*The end is here HR and Xc Kiss and make up!!! (Pg 6) Upperville by the Wash Post

[Xctrygirl]

I was so disappointed to open the sports section today and see the write up of Upperville listed under the heading of "Steeplechasing" UGH!! Here's the article

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39381-2004Jun13.html

And here's the email I promptly shot off to the sports department... they may not read it ever but at least I tried.

This is written in response to Jackie Burke's article about the $100,000 Upperville Jumper Classic, held yesterday in Upperville, VA.

Does the Washington Post usually print an article with flagrant mistakes? I will avoid mentioning the intricate horse knowledge faux pas, and skip straight to the layperson's mistakes. Since when does an Olympic gold medallist have to wait 2 years to receive his medals?

"The tiebreaking jump-off, which featured Fargis, the 1986 double gold medal winner..."

OK first off... the medals he won were Olympic medals and should always be noted as such, or else people might be saying "who gave the medals? The local association, or the IOC?"

Second... the Olympics are held on a quadrennial cycle, thus the summer games always land on a presidential election year here in the US. Mr. Fargis won his individual and team gold medals at the 1984 Olympic games held in Los Angeles.


Next problem, the column is situated under the category "Steeplechase." Steeplechasing is an altogether different sport and since D.C. is in close proximity of the Virginia steeplechasing circuit, you are in fact amongst many savvy readers. This type of competition was a Show Jumping competition.
As it is an International discipline, which is included at the Olympics, it should be noted under its own category. Only so many countries hold steeplechasing events, but many more host show jumping classes.

Next, Ms. Burke just mentions Margie Engle's name as being one of three in the jump off. Any insider of the horse world could have pointed out that Margie herself has won the Upperville Classic numerous times, was on the 2000 Olympic team, and has recently been returning to elite level competition after breaking her leg near the hip joint early this spring. As part of this there has been controversy that she was not given a bye to this years Olympic team due to her success with Hidden Creek's Perin (her Upperville 2nd place finisher horse) last year on the 2003 Pan Am team. Where she helped bring home a team gold medal, thus qualifying the US. team for the Athens Olympics.

I guess I am just disappointed with the coverage of an event that has a long history in this area and is held in high esteem within the horse world. I would hope that having most of the 2000 Olympic equestrian team representatives as residents within the Post readership area would inspire the sports department to do a thorough report on area equestrian events...but maybe I am being idealistic, or worse unrealistic.

Please at least try to correct the egregious mistakes. Olympians deserve to be noted as such and their hard earned accomplishments recognized correctly.

With hopes for better reporting this summer covering Athens,

~Emily

(Edited to alter title and fix spelling error)

[Xctrygirl]

I was so disappointed to open the sports section today and see the write up of Upperville listed under the heading of "Steeplechasing" UGH!! Here's the article

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39381-2004Jun13.html

And here's the email I promptly shot off to the sports department... they may not read it ever but at least I tried.

This is written in response to Jackie Burke's article about the $100,000 Upperville Jumper Classic, held yesterday in Upperville, VA.

Does the Washington Post usually print an article with flagrant mistakes? I will avoid mentioning the intricate horse knowledge faux pas, and skip straight to the layperson's mistakes. Since when does an Olympic gold medallist have to wait 2 years to receive his medals?

"The tiebreaking jump-off, which featured Fargis, the 1986 double gold medal winner..."

OK first off... the medals he won were Olympic medals and should always be noted as such, or else people might be saying "who gave the medals? The local association, or the IOC?"

Second... the Olympics are held on a quadrennial cycle, thus the summer games always land on a presidential election year here in the US. Mr. Fargis won his individual and team gold medals at the 1984 Olympic games held in Los Angeles.


Next problem, the column is situated under the category "Steeplechase." Steeplechasing is an altogether different sport and since D.C. is in close proximity of the Virginia steeplechasing circuit, you are in fact amongst many savvy readers. This type of competition was a Show Jumping competition.
As it is an International discipline, which is included at the Olympics, it should be noted under its own category. Only so many countries hold steeplechasing events, but many more host show jumping classes.

Next, Ms. Burke just mentions Margie Engle's name as being one of three in the jump off. Any insider of the horse world could have pointed out that Margie herself has won the Upperville Classic numerous times, was on the 2000 Olympic team, and has recently been returning to elite level competition after breaking her leg near the hip joint early this spring. As part of this there has been controversy that she was not given a bye to this years Olympic team due to her success with Hidden Creek's Perin (her Upperville 2nd place finisher horse) last year on the 2003 Pan Am team. Where she helped bring home a team gold medal, thus qualifying the US. team for the Athens Olympics.

