Hmm, HHO double standards, Burghley + Pau...

kerilli

kerilli

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The borderline Oli-bashing on the other thread got me thinking. (uh oh...)

The year he took CQ to Pau after winning Burghley, quite a few of us got our knickers in a knot about it. I was one, must admit.
This year, Mary King took Apache Sauce straight to Pau after completing at Burghley (with only 2 time pens xc)... not a whisper on here about it. Okay, she retired xc after a run-out, but I'm sure the intention, if he'd carried on clear, was to complete so she had a back-up to IC for her HSBC challenge hopes, just in case.
So... thoughts? Am I missing something, or are these rather blatant double standards?
and PLEASE, seriously, I do NOT want this to turn into another Oli-bashing thread, that is the last thing that should happen, especially at the moment, please. I'm just intrigued as to the silence... is it that certain riders can Do No Wrong (even when they do what has been lambasted in another rider), or am I missing something?
 
You need an "ignition"- it needs one person to realise something and point it out, then others become aware and comment. I have a rubbish memory so don't really "click" with stuff like that and wouldn't realise unless someone pointed it out to me... I'm sure a lot of threads about stuff on here are the same?
 
But its ok you see because Mary does not go on and on about being commercial and the desperate need to make money out of eventing ;)
 
Kerilli. I find it amazing the relative silence on this thread compared to the OT bashing ones.
If I remember at the time of the first Express eventing .Oli got a real pasting for the way he won it .MK got off lightly even though the horse was sadly lost.It appears its Ollies fault every time he loses a horse when in fact its nobodies fault just one of those things.
 
Sadly I think you are right that one rule applies for some, and some can do no wrong. ALL of the top riders are super competitive and driven, but as in life some people's character's rub people up the wrong way.

There are always two sides to a story, and unless I hear something first hand I take it with a pinch of salt.
 
Interesting thread and even more interesting lack of comments compared to the other thread (as already noted)!

You know when you watch the top riders you always think certain things? Personally, when I watch Mary King cross country the main thing I find myself thinking is "gosh, I wish I could use my arms and reins like that", when I watch Mark Todd, WFP, Andrew Nicholson and Francis Whittington it makes me wish I could balance a horse like that and keep that rythmn whatever I'm faced with. When I watch Pippa Funnell I'm so impressed at the rider she's become and I wish I could bring on young horses like her. When I watch Oli I often think (depending on the horse) "oh another lovely grey, what is it that makes some of us [me included] love grey horses above all others" and I admire his absolute drive and determination. Different styles. Accidents happen. To everyone. That's horses.
 
I personally think the guy get a very hard time on here from people who dont know that they are talking about and some make it up as they go IMO.

unless you can ride at that level or know him personally I dont think personal attacks are acceptable. Its ok to ahve an opinion, I know I certainly have lol ;), but he seems to get a kicking on here that I dont think he deserves.
 
Like Figjam I just don't realise :rolleyes: until it's pointed out. But you are quite correct, it's blatantly a double standard and TBH the run out XC tells you enough doesn't it?! I must admit its not something I would do with one of mine BUT I m an amateur and have far more personal attachment to my horses.
 
I think it's that some riders can do no wrong, and other riders can do no right...

I didn't pay much attention to Pau so cannot comment, and I try not to judge other riders as I'm not qualified to. But there was a thread a while back commenting on a certain professional's use of the whip, that a certain other never-critised professional does pretty much exactly the same on the Badminton dvd I have and I doubt anyone would see the fault in it.

But then again I am a bit cynical...
 
I think if a few of the key Oli bashers had been 'behind the scenes' and seen the distraught state that he was in at Burghley after Neo fell they would soon change their views. Just give him a break.
 
wizoz said:
I would say this, the difference is, Mary's horses aren't "pushed" around a course :-/
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They are always ridden competitively. Oli's horses always have freedom of their head and neck so maybe it's swings and roundabouts. Both riders are human - not perfect and have good points and things they would like to improve.

Leg_end said:
Like Figjam I just don't realise :rolleyes: until it's pointed out. But you are quite correct, it's blatantly a double standard and TBH the run out XC tells you enough doesn't it?! I must admit its not something I would do with one of mine BUT I m an amateur and have far more personal attachment to my horses.
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I would challenge your perception that an amateur has more personal attachment to their horse. Seeing even the most hardened pro with their horses in some situations would surprise you.
 
Leg_end said:
Like Figjam I just don't realise :rolleyes: until it's pointed out. But you are quite correct, it's blatantly a double standard and TBH the run out XC tells you enough doesn't it?! I must admit its not something I would do with one of mine BUT I m an amateur and have far more personal attachment to my horses.
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Apache Sauce's run out XC was a case of a bad line to the fence after a tight bend, not a case of the horse being less than capable. (I don't think)

It is double standards though, you're right. Yet I don't believe in bashing either rider's judgement on this. Both Oliver and Mary are experienced riders and if they believe their horses can run at two 4*s in that space of time then we should trust their decision. Both horses passed the trot up, both horses were healthy and happy. I perhaps wouldn't do it often myself, but with $150,000 at stake I think many people would if their horse was fit and capable!
 
smurf said:
Did anyone see Derran Brown and the game show?
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/derren-brown-the-experiments/4od#3245576

Very interesting, it's all about an experiment, where a group of faceless individuals join together to form a mob, a gang of bullies who enjoy watching someone else suffer.

He compares a studio audience to people on an internet forum.

Very thought provoking
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I certainly was thought provoking, not comfortable viewing towards the end.
Also the X Factor tonight, the poor girl in tears after what she had read about herself on the net. Brings to mind 'if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all'
 
oldvic said:
They are always ridden competitively. Oli's horses always have freedom of their head and neck so maybe it's swings and roundabouts. Both riders are human - not perfect and have good points and things they would like to improve.



I would challenge your perception that an amateur has more personal attachment to their horse. Seeing even the most hardened pro with their horses in some situations would surprise you.
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I'm not saying that they don't adore their horses but it's very different when you have one horse that all your hopes and dreams are pinned upon and then having a few that all have the ability... It's different to have horses for work and horses as a hobby AFAIK.
 
I am in no position to comment on oli's horses or his attitude towards competing but all I will say is that whilst stabling at Aldon last weekend, mary king was the only 'big name' I saw walking her horses in hand early on the Sunday morning with a smile on her face. I also met her at the muck heap at one point where she told me all about how wonderful Archie had been at pau. She really is such an amazing lady and it was quite apparent that the welfare of her horses is much more important than winning prizes. That's not to say oli isn't of the same opinion though...
 
i think that your title hits the nail on the head K... HHO has terrible double standards....there are certain people that are generally disliked and certain people that are generally liked.... and thats just the way it goes unfortunately- but isn't that human nature generally? some people incite comment (positive or negative) and some people don't?

i like both MK and OT so can't comment on them specifically :)
 
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