Ellen Whitaker

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Oh my word! You don't seriously mean that comment re:spurs? i'm lost for words i really am............

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No i probably don't and in no way am i saying that it's a good thing to do but i personally have been told by a respected trainer to kick my horse in the ribs with my spurs take whatever you want from that. In my view the issue with ellen is not what she did but the way she did it in admittedly a bratty way

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Well that is pretty much what most other people have said (excluding the few that called her a nasty witch and things like that.) She gave the horse a kick in the ribs after being eliminated and that did make her appeared to be a little spoilt and throwing a tantrum. I don't really think she was as harsh as some poeple are saying but that what she did was unnecessary and because she lost her temper and she should be setting a better example.

IMO saying she appeared to be a bit spoilt is not being overly nasty to EW or just bitching. Her actions led many people to believe that and those people (including myself) are entitled to that opinion.

I realise I will probably still be jumped on for saying that but it is my OPINION and I won't change it because you think that I am being intentionally bitchy.

ETA- That wasn't directly completely at you elle, I was writing what I did as a general thing.
 
Kentisheventer - I think your signature is very interesting and apt.

Because whilst you can't build your reputation on what you may do - you can certainly build it on what you have done (obviously)........

You get where I'm comming from with this?
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I don't think what you have said is bitchy but some things said on here have been and as for the people who haven't even seen the "incident" well......
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And for the record when i said about spurs as a punishment i didn't mean say someone who doesn't normally wear spurs putting them on with the intention of hurting a horse i meant if a horse is naughty and you wear spurs anyway it is not uncommon to give it a quick jab. i sometimes just feel as if people are very naive about the horse industry.
 
Woah, just read the whole 8 pages of this thread, yes, I have no life
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I must say, I think EW acted wrongly when she 'jabbed' the horse with her spurs, and yes it appeared that she did so because it didn't go her way, but have you taken into consideration that she had to get the horse back down the bank it clearly didn't like? I'm not a huge EW fan, but I do agree with Kentisheventer that it's not fair for her to get shot down like this on a forum of people that don't know her.

Don't get me wrong, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and many people have given theirs, but I do think that some posts have been a little harsh and this has been made out to be so much worse than it was. I just rewatched it on iPlayer, and it wasn't as bad as it has been made out to be in this post.

Again, agreeing with Kentisheventer, you won't gain anything from slating her, so I'm confused as to why some posts are so harsh and unsympathetic towards EW, that horse does not look easy to ride, and I would never dream of arguing with it on top of that bank, I think she was brave to try, and she gave it her best and things didn't go her way, which happens all the time in life.

Yet again I say I think she was wrong to dig her spurs in, but for all we know she may have regretted it afterwards - as many riders do lash out at the time if it doesn't go to plan, the only reason so many people have things to say about this is because she's in the public eye, this sort of thing happens all the time at local shows - yes it's not what I would call acceptable, but it happens.

As I said before, I'm not a massive fan of EW, but I don't wish to slate her because as someone said above, I wouldn't say this sort of thing her face given the chance. Also, I think she does ride very well, and she did ride very nicely before the bank yesterday. KE is right to say this is getting blown out of proportion and he's right to say that she made a mistake and people should 'get over it' as such.

Like I said, we don't know her and for all we know she could regret it herself, but the past is the past, it happened and she, nor anyone else can change it.

That's just my opinion, agree, disagree, I'm not bothered as everyone is entitled to an opinion
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Again, agreeing with Kentisheventer, you won't gain anything from slating her, so I'm confused as to why some posts are so harsh and unsympathetic towards EW, that horse does not look easy to ride, and I would never dream of arguing with it on top of that bank, I think she was brave to try, and she gave it her best and things didn't go her way, which happens all the time in life.


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She wasn't "brave to try" at all. It is her job. She is where she is because she is brave (ignoring the obviously family connections and horse power behind her
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). She chose to be there, she wasn't forced.

