Ben & Kathleen in mail on Sunday

cheap. tacky. Un thoughtful. desperate. Very sad state of affairs!
It does not bring anything to the SJ arena let alone the equestrian world. What a shame that although found not guilty of domestic/assault they feel the need to launch a public one to set the record straight obviously on someone. Are they not guilty? By our laws, yes? Does this article give a better perspective? No. Its two people telling a story from their words and experiences, I am sure grooms every where have a comment on this, as the daily printed it and Maher has not stood up to say that 99.9% of grooms do not sleep or feel the need to sleep with SJ's to get to the top. It is insulting to those that work in the profession,without those people, he wouldn't or couldn't be without. Not a fan Mr Maher! Thank you though for not correcting those at the mail for those that have e given years of service to international SJ and not expecting a shag/relationship/marriage in return. In one artilel you managed to cheap so many. A letter to H&H is on its way. what a fool
 
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grooms are low down the food chain.

whereas models who spread their legs in their slightly saggy red nylon undies are the absolute cherry on the top of the ethical trifle, I suppose.

I'm sure she loves him for his looks alone.

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What do looks matter? And I certainly wouldn't think I was above the likes of an exotic dancer or glamour model.

Am I the only groom (former in eventing and current in point to pointing) who is not in the slightest offended by the DM's comments on grooms?
 
PMSL skewbald, i love you! have you been away? i have missed your unique take on life recently!
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and severnmiles i am not sure how you cant be insulted by the comments. Unless of course, its because you realise that people who display such appaling ignorance about grooms in general are beaneath notice and in fact need to be pitied.
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you might think differently if it had been matt and marie saying it about you after you had worked for them, not that i could see either of them tarring the whole groom population with that sort of tag even if they had fallen out with one of them.
anyway i hear on good authorty that some license was taken with that article and that Ben has asked the Mail to issue an apology.
 
Firstly I doubt Ben actually said, or perhaps I'm naive in thinking he wouldn't.

Secondly if M &/or M said that about grooms I still wouldn't be insulted. I guess with me it only touches a raw nerve if there is a slight truth in what's said.
 
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What do looks matter?

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They don't, but be honest, if that adoring look in the kitchen is all about his godlike profile, I hope there's a nice warm spot near the Aga for her guide dog. I'm not saying he's not a very nice bloke (I am famous for not knowing anyone famous, I wouldn't know him from Adam) Indeed, he may have all sorts of hidden talents
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And I certainly wouldn't think I was above the likes of an exotic dancer or glamour model.

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Whereas I would, because I don't approve of women degrading themselves in that way. There you go, it takes all sorts, doesn't it?

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Am I the only groom (former in eventing and current in point to pointing) who is not in the slightest offended by the DM's comments on grooms?

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I don't know, I'm a former groom, (dressage and briefly sj. very briefly
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)and I resent them deeply, not least because they should be paying a royalty to Jilly Cooper for most of the article which is Made Up.

I might add that in general, I really dislike gossip threads, even though I enjoy being silly - but I do feel that in this case, it has been well and truly asked for! So please, no 'his private life is his own affair ' rubbish. That is true of many or most riders, but if you start courting the media and playing at Posh and Becks on your website, you is asking for it, innit ?
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And I certainly wouldn't think I was above the likes of an exotic dancer or glamour model.

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Whereas I would, because I don't approve of women degrading themselves in that way. There you go, it takes all sorts, doesn't it?

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Now a glamour model may think the same of a groom, that it is degrading to shovel s*it, often for penny's. And perhaps a journalist (namely one working for the DM) is of the same opinion.

You're right, if they want to make their business public then surely they have to put up with people judging and expressing their opinions, just as his former gf has to expect similar for dragging a well known Equestrian Olympian through the courts.
 
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And I certainly wouldn't think I was above the likes of an exotic dancer or glamour model.

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Whereas I would, because I don't approve of women degrading themselves in that way. There you go, it takes all sorts, doesn't it?

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Now a glamour model may think the same of a groom, that it is degrading to shovel s*it, often for penny's. And perhaps a journalist (namely one working for the DM) is of the same opinion.

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Oh come on, we both know that being a Daily Mail Journalist is just the pits, and way, way beneath either of the others!
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There is an open letter that I have just seen on Ben's website (yes the pictures do look like Stepford wifes!!!). I understand why they did the interview but having friends that are journalists I know that their job is to get a story that fits to sell newspapers . Having done a couple of interviews with them before, it is amazing how they can manipulate words and statements and leave you thinking 'did I really say that'. Personally I have found Ben one of the nicest people I have met and although I do not see him that often now, he and his family always find time for my family and myself (he always gives a rossette to my daughter). People judge as they find and I wish him all the best for the future.

An open letter from Ben Maher
My sincere apologies to any grooms who felt that their profession was being misrepresented in a recent Mail on Sunday feature. Kathleen and I have been through an unnecessary legal procedure lasting over the past two and a half years, which was the reason why we talked to the paper in the first instance. The article was questioning the legal system more than the role of the grooms. However, in the journalist's attempt at communicating the role of the groom to non-equestrian readers, some misinterpretation occurred and I believe some grooms have been upset by the words used.

For the record I have always stated how important all grooms are. My own grooms I always hold in high regard and they have not been upset by the article as they clearly know that it was not my opinions that were being quoted. The role of a groom is vital for all competition riders and they play a key role in our sport within all equine disciplines. I apologise for any upset which has been caused to any grooms who are not associated with this sad and unnecessary court case and I hope I can now put to rest this whole unfortunate experience.

Yours sincerely



Ben Maher
 
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