Hester for sports personality of the year!

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Zargon_91

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Hi, I've started a group on fb a couple of weeks ago campaigning to get Carl Hester a nomination for sports personality of the year... If you support this I'd be really grateful if you'd join my fb page, share the group and leave you're own comments and opinions. I'm in the process of constructing a letter to the BBC supporting a nomination and would love to have the opinions of as many fans as possible to support the nomination. Thankyou!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/265992986845789/
 
Without being negative . . . and I am one of his biggest fans . . . he won't win. Yes, what he's achieved is phenomenal . . . he is a stupendously talented and unbelievably generous horseman . . . but he's up against people like Bradley Wiggins who won the Tour de France (first Brit ever) and then a week later won the Olympic time trial . . . and Jess Ennis who effectively came out top in seven separate events held over two days. Not to mention our Olympic rowers, gymnasts, boxers, etc.

I'm not saying it's right . . . and I'm not being defeatist . . . I just think the general public will care far more about more "approachable" sports. Sad, but true.

P
 
PolarSkye said:
Without being negative . . . and I am one of his biggest fans . . . he won't win. Yes, what he's achieved is phenomenal . . . he is a stupendously talented and unbelievably generous horseman . . . but he's up against people like Bradley Wiggins who won the Tour de France (first Brit ever) and then a week later won the Olympic time trial . . . and Jess Ennis who effectively came out top in seven separate events held over two days. Not to mention our Olympic rowers, gymnasts, boxers, etc.

I'm not saying it's right . . . and I'm not being defeatist . . . I just think the general public will care far more about more "approachable" sports. Sad, but true.

P
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And actually Charlotte Dujardin won 2 gold medals, so perhaps your efforts would be better directed to getting her a nomination.
 
Well actually I'm not interested in him 'winning' its more the nomination and recognition for his efforts I think he deserves... And 700 like minded people on the group- its not a problem though, everybody's opinion matters. And incidentally the campaign is for Carl because he trained dujardin and gave her the opportunity and the ride- he part owns blueberry! It was her riding style that won her the gold medal- and she is pretty much a carbon copy of Carl... Hester is also the only gold medalist EVER to in the same year also to be the trainer of a gold medalist... It's why I think he deserves the nomination
 
Woaaa people with this negativity beaming everywhere!! I think its a brilliant idea, brilliant group! At the end of the day, all we can do is try, try to get Carl the recognition he deserves, and if that means going up about some guy on a bicycle, that's cool. People are either for, or against the notion, join the group, support Carl Hester, or carry your everyday life, not a problem there :)
 
Hester gave Charlotte the opportunity to first train and compete at international level, then gave her the ride on valegro, who he part owns, then took an early ballot in his team test to help her ride it to the best advantage, then was over the moon for her that she did win... He is the only person to EVER win a gold medal in the same year as coaching a gold medal winner. In a year where so many people have performed exceptionally I think these sort of actions are worthy of SPotY? Britain has other double gold medalists, it doesn't have anyone
I've Hester, and his generousity and sportsmanship is relatable to all people and surely admirable? London 2012 was all about 'inspiring a generation' what a better was of teaching young people about sportsmanship and team playing than telling his story to the nation? This is why I'm asking for support, I'm not interested in who thinks its a waste of time, whatever. If you don't want to support it, then fine. I thought as equestrians we might be able to come together for once.
 
