[QUOTE=trot122;8938756]
I ride Dressage, and I’ve gotten comments about how it’s a "gay sport and men who ride Dressage and horses are gay, where did this stigma come from? Is it because we wear tight white breeches and tall boots? I have nothing against people who are gay, I’m not gay myself though.[/QUOTE]
Why do you consider gay to be a stigma?
[QUOTE=belgianWBLuver;8938806]
Did you vote for Trump?? :lol: :lol: :lol:[/QUOTE]
Let me guess. You one of those self-righteous Hillary voters who tries to turn every single discussion on any topic into a chance to slam Trump or anyone else who doesn’t share your particular world view. Am I correct?
Otherwise, why make such an odd comment that has nothing to do with the topic at hand?
[QUOTE=Can’tFindMyWhip;8939346]
This phenomenon that the OP is describing is probably a reflection on the American ideals of masculinity rather than dressage or the American equestrian community itself.
Most of the hetero men that I know who ride are eventers or show jumpers or fox hunters. They’re out there doing tough men stuff, going fast and jumping big things. [/QUOTE]
Exactly. Most boys/men prefer rough and tumble stuff, and the ones that are into horses tend to like eventing, jumping, or western stuff like reining, cutting, etc., more so than dressage. A friend of mine (straight male eventing rider) used to say - “Dressage is too cerebral for most men.” 
I know quite a few of gay, American, men who ride dressage. Also many who are not. Like figure skating it is artistic and cerebral. It doesn’t necessarily attract the yahoo, cowboy type of rider. Anyone who thinks all men dressage riders are gay most likely thinks all women tennis and basketball players are gay also. It reflects on the observer.
[QUOTE=Reynard;8939641]
Why do you consider gay to be a stigma?[/QUOTE]
I don’t think the OP considers being “gay” to be a stigma. He stated that he has nothing against people who are gay.
I took his post to mean that he has encountered other people who view gay as a stigma as evidenced by their comments about what type of men do dressage.
My friend’s teenage son leased my horse for a bit, and he showed her in English events at 4-H (fun group, not the highest caliber riding). He took lessons from really great area h/j trainers and dressage trainers, and did great in his classes, but the boys picked on him as being gay - bullying people for that is ridiculous, obviously, and in this case, the boy was not gay! Well, he got into bull riding at the local rodeo. And the guy at the local Western store told him the English riders are the best bull riders because of their English training. When he started winning in bull riding, the kids stopped picking on him. And his mom and I had a laugh - in his last show with my mare, he had a gaggle of young girls following him around, while he showed English during the day and rode bulls in the evening:)
Anyway, sad but true stigma on orientation of male riders in the US, but the stereotype is based on what seem to be real percentages. Not sure why since equestrian sport derives from military training? I don’t know if the perception pushes straight men away from the sport(s)? But I’ve heard the saying quite often that most English riders (all disciplines) are either gay, married, or both…
It is funny that this perception persists, given that two of our top male US riders and recent male dressage Olympians (Steffen Peters and Michael Barisone) are decidedly NOT gay.
[QUOTE=Mardi;8939523]
??? It must be funny because of all the laugh icons, but I don’t get it. :([/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=DownYonder;8939675]Let me guess. You one of those self-righteous Hillary voters who tries to turn every single discussion on any topic into a chance to slam Trump or anyone else who doesn’t share your particular world view. Am I correct?
Otherwise, why make such an odd comment that has nothing to do with the topic at hand?[/QUOTE]
No - its because here in the states I’ve heard a lot of Trump enthusiasts bash gays as if it is a stigma.
When in fact, Who the H*LL CARES if a rider is gay or straight? In the dressage business all we want are talented, patient riders and trainers. Right???
The OP is a troll IMO and is enjoying this thread…
[QUOTE=Mardi;8939523]
??? It must be funny because of all the laugh icons, but I don’t get it. :([/QUOTE]
Probably because our VP-elect, Mr. Pence, believes that “conversion therapy” (a very harmful and discredited idea) for gays works.
I know quite a few straight male dressage and jumper riders. I also happen to be married to one :winkgrin:
I do think, though, that as men are far outnumbered by women in the sport, if a male is looking for a partner, riding would be a great hobby to start.
[QUOTE=Goforward;8940964]
I know quite a few straight male dressage and jumper riders. I also happen to be married to one :winkgrin:
I do think, though, that as men are far outnumbered by women in the sport, if a male is looking for a partner, riding would be a great hobby to start.[/QUOTE]
A friend of mine was thrilled when one of his sons took up riding in college and started meeting girls that way. He figured it would finally be a way to get his kids out of the house. 
Stop feeding the troll…it’s probably past his bedtime anyway:cool:
To the poster that suggested dressage isn’t rough and tumble. … the power of a jumper coiled up like a loaded spring. Appearances are deceiving and training can be full contact. Mr Gal has my respect.
[QUOTE=stoicfish;8941503]
To the poster that suggested dressage isn’t rough and tumble. … the power of a jumper coiled up like a loaded spring. Appearances are deceiving and training can be full contact. Mr Gal has my respect.[/QUOTE]
Wasn’t there a horse who even Edward Gal was afraid of riding so he had Hans Minderhood ride it for a short time? Maybe that was Toto even?
[QUOTE=RPM;8939552]
I hope you’re talking about barn kitties! :eek: Because if you’re talking about human beings, that is a very sexist remark.[/QUOTE]
:lol::lol: I remember a young man who did dressage and evented, a friend remarked that some of his peers wondered, that is till they went to a competition and the guys realized how many young ladies were available to discuss tests, and walk courses with his friend. 
So, I’m going to be a pollyanna here and say that maybe the perception that many male dressage riders are gay is the result of the horse show community being open minded enough that gay men feel it’s unnecessary to hide their orientation.
Or maybe we just are more interested in a rider/trainer’s ability, work ethic and honesty than in what gender they are attracted to.
What a concept.
Perhaps because you prefer women’s breeches.
http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?502711-New-rider-questions-about-breeches
If you and the pee my pants troll were one and the same, I wouldn’t be surprised.
It’s a rumor started by the straight men to scare other straight men off so they have their pick of the 1000000 of ladies to choose from :lol:
[QUOTE=SnicklefritzG;8942325]
It’s a rumor started by the straight men to scare other straight men off so they have their pick of the 1000000 of ladies to choose from :lol:[/QUOTE]
So true :lol:
I only know one male dressage rider who is gay. And he’s awesome :D.
I have ridden with four male dressage trainers. Two of them international. All straight.
Ask me how I know. (Just kidding ;))
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