Got me thinking - Top Riders: do we know who is who on here?

MrsMozartletoe

MrsMozartletoe

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All the witching and abitching going on here these days.

Can't say this, can't say that.

"When you're jumping sixteen foot tracks then you can comment.", etc. etc.

Made me wonder. How do we know who is who is who? Some people post pics of themselves and the doors are open on their lives; there are others about whom we know very little, yet if we don't agree with what they have written, we are happy to slate their view/opinion on any given subject because they "don't know what they are talking about".

I'm old and decrepit and bits no longer work quite how they used to, but I have a past with horses that would surprise many and I know I'm not the only one. Mine was nothing high faulutin', a couple of show jumpers amongst other things, but still, the experience and knowledge is still there (might have to dig a bit deep and blow some cobwebs off).

The other thing is, the reference to sponsors, about what they will and won't and should and shouldn't do (yes, here I'm thinking of the saddle cloth thread). We've sponsored in the past and we probably will do again in the futre: the gear with our company name on is the best and fits the horse and rider - we wouldn't want our company name linked with anything that wasn't right. Simples.

*Wobbles off to find tin hat and pretty pink body armour*
 
you dont know who anyone really is, For all you know i could be married to brad pitt (oh i wish) and have acres and acres and acres of land, but no im just me with my babies
Because forums are faceless and no one really knows the other people hence why there is so much bitchiness and horrible comments from people.
 
We haven't a clue, MrsM, unless people tell us and even then we've no idea whether they're telling the truth.
I think we can be fairly certain that one young lady with 'proper competition horses' (to quote one thread) is nobody of much note.
 
I joined the forum yesterday and was a little shocked at how a few people are, in regards to others opinions ( I was scanning through some threads, with people mocking other peoples opinions and beliefs).

I agree entirely. I get told my opinion is valid because I'm only 15- so I don't have as much experience, but that doesn't necessarily make what I say wrong or right!


I agree entirely with this thread :)
 
Well, I'm actually seeing Peter Andre, have 7 grand prix dressage horses and 5 grade A showjumpers. Who'd have thought it, hey?
 
Very good point Mrs M. I bet there are some famous names who "lurk" under ordinary guises:) I do think on a forum like this everyone should be entitled to an opinion even if it is uninformed or downright wrong. I believe healthy discussion is great, but do sometimes wonder when people get jumped on for making observations, why some other people think they should not be entitled to make them. I love this place but sometimes it can be very intense.
 
For me it is not a case of suggesting that people don't know what they're talking about, it is just the sniping and nitpicking that really irritates me.

It just seems that some people are desperate to focus on the negative, to look for something, anything to criticise, no matter how minor.

There is so much skill and courage to admire and appreciate when you watch top level competition - and its not that I think professionals are above criticism, I just don't understand the desire to try and put them down rather than enjoying the fantastic displays of riding that we're seeing.
 
the identity of one poster on here would definitely surprise a lot of people.
afaik, usually the big names post as themselves, they don't want to do anonymity.
although, i've been told that this place is considered a haven for bitchy useless people by Pros... ;) ;) ;)
Totally agree about the sponsors, btw. and if ANY rider at any level puts 'not upsetting the sponsor by saying politely that the saddle cloth is too short' above 'i want my horse to be as comfy as possible' then, well, words fail me.
 
There are a lot of people here with a wealth of experience but not necessarily fame.

You see, in my eyes, if you are a Very Famous Rider (note caps!) then you might excel in just the one discipline and have little or no understanding of others. The people to value are those that have seen both ends of the spectrum and have worked away for years, increasing their knowledge in all spheres and those who are then willing to impart said knowledge to help others.

Famous People are kind of fun to have around, but there are peop0le here who I would go to for advice long before I went to them. Two of them are on this thread already.
 
I have no idea who reads or posts here that is famous - I do wonder, but am not on the ball enough to realise :p
 
I try not to say anything on here that I wouldn't say to someone in real life. Unfortunately some other people seem to love hiding behind their computers and being downright rude!

I am friends with an event rider and she even posted on her profile a thread about the people on HHO that were less than complimentary about her. I felt ashamed to be on here when I read it :(
 
Quite sure there are a couple of lurkers out there in different guises ( who wouldnt want to be a fly on the wall and know what others were saying about you? BUT what really worries me is that 3 , yes thats three for those of you who can do reading , actually admitted to dating peter andre!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I found I was sooooooooooooooo desperate for male company that I would scrape the barrel this far I definately wouldn't be admitting to it. Perhaps its going to be me that needs a tin hat , am I really that outdated.......I know I'm old.
 
Ladyinred said:
The people to value are those that have seen both ends of the spectrum and have worked away for years, increasing their knowledge in all spheres and those who are then willing to impart said knowledge to help others.
Click to expand...

Completely agree with this ^^.

I've been fortunate enough to learn from a couple of 'recognised' riders over the years, and whilst I very much appreciate the good things they have taught me, on several occasions I have been forced to question some of their techniques and ways (eg. one giving a nervous youngster a solid and sustained kicking in the tendons for lifting up a front leg whilst having boots put on, another smacking a horse until it bled because it threw the rider off and embarrassed them, and have also witnessed some horses being given a good beating for having poles down ... "they have to learn it's not okay" - apparently. Sadly, I could carry this list on!).

Hence why I agree with Ladyinred. I'd much rather learn from an experienced 'non-entity' who has respect for, and most importantly from, their horses.
 
Doesn't just happen here!

I'm a member of the official Star Trek forum (yeah yeah, I'm a certified Trekkie! :D) and William Shatner (remembers Captain Kirk??) actually joined a few years ago, and the abuse he got was absolutey awful. Not from me, I might add!

He talked about it in an interview, and also talked about nice people who were nice to him, like me! Not that he mentioned me by name I might add.....!

It happens in all walks of life. :D
 
The very reason why its better to keep your identity to yourself! People are always full of opinions on people they think they know when they don't. Don't believe everything you read in the press etc. Your just opening yourself up....
 
My "gripe" with this forum is when people express an opinion as a fact and when its way off track I will answer back!

I think there are very few people who have a geniune spread of experience over all disciplines because even us "amateurs" end up sticking to one or two disciplines - but it does mean I find some posts really interesting when it is talking about another world I know nothing of - say showing or something!

But I do agree, having seen how some of the top riders have been slated here - I don't think I would come on if I was one - they are in the poor position of having to recieve abuse but if they defend themselves, they come off dreadfully!

Ages ago, on the good ship the BHS board (anyone remember that.. and why it was shut down!) Lee Pearson appeared as himself. There was a link to a lovely young stallion he had just acquired and he was completely shot down in flames for how the horse was looking physically as in muscled up. Took someone completely random to point out the blooming obvious - like it is a well bred dressage stallion who is naturally uphill and will show a bigger neck because it is.. a stallion and btw, why not compare it to a mature GP horse and then see what the difference is.

Real shame, he didnt post much afterwards and I for one had really enjoyed what he had to say!
 
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