Carl Hester has done more for British Dressage than anyone else in the last 10yrs.
He selflessly sacrificed his own Medal for Charlotte.
Don't get me wrong, Charlotte is incredibly talented, but Carl is behind her fast track to the Olympics.
Personally I would rather see him nominated for an MBE - or whatevers appropriate, for his services to BD. He has changed the face if Dressage on the international stage, in terms of lightness and self carraige... Plus he played the starring role over the years as the lynch pin to all the British Team successes of late, culminating in the Olympic Medals.
This on top of his generosity in attending seminars, holding yard open days and god knows what else during his prep for the Olympics.
He even popped into a Gallery at Greenwich to show his support to an Artist exhibiting a signed picture
Of Valegro that's for charity.
I think he's awesome, has given his life and soul to Dressage, and would genuinely like to see him with a more permanent title :)
BD forum members are looking to pull together a formal nomination, somwatch this space.
OP, hope you can secure a good following. You could register to the BD Forum, and post your Facebook link in there ... I know you'll get loads of support :D
 
Milli- can you point bd in the direction of my group? I have the support already of almost 800 members from across the world who would get behind bd members- I'd post it but I'm not a bd member so can't go on the forum :(
 
No'one, least of all me, is doubting Carl Hester's dedication to the sport, his excellence, his generosity, his talent, his skill. He is a supremely talented and natural horseman. His generous nature has meant that his mentee, Charlotte Dujardin won an Olympic gold on Valegro - a horse on which Carl originally had the ride.

He's an equestrian/dressage/horsemanship God.

Aye, there's the rub.

Even though the Olympic dressage got folks intrigued by "the dancing horses" . . . your average Joe will still feel that equestrian sports in general, and dressage in particular are pointless, elitist . . . i.e., not suitable fodder for BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Don't hold your breath waiting for the inclusion of any other equestrians either . . . WFP for being World Number 1 and in great danger of winning the Rolex Grand slam and an Olympic silver medal winner . . . Skelly for beating the odds to come back after several massive injuries/surgeries to win Olympic Team Gold.

Fact is BBC Sports Personality of the Year is a popularity contest chosen by the Beeb and the people . . . which means Wiggo, Ennis, Farrah, Murray (oh dear God) and Ainslee are red hot favourites.

Don't make it right though ;).

P
 
millimoo said:
Carl Hester has done more for British Dressage than anyone else in the last 10yrs.
He selflessly sacrificed his own Medal for Charlotte.
Don't get me wrong, Charlotte is incredibly talented, but Carl is behind her fast track to the Olympics.
Personally I would rather see him nominated for an MBE - or whatevers appropriate, for his services to BD. He has changed the face if Dressage on the international stage, in terms of lightness and self carraige... Plus he played the starring role over the years as the lynch pin to all the British Team successes of late, culminating in the Olympic Medals.
This on top of his generosity in attending seminars, holding yard open days and god knows what else during his prep for the Olympics.
He even popped into a Gallery at Greenwich to show his support to an Artist exhibiting a signed picture
Of Valegro that's for charity.
I think he's awesome, has given his life and soul to Dressage, and would genuinely like to see him with a more permanent title :)
BD forum members are looking to pull together a formal nomination, somwatch this space.
OP, hope you can secure a good following. You could register to the BD Forum, and post your Facebook link in there ... I know you'll get loads of support :D
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Ditto this, charlotte is exceptionaly talented but she wouldnt have won those 2 golds if it wasnt for carl, maybe in a few years time but not yet without valegro and carls training methods. I think he thoroughly deserves to be up there with the likes bradley wiggins and jess ennis, hes done so much for bd and is the perfect ambassador for the sport and to prove that horse riding isnt just for those born with a silver spoon in their mouth. I mean he grew up on an island with no cars and learnt to ride on a donkey, you cant get much more humble beginnings than that! Whilst no he probably wont win as dressage isnt as mainsteam as other sports, zara managed to win with less accomplishments and i dont think anyone else has a better chance than him this year after all he's achieved, not just as a rider but a trainer and mentor. Im definatly going to support it, i think its the least we can do to show how proud we are of him and team Gb, and it would only do good things for both him and british dressage that he even made it to the shortlist on sports personality, anything more is a bonus.
 
You've got a fair point, but there's no harm in trying, doesn't cost anything :)
I was planning on if the first letter didn't work an amnesty international style barrage... We equestrians can be persistent if nothing else :)
 
Hi Zargon, happy to pop it on tomorrow when I'm on the laptop (and not the iPhone) and to let you know, you can now join the BD forum as an associate member without being a member of BD these days :)
 
Kaylum said:
Nick Skelton has much more of a sports personality I am afraid.
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Is this for real ?