I guess I am just disappointed with the coverage of an event that has a long history in this area and is held in high esteem within the horse world. I would hope that having most of the 2000 Olympic equestrian team representatives as residents within the Post readership area would inspire the sports department to do a thorough report on area equestrian events...but maybe I am being idealistic, or worse unrealistic.

Please at least try to correct the egregious mistakes. Olympians deserve to be noted as such and their hard earned accomplishments recognized correctly.

With hopes for better reporting this summer covering Athens,

~Emily

(Edited to alter title and fix spelling error)

[Anyplace Farm]

Right on! You go girl!

[Hasty]

You tell um!!!!

[Hunter's Rest]

Um, I never log onto the h-j page, but thought I would do so to see what everybody said about Upperville. Sad I did, now.
You people are jumping on a reporter who gave up her day to cover your horse show. Being a Post reporter myself, and given the fact that Jackie Burke is my mother, I feel obliged to comment.
1. Jackie does not put the 'story topper' on the story. The layout designer does. At the Post's ARlington office. Do NOT jump on the reporter for that.
2. Jackie was AT the 1984 Games. Can you say 'typo.'? Stuff happens. Fargis was a double gold winner .Get over it that the eds (again, at the main office, NOT Jackie) mistyped the info.
3. The stories, as you can surely see, are very limited as to space. Who cares if Margie was the grand poobah champion another year? This story was about the winner. Not the loser. Sorry, but space is limited.
4. You imagine the Post is going to cover horse sports after how you people jump on them? Guess again. I am going to the Games to cover for my local newspaper chains, and was going to offer coverage to the POst, but I will not now, seeing how much 'appreciation' you readers have for our hard work and dedication to horse sports.
5. Jackie usually covers steeplechase - this is no doubt why they accidentally put the wrong page topper on her story. So sorry ...
6. Oh, and you say 'Olympic medals should always be noted as such.' A. Space limitations, again - you choose words carefully. And B. You imagine you can do a better job? I invite you into the very competitive world of journalism, my friend. See how well you do on a half-hour deadline from a cell phone remote wireless hookup on the announcers' stand. Plus, see if you could get the contract with the nation's best known newspaper.
Jackie is a respected journalist and published author as well as a graduate A pony clubber and a terrific horsewoman. The more I look at your snotty comments the more angered I am. Don't you remember when the Post didn't give any time or space at ALL to ANY horse sports? Now you've got day-after coverage and all you do is complain.
My dear girl, you have an outsized gripe and you are treading on delicate water to personally attack a reporter trying to do her job. Not to mention a person in the same business as me. Not to mention my mother. Please reflect upon your comments.

[BLBGP]

Hey - at least there WAS coverage. Seems to me we should try to be nice to the media. Provide constructive criticism and insight if necessary. But if we keep b-ing and complaining about media coverage of our (currently not all that popular with the public) sport - guess what: they may decide just stop bothering to cover it.

[Hunter's Rest]

Err, just re-read the original post. Dearie, if you're going to misspell something as simple as 'disappointed' I think you have little claim to judge another's writing.
This is still bothering me. Now I know what the other posters on the other boards mean when they say the 'claws are out' on the h-j board. Wow. You girls are mean. And for no reason.

[Hunter's Rest]

Oh, and another thing. ' ... all of the 2000 olympic team as area residents.' Fine, and certainly of note IF UPPERVILLE WAS A 3-DAY EVENT. The THREE DAY team from Sydney was all from here. NOT the show jumping team. Wow. Didn't you know that?

[BLBGP]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hunter's Rest:
Now I know what the other posters on the other boards mean when they say the 'claws are out' on the h-j board. Wow. You girls are mean. And for no reason. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

psst - don't generalize, not all of us are "mean". I know you're worked up about this but if you notice, only 3 people out of thousands posted on this thread so far (and none that I would technically classify as deliberately mean). Easy there. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Hunter's Rest]

