Bullying AGAIN

eahotson

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I saw a 12 year old girl knoed off her feet by her father for making a mistake in the ring! The EXPLANATION given to me by other KNOWLEDGEABLE horsepoeple???? He had spent a lot of money on the ponies. I would call THAT bullying for a start . People who have never met bullies in the horse world are VERY VERY fortunate. I have met far too many. They bully other people if they can or their horses. I don't want to say what I saw SOME trainers and their PUPILS do!.
 
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I saw a 12 year old girl knoed off her feet by her father for making a mistake in the ring! The EXPLANATION given to me by other KNOWLEDGEABLE horsepoeple???? He had spent a lot of money on the ponies. I would call THAT bullying for a start . People who have never met bullies in the horse world are VERY VERY fortunate. I have met far too many. They bully other people if they can or their horses. I don't want to say what I saw SOME trainers and their PUPILS do!.

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What!?!?! Poor girl!
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Oh yes it was a while ago now. Better not name names BUT she and her brother were top juniors in their day.It happened in full view of an entire (large affiliated outdoor show).This pair had much coverage from various magazines and when I used to read the articles writted (dictated by daddy probably) it made me feel sick. He proably wasn't the worst though.She had a really good 13.2 JA. We watched her in the ring. She made a mistake, froze and looked at her father. Finished the round and came out. Father was waiting. She got off the pony. He swung his arm right back and hit her straight across the face.This pair were perhaps well known in the north. (NOT the Whitakers though).
 
Disgusting behaviour and counter-productive. Such pressure at a young age takes away the fun/pleasure and usually results in the rider losing interest when they reach adulthood. I personally feel that it does nothing to help their performance as the key is feeling confident and relaxed as opposed to fearful and under pressure.

Sadly it happens in most sports but especially those where parents have to invest large sums of money...
 
Truly worrying! If that is how these people treat their kids in front of an entire showground, how the hell do they treat them at home when there's no-one around to see?

Same goes for the ponies of course! I'd hate to think how some of these kids & ponies are treated 'behind closed doors'!
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Not as bad, but I have seen a tiny 7yr old on a huge 13.2, pointing at the last fence on the course. child was terrified, pony refused and ran out eventually getting elimintated. Father scowled, turned and walked away leaving crying child to leave the arena until some kind person came to help her off and hold the pony. didn't see anymore.
Awful.
Mind, makes you think why these kids treat their ponies so shockingly, saw one holding the pony, surrounded by friends, punch it again and again in the face. Not amused but they were gone next time I looked..
 
If they do that in public imagine what happens behind closed doors, you should report it, its obvious this child is living with someone who petrifies her.
 
Well a showing judge reported in HH said she sees many very obviously overhorsed children in the showing ring who are absolutely petrified and heard one mother say to a errified child Smile or I will come and smack it into your face Or something similar! Many parents living their dreams through their children and many instructors venting their frustrations on their pupils.
 
Its disgusting! I once saw a pony refuse at a show and the little girl fell off. She went into a big strop, and the mother was at the ring side shouting "hit it, hit it" so this brat of a girl was lying on the ground holding the reins smacking this pony with her whip. She then got up and walked out screaming. I was horrified! Its not only the parents, but the parents put it into them! I feel so sorry for the ponies
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Hi

It isn't just bullying it's also child abuse, as if competing can't be hard enough. it should be fun. My parents never ever got annoyed if things didn't do well, they always just encouraged me to enjoy the day.

Diana
 
Hi

I think a lot of parents are frustrated, but they have to remember that is what seniors are for! They must not live their lives again through their children. I think it is why a lot of children also give up quite early...if the parents don't want to put a lot of money into the sport then don't, it is their choice afterall.

Good on the BSJA for a few years back having those efficiency tests, they found some children who were jumping JA'S unable to even put a bridle on...shame on those parents.

Diana
 
I think a lot of ponies get a very tough time too
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that is appauling, just terrible, being not ridden correctly, probably not doing much work during the week then expected to be a superstar every weekend, I've seen children get angry at their ponies for refusing when the pony was never even shown the jump, children should be taught correctly not just to rush to be the level for their "age".

So what if you don't peak until 14.2hh's?

I have seen ponies being yanked in the mouth, over bitted and everything. The police should get involved.

Diana
 
Yes, and i've heard stories about how these push button ponies get put in their stable and stand there with really tight side reins on. Yes, too many are over-bitted and sometimes its just to make the person look 'good' when their pony supposedly has to have a really strong bit on.
My mum works at the equine hospital, and shes always telling me stories about horribly ponies are treated (rarely though) and how they can't say anything. I don't think i could keep my mouth shut!
 
So it still goes on! I used to see things like this years ago, even to a 3 year old dragged off her lead rein pony and literally thrown into the back of the family car. One dad took his hoplessly overhorsed 8 year old son into the back of his trailer and proceeded to leather the life out of him until forcibly stopped by a gang of other blokes and all because the child got run away with in the ring! I would have thought things would have moved on but it seems not!
 
The competition world isn't always a nice one is it? A woman that used to event told me that a vet at an event complained (and the complaint was upheld) about cruelty at an event. He was threatened, Had dog dirt pushed through his letter box. Alsorts. Said he would never do it again.If I ever voiced concern I was told very hurriedly to SHUT UP.
 
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