Charlotte Dujardin

Well, anyone caught out will feel upset to a greater or lesser degree.

Their "mental health" doesn't trump facing up to their actions, and the consequences.

MissAdventure

Well, anyone caught out will feel upset to a greater or lesser degree.

Their "mental health" doesn't trump facing up to their actions, and the consequences.

No, it doesn't. It certainly doesn't excuse her actions, and I don't think anyone on here is saying that at all. But we have seen how badly this kind of thing can end before, that's all.

Galaxy

I dont like the 'threat' of mental health or worse being used in order to stop discussion, it worries me. It is possible for harm to be caused the 'other way', so I dont want to see alleged domestic assault or animal cruelty not discussed because of concerns relating to the persons mental health.

No-one is saying it shouldn't be discussed, but if you've seen the level of abuse and vilification towards her on other social media platforms, then it is a concern. Some of what has been posted is absolutely vile, to say the least. Look how badly it's turned out in other high profile cases, for example.

Good, we are all in agreement on that.

Inexcusable behaviour.

MissAdventure

Well, anyone caught out will feel upset to a greater or lesser degree.

Their "mental health" doesn't trump facing up to their actions, and the consequences.

The consequences:
She has been dropped from Team GB
She has lost her livelihood, probably her home too
She is well-known and fingers will be pointed wherever she goes now.

However, some of what is and will be on social media will far exceed in nastiness what facing the consequences should entail.

MissAdventure

This thread seems to have gone here, there and everywhere in attempts to almost defend this woman.

Blurry film, you have to know about horses to understand, personal problems, now we're going down the mental health route.

So sorry, Misadventure, I forgot.

The opinions of a four year old are far more valid than that of an 'expert' or even someone who knows what they are talking about...

I'll try to bear that in mind when posting on Gnet in future...

The be kind stuff is as dangerous and can end just as badly in other ways.

Post whatever you like, Maizie
As will I.

Urmstongran

I’m sure I’m not the only one here who occasionally gives thought to CdJ’s mental health status right now. I cannot imagine the stress she must be under.

You’re not the only one, Urms

The whole thing leaves a nasty taste in the mouth and not just because of Charlotte Dujatdin’s actions.

MissAdventure

She'll be mortified, depressed, and embarrassed, I'd imagine, but she will get over it (and get over herself in the process, hopefully)

Nasty!

I don't think anyone has attempted to defend Dujardin's actions. In fact, even those of us who are 'horsey people' have gone out of our way to criticise her actions, while at the same time, perhaps attempting to explain a bit more about dressage and horses in general to those who don't know anything about it (by their own admission). I repeat - no-one is defending the indefensible, and of course people can post whatever the like. I'm just saying that some of the stuff I've seen posted about here - not on here, I might add, but elsewhere on social media - has been utterly vile and disgusting.

I've no time for animal abusers.
They aren't a commodity, but a sentient being.

This woman is worth millions, thanks to the horses.

I agree MissA. The abusive trolls are nasty people. However I can't imagine being concerned about the mental health of someone I've never met. I have my own to contend with.

MaizieD

Anniebach

And how the silver medalist at the previous games must feel

Why?

Charlotte won those medals fair and square.

Unless you have a problem with the judges decisions, of course...

I will be the first one to say I know little about horse training. I would have loved to ride as a child, but that was never on my parents' budget.

But I do undersrtand Annies' comment - she won 'fair and square' you say, but the question remains about how she trained the horse to win. The question is now, was it 'fair and square', or did it involve pain, fear and cruelty?

I just love animals, always have, always will- but never ever needed to control them, to train them, for them to win, to show- I love them for who they are, and the training, even with animals that have suffered terribly in the past, been beaten and abandonned- has been through love and trust alone, and only to make them safe.

No doubt on social media, people are going over the top.

Don't they always these days?
(Ms. Rayner, Meghan and Harry for example)

I've said no more about Dejardin than I would say about a member of my own family, given the same circumstances,

Agree with MissAdventure , I am also against dog shows, the animal doesn’t win awards the owner of the animal does

Kate1949

I agree MissA. The abusive trolls are nasty people. However I can't imagine being concerned about the mental health of someone I've never met. I have my own to contend with.

I understand that. Just pointing out that we have seen all too recently how abuse on social media can have tragic consequences. Again, I'm not referring to comments made here on GN, but elsewhere on social media.

I have seen some positive posts on social media this morning which have made me think. Several from people I follow and admire in the horse world - they do not generally compete but are people who promote partnership with horses and kinder training methods, they are also often coaches and professional trainers, so highly skilled.

What is heartening is that they make no bones about their criticism of Charlotte’s behaviour in the video, but they also, along with their compassion towards horses, display compassion towards Charlotte DJD and urge people to look at themselves and do better - to be the change we want to see. They also suggest that Charlotte could, if she chooses, move on from this to promote kinder standards in training, riding, even to explore dressage without spurs, double bridles or whips and to open discussions at the top levels. How amazing would that be?

I do think that the owners or admin of sites should take down some of the terrible things that are said about those in the public eye.

There is nothing here that warrants that.

It must be absolutely terrible to read what people think of you, day in and day out.

I couldn't cope with it, but then I don't want any part of that kind of life.

I would never want to see her as some kind of expert in kind practice, nightowl.

That's just me.

Yes MissI. Some things these keyboard warriors say about famous people are sickening. Perhaps jealousy is at play. I was not trying to be uncaring. I speak as someone who's sibling took their own life through awful life events and treatment by others. Hopefully CD is in a position to get help if she is struggling which is not available to some.

I'm not suggesting anyone on here was being uncaring at all, Kate1949. My only hope is that, as I think I said elsewhere, that perhaps this may act as the equestrian world's #MeToo moment and shine a light on any cruel practices and promote kinder horsemanship across the board.

What I meant was that my post may have come across as uncaring. Not anyone else's. Yes I hope some good comes out of it.

It already has, to my mind.

I think that this will probably lead to other cases being exposed.

The only good to come out of this is to ban dressage. It's not a million miles away from the middle-age fairground entertainment of putting fire to the feet of a bear to make it dance.
I do wonder about the mentality of anyone wanting this kind of control over an animal. What are they trying to prove?