I think Lesley was at best unprofessional commenting on participants in a lesson she was not part of, the girls involved were right to stand up for themselves. It’s not a great look for Mr Law as he’s mentioned in the post as well. I think Lesley struggles with where she is in life as she often refers to their lack of finances compared to everyone else, this is not a reason though to trash two young girls. An apology would have been appropriate here.
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She’s not alone when it comes to this attitude.
I have recently noticed more and more upper level Eventing pros who seem to be adopting a self pitying attitude on public social media about their lack of support by sponsors with deep pockets. I’ve also heard quite a few comments in private.
In some cases, there is also notable and targeted jealousy for other riders and pros who do have supportive sponsors with deep pockets, or have family backing up their careers.
I can appreciate that it must be frustrating and challenging for many pros, given that the expense involved in sourcing, maintaining and campaigning top notch horses at the upper levels has become more and more prohibitive in recent years.
But the self pitying attitudes are a turn off. And that’s not a good way to attract sponsors…
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Outing the rider sat poorly with me as well. I think you are right when you say the other rider was anonymous to most people outside her inner circle and to me it came across as just a touch whiny. I think people, especially young people, can underestimate just how important things like body language and facial expressions can be and if you look uninterested people often think you are. Having said that I do think that Lesley comments where nasty and mean at times, and didn’t really offer any solutions to the problem she was bringing attention too.
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Lesley has taken up the jumping full time now, an even harder sport to succeed at without big backers than eventing.
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