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Yet again I say I think she was wrong to dig her spurs in, but for all we know she may have regretted it afterwards - as many riders do lash out at the time if it doesn't go to plan, the only reason so many people have things to say about this is because she's in the public eye, this sort of thing happens all the time at local shows - yes it's not what I would call acceptable, but it happens.


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But the point is that she should have learnt to control her temper. Riding isn't about having a temper tantrum and then trying to make it up to the horse later. If she's truly a good horsewoman then she would control her temper. I don't know what happened behind the scenes but I didn't see Sharon Hunt lose her temper at Badminton when TT wouldn't go into the XC start box
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As I said before, I'm not a massive fan of EW, but I don't wish to slate her because as someone said above, I wouldn't say this sort of thing her face given the chance. Also, I think she does ride very well, and she did ride very nicely before the bank yesterday. KE is right to say this is getting blown out of proportion and he's right to say that she made a mistake and people should 'get over it' as such.


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I would say all of what I have said to her face. I think she needs to learn to control her temper a little better. I'm not her biggest fan but I'm not sure I would go as far as to call her a lot of the names that have been used on this thread, but she really does need to learn to appreciate what she has and curb her temper better. She doesn't do herself any favours and makes herself look spoilt with that sort of behaviour.

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Like I said, we don't know her and for all we know she could regret it herself, but the past is the past, it happened and she, nor anyone else can change it.


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No, it is in the past and it can't be changed. However on the off chance this thread is bought to her attention, may it will make her think twice about her behaviour in future. In which case, there is something to be gained from this thread if it makes her appreciate her horse a little more...
 
Ok, very true chestnut cob that she chose to be there, but I still stick to my thoughts that I can't imagine having to fight to get that horse down that bank and I think she tried her hardest, but as you say, she chose to be there - fair point.

Again, fair point, she should control her anger, but many people lash out without even thinking about it, whether it's in the equestrian world, or just every day life. She should without a doubt not have acted that way infront of so many people (as others have said in this thread) because there are many younger riders who look up to her, so yes, she was wrong, but she lost her temper, like I said, many people do, it was a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes, and I'm sure she knows it, specially if she watches back her round, and maybe it will make a change to the way she rides the next time she's in that kind of situation.

And I say fair enough to you for voicing your complete honest opinions if you would say exactly what you have written to her face, but I think there are a few people in this thread that would never be able to do that themselves and that's what I find unfair.

People are always going to disagree about something like this, everyone will always have their own thoughts and that's fine, I see the points in absolutely every one of your thoughts, and I don't disagree, but I don't agree.

I see many different thoughts and their points, but I will stick to my own opinion, as will, rightly so, everyone else
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spoilt brat attitude!

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Perhaps overboard! Youre basing this view on one individual event?

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I don't think so at all. It didn't go her way, so she threw a paddy. That to me is a spoilt brat attitude.

Punishing a horse with spurs is absoloutley abhorrent especially from a professional who young chidren look up too.
 
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If anyone behaved as she did I would be equally as disgusted. Me not particularly liking her has nothing to do with my comment - nor I believe anyone elses on here.

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But would it have made a thread this long?
No.
I really do think this thread had blown what she did completely out of proportion.
 
I have thought and thought about this, rewatched the footage again and again and sorry but I still cannot see the brutality that people are exclaiming about. Sure, on a worldwide stage she prob shouldn't have given the second kick, but hey, we have all done it have we not? Can you all HONESTLY say that you haven't given your horse a kick because you are frustrated? Have you not ever jabbed your horse in the mouth because you were pissed off? If you honestly haven't then good for you
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Ellen would have ridden Ladina down banks before, she would have known that she *can* do it and I am sure she felt as though the horse was playing her up and that is what she portrayed. The girl is a real competitor and I am sure she was cross with herself for being cross with her horse, but she was only asking for a few minutes of attention...

And I have never been the girl's biggest fan!
 