And one more thing (then I'm going to step away from the monitor) what the hell are you talking about 'faux pas' of her reporting? I just re-read the story. Besides the POST's mistake added in about the 86 (not 84) Olympics, what are you on about? Are you nuts to send a mean note about the Post's only good horse reporter in years? Wow. I hope you'll send another, with your tail between your misspelling and mean little legs and say you were mistaken and retract your unwise comments. This is not a joke, girl - horse sports are a hard sell to the Post. They have much richer and more important (to them, anyway) events that they push aside for OUR HORSE SPORTS because Jackie knows which of our events are important. I think you need to carefully write another letter to the editor and apologize, say you actually enjoy the horse sports coverage you read and look forward to much more, and soon.
Wow, I cannot believe you sent that snotty note to them. HOw could anyone in ANY business take you seriously?
Enough. I'm over it. And I'm not coming to the h-j board to play again. I hope xcountry girl didn't ruin horse sports coverage in the WORLD's BIGGEST NEWSPAPER for all of us. Why don't a few more of you chime in and help make sure she retracts her comments to the Post and make sure she doesn't ruin future coverage?

[Hunter's Rest]

Sorry BLGP. I just got a cup of herb tea and I'm a little more calm now. (But 'they' really do say h-j board is full of meanies .....) Didn't mean to generalize, but this girl has got me worked up. And this is not only my (part-time) job but also my MOTHER. See my point???!

[Magnolia]

Hunter's Rest-
Your mother must have a dream job! "My job is to cover equestrian events". How fun!

I wish someone would post the article. It sounds like a few typos.... and rarely is the second place finisher elaborated on in ANY sport (do they interview Reserve Champion in the Chronicle?).

[Xctrygirl]

OK lets try this in a more professional manner.

First off, I have been in journalism and broadcast journalism.

Second, I'm sorry if this article was written by your mother and she made typo's. But honestly journalistic integrity should strive for accurate and fair reporting at all times.

If I had written a similar article and made similar mistakes, or worse yet hadn't checked my facts, I would expect my editor and the public to call me on it. And afterwards I would again strive to write a better article next time.

An author who has published two (great having read them) books still has to rise to the occasion and cover the event on the day well. Space limitations and all.

I know your work as well and as such expect other equestrian reports to rise to the standard YOU set.

This report did not. Thus I commented.

I fail to see why pushing the major bodies of the press to present correct reporting of equestrian events is bad. Many people act like we should simply accept flawed articles and television commetary because "They're finally covering us!!! Yippeee."

In a word, NO.

Its now that the major press outlets ARE covering us that we should encourage/push them to be complete and correct.

I honestly know that the space the post provided was adequate enough to do a decent report. You could, and have, done very respectable work in less space.

And about the whole "who cares if Margie was the grand Poobah another year".. The article was naming the three people in the jump off. Joe was a double gold medal (who knows what kind) winner, Aaron had won it last year and Margie Engle. No comments on her career or anything. For all the layperson knows she could have just walked off of a UFO.

We want non horse people to enjoy our sport, be entranced with it, and to come back. So lets tell them the whole story complete with back grounds. And as far as space, why not just throw "Olympian" in to describe Margie. One more word... hmm I know there's a few words that could have been chucked.

For the Steeplechasing banner, and for that matter everything, I sent my complaints to the EDITOR. Thus the layout people can be accountable for themselves.

I did not write a complaint to your mother, Ms. Burke. I wrote one to the editor of the sports department. I have no issue with your mother as a person, nor do I question her credentials to write this article. The issue I do have is the inaccuracies and the lack of some dteails that would have rounded it out better.

Sooo lets elaborate and run with a statement of yours... *IF* someone wrote a book on Nascar, and if they then reported on it, and if the report had flaws in it....NO ONE is allowed to question the report, since an experienced author wrote it?? Wow I bet that if it said the Dale Jr. had never won in Bristol, and in fact he had.. he might actually COMPLAIN. Dear God.

Anyone who does a job is accountable to the people around him. A journalist is accountable to his readers, editors, and media group owners.
Thats part of the job. Are you going to go seek out anyone and everyone who has ever complained about your writing?

I, as a reader and subscriber of the POST, I am by rights allowed to complain of improper journalism. In any section. Even if I am complaining about a Pulitzer prize winner.

And if the media cannot improve itself and bags the whole covering of equestrian events... fine. Better to leave it to experienced writers who know how to convey it in a more conventional and attractive way to us riders.


~Emily

[Go-Go]

Ditto what Emily said. Honestly, I'm sure your mom is a terrific person, but a story is a story, and facts should be gotten straight. Period. That's the paper's whole job.

