Robert Whitaker.........

Why even spend the money to enter the pigging class if your not going to commit to Giving it a shot? Just because your horse has another show soon? He could have won both for all he knows
 
My husband calls him ratboy. Stupid not to continue with the last round really, he may have gone clear, but surely if you withdraw from the competition you are out, not placed.?

Loved Luca Monetti tho, snaffle bit, cavesson noseband, no martingale or gadgets, just enthusiasm and fun. Great!
 
While I don't particularly like the guy, ultimately there are worse things than a horse not getting a pat on the neck.

As long as the horse is ridden with consistency and sensitivity does it matter if they don't get a pat? I don't think it really affects the horse that much - maybe some more nervous/insecure horses need this reassurance but not all of them. I pat my horses neck but he doesn't really seem to care.

There are plenty of riders out there who happily pat their horse on the neck as a reward all the while confusing the horse with their inconsistent or incorrect aids - to me that's a worse crime and has more impact that not patting your horse.

I'm another who loved Luca Monetti though - what a wonderful horseman! Nice to see a competitor really enjoying their sport! He seemed very popular with the crowds and I suspect has won himself a lot of fans in the UK!
 
Surely (and I do not and never have liked Mr Whittaker), in this case he did the right thing, they stated that his horse was committed to several shows in the New Year in America, is not that experienced, and so withdrew: As far as prizes are concerned he was left in until the last round, and so, as such was entitled to his fourth place, this is the same as in the Puissance.
 
Maybe he was putting the horse first knowing that it needed the experiance but not to be pushed too hard...and what makes you think a pat is a nice experiance for a horse,its humans that like to have a pat on the back (though I hate it,like the horse I suffer it because its the "done thing")
 
And please could someone explain to me Catwalks tack? there seemed to be a kind of guard under the horses chin... like a smaller version of what you put on to stop horses destroying their rugs. Its been puzzling me, he had it on in the Olympia grand prix but he doesn't always wear it going by other pictures Ive seen.
 
At a guess if say to stop him grabbing his reins/martingale. But he is quiet snappy with his knees so maybe it's a protective thing too?
 
I'm a fan of the enthusiasm of Luca. However, his horses were built quite upside down and all had the same ewe neck. A d bit that you're swinging out of with your hands behind the horses ears isn't the prettiest of pictures.

Marcus Ehning, Pius Schwizer, Edwina Alexander, Tina Fletcher, Peter Charles, (and others) had lovely schooled horses too. Built well through proper schooling. They were all happy with their horses too. Cian had a great show and it shown through to his horses. I'd rather see horses which aren't over bent in a nice contact and quiet riders getting the best out of their horses no matter what bit they have.

But hey, it's not like I ride at that level. So what do I know.

Terri
 
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