utter dissapointment

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pixiebee

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At hicksted on tv this morning.
Why? because it really saddened me to ee so many 'top' riders yanking/kicking/jabbing etc their horses for not doing something or not doing it right. One guy even whacked his horse hard with the whip several times before even doing a jump...why did the horse still jump for him???
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Then at a show today, I witnessed several adults jabbing, swearing/yanking at their horses when the judghes werent looking. These poor horses were trying their hearts out but were still being 'manhandled' in this way- the children were better behaved. What makes it worse is that tomorrows riders are learning that this is how to treat horses? Even Ellen Whittaker was seen to be sticking her spurs in and yanking her horse in the mouth for not doing the bank!!!!!
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I agree! When you watch some riders they seem to have no respect for their horse. I was at a show when a ladies horse stopped at a fence coz she tried to jump it at an almost impossible angle. Proceeded to whip the poor thing 4-5 times whilst yanking it's teeth out, he jumped it and rest of course yet she carried on out the arena smaking his neck with whip and kicking with her spurs hard. I mean by then the horse has no idea why she's doing that! It was horrible to watch
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another girls horse stopped because she did the same thing,she knew it was her fault and resurred her horse that it was ok. I know who i admired more!
 
I dont know much about top riders ,because My horse and I are so much nearer the bottom.We did our first one day event and it was a disaster.Eliminated in the showjumping,an a nightmare cross country.The thing that made it bearable however was a judge informing me afterwards that it had been noted how sympatheticly I had dealt with the refusals.
so, I may be a crap rider, but head held high.
 
Yes but your sympatheticness will never get you to the top and these people are doing it to earn a living.
I'd dig my spurs into my cobs sides if it stopped!!
 
Just read the Elleen Whitaker posts.When I said tip of the iceberg I didn'tmean particularly her or the Whitakers but a huge amount of proffessonal and some not so proffessional competitors.I saw at an unaffiliated show once a woman beat her horse for several minutes and I was told to shut up when I commented (by other people!).Take the point about Ellens dad as well. I have seen children beaten by their parents for bad rounds.NOT saying that S Whitaker does that.Interesting letter in HH about some very poor behaviour by some showing people as well.
 
Yeah I noticed that too. EW Ive not liked for some time but everyone seems to think she's the bees knees - I see her as a spoilt brat who gets stroppy with her horses if they dont go clear. God forbid it should ever be her OWN fault.
 
I was fence judging at an event yesterday and was at a fairly strightforward but big fence, it was early on the course and probably the first test horses and riders would experience. I saw loads of riders walk the course who clearly didn't like it.

Then when they were riding, the number of them coming at the fence whipping their horses, shouting and growling at them was incredible - about 80% of the competitors I would say! Most of them had very uncomfotable looking jumps, with the horse either jumping huge, or hesitating because the riders had created doubt in their minds by over-riding so much. Of the 80%, only about 5% really needed to ride like that, the horses of the others were already locked on to the fence and thought nothing of it, but because the riders were frightened by it, they were creating a situation that the horses didn't like and got a worse jump for it. About 1/4 shouted good girl/boy after it, but only 2 actually patted them. Horses don't understand English! The riders who sat quietly and just kept their leg on got a much better ride over it.

On the other hand I saw my instructor go xc for the first time ever (I've known him years but never actually seen him compete xc before) He took a baby around the smaller class and his experienced horse in the open (he won) and I can see why he teaches and I learn from him! It was textbook all the way round, even on the baby, not one tricky moment!
 
Annagain, I agree with you in every respect except one - horses most definitely do understand English words. Very early on I said "what a good girl" to my mare while I was freelunging her and she came whizzing over to be made a fuss of - and has carried on doing it for 15 years. She clearly understands a great deal, and no, it isn't just tone of voice because you can say the same word in a totally different way and she still responds. We are the dumb animals because we don't understand their language! I think most people don't use their voice anything like enough when with their horses.
 
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Yes but your sympatheticness will never get you to the top and these people are doing it to earn a living.
I'd dig my spurs into my cobs sides if it stopped!!

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I think thats where we differ,I use my spurs before the horse stops.
If I felt it necessary to discipline a horse I would use a whip.
 
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