Is this another sign that equestrianism is ''fading out''

Some really good ideas and thoughts above. As someone who used to show jump and follow it closely, I now feel very out of touch with it as see so little on tv or at least free tv

Re the F1 I am an addict and can happily watch 90 mins of free practice though that is as much for the interesting talk about the sport and technical people they have on than watching the cars drive round

Not sure what that adds. I did though buy a carpet from carpet right at the weekend. Did suggest I took picture of horse next to hickstead carpet right placard to see if we could get a reduction.
 
What Firewell and Kat said really, I thought the 6 bar at Olympia this year was more entertaining than the puissance. I like watching the big classes where they really try in the jump off that makes it worth watching. What about the ride and drive they used to do at Olympia or when they had kids on their ponies in a relay type class. Or fancy dress/bareback jumping?
There are ways of doing it but I'm not sure how easy the change would be.
 
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The problem as far as I can see is that BSJA funds and lottery money gets spent on "Training" , which is basically a boys own club feathering there own nests.

If you looked at the money that goes to "trainers" you would lose your sence of humour.

So much of SJ is horse power and no amount of "Training" is going to give you a world class ride.

Good PR is about developing possitive perceptions of your sport and stars , part of the problem as far as I can see is that John and Micheal did not appeal as "sports personalitys" in the same way as frankie dettori does.

If you asked the average man on the street to name a show Jumper they would still say Harvey or David , because people could connect with them.

Give Scott time though and he has the potential to become a house hold name ;

"So Scott , what does winning a goal medal mean to you"

"Well I hope it imroves my chances with Woman"

Exactly what the man on the street could relate with , I thought we would have got colloum inches from that , but alas.....
 
I actually feel quite sorry for Scott Brash.

Yes he has been given fabulous horses and the doors will all open for him now but and for me its a big but, I can't imagine he is able to make his own decisions or steer his future now that the Harris's / Brooms and ilk have got him.

They will no doubt micro manage every aspect of his career and that is a huge pressure to have no control over your own destiny.
 
Im sure he is his own man , he was a winner before there assistance.

Its not like Cus D'Amato getting a hold of Mike Tyson , Scott was the real deal before the the big backing.

What we need is for the BSJA to invest time and effort into raising Ben and Scotts profile , Snooker isnt great but look how they get the public to connect with them - the hurricane - the golden boy - the rocket , this is all PR.

Lloyd.
 
lloyd said:
Im sure he is his own man , he was a winner before there assistance.

Its not like Cus D'Amato getting a hold of Mike Tyson , Scott was the real deal before the the big backing.

What we need is for the BSJA to invest time and effort into raising Ben and Scotts profile , Snooker isnt great but look how they get the public to connect with them - the hurricane - the golden boy - the rocket , this is all PR.

Lloyd.
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Yes Scott was certainly identified as a rising star but the financial backing of the Haris's will catapult him to another level altogether. I cannot imagine for one minute they won't be expecting a return on their investment and the pressure for that poor young man will be huge.

I wouldn't say the public has connected with snooker myself, as for the Hurricane all I remember about him was the drug abuse and what a wreck his life turned into and Ronnie wotsits Dad was a criminal and I've never heard of the other two.

The big turnaround example to me is swimming. Who the hell ever took notice of that before the arrival of Tom Daley. And I'm sure thats because he is a very fit buff young man and looks count for such a lot in terms of press exposure and fans. He oodles confidence in front of the camera aswell, whats not to like.

Who have we got can rival that.
 
If we could talk Horse and country aka the carl hester appreciation society into a following Ben or Scott it would be a start.

And the Tom Daley of Showjumping has to be Robert Whittiker surely.

;)

Once jumped against him in ponies , it was the jump off of a newcomers second round with just the top two places qualifing and I was waiting to go in the ring , he came up to me and asked ;

" here , are you any good"

Cheeky ******.
 
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