HOYS today - shocked at 'professional's' behaviour

pigsmight:) said:
I feel that I have to post, I have seen the clip and agree that it probably isn't his finest moment, but is it acceptable to start a hate campaign against him? I felt uncomfortable reading this thred and comments made are personal and quite shocking. It never fails to supprise me how quickly people are prepared to venomously attack an individual on
cptrayes said:
In the light of the post above, number 280, worth repeating, I think.
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Sorry, didn't actually realise he hadn't posted a statement to explain the incident. I'd assumed he had but I'm not actually on Facebook so didn't check. Can see why people are getting annoyed about it now!
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It wouldn't took much to say that the over reacted to his reversing aid but is now fine ;).

That and not annoying people by 'tidying up' your facebook page.
 
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EKW said:
I see the H&H have omitted this disaster from any of their HOYS reports this week!

Do you think he has put out a gag on the media?
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Mhmmm well, the incident with his owners/ other assault charge shows he is prepared to go to court. He does have significant financial backing. I wouldn't print what could be considered defamatory information in their position either. It would have financial and legal implications. They could have shown a photo of the incident of course.

Look at how Jock Paget's name got dragged through the mud, even though he was cleared and public opinion was in his favour... that will always taint him. Not the same amount of money in 3DE though is there....
 
From FB:

“The incident with my horse at HOYS last week was most unfortunate. However the allegations that my actions were reprehensible and indeed reprimanded are quite without foundation and by the FEI’s enquiry, they have been vindicated. The welfare of my horses is always paramount and I wish to make it clear that I have the fullest respect for my horses and their owners, the governing bodies of the sport and the Ground Jury members at HOYS. The FEI has issued a statement clarifying its position for which I am grateful and as always, I wish to thank all those who run the sport, my sponsors and owners for their support.”
Ben Maher

FEI Statement
“The FEI Secretary General has now investigated the incident concerning Ben Maher at the CSI3* Birmingham (GBR), which was addressed by officials at the time. He has clearly established that no reprimand, no warning nor any other sanction has been imposed on Ben Maher. On behalf of the FEI he apologises for the inconvenience an earlier statement from FEI Headquarters might have caused for the athlete and his entourage.”
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The comments defending him are actually quite stupid and I would only hope from his "teenage" following, who hopefully don't copy his *****ty attitude towards his horses.
 
Polos said:
Before you lot take this campaign to ruin this mans business and livelihood any further, just think how you'd like it if hoards of hormonal woman of the internet set out to purposely ruin your life and take away away everything you'd worked so hard to achieve.
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i don't even know where to go with this comment...it just depresses me when men comment like this in this day and age. amazingly patronising and sexist.
 
So he didn't even get a slap on the wrist, and he makes a statement saying he did nothing wrong. Sorry Ben, I saw you drag that horse over backwards. You may not consider that reprehensible, but I do.
 
Oooof bad statement. I take it he wrote that himself.

Also ffs FEI "I know we said we'd told him off, but we didn't. And now we can't because we already look like idiots". Nice work guys.
 
Polos said:
I am a woman...... Not sure where you'd get the idea that I'm a man?!
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Perhaps from your incredibly patronising description of women, who may or may not be hormonal. Honestly, if anyone can legitimately defend Ben Maher's choice of riding aids after that refusal, then go ahead, but don't call everyone who thinks he is an idiot hormonal.

Put simply - would you send your horse to him, having seen how he treats his horses, and having read his statement on facebook, absolving himself of any wrongdoing?
 
It is truly frightening that there are people out there who think that's what rein back looks like. It's a wonder our competition venues aren't littered with dressage horses all over the floor!
 
LittleRocketRider said:
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Public opinion and personal opinion are very different, also it's not a case of good v bad, more relating to a specific incident. He publicly conducted himself well, his statements were very well written, timed and judged. I would say his handling of the situation was exemplary.
 
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caramac said:
So was he or was he not reprimanded by the FEI ?
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FEI Statement
“The FEI Secretary General has now investigated the incident concerning Ben Maher at the CSI3* Birmingham (GBR), which was addressed by officials at the time. He has clearly established that no reprimand, no warning nor any other sanction has been imposed on Ben Maher. On behalf of the FEI he apologises for the inconvenience an earlier statement from FEI Headquarters might have caused for the athlete and his entourage.”

We were going to, but then changed our minds because of [xxxxxxxxxx] and now we will wait for the whole thing to hush over.
 
I haven't read the whole thread so forgive me if I am repeating someone else... but I made a complaint to the FEI and received this back:

The FEI Secretary General has now investigated the incident concerning Ben Maher at the CSI3* Birmingham (GBR), which was addressed by officials at the time. He has clearly established that no reprimand, no warning nor any other sanction has been imposed on Ben Maher. On behalf of the FEI he apologises for the inconvenience an earlier statement from FEI Headquarters might have caused for the athlete and his entourage.

With best regards,

Corporate Communications
Fédération Equestre Internationale
Chemin de la Joliette 8
1006 Lausanne
Switzerland
Shocking to think that he hasnt even gotten a slap on the wrist for what he did...
 
I was not going to get involved in this discussion but having read his statement on his FB page, I have to say the arrogance and smugness with which it is written is not becoming of anyone.
 
Was there an official video made at the event? If so, it would show more clearly exactly what happened. I would be interested to see this if it exists. And if it supports Ben Maher's case, maybe he will be pressing for an excerpt to be released.
 
And all the negative comments being removed from his fb page again so it looks as if he is just getting lots of praise and good luck wishes ! Do they really think people are so stupid that we don't know its happening sigh
 
Dear oh dear, what a disgrace. Ben Maher's semi-literate statement is arrogant in the extreme and as for the FEI's backtracking...not a great day for the sport!
 
Good God, there are some ridiculous people on this forum.

When you've all had a minor misunderstanding with a het up, over-sensitive, mid-tantrum warmblood show jumper (labelled 'crazy' before Ben got his hands on it, FTR), then you may be in a position to judge.

Interesting that everyone I know who was actually THERE agrees this was nothing but a mid-strop horse falling over its own feet when the rider firmly reined it back after a stop.
 
Munchkin said:
Good God, there are some ridiculous people on this forum.

When you've all had a minor misunderstanding with a het up, over-sensitive, mid-tantrum warmblood show jumper (labelled 'crazy' before Ben got his hands on it, FTR), then you may be in a position to judge.

Interesting that everyone I know who was actually THERE agrees this was nothing but a mid-strop horse falling over its own feet when the rider firmly reined it back after a stop.
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I was actually there with a perfect view. I saw a man in a temper punish a horse who had refused by yanking her in the teeth with a long shank bit until she fell over backwards. She did NOT just get her legs in a muddle.
 
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I have to admit that from the vid I couldn't tell clearly what went on. I am a bit surprised to hear that the FEI have denied that he has received a reprimand despite an earlier released statement that he had. So, he did - but then he didn't. What's all that about?
 
Munchkin said:
Good God, there are some ridiculous people on this forum.
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Some people would say you were the ridiculous one tbh...

When you've all had a minor misunderstanding with a het up, over-sensitive, mid-tantrum warmblood show jumper (labelled 'crazy' before Ben got his hands on it, FTR), then you may be in a position to judge.

Interesting that everyone I know who was actually THERE agrees this was nothing but a mid-strop horse falling over its own feet when the rider firmly reined it back after a stop.
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I was also there, and disagree - it was not the horse upturning itself.

I think the behaviour promotes bad riding in the sport and don't support the FEIs position, interestingly enough there are other people feel the same.
 
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