Did you read the reason this person was suspended? Beating a horse all the way back to stabling and then slamming a door on it on purpose. Is that a “correction” to you? The horse knows that its rider slamming a door closed on it’s hip was in relation to what happened on XC hours ago?
If we ignore this kind of abuse, then no, we won’t be able to ride horses at all soon.
Ok let’s re-read the posted paragraph on USEF. because there is NO mention of time nor of XC. Nor did it say she “Beat it all the way back to stabling.”
“in that on or about April 13, 2024, immediately following her third refusal (and elimination) from Stadium Jumping at the Twin Rivers Spring International Horse Trials, she vigorously struck the horse, LIL’ BUNNY FOO FOO, with the crop three times on the right hind end. As she was exiting the competition arena and going to the stall, she took her aggressions out on the horse by repeatedly whipping the horse, punitively pulling on the reins and forcefully spurring the horse. While in the stall, she continued to strike the horse with the whip and backed up the horse into a corner by pulling on its head using the halter and lead until the horse was showing visible signs of fear and distress. Finally, while leading the horse out of its stall prior to her departure from the competition grounds, she slammed the stall door on the horse’s hips.”
Your own paraphrasing of a statement that you can read and see is the point. YOU in the retelling MADE the story worse than what’s there. THIS IS MY POINT. This is what will be able to happen all the time.
And what I was saying wasn’t related to this person, their horse, or their lack of ability to handle being eliminated. It was speaking hypothetically about any person being ‘upset’ to the point of claiming abuse for something they saw and perceived as abuse that may not be. Think of the fall out from the Mark Todd Clinic and the branch by the water jump.
Em
WHAT? It was after stadium jumping rather than XC?! That’s so much less bad! By all means, whip the shit out of the 21 year old thoroughbred then!
/s
I understand outing professionals who are not being suspended for abusing horses.
I don’t understand thrashing an adult amateur on SM when she has been suspended. Everyone at the show either saw or heard about it. Her coach and/or friends were probably mortified and either ostracized her or made strong comments about the behavior. I would think that she knows (by now) that her behavior is clearly abusive and completely unacceptable by any standard. I hope she steps away from horses until she gets help w/ her anger issues and the ability to put competitions into perspective - aka - they just aren’t that serious… I think any horseperson recognizes that - in this particular case - this is straight up abuse. I’m sure most in her area already know… hopefully there is enough peer/social pressure that it never ever happens again and that she rides in a public barn. Why the need to discuss it nationally?
If she is a trainer or instructor - then my tune will change - people need to know…
What I don’t understand is why people who think taking their anger out on horses is acceptable behavior think that they will get away with with no lasting consequences, ESPECIALLY when it’s done in public.
I do not believe anyone who is actually thinking takes their anger out on their horse, so I doubt anyone is thinking far enough to think it is acceptable.
Nobody’s trashing her. She did it to herself through her own behavior.
And if she knew her behavior was abusive she probably would not have done it in the first place.
I doubt it will cease she will just be more judicious in the future about her spleen venting on her animals
uhhhh
You’re totally right, my being wrong (I admit I got that mixed up) about where she was beating the horse on the way back from made it MUCH WORSE.
It’s much better to beat the ever loving shit out of your horse on the way back from SJ, then in it’s stall, then slam a door on it while loading it, than it is from XC.
Are you suggesting it’s not as bad because it’s presumably a shorter distance and thus makes the beating less enduring than a longer walk?
Suspending someone for a use of the whip for correction is a long way from what is happening here, no matter if it’s on the way back from XC or SJ. We can either make some lines in the sand and enforce them ourselves, or someone else will do it for us.
Ok, how do you interpret this, if not that she was beating the horse all the way back to the stabling. She beat him in the arena, on the way back to the stall, and in the stall. To me, that’s all the way back to the stabling…
I edited my post, forgot a “who” and “think” in there that kinda changes what I’m trying to say.
Making people aware that this sort of behavior is being monitored and does have consequences – the formal sort, sanction by the sport’s governing body – is a valid objective. Lots of people think that this sort of behavior goes unpunished. For some, that may normalize it. For others, it undermines trust in the governing bodies.
I don’t think your concerns about subjectivity or undue scrutiny are nearly as relevant when the behavior has been adjudicated by the USEF. This incident was reported to and investigated by the relevant authorities. There was a process through which the person accused of violations could chose to share her side of the story. The “news” being shared on this thread is about the outcome of that process. That is very different than unsubstantiated or unreliable reports by individuals who may or may not have agendas.
I don’t think calling attention to the fact that the USEF takes mistreatment of horses seriously and imposes consequences when it occurs is going to subject the sport to more bad press or undue attention – perhaps the opposite.
Someone must have said something at the time – at least one person reported the behavior to the relevant authorities.
I don’t share your sense that discussing this months later is inappropriate, either. It might have been inappropriate to “blast” the behavior of an amateur before the USEF ruling, but discussing the ruling – the outcome of the process we agree to when we enter sanctioned competitions – seems fair to me. One of the consequences of breaking the rules is public sanction. Discussing that is not only fair, but can help others who were not involved understand the process and the potential consequences.
That poor horse. With a temper like that, this rider does not belong around animals. If that is how she behaves in public, I can imagine she is even worse at home.
Why give her a pass because she’s an amateur? This is is a big country. People move. People travel to buy horses. Just because she does it for “fun” and not money doesn’t mean I want to sell her a horse any more than I want to sell one to Andrew McConnon.
Fair enough - IMHO the suspension and the fact that probably everyone in her area knows is sufficient. The thread here, to ME, is a bit of a pile on but I do understand why.
USEF suspensions always “name names”.
yes, it will be done in secret now. This person sounds like someone who had a lot tied to the outcome, whether it were ego, finances, pride, etc., does it matter? That horse did not deserve what happened. As Annie10 said, this has come to light only because of what that person actually did. I personally feel horrible for that poor horse who may have just not been physically up to the challenge, or could have been sore or any number of reasons. If my horse doesn’t go well at an event I ONLY look at our circumstances…was he fit enough? Did he show any signs of discomfort coming into this competition? Did he travel well? and on and on I could go. I have evolved to a point where my tendency to blame the horse is literally almost 0%. This person does not deserve excuses.
Shame only USEF members can see them though.
Yes, but the information is available for anyone competing in USEF shows or who coughs up $15 to be a “fan member”.
Some due diligence is required. People shouldn’t choose to be ignorant when they are paying for expert advice.
Maybe its informative for other amateur riders in other areas to learn USEF will do something about abusive behaviors; it may embolden another to report abuse if they know something will be done about it.
If the only coverage of USEF is how they dither around about suspending big name (male) trainers, one might not believe its useful to report abuse. This shows it could be.
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