Furhtermore, if you're going to call all the H/J board "meanies" that's just fine, but I think Emily is mostly Cross Country, so don't jump all over her and include her with the rest of us horrid souls. A) Her "meanness" was hardly mean - just critical, which is completely witin the bounds of commenting on a public story in a public newspaper on a public forum and b) she's hardly even registering on the scale of mean. She's an amateur meanie - a greenie at mean - a no-name meanie hardly able to compete with us pros!

[Box-of-Rox]

wow. nasty nasty nasty!

first of all, on a very much lighter note, I take the Times over the Post any day. Go New York. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Ok, hometown pride aside, Hunter's Rest, I realize that you have a personal connection to the article both through the paper and the author, but the original poster really wasn't overly aware of the fact that you exist, so let's try to look at this objectively.

IF her complaint actually got read, then the email czar at the post will recognize that the mistakes she points out primarily have to do with editing. I'm going to guess that the person who did that does the sports section or other areas of the newspaper, so complaint letters may serves as a means of tracking someone who is less than diligent.

although you see the typos as trivial, i would be surprised if the post felt the same way. While I've never seen a comment about an improper spelling or usage, I have seen notes about improper dates or vague phrasing in newspapers. Why? Well, as someone who does a lot of research, I look to respected newspapers (like the post) to fact check other sources like independently published articles that might be less trustworthy.

While I understand that this is a trivial example, because it is an editorial problem and not the writer's problem, it might spill over into more important coverage if it is not recognized in less important articles.

lastly, you seem to think that xctrygirl's email will be detrimental to the coverage of equestrian sports. I don't think that, if the email is read, it will be taken as you read it. I'm sure that whomever manages reader complaints will recognize and be forgiving of a laypersons lack of knowledge regarding who does what in a newspaper and of the conditions that the article might have been written in. A response to an equestrian article, if anything, shows that a readership is there. Since newspapers like to be read, if there is proof of an audience interested in equestrian coverage, perhaps it will encourage more, not less, coverage.

[Hunter's Rest]

JESUS CHRIST. She was AT THE 1984 OLYMPICS. She KNOWS what year it was. The POST edited IN the mistake. Wow. Flame out ...
And as for covering the third place finisher's biography, when YOU get that job, please feel free to report on anyone you like. Margie didn't win. She doesn't get covered.
The facts were as straight as an arrow. There was a single, parenthetical, mistake EDITED IN. Stop criticizing the bit of coverage horse sports gets and support it, in big dailies as well as us little weeklies. Show me one other paper as big as the Post that covers horse sports REGULARLY (as in, every dinky point to point spring and fall, plus shows and events) like the Post does. Is there another? (There may be - I seriously don't know ...)

[Go-Go]

Well said, Box-of-Rox.

[Box-of-Rox]

yeah, read for comprehension...the complaint wasn't to your mother, but to the people who EDITED IN the mistake.

again, i fail to see how this is NOT support for coverage, because it's proving that it gets read and is therefore not a waste of space.

it's a nice (at least here) spring day out. go take something to make you a happier person.

[Hunter's Rest]

Hmmmm - Box of Rox, GOOD point re: email of any sort to eds means the horse stuff is getting read. Still ... why not a nice letter nicely noting the 86-84 clarification instead of the mean (it was mean) note she did?
And Go-go, the meanie comment was a lighthearted poke, not a serious judgement. I could care less if you guys pick on each other. I use this board (mostly) for info I couldn't get elsewhere. (And boy, is it good for that.) It's just that the meanies on the h-j board are sort of legendary in other circles, and I'd not tip-toed into 'your' board ever before. So I stumbled into a personal subject and wondered if this was the 'meanie' group of lore????!

[Go-Go]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hunter's Rest:
So I stumbled into a personal subject and wondered if this was the 'meanie' group of lore????! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nah - BoR is super nice usually, and as you can see pretty reasonable. Xcntrygrl I don't know so much - I think she's an eventer mostly, but anyway she's not a "legendary" meanie. it'll take her more than a comment on your mom's story to garner her that status, I'm afraid! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Anyway, it is super that your mom was able to get anything in at all, and no doubt letters will help not only make the Post aware that people read the story but also to encourage them to edit with a little more gusto.

[QueenMother]

One might think your mother will get punished for the email. I'm sure she won't.

Or perhaps she will have her pay docked. I don't think so.

Or she will be upset. Please.

YOur posts on this thread are way over the top in venom and anger.

