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That Peta were on TV today highlights the problem with our media. They could have got a vet or somebody from a reputable animal welfare organisation but chose the extremist instead. It’s by no means confined to animal cruelty stories. If there’s a choice between somebody qualified to talk on any subject or some swivel-eyed loon, they’ll always go for the latter. And, Moehat’s right, they are never challenged about their actual agenda. It explains much about the state of the nation over the past few years.
Another video has emerged. This time Dujardin calls a misbehaving horse a “bitch”.
Isn’t this in danger of getting out of hand? Horses can be frustrating. Is it really so terrible if a rider shouts out in frustration every now and again? It must happen in Newmarket every day.
A few years ago, Davy Russell was almost thrown by his horse at Tramore. He then punched it. I have no doubt it was caused by frustration and a frayed temper but it doesn’t mean he was abusing horses.
I am not defending Dujardin and recognise the first video was not helpful to equine sports. But I do think some of the online commentary is ridiculous (no change there, I suppose). To read some comments, you might think Dujardin had thrashed the horse to within an inch of its life.
People on both sides of the fence should stop focusing on the emotional aspect. What Dujardin was doing in terms of training a horse was shockingly ignorant – hanging onto its head, while simultaneously applying both whip and spurs, sends such mixed messages that no horse can understand the ask. The situation will go from bad to worse. That a woman can get to her age competing at the level that she does, and apply these sorts of methods beggars belief. The other people present are equally guilty. More money than sense, and the horses always suffer.
Having now watched the Good Morning Britain interview, I don’t think Alice Plunkett actually said anything that was unreasonable. She unambiguously condemned what Dujardin had done. The main point she seems to be being called out on is her comment that we should remember there is a human being in the middle of the story and that their career is now in tatters.
As other posters have commented, nuance seems to go totally out of the window in cases like this, and to say anything other than to utterly condemn the person is seen as insufficient.
Clearly Dujardin’s behaviour was abhorrent and deserves punishment, but it also seems reasonable to recognise that the past week has been utterly catastrophic for her. When I consider what some other people in both equine sport and other walks of life have got away with and not experienced anything like the same degree of public excoriation, I still find it possible to feel some empathy for Dujardin while wholly disapproving of her actions.
When we see these types of public pile-on, I get the impression that some of the baying mob would be happy with nothing less than than the person involved chucking themselves off the nearest cliff. Personally I hope that Dujardin can overcome this episode and find a way to still lead a useful and fulfilling life. But the topic is so toxic that to say so probably means I will be viewed by some as condoning the actions of a monster.
I agree with you, Marlingford. I was only thinking something similar yesterday about an unrelated case.
Our secular, social media driven age does seem to be very unforgiving to anyone who sins against its supposed values. Those at the forefront of Twitter mobs should bear in mind it could be them on the receiving end one day.
As I said earlier, the way some hysterical individuals have been talking, you might have thought Dujardin had thrashed the horse to within an inch of his life. Whereas this news item puts what she did into perspective:
I agree with Marlingford too. That Dujardin has received condemnation and revulsion is to be expected.This has been magnified by her previous high standing no doubt. Quiet oblivion seems her best path now. That ought to be punishment enough.
Unless I’m mistaken, the video of the incident was taken at Hester’s establishment.Apparently a signatory to a collective condemnation of the behaviour, I think he ought to be making a statement considering his close working ties to Dujardin.
Well said Marlingford. She didn’t lick this off the road, as they say. To see the dressage community throwing her under the bus is sickening. They all need to take a long hard look at themselves.
It’s not what Plunkett said that is the problem. I largely agree with her. It’s the fact that, by choosing to go on national TV to discuss a story about equine cruelty, she created a link to racing which didn’t otherwise exist. At a time when the sport is still struggling with being associated with the awful slaughterhouse programmes, it doesn’t need any more media damage. Anybody from the world of dressage could have been interviewed without dragging racing into the sorry affair.
Agree Marlingford. What she did was totally out of order and I think none of us condone it. She’s out of the Olympics but you have a convicted sex offender representing the Netherlands; can someone please explain that one to me!
Tonge, I can see where you are coming from re Plunkett, but I’d imagine she feels a strong affinity for equestrianism given her background and family connections. I can hardly blame her for wanting to defend the sport in those circumstances. You could argue she needs to prioritise her present employment within racing above this, but racing is inextricably linked to the topic of equine welfare in sport regardless.
Personally I doubt Plunkett’s media appearance will have done any further harm to racing, especially when racing has already harmed itself so spectacularly and repeatedly with the slaughterhouse programmes.
I think the people who have criticised Plunkett on social media are the usual angry minority who would not be satisfied with anything less than her demanding Dujardin is given a public flogging. In some ways I admire her for putting her ahead above the parapet and making measured comments, especially when the easy course of action nowadays would be to say nothing or to throw Dujardin to the wolves.
Seems to be down to the country committees worzelwaywardlad. So the UK decided (rightly in my view) that Dujardin was unfit to represent her country. Netherlands apparently fine with a bloke who repeatedly raped a child representing them. Daresay there could be a few even worse on board those boats though.
Allegedly that offence the Dutch guy committed occurred in the UK, severed 1 year here and was deported, with a further 3 years to serve. Sickening really what sport has come too.
‘Personally I hope that Dujardin can overcome this episode and find a way to still lead a useful and fulfilling life. But the topic is so toxic that to say so probably means I will be viewed by some as condoning the actions of a monster.’
A perfectly reasonable position, one can condemn absolutely the act (as I think everyone here has done) without wishing the end of her career on her. Unfortunately in the current toxic, polarised climate, some out there seem to think you have to be totally on one side or the other and anything less than wanting total ruin for her is somehow seen as sympathising with a vicious animal abuser.
“Personally I doubt Plunkett’s media appearance will have done any further harm to racing”
We’ll have to agree to disagree on this one Marlingford. I can’t see that appearing on a programme aimed at people vaguely curious about racing (Champions: Full Gallop) a few hours after commenting on Dujardin can be seen as anything other than a PR disaster. Still, at least these things blow over quickly. Obviously the animal rights nutcases never forget but they’ll never change their minds anyway.
My exact feelings Tonge, I thought the same as soon as she popped up on Full Gallop.
The more I know the less I understand.
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