While I'm trying to get my motivation for blogging back, I wanted to give a shout out..
Go check out Polar Square Designs! Kate was awesome enough to do a portrait for Aimee when Cuna passed, a really pretty 8x10" graphite. Kate does commissions, portraits, ornaments, logos (including the Team Flying Solo logo!) and other super awesome things, including THE coolest saddle pads ever! (No seriously, THE coolest. You have to check them out!)
Go check out her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/
Etsy page: https://www.etsy.com/shop/
Website: http://www.polarsquaredesigns.com
And her email: polarsquaredesigns@gmail.com
I'll be back to writing... eventually. I had a large influx of hate emails and creepy Facebook messages about what a horrible evil horse abusing cheater I am, and that dampened my interest in sharing my story a bit. People went so far as to stalk my Facebook and ride records, and send me my own photos of myself riding to illustrate how bad of a person I am. I've met some incredibly nice, wonderful, generous endurance people, and then I've met some of the most terrifying, judgmental, angry people I've ever had the misfortune to cross paths with.... yikes! It's easy to be a couch jockey and barf up hated all over your targets from the anonymity of a computer screen, and I certainly don't feel the need to defend myself - I know full well how I care for my animals, since I am the one here doing it and they are not. But I also don't feel the need to share my story if I am going to get eaten alive for it. I don't need that kind of noise in my life.
That being said, it sounds for the most part like it's an isolated thing. Everyone I've talked to says there are some REALLY bad endurance apples out there that spoil all the fun for the good ones. Sounds like everybody has a story about being screamed at, or called names, or accused of overriding, or accused of being out of control, or whatever. I guess it comes with the territory. So, eh.
All of those people who are talking "sheeeeeeet" clearly haven't seen the before and after photos of your horses... don't let them get you down, even if it's hard.
ReplyDeleteAnd double thumbs up for Kate here too :) Love her and her work.
People do that? Um, wow. Sorry you're going through it. Sounds like massive suck.
ReplyDeleteApparently they do... I was just as surprised as you are though. I got a lot of flack when I was talking about breeding Gogo but this is ridiculous!
Deletegood heavens! What brought that on?Don't feel bad. I had the same thing happen yesterday. A couple people convinced themselves my horse was lame and spread it all over Facebook that I was using/abusing a lame horse. People suck sometimes!
ReplyDeleteWell that's dumb. I hope you don't quit writing!
ReplyDeleteBummer that there seems to be people out there with no life who feel the need to hate on someone they don't even know ... and who clearly loves and cares for her horses. Perhaps they are jealous? Threatened? In any case, keep on keeping on. I love your blog and reading about your mares.
ReplyDeletethat is really batshit! I am sorry you had to go through it and might get more in the future. Haven't people heard that "if you can't say something nice," bit.. eessh
ReplyDeleteUgh that sucks!!! There sure are some crazy people out there... Don't quit writing though! There are so many of us who love reading what you write and hearing your story. Is the hater someone who "knows you" in real life from endurance competitions or just someone who found your blog and decided to harass you?
ReplyDeleteTotally understand if you ever stop putting yourself out there because of that kind of stuff, but I for one hope you keep writing. I love your blog and reading about your adventures.
ReplyDeleteSorry that happened to you
Boy! This really aggravates me! I'm from the school of "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all " camp. I get so sick and tired reading the snarky comments that people seem to be so compelled to write behind the veil of the keyboard. Just imagine that they are probably holed up in a dank windowless basement with one bare light bulb swinging back and forth...in their underwear.
ReplyDeleteI love reading about your adventures and all of your thoughtful insights.
Are these haters smoking crack? It's so easy to see how much you care for your animals, and how much you improve the health and happiness of each of them, in addition to managing them all as individuals and working through their challenges.
ReplyDeletePlease don't stop writing just because of some snarky, jealous trolls. I *wish* I was currently able to take care of my girls as well as you take care of your horses (mine are boarded too far away from me at present. I enjoy reading about your experiences very much :)
ReplyDeleteUm, two big thumbs down!!!! I can't believe that.
ReplyDeleteDon't get yourself down about the naysayers. I read those negative comments and maybe 20% of it seemed legit. After growing up in the horse world for the past six years of my life, I have learned that everybody's got an opinion and yours is always wrong. You take great care of your horses. After seeing the before and after pics of Gogo, O, Tre, P and Immy it's pretty obvious that you are doing something right. Maybe somethings you do are "wrong" in the endurance world, but isn't a healthy, happy horse so much more important than what's correct? I'm a part of Pony Club *gag* and so far I have had nothing but bad expiriences. The people are terrible, the standards are completely ridiculous and it sure isn't fun. (But looks great on college applications.) But as much as I hate it, it helped me realize exactly what I want to get out of riding and that helped me enjoy it even more. I am a pretty sensitive person, so blocking out all those people telling me what I was doing was "wrong" was really tough. I came extremely close to quitting just a few weeks ago, but in the end I'm glad I decided to stay for my horse. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that you don't need to listen to the naysayers. Maybe they are wrong, maybe you are wrong, but does it even matter as long as your horse wakes up happy and healthy each day? Don't get discouraged by the haters. They aren't worth the time. As someone who has had VERY bad experiences in the horse world, I hate to see others having them as well. Just remember that you have a lot of people on your side that seem to agree that you are doing stuff right.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I enjoy blogging and commenting, I do not like the "everyone's opinion is worthwhile" culture that we live in and that social media encourages. There are not always two legit sides to a story and opinions are not necessarily well informed, but commenting can become a free-for-all. The media is guilty of this, too, when they sensationalize, omit, and misrepresent information.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can get back to the fun parts of blogging.
Wow....
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry people are being jerks! Know that I love and enjoy your blog!
WOW...just wow. Seems to be a lot of things like this happening to bloggers lately. Haters' gunna hate...it's an ugly thing to wear. Don't be silenced, that's what they want. Change your FB privacy to lock down and please don't stop writing.
ReplyDeleteShort response: Tell them "Bite me"
ReplyDeleteLong response: I am shocked and sorry that you are going through this. I am shocked at how people find it so easy to go after one another behind a keyboard. That is cowardice, complete and total cowardice. I hope you do what you feel you need to with your privacy settings and that you can get back to blogging for enjoyment. And you know what (people don't hate me for saying this), if you need to take a break from blogging, take one. You will be on my list and I will wait for you. Your story is worth it.
Do you moderate comments? Because I absolutely do. Roxie's blog has gotten some totally unsolicited hate on occasion, and Roxie does not believe in hate so I just delete the snark and we go on our merry way! As Val stated--not everyone's opinion is worthwhile. :)
ReplyDeleteWow.... I can't believe people are being so awful. :( I'm sorry you got targeted for their bullying. I hope you don't stop blogging, but I can hardly blame you if you do...
ReplyDelete