Ellen Whitaker

I think she lost her temper. She's done it before and will probably do it again, and I hope she gets reminded that it's not acceptable to come across that way. It gives a bad image of the sport and especially to young competitors who might think it's an ok thing to do. I would say that about ANY rider who did that, no matter who they were or at what level
I understand some things may look harsh - I had a mare who had a tendency to put a really dirty stop or run out in. I did a fun riding club ODE on her, and at the last fence of the SJ I felt her begin to back off, she wasn't scared, just being a stubborn git! I smacked her once, at the right time, and she jumped it. I have no issue with that, but if a horse isn't going anywhere off your leg, I can't see jabbing it with spurs making a difference
It is easy to lose your temper, and I abandoned my old horse in the school many times, to get off, have a cigarette and cool off! Rather that than losing it with him
 
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I would be scared if asked to go down that derby bank!
All that horse needed was a pat not a dig in the ribs it said no because it was scared, and when ellen dug it in the ribs with her spurs on the way down the easier way it would have just confirmed the horses view that was scary! Ellen should have known that and should realise that sort of behaviour especially in front of the tv cameras is totally unacceptable.

Inciedently I like Ellen Whitaker ( well always did before this incident, hopefully she will change her ways and I will like her again )

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Can i suggest that this wasn't the first time Ladina B had seen a derby bank. Ellen has access to a couple of banks for practice and i daresay she made good use of them in the run up to this competition. Ladina B is primarily a puissance horse, and jumps 7 ft + for fun. Puissance competitions, however, are few and far between, leaving plenty of time for practicing for this Derby.

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you certainly can and can I suggest that derby banks as severe as the one at hickstead are found now where eles this is the only one!
Either way the horse was scared, digging it in the ribs with her spurs just confirmed to the horse how right it was to be scared, so whether she practiced or not is irrelevant!
 
Can you please stop scrutinizing everything every equestrian does?! They often have reasons, and we do not know them. No one gains anything from these posts (such as the GS one) and it just gives us forumers who are here for help/advice/fun rather than a 'good old bitch'. Im sure that i have done things that i am not particularly proud of... but i don't have people on my back criticizing it. IMO, you're like the bloody press!
 
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Can you please stop scrutinizing everything every equestrian does?! They often have reasons, and we do not know them. No one gains anything from these posts (such as the GS one) and it just gives us forumers who are here for help/advice/fun rather than a 'good old bitch'. Im sure that i have done things that i am not particularly proud of... but i don't have people on my back criticizing it. IMO, you're like the bloody press!

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Come up with one good reason for EW behaviour then
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It's not bitchy post, it's critical. She was way out of order.
 
Are you suggesting we should only discuss things that we find acceptable? So no questioning, challenging or criticising???
 
Can i ask something without being jumped on hopefully.. are people annoyed at her using the whip at the top of the bank? I cant totally remember what happened so im struggling to see what the fuss is about! I'm guessing i must have missed something
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No...people are annoyed that she jabbed her in the side after she was eliminated....no point, out of anger and completely uncalled for.
 
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Can i ask something without being jumped on hopefully.. are people annoyed at her using the whip at the top of the bank? I cant totally remember what happened so im struggling to see what the fuss is about! I'm guessing i must have missed something
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I didn't have a problem with her using her stick - but after hitting the horse twice, with no obvious sign that it was going to go - she should (IMO) have stopped. She went on to hit the horse a few more times. But they were slaps, and the horse certainly didn't receive a beating.

However, as she turned to come off the bank, she jabbed the horse in the ribs and did it again on two more ocassions. That is what I object to.
 
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Can i ask something without being jumped on hopefully.. are people annoyed at her using the whip at the top of the bank? I cant totally remember what happened so im struggling to see what the fuss is about! I'm guessing i must have missed something
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No, she had a bit of an argument with horse on top of the bank, the horse refused flatly to carry on, she got eliminated, then proceeded to boot the horse all the way out of the ring, with every spurred boot came a lovely jibe in the teeth.
Typical tantrum... her face said it all.
 
My point is you gain NOTHING from talking like this. Add georgie spence on facebook and her page is littered with friends saying theyve emailed HHO complaining. Its not giving us a good name... and highlighting this does no good!
 
