I’m not sure what to think….

[sakura]

He doesn't. He's admitted it was wrong and has apologised .

I was replying to a post that suggested if he had been told his actions were wrong at the time, he wouldn’t do it again. My point was that he shouldn’t have needed to be told it was wrong to not do it

 

[I'm Dun]

You know why most people are in prison for murder? A split second loss of temper, and 99% of them never reoffend. Now I am no way equating the two actions, but if split second loss of tempers are ignored, where do we draw the line?

The poster has been interviewed here. Skip to 10.36 unless you want to hear one of the worst influencers waffling on for 10mins!

 

[bonny]

You know why most people are in prison for murder? A split second loss of temper, and 99% of them never reoffend. Now I am no way equating the two actions, but if split second loss of tempers are ignored, where do we draw the line?

The poster has been interviewed here. Skip to 10.36 unless you want to hear one of the worst influencers waffling on for 10mins!

Murder means it was premeditated not a sudden loss of temper.

 

[ycbm]

Murder means it was premeditated not a sudden loss of temper.

No so Bonny, sorry. Murder means it was intentional. You can lose your temper suddenly and still intend to kill the person.
.

 

[scats]

You know why most people are in prison for murder? A split second loss of temper, and 99% of them never reoffend. Now I am no way equating the two actions, but if split second loss of tempers are ignored, where do we draw the line?

The poster has been interviewed here. Skip to 10.36 unless you want to hear one of the worst influencers waffling on for 10mins!

Does she explain why she waited 2 years? Tried to watch it but the irritating interviewer was too much for me!

 

[wills_91]

Does she explain why she waited 2 years? Tried to watch it but the irritating interviewer was too much for me!

No she doesn't, but she does say she mentioned it at the time and was brushed aside with remarks "he didn't hit him that hard"

 

[teapot]

Has anyone seen her latest Instagram reel (of an older video)?

Trying to work out if the rubs behind her legs are sweat marks or spur marks…

 

[Upthecreek]

The bottom line is that Mark Todd was wrong to do what he did but he's now paying huge consequences for something that happened two years ago. It makes me wonder whether who is the cruellest? Someone who acted like an oaf in a split second? Or those who are piling on him now? (Including the rider who was apparently too scared to advocate for her own horse at the time)
It reminds me of a thread recently about another big name who used insensitive language during a workshop. The offended person didn't say anything at the time but wrote it here and the advice was to complain to the venue etc. Justice is always served cold these days. Why don't we give each other the opportunity to rectify things on the spot anymore? If someone is being an idiot, the kindest thing is to tell them to their face. Give people a chance. Don't sneak around on social media after the fact. It's cruel, vindictive, and cowardly to pile on individuals from behind a keyboard. Getting people cancelled. Ruining careers. If I ever messed up I would be so grateful to be told on the spot rather than find out later that I'm the subject of a social media frenzy.
And yes, I hate what MT did to that horse. Good on him for apologising. If only the rider had stood up for her animal at the time!

I think we have to remember that most young people haven’t experienced life without social media. Most of their communication is done by messaging rather than face to face and I can see in my own kids aged 17, 19 and 22 that is definitely their preference. I don’t know what the answer is but I can certainly see why some people might find awkward or difficult face to face conversations uncomfortable. Modern technology has given people the ability to say things from behind a keyboard that they would probably not have the balls to say in person.

 

[maggiestar]

I think we have to remember that most young people haven’t experienced life without social media. Most of their communication is done by messaging rather than face to face and I can see in my own kids aged 17, 19 and 22 that is definitely their preference. I don’t know what the answer is but I can certainly see why some people might find awkward or difficult face to face conversations uncomfortable. Modern technology has given people the ability to say things from behind a keyboard that they would probably not have the balls to say in person.

Yes, there's a lot of truth in this. I think it's sad. Face to face communication is such an important part of being human and it seems as if we're losing the skill. That's why it's so easy to dehumanise each other

 

[Kaylum]

I was browsing 'equestrian books' on amazon last night, looking for my next read, and this popped up

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cant-Watch-Anymore-Dropping-Equestrian/dp/8797354309/ref=sr_1_19?crid=32GF5DPHDBJW4&keywords=equestrian+books&qid=1644851682&sprefix=equestrian+books,aps,81&sr=8-19

I haven't ordered it, but it sounds pretty eyebrow raising, and made me think how much top level sport really needs to clean up both it's image and its actions if people are going to carry on using horses in this way. It's really getting harder to justify the 'norm' for a lot of people.

I have got the tug of war book it's very interesting. Also shocked to see more horses looking terrible on instagram ridden by professionals. I dislike dressage so much. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284646261644?mkevt=1&mkcid=16&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

 

[[153312]]

Have people seen this?

Rider who shared Mark Todd viral video was given final warning at previous job for ‘hitting and kicking’ horses and ‘bullying’ - Horse & Hound (horseandhound.co.uk)

 

[laura_nash]

Have people seen this?

Rider who shared Mark Todd viral video was given final warning at previous job for ‘hitting and kicking’ horses and ‘bullying’ - Horse & Hound (horseandhound.co.uk)

I don't really see how it's relevant. Unless the suggestion is that the rider somehow persuaded an experienced Olympic competitor to behave contrary to his usual behaviour. Obviously he's admitted it was him and he behaved like that, no suggestion the video was altered, so her truthfulness is irrelevant. Her own abusive behaviour, if true, had nothing to do with what happened.

 

[[153312]]

Doesn't it lend further strength to the suggestion that she's doing it for likes rather than genuine outrage though?