I would argue that whilst Skelly is an undoubtedly a good showjumper he has been totally able to focus on himself without distraction and perhaps is not the consummate all round horseman contributing the most to his sport. Yes he has fought back after incredible injury but in terms of who contributes most to their sport Carl wins hands down.

A man who trains the next generation into winning gold medals, who kept his good horses for the British Olympics when having cheques for millions dangled in his face and on top of this achieves Silver for himself has to be the best all round contribution to his sport I can think of.
 
PolarSkye said:
No'one, least of all me, is doubting Carl Hester's dedication to the sport, his excellence, his generosity, his talent, his skill. He is a supremely talented and natural horseman. His generous nature has meant that his mentee, Charlotte Dujardin won an Olympic gold on Valegro - a horse on which Carl originally had the ride.

He's an equestrian/dressage/horsemanship God.

Aye, there's the rub.

Even though the Olympic dressage got folks intrigued by "the dancing horses" . . . your average Joe will still feel that equestrian sports in general, and dressage in particular are pointless, elitist . . . i.e., not suitable fodder for BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Don't hold your breath waiting for the inclusion of any other equestrians either . . . WFP for being World Number 1 and in great danger of winning the Rolex Grand slam and an Olympic silver medal winner . . . Skelly for beating the odds to come back after several massive injuries/surgeries to win Olympic Team Gold.

Fact is BBC Sports Personality of the Year is a popularity contest chosen by the Beeb and the people . . . which means Wiggo, Ennis, Farrah, Murray (oh dear God) and Ainslee are red hot favourites.

Don't make it right though ;).

P
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I was not trying to be negative but realistic, given that SPOTY is voted for by the general viewing public. They are far more likely to vote for a double gold medal winner, than her trainer IMO.


BBH said:
Is this for real ?

I would argue that whilst Skelly is an undoubtedly a good showjumper he has been totally able to focus on himself without distraction and perhaps is not the consummate all round horseman contributing the most to his sport. Yes he has fought back after incredible injury but in terms of who contributes most to their sport Carl wins hands down.

A man who trains the next generation into winning gold medals, who kept his good horses for the British Olympics when having cheques for millions dangled in his face and on top of this achieves Silver for himself has to be the best all round contribution to his sport I can think of.
Click to expand...

CH won a gold medal for the team dressage but was not a medal winner in the individual.

If the people backing the campaign are not au fait with his actual achievements, what hope is there that the general public will understand/appreciate them?
 
I have to say I agree with everything PolarSky has said in this thread, its a shame, I agree, however its also a fact of life that the other big Olympic names will overshadow Carl Hester, particularly as he didnt win the individual gold - not taking away the fact that without Carl its highly unlikely CDuJ will have ever had a chance at the Olympics! but for the viewing/voting public that are non-horsey, this wont mean anything...

I have to say, although I'd love to see an equestrian name with SPOTY, my vote will actually be going to Bradley Wiggins, 4 Olympic gold medals, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze medals, god only knows how many world championships, and winner of the Tour De France 2012 - what a legend!
 
Its not all about medals though, yes theyre a part of it but it should include the bigger picture. Ie what the person has not only achieved individually but done for others that has led to their own success, and also what he has brought to british dressage and GB as a whole over a sustained period of time by building up young talent for the future, not just here and now.
No he probably wont win against the likes of bradley wiggins as not only have you got the comparativley limited people that support equestriansism compared to other sports, but even those that do alot of people just 'dont get' dressage, as opposed to sj or eventing which is appreciated by a much wider audience. I dont think that means we shouldnt try and get him there at least though, and show to the world and him how much we appreciate what he's done for us. It is after all sports pesonality of the year, not who has won the most this year competition!
 
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