On the other hand,

Cross country girl, are you Margie's publicist? Will she be hurt or defamed or lose rides or otherwise cry because her biography wasn't printed in the brief article? I doubt it.



I agree that the post should have been more careful to print an accurately proofread article.

Moreover,

If you want YOUR article in the Post, cross country girl, apply for the job of "horse sports reporter". Otherwise, write a letter to the editor and if it is well written and not mean spirited (sorry, I think your e-mail was), it could get printed.

This is a big todo over a very small thing.

[CCRingo]

Sorry but I have not read all the posts, but I agree that the original poster has a legitimate gripe. In prior years, the Post did a much better job covering Upperville throughout the week, but has not done that in recent years. Truly disappoiting. I must also complain though about covering other local sports as well. My husband is a very accomplished amateur golfer and plays in a lot of local amateur events. We always have to buy the Sun for coverage of those tournament if we want to read how everyone did (although this year they have been better). Sorry, but we find the Post to be sorely lacking in covering local sports.

[schmoe]

I don't understand posting a series of increasingly bitter and angry messages and complaining about the supposed mean tone of the h/j boards. I am a regular reader here and have rarely seen posts with the level of animosity that these contain. Disagree with another's opinion, but a degree of civility is certainly appreciated and usually better received.

[Kelpie]

OK, I normally never post on mud slinging discussions, but this one really bothered me. Somehow, I am sure I will regret “getting involved.” Hunter’s Rest, the emotional level of your response has caused me to reread Xctrygirl’s post several times and I just don’t see it as being “mean.” I did think it was not very articulate and much of it could have been worded better, but mean, no, I just didn’t see that (although she could have minimized her title heading as I also don’t think the coverage was horrible).
And I did think her second summary concerning her issues with the coverage was much better than what she emailed the Post.

I think that you need to accept the fact that you cannot be objective about someone’s criticism of your mother’s reporting. I personally have no feelings about the article either way, but I will say that if I did have a problem with the article, whether it was content related or issues with the editing, I and anyone else for that matter, has EVERY RIGHT to voice their concerns to the newspaper (or other reporting source) involved.

Frankly, if a news-reporting source doesn’t want to report about the sport I adore because people will complain, then they are probably not the source I want anyway. Box-of-Rox did an excellent job responding to your concerns so I wont reiterate what she said.

I also don’t appreciate you lumping the folks on this board as being mean, nor do I think it’s constructive to do so, but I also understand that your protective instincts were roused in defense of your mother (which to some degree is admirable). I can only hope that once you’ve had time to reflect you will feel comfortable delving back into the H/J section, which admittedly can be ridiculous http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif in its “meanness” sometimes.

http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[MAD]

The article:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>2004 The Washington Post Company

Fargis Wins a Jump-Off Through No Fault of His Own

By Jackie Burke
Special to The Washington Post
Monday, June 14, 2004; Page D08


Joe Fargis came to the $100,000 Upperville (Va.) Classic yesterday and conquered a 13-jump course that caused most in the field of 29 to fault early and often.



Fargis -- who already had registered a perfect round aboard Caucalis for owner-breeder Fred Graham of Orlean, Va. -- never flinched when his second ride floundered to his knees in mid-course. With a resolve born of decades of experience, the Middleburg resident helped Edgar 12 recover his footing, then rode to fourth place just behind three horses with no faults in the first round.

The tiebreaking jump-off, which featured Fargis, the 1986 double gold medal winner, 2003 Upperville Classic winner Aaron Vale and Margie Engle, provided interesting contrasts in style, and excitement for the crowd that covered Upperville's natural amphitheater.

Vale, who earned each of his four previous Upperville victories with deceptive ease and grace, went first and registered a knockdown at the light green, five-foot upright plank. Fargis, who at 6 feet 2 appeared to tower over his 16.2-hand black Selle Francais, registered the fastest time in the jump-off.

"It surprises me to still be riding and winning at my age," Fargis, 56, said. "I don't wake up each day thinking that in so many more wins or years that I'll quit.

"I just wake up happy each day with what I do [riding, showing and training horses and other riders] and will continue riding as long as that is true."

© 2004 The Washington Post Company


<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Rye]

Life is way too short to get your knickers in a knot about something as silly as this. If this gets you this angry, you need to get some help...seriously...I'm not trying to flame anyone, it's just not something that should raise such anger, it's not healthy for you!

[Magnolia]

Good article. One typo. Author made it sound pretty darn exciting. Thanks MAD.