The difference between Georgie Spencer and Ellen is pretty damn obvious, though.... Georgie has not done anything bad, just a bit silly... Ellen has shown an absolutely disgusting behaviour in the ring, and broke the rules on abuse of horse (IMO).
 
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Well i for one am amazed that so many people on this forum have either

a) Spent time with Ellen Whitaker (enough to be able to comment on her personality)

b) Have ridden Ladina B (again, enough to know her personality and how she is to ride)

or
c) Watched Ellen at every competition she's even done (in order to justify summing up and then ripping apart her riding style)

Really quite astounding that you've ALL done at least one of the above. I mean, i'm guessing that if you haven't then in no way you would have felt able to comment on Ellen in the way the majority of you have...

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Oh please. We don't have to know her personally to know that jabbing a horse in the ribs AFTER elimination is petty and childish at best.
I'm sure you've read about people in the newspaper, and some of the things they've done (good OR bad) and have judged them on their actions in one way or another.
 
Amymay and martlin... people on this forum blew the GS issue out the window... and that had a HUGE reaction by her herself... just think how you are all portraying this opinion. Yes you are expressing opinions... but please can you actually answer my question- what does this gain!?
 
I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about Kentisheventer, with regards GS. Sorry.

What does it gain? Well probably nothing. But as free speech (which includes discussion) is not banned on this forum nor indeed the UK - then I am free to air my opinion in any polite way I see fit.
 
Yes but it does the reputation of this forum harm, puts the existence of the forum itself in jeopardy, and hurts a number of people's feelings!
 
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Yes but it does the reputation of this forum harm, puts the existence of the forum itself in jeopardy, and hurts a number of people's feelings!

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I'm sorry, but you are talking rubbish.
 
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Yes but it does the reputation of this forum harm, puts the existence of the forum itself in jeopardy, and hurts a number of people's feelings!

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I'm sorry, but you are talking rubbish.

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I think thats really quite rude
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and think you should baxk this up... after speaking to many people after the GS incident i made my view
 
my feelings get hurt having to witness imo abuse of a horse, obviously a very geniune horse going by its puissance recorld!

agree with you martlin ketisheventer is talking rubbish!

and we are not talking about the gs incident whatever that incident was
 
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What does it gain? In an ideal world she'd review her childish behaviour and show a little empathy towards the horses who provide her with a living!!

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Yes she made a mistake. Get over it.
 
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and we are not talking about the gs incident whatever that incident was

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a few people did the same thing to GS which really hurt her feelings and i know stopped a few people posting on the forum... they felt ashamed to be a part of this scandal!
 
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Yes but it does the reputation of this forum harm, puts the existence of the forum itself in jeopardy, and hurts a number of people's feelings!

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I'm sorry, but you are talking rubbish.

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I think thats really quite rude
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and think you should baxk this up... after speaking to many people after the GS incident i made my view

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Look, you are bringing up again and again an unrelated incident. GS has nothing to do with EW and the HIckstead Derby whatsoever. Frankly, I bet GS wouldn't be delighted by you bringing up something she would rather have forgotten by now, don't you think?

EW was there, for everyone to see on national terrestrial tv!
Forum is a place where people exchange opinions and views.
There is not a single defamatory comment in that thread, no risk to the existence of the forum at all.
As to the hurt feelings - my feelings were hurt by EW unacceptable behaviour.
 
I've watched it back now. Yes she inappropriately nudged it twice coming away from the bank. Certainly not all the way out at all.

What a load of clucking and squawking over a stupid mistake by a young girl. Get over it.
 
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I had no preconceived ideas about EW tbh.I had never seen anything she had done before. But kicking the horse in the ribs with her spurs achieved nothing today. There was no point. It appeared to be in anger. The horse had refused and she was eliminated. There were a lot of riders who showed a lot more decorum.
 
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I've watched it back now. Yes she nudged it twice coming away from the bank. Certainly not all the way out at all.

What a load of clucking and squawking over a stupid mistake by a young girl. Get over it.

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So which one is it?
Skilful professional accomplished horsewoman or a silly young girl?
It seems to me that when on winning form it's the earlier, when something doesn't go according to plan it's the latter.

I have nothing to get over, I have an opinion about her behaviour, but it certainly is not going to change MY life.
 
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