 

[Tiddlypom]

Hmm, I'm not particularly happy that H&H has reported on that by jumping in to help trash the reputation of the clinic rider.

The girl wasn't riding aggressively in the video, she was riding weakly. Maybe she is thoroughly unpleasant IRL, but MT's actions were his own.

What a mess.

 

[[153312]]

Undoubtedly both have made mistakes in their equestrian and personal lives, maybe it would have been better if all of it had just stayed in the past.

 

[Bay.chestnut.coloure]

I don't really see how it's relevant. Unless the suggestion is that the rider somehow persuaded an experienced Olympic competitor to behave contrary to his usual behaviour. Obviously he's admitted it was him and he behaved like that, no suggestion the video was altered, so her truthfulness is irrelevant. Her own abusive behaviour, if true, had nothing to do with what happened.

Maybe that she should’ve given MT the same chance she had to learn from her bad choices… regardless of if MT is an Olympic trainer he made a bad judgement he’s only human. As I’ve said I’ve no reason to believe it’s common practice seeing as some of the comments say how kind he was at their clinics. No there’s no guarantee he would’ve changed his ways but I think he should’ve at least been given a chance. And before you go comparing it to murder or sexual abuse, where people don’t deserve a 2nd chance, this is so far off it. No one is saying to sweep it under the rug but just use your common sense and good judgement to decide what’s best way to deal with it…still think it should’ve ALL stayed offline and I know you are all probably sick to death of me harping on about it. But this constant witch hunting is no good for anyone.

 

[laura_nash]

Maybe that she should’ve given MT the same chance she had to learn from her bad choices…

I believe the article says she lost her job?

I don't agree with a lot of the vitriol online (not on here). For me, it doesn't really change my opinion of Mark Todd, he's still an amazing rider, especially cross country, and that doesn't change. I never had a hero worship of him beyond his riding ability, or any opinion either way of him as a coach.

If I was ever in a position to consider whether to have a clinic with him (massively unlikely) then this would make a difference to my decision, as in I probably wouldn't. I think it's perfectly reasonable that he loses clinics or sponsorship due to it, because it does (to me) reflect poorly on his emotional control, people coaching skills, horse training ability (as in understanding equine psychology, not race horse training) and judgement.

The rider had every right to post the video, she paid for the clinic she attended. If you choose to teach clinics these days you have to expect to be filmed and go up on SM.

I agree with someone earlier who said Mark Todd himself had handled things much better, in the 'aftermath', than a lot of the people defending him. I do agree that many people have the odd incident in their past they are less than proud of, and am glad he admitted this was one of those times for him. I suspect that he may be one of those riders that's too good a rider, naturally, to really be a good coach. Presumably if he was riding it the horse would have jumped in no problem, so he maybe didn't have the tools to resolve the issue and got frustrated.

 

[cauda equina]

The article doesn't say she lost her job; it says she walked out after receiving a written warning about her behaviour

This adds to my suspicion that releasing the footage of MT is an attempt to deflect attention from her own failings

 

[wills_91]

The article doesn't say she lost her job; it says she walked out after receiving a written warning about her behaviour

This adds to my suspicion that releasing the footage of MT is an attempt to deflect attention from her own failings

The alleged incident with her was in 2019, so nearly 3 years ago.

 

[HBB]

The article doesn't say she lost her job; it says she walked out after receiving a written warning about her behaviour

This adds to my suspicion that releasing the footage of MT is an attempt to deflect attention from her own failings

I do think you’re partly correct, the short TikTok she initially released was for a laugh and when she got negative backlash she then released the full video and that’s what deflected the attention from her.

I said right from the beginning, it is only poor Harry the horse that deserves our sympathy’s.

 

[Red-1]

Well, I needed a new girth. Found a Mark Todd one half price. Bargain!

 

[MagicMelon]

A stick used correctly, as a tool not a weapon, is a useful thing to refine the aids, just like the spur.

I have to disagree. I dont think it would be seen as acceptable to use a whip on a dog for example, oh and use some pointy metal spurs to push into the dog to help "refine" its training? Sorry but I find it insane what is still seen as acceptable for a horse but that would be massively frowned upon when used on any other animal? Im not disagreeing with a whip for using for other reasons (ie. not hitting the horse) but tapping gently or pointing at them for something, for example pointing a lunge whip at the horse asking them to move out but there's absolutely no malice in that. You surely have to admit that probably the vast majority of riders misuse whips and absolutely use them for punishment (ie. a weapon). You only have to pop down to your nearest event to see it for yourself.

 

[Cortez]

I have to disagree. I dont think it would be seen as acceptable to use a whip on a dog for example, oh and use some pointy metal spurs to push into the dog to help "refine" its training? Sorry but I find it insane what is still seen as acceptable for a horse but that would be massively frowned upon when used on any other animal? Im not disagreeing with a whip for using for other reasons (ie. not hitting the horse) but tapping gently or pointing at them for something, for example pointing a lunge whip at the horse asking them to move out but there's absolutely no malice in that. You surely have to admit that probably the vast majority of riders misuse whips and absolutely use them for punishment (ie. a weapon). You only have to pop down to your nearest event to see it for yourself.

A dog is not a horse, does not react to the same stimuli. and is not trained in the same way at all, nor to do the same things. Your analogy is completely spurious, just as it is to suggest that falcons, sheep, cattle, ferrets, or indeed people are all trained in the same ways. Just because people don't know how to use a tool does not mean it should be banned. Learn how to do things: education is the solution to most problems.