what I said?
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