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Jaysus Christ! What a great load of fuss over nothing - when I read this I wondered whether the Ellen Whitaker I watched was the same one the rest of HHO had seen - until the likes of Weezy, Cattie and JessPickle spoke some sense
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Mum and I watched the Derby yesterday from start to finish, and during EW's problems on the bank, we both commented that she looked a 'wee bit peed off'. It is impossible to deny the fact that she did give the horse a bit of a kick on the way down the bank - but then, how many people here can honestly say they have NEVER transmitted any form of anger or frustration through to their horse? I know I have. Not in the form of spurs - I never had cause to wear them for show jumping - but a quick kick in the ribs following a repeated nappiness in the dressage arena? A slap down the neck following elimination in the showjumping arena? Guilty as charged here, I'm afraid
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The impression given by this thread is that HHO is largely frequented by riders of angelic behaviour, who ALWAYS remain in control of their feelings no matter what the situation, and who never have nor will stoop so low as to smack, spur, kick or admonish their horse in any way. B*llocks. I have yet to meet such a rider! Whilst I am not saying EW was right, am I right in thinking that Ladina had actually jumped clear up to that point? She has obviously been down banks before in her life - Uncle Michael has a full sized Derby replica course after all - so I can totally see why EW would be frustrated at coming to grief there. And I would like to say that if it had been me, I'd have smiled sweetly, patted the horse on the neck and ridden out of the arena waving to the crowd. But until you are in that situation, riding high on that wave of adrenalin - how can you tell? My guess is that there are a lot of hypocrites here
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On a similar subject, those who believe that what EW did counts as abject cruelty, or 'wickedness', or 'appalling behaviour' - I take it you have not watched much show jumping then? Believe me, a quick jab in the ribs pales into insignificance compared with the practices of some I could name - in my time I have seen a mare beaten in the ring at Hickstead until she peed herself in terror, after a refusal at the first fence. I recall a certain young lady - also present at Hickstead this week - who fell off her pony at HOYS many years back and proceeded to beat it about the face with her whip. Then of course, there is rapping, electric spurs, hedgehog skins on poles....do I need to go on?

What an awful fuss over nothing
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Well I duly toddled off and watched the footage on I Player, and I shall add my opinions to the many....

I think the kick after elimination was out of order. Yes, I have probably done similar things in frustration (although I dont wear spurs
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) but I am not a professional show jumper who is supposed to act as a role model for young children/teenagers who is appearing on national TV.

It is a bit like the general public expecting all police officers to be saints - they are just human like you and I, they sometimes screw up, but woe betide if they do so on live national TV
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Please listen to some people. Lots have people have said that what she did wasnt that bad in terms of horse abuse or whatever u want to call it, but she is unprofesional. The publics opinion of showjumping is fragile, ellen completely spat her dummie out in front of the cameras and basically acted like a spoilt 10 yr old. nothing more nothing less. if u cant control ur dissapointment canter straight out and get off it.
 
The thing is though, I personally have never jumped that big or on live tv in front of tons of people but I bet if I did I would have high expectations and bucket loads of adrenaline running through me! So for a horse that I believe was completely capable and having a nice round I would be p*ssed off. I imagine EW felt the same as I would have. She's worked hard to get where she is, despite what people will say, no matter how much money she has or who her family is if she couldn't ride she wouldn't be at that level. So I think what she did isn't exactly a hanging offence. I think the difference between me and EW (apart from the obvious
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) is that I would have turned the horse around and done it straight away. Not saying I owuld have but if I was going to.
If you think a quick dig in the sides is so horrendous I'd hate for you to go to local shows with people who aren't in the same position as EW, you'd be shocked if this thread is anything to go by.
And yes she's a roll model but I wasn't aware there were so many perfect people in the world
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Oh and i forgot to say i wouldnt bet ur bottom dollar that ellen has used MW bank. Family ties are not all they are made out to be!!
 
Nice to hear some common sense coming through from Weezy & co.

And Kingvean - you obviously don't have a clue what you're talking about
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And John Whitaker has a substantial derby bank as well that is most up to height.
 
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If you think a quick dig in the sides is so horrendous I'd hate for you to go to local shows with people who aren't in the same position as EW, you'd be shocked if this thread is anything to go by.

