Hickstead Sunday- Marion Hughes should be ashamed!

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JessPickle

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Did anyone else see hickstead on sunday either on Tv, or was there. I was there and I personally thought she should be ashamed, the way she beat her horse when he refused the last fence was a shambles.

I personally think she deserved every boo from the crowd she got (I was definetly one of them!) and the telling off from the stewards was also much deserved!
 
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Didn't know she got told of by stewards - talking to someone this morning who thought that it was twice only that you were allowed to hit?

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yeah we found out by talking to one of the main sponsors
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who also happen to be our feed suppliers
 
I was there aswell (I did see you actually as I was leaving but you were too far away for me to say hi to you!!!)
I was sat right in front of the jump that the horse refused and she quite rightly told the horse it was wrong to refuse......but also IMHO went a little OTT with the whip.

The horse had jumped a fantastic round so far and did seem quite uncharacteristic that it stopped at this fence and it did seem as though she was taking her anger out on the horse.

I also though do think that the reaction of the crowd was awful and very disrespectfull and I really think that the only reason she retired was due to the crowds reaction. It really did feel like I was in a crowd with a bunch a football hooligans not at a horse show, the crowd didn't need to respond like that as I am sure the stewards had words with her, that is their job not the crowds. I'm sure she felt bad enough afterwards without the crowd booing at her.................
 
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I also though do think that the reaction of the crowd was awful and very disrespectfull and I really think that the only reason she retired was due to the crowds reaction. It really did feel like I was in a crowd with a bunch a football hooligans not at a horse show................

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Didn't see the incident so can't comment on that but I agree with you. I hate hearing crowds booing people - I don't think it is ever necessary and I don't think it reflects well on the crowds.
 
Well she still went over another jump, and I do think that 5 huge slaps with her stick was VERY uncalled for. Surely that reaction would definetly be a good reminder to never do that again.
 
I suppose its the only real way for the crowd to display their feelings, how did the telly commentators explain what was happening for the benefit of non -horsey viewers.
 
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I suppose its the only real way for the crowd to display their feelings, how did the telly commentators explain what was happening for the benefit of non -horsey viewers.

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they said the crowd was showing their dissaproval and how rules applied on the use of whip the same as racing. They also said they would expect the stewards to talk to her about it
 
Here Here Halfpass! I have voiced exactly the same opinion! It was like braying hyenas, and as you say even if she did go OTT (which as you said, did do a lovely round, and I think it was just bad luck that it stopped...it was coming in fine as well, I was up at the top of the bleachers) the reaction was ghastly!
 
Ah thanks , I must admit I like it when bad riders are left under no impression that the public don't like to see horses abused, and I do mean bad riders, no-one comes along and beats a rider for his/her mistakes and nor should they have the right to do that to the horse, who afterall is doing the bulk of the work under extreme heat / conditions. Riders can only compete at all due to the good nature of their animals, the odd mistake should not matter, tomorrow is another day !!
 
I recorded the coverage and watched it last night with OH who is not the most horsey person in the world, is only just learning to ride so I saw the reaction of a non horsey person, he was quite angry and disgusted by what he saw. I must say as a horsey person I also was dismayed by what I saw.
As most of us have competed(maybe not all at such a level) we understand the pressure and adrenaline that you get caught up i. But no excuse to just lose your temper and crack your horse hard 5/6 times!
Of course there is need for discipline from a horse but I think she just lost her rag and that is not a thing to do anywhere never mind at a huge well publicised and watched event.
Sky sports did great coverage but I just hope there weren't too many people out there like my OH that were appalled by what they saw.
We horse people get a bad enough rep at times and don't need anymore bad press!
 
And in a sport that a lot of people(wrongly) see as inaccessible, elitist I can imagine having spoken to a few non horsey people who witnessed it, if that happens in front of peoples eyes, whats happening behind the scenes????
 
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