diggerbez
Well-Known Member
Loads of people on this forum were totally shocked. I think a lot of people really thought that Andretti was some kind of failed ex-racer bought for peanuts
why what did she say? clearly i know nothing!
Am I the only person that didn't know...
- Thread starter Seahorse
- Start date
why what did she say? clearly i know nothing!
FrodoBeutlin
Well-Known Member
No, she never said anything at all -- it was forum users. When we were all complaining about the sad state of dressage (in the Totilas "if you can't beat your competitor buy his horse" saga) loads of people were commenting that Britain is so lucky to have a rider like Laura... I do love Laura and she comes across as very passionate and truly in love with her horses, but as far as personal wealth (and how this wealth has influenced and is influencing her career) is concerned she definitely falls in the Matthias Rath, Vici Max-Theurer et al. category. Which, I stress, doesn't take anything away from their ability as riders, but for people to think that in their case money hasn't played a huge role in their success is extremely naive.
As for Andretti, I think it was a thread on HorseHero -- when Laura mentioned in a video that Andretti is 7/8th TB there were loads of enthusiastic comments along the lines of "OMG, what an amazing discovery, how did you find a horse like that" -- really, some people seemed to believe Andy was some kind of failed ex racer miracolously discovered by the Bechtolsheimers and re-trained to excel in dressage, not the former German National Champion / European Championship Finalist / most famous horse on the market which is what he was at the time of the (much-rumoured, multi-million) sale
As for Andretti, I think it was a thread on HorseHero -- when Laura mentioned in a video that Andretti is 7/8th TB there were loads of enthusiastic comments along the lines of "OMG, what an amazing discovery, how did you find a horse like that" -- really, some people seemed to believe Andy was some kind of failed ex racer miracolously discovered by the Bechtolsheimers and re-trained to excel in dressage, not the former German National Champion / European Championship Finalist / most famous horse on the market which is what he was at the time of the (much-rumoured, multi-million) sale
Aperchristmas
Well-Known Member
I didn't know he was gay - or Carl Hester! 
Oh, what a waste for me
Oh, what a waste for me 
Bryndu
Well-Known Member
diggerbez
Well-Known Member
No, she never said anything at all -- it was forum users. When we were all complaining about the sad state of dressage (in the Totilas "if you can't beat your competitor buy his horse" saga) loads of people were commenting that Britain is so lucky to have a rider like Laura... I do love Laura and she comes across as very passionate and truly in love with her horses, but as far as personal wealth (and how this wealth has influenced and is influencing her career) is concerned she definitely falls in the Matthias Rath, Vici Max-Theurer et al. category. Which, I stress, doesn't take anything away from their ability as riders, but for people to think that in their case money hasn't played a huge role in their success is extremely naive.
As for Andretti, I think it was a thread on HorseHero -- when Laura mentioned in a video that Andretti is 7/8th TB there were loads of enthusiastic comments along the lines of "OMG, what an amazing discovery, how did you find a horse like that" -- really, some people seemed to believe Andy was some kind of failed ex racer miracolously discovered by the Bechtolsheimers and re-trained to excel in dressage, not the former German National Champion / European Championship Finalist / most famous horse on the market which is what he was at the time of the (much-rumoured, multi-million) sale
thanks for that FB! i can't believe that anyone would think that they weren't rich...as far as i'm aware 90% of people riding horses at at top levels are rich- now i know that talent is still needed but money must help!
perfect11s
Well-Known Member
OH so if I where have a go at a bit of dressage... the ladys would stop pestering me as they would assume ..... 
Seahorse
Well-Known Member
OH so if I where have a go at a bit of dressage... the ladys would stop pestering me as they would assume .....
you would have to camp it up a bit!
TarrSteps
Well-Known Member
thanks for that FB! i can't believe that anyone would think that they weren't rich...as far as i'm aware 90% of people riding horses at at top levels are rich- now i know that talent is still needed but money must help!
Over all, I'd say most top riders have "middle class" origins (depending a bit on your terms) and have been well supported by their families (even if more in time and effort than money) and possibly provided with a good horse or two growing up, but not in a position to buy their own GP/4* horse outright. However, the sort of people FB mentioned are REALLY rich!
As said, it doesn't take anything away from them - horses don't care if you're rich - but it's naive to think it doesn't help. And all those less wealthy people are using other people's money, which is great if you don't have your own, but the risk is it can go away at any time. I think that's one of the biggest miscalculations people have when they say they want to ride professionally - it's can be heartbreaking. Yes, Edward is perhaps the most well known person to be reminded of that recently, but it happens to everyone.
silver zaanif
Well-Known Member
OH so if I where have a go at a bit of dressage... the ladys would stop pestering me as they would assume .....
or being one of the few thats not you'd be inundated!!