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Cattie, your reply sums up for me how misunderstood this thread has become. The issue is not whether what she did was horrendous or not - it obviously wasn't. The issue is that a professional should know better than to behave like this. That is all. And as most of us take our leads from these so called professionals, don't you think it's a good idea for them to at least try and behave in a moderately professional manner?

It's these people that the numpties at your local show jumping competition are trying to emulate after all.......
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How can you teach standards to kids, when the very people they admire seem to have so few themselves.?
 
I agree with Weezy in many points. I watched it again today and rerun it because I had it recorded on Sky+. I honestly expected to see a major tantrum but instead I saw her dig the horse coming down off the bank with her spurs. Would I do it or jab my horse in the mouth? No, I wouldn't but I do think this bashing has gone over what it was. I have seen much worse in form of abuse from Jockeys, trainers and other competitors and it has never had as many pages and as big as a reaction as this so what that says I'm not altogether sure.
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Yes she should have straightened her petulant face and accepted that it doesn't always go the way you wish it to, yes she should keep in mind that she is watched and looked up to by many younger riders but the actual incident itself was not what I expected to see. I am not condoning her behaviour, she could be doing with a bit of talking to and a reminder of how to behave, e.g. Guy Williams and her cousin Will. I thought Will Whitaker's descent from that bank was outstanding. He has the the magic touch that lad!
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I'm not denying that professionals who we all look up to and aspire to be (well ride like, I think you know what I mean) shouldn't behave suitably but honestly there have been many a professional rider who has not always done so. Just because they make a mistake doesn't mean they're a bad evil witch (I beilieve she's been called all of these things on here and more) it simply means that she is human. She has hopes, dreams, drive and aspirations just like all of us and to have these stopped in there tracks by something that the horse could easily have done but unfortunatly didn't must have been tough. She trains and works hard and deserves some good fortune because lately she's not been as on top of her game as she has been. Except for with puissance because my goodness that horse can jump!
So I agree that professionals riders need to act in a suitable manner but surely you can see that she's a human, who is probably under an awful lot of pressure. A slip up doesn't deserve the bashing she's recieved on here.
 
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Amymay you sound like you're getting a bit desperate now to keep up the offensive against Ellen Whitaker.
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You've made your point (a lot) so why not just leave it there..?

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LOL - do I????

Which point exactly sounded desparate??
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slMhsHyts4w

here is a link to it on youtube....

It looked like she was doing well, then when it went wrong (and don't get me wrong I know horses go down the bank, but I would not be one to take them down! so kudos for people with guts to do it) but when the horses didnt do it, refused point blank, tried 2x and just said NO not gonna happen she turn the horse round AWAY from the bank, and then spurred it...... like training any animal, taking it away from the obstacle then punishing it is just pointless.......
I am not saying she should have spurred it that hard on the edge of the bank, or at all, but if she was going to strongly attempt to go down the bank, it should have been at the bank, not on the walk out when the horse won't know why its being punished......

you wouldnt smack a dog when walking to heel when 5 mins ago it ran off after another dog would you?!!
 
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Amymay you sound like you're getting a bit desperate now to keep up the offensive against Ellen Whitaker.
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You've made your point (a lot) so why not just leave it there..?

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LOL - do I????

Which point exactly sounded desparate??
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Maybe the fact that you're replying to many people with a differing opinion to yours. Not everyone's replies to this topic are aimed at you.

Guess i'm just amazed that this topic has gone on for 9 pages with the same points being reiterated over and over again, and often by the same people.
 
And yes Cattie, it's the personal attacks on Ellen that got my back up. I'm assuming most of us don't know her so how can so many people comment on her personality and call her such offensive names as 'witch' and 'wench'.

It's just plan rudeness.
 
Have I responded to everyone??? I'm not sure that I have.

But regardless, aren't we having a discussion - am I not entitled to respond to anyone I want to??? Isn't that what having a 'conversation' is about?
 
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you wouldnt smack a dog when walking to heel when 5 mins ago it ran off after another dog would you?!!

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No, you wouldnt - not 5 minutes later. But you might 5 seconds after the incident...
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