InterWeb Lynch Mobs

Last I was slacking off at work working diligently and live streaming a big dressage festival that was occurring out west. During the I-2 class, a rider entered the ring and proceeded to perform a test that left myself, and many others, shocked. I mean, my jaw just about hit my keyboard.

I have been unsure on whether or not to blog about this. My intention is not to start an internet lynch mob directed at this lady. Mostly because there already is one. She is an influential Beverly Hills producer, and thus has the money to just keep buying super nice horses and move up through the levels. She is "skipping to the end" so to speak, as the horse she was showing is a CCI5* GP competitor from Germany. So, I'm am sure he probably cost a little more than Hampton.

However, somewhere along the way she neglected to learn the basics of dressage for herself.

I am not defending this lady. Yes her riding was bad, but that's one thing (my riding is bad at times, too). But her outright disregard for her horse was appalling. And even more so, there is a trainer who sent her in like this. And there are judges who let her continue. And a TD her let her continue.

She did get eliminated (I believe for taking her hand off the reins multiple times), but that was after her ride. It was too late to spare the horse.

And THEN the ride was DELETED from the FB page that had the live stream. SHADY.

It made me so sad that no one - not the rider, trainer, judges, TD - NO ONE - stood up for this horse. She was frustrated and took it out on him - multiple times - and it was beyond inappropriate.

I have enormous empathy for people who have bad rides. We have ALL been there. But this was a different animal. I honestly have never seen the likes of it.

But also ... and perhaps it's because my emotions are a little fragile these days - I felt hesitant to blast her on the internet. Does she deserve an internet lynch mob? Does she deserve all these comments you see? (And that's just what I've found on FB). I don't know this lady. Is she truly that abusive? What else is going on in her life that she lost so much composure? Did her trainer tell her it was ok?

I don't know her situation. I know she is being judged harshly by the public on her rides at that show. One of which in my opinion included moments of outright abuse.

But then again ... have I one-handed whipped a horse? Yup. Have I bumped one a little too hard with my spurs? Yup. Have I had moments I instantly regretted? Yup. Not at a show, or in pubic mind you. But yeah, I've lost my temper with a horse. I'm not proud of it. But I'll admit to it.

So what do you think? Does she deserve such public shaming? Was it abuse? What can we do as a sport to prevent this in the future?

More on this topic at the COTH forum. And Writing Riding blog.

Insane in the membrane

The Porkchop has been back to work for a little while. Now that temps are warmer than Antarctica.

He actually back back into work fairly good. He feels good, but we are both out of shape. So when he turned into World's Most Ridiculous Horse on Tuesday I couldn't help but laugh.

Anyone else have a 10-year-old FEI horse that loses steering? How about flags his tail and snorts? Or bolts for no reason? How about when you get off to lunge a bit, does your horse TAKE OFF and drag you - skiing - all the way to the other end of the arena?

No? Anyone else?

The blur would be my horse going nuts on the lunge

Before I went for a ski.

Hampton is a wonderful, good boy 95% of the time. But I try to be honest on this blog and I will say that when he cannot horse, he really cannot horse. I couldn't even be mad at him. He had just lost his ever-loving mind.

Please don't call PETA on me for the next photo, but this is how I finally got him stopped after he was bolting all over the arena with me hanging on for dear life on the other end of the lunge. He was spinning in circles and got the line all wrapped up under the saddle and across his nose.

Well shit Hampton, this wasn't my fault dude.

*ROLLS EYES*

I for sure wasn't about to let go because he was wearing HIS BRAND NEW BRIDLE and I did not want him to take off around the farm and break it. So yes, I held on like a goddamn champ.

STILL SNORTING at things after all that.
But, NEW BRIDLE IS PRETTY.

And thankfully, for our lesson on Wednesday I had my Porkchop back. Brains and all.

Review on the new bridle coming up AND - notes on the Charlotte Dujardin clinic I audited!

Down the Fence

Just watched an outstanding documentary on Netflix.

Down the Fence is about the Reined Cow Horse competitions, but it applies to all of us. Some really great interviews, footage and emotion.

I give it 4 stars!

Paging my blogger friends

Traditional New Year's Day ride. Too cold to even put on tack.

Hope everyone had a great New Years!

I fell asleep around 10 pm with my cat in my lap. I'm not sad about it either haha.

I need to pick your brains on something.

I am going to start a memorial scholarship/grant in my father's name for the Indiana Dressage Society. I haven't presented anything to the board yet, mostly because I need more ideas. Bloggers to the rescue!

I was thinking something for a Jr/YR or AA, someone who trains their own horse. I don't think I will limit it to any certain level, but you do have to have a required amount of volunteer hours with IDS.

Huh. We were showing PSG this summer. Hopefully all that training is under
all those layers still?

I'd really love more ideas on what grants you think would be most beneficial? Is there a niche missing? I really want this grant to go to someone hardworking and deserving, not a big name pro or trust fund baby who has everything paid for already.

No such thing as a dumb suggestion so throw them my way! :)

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In other news I am OVER this cold snap and Hampton needs to go back to work badly. He is snorty and obnoxious these days. Oh he had his hocks injected again so now he feels REALLY good .#possiblyneedaneckstrap lol