[MAD]

You bet, Maggie. Go JOE!!! Wish I had been at the Olympics (whatever year he won) and yesterday.

[Diva98]

Okay, I have skimmed the rest of the posts, but just had to respond to Hunter's Rest.

Sorry, but I couldn't more strongly disagree with your opinion - and I work in the media too.

I don't care how insignificant the details are that were wrong - the OP has the right to contact the editor and note the mistakes and ask for corrections.

Most journalists I know don't take letters to the editor personally - and you and your mother probably shouldn't either. The letter wasn't attacking the reporter - but as one, she has a job to get the facts straight. If a reader wants to correct her, so be it.

Frankly, with newspapers across the country suffering from dropped readership, a letter shows that people are still reading.

Finally, I was embarrased to see a reporter threaten to not cover an event because of some criticsm. That's not journalism - that's petty.

As for the OP - good for you. I love newspapers - but I agree that they should be held to a high standard. I understand mistakes are made, but standards should not be dropped. I wish more people read my stuff and responded to it. Hope you get printed!

[horselesswonder]

MAD, thanks for posting the article. I'm a journalist and have had mistakes edited into stories. It is absolutely mortifying when that happens. Whatever the origin of the 1984/1986 Olympics mistake, I don't see it as that crucial. It's not like the event was last week or even last year. However, I agree that it would have been wise to include that the medals were won at the Olympics as well as where the Olympics were held that year. But otherwise, I'd say the piece was a quick, entertaining read. Also, given the limited amount of space devoted to the story, and the fact that Margie came in third, I can see why the whole bye controversy wasn't included. If she had won, that would be a different story. Anyway, just my .02.

[Magnolia]

I think "Horrible Coverage" "Mistakes" and imagine an article about this weekend's "horse race" at Upperville where Joe Fargis, a top "jockey" ran fastest over the "hurdles".

A brief email or comment on the wrong Olympic year to the editor is in order..... or perhaps others really think that is a horrible article. Beyond 1 typo, what is so horrible about the article?

[Hunter's Rest]

Diva
The trick is, OP WAS very inflamatory - 'horrible story in the post.' Fine, she in the end could only come up with the one misprint, but still, horrible is something I save for horrible things.
My mom, as I said, WAS AT the 84 Olympics, and in fact, covered Fargis's wins there for her (then) Local paper, the Nashville Banner, where she was EDITOR since Touch of Class was owned by a LOCAL person (to Nashville.) So she bloody well knows all about the year and the importance of editing and all that. But what was uncalled for was the OP's pouncing on horse sports coverage in general for one durned misprint.
Oh, and check Jackie's report in my paper this week (she also covered the event for me as I was out of town all week). Not a typo in the story - much better fleshed out, too, as she had TIME and SPACE to note the connections between Olympic medalists and the like.
And I was not threatening not to cover a horse sports event - I was dismayed at the lack of consideration for a hard job - I would NEVER criticise Margie G-E for not jumping clear in the final round (HER JOB) any more than I would criticize a writer for a misprint (HER JOB.)

[Diva98]

Yeah, I agree Magnolia, that I too imagined much worse errors when I first read the topic. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif But nevertheless, a reader has the right to write a letter to the editor. Where it goes from the there is the editor's call.

[wanderlust]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hunter's Rest:
I was dismayed at the lack of consideration for a hard job - I would NEVER criticise Margie G-E for not jumping clear in the final round (HER JOB) any more than I would criticize a writer for a misprint (HER JOB.) <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Ummm... since when do you not get to criticize people for making mistakes in their jobs? That's some bizarre logic. I'm a finance analyst, and let me tell you, when I make a "typo" in my data, especially data that has been reported up to the exec level or out to the public, I get CRUCIFIED.

[Diva98]

Sorry, Hunter's Rest. I guess we won't see eye to eye on this one. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

I do agree - horrible is a poor word choice. The article wasn't horrible - besides a few mistakes, I thought it was great to see such extensive coverage of a show. We certainly don't see it in my local paper often. But "horrible" wasn't in the letter the OP wrote - just the topic. So maybe what you are really upset with is the topic header?

And it has been said before, but the letter was sent to the EDITOR. I don't care who made the typos/mistakes - the reader has a right to point them out.

Finally, if you make a mistake in your job, it gets pointed out. You think Margie doesn't try her hardest to go clean everytime? As I am sure you and your mother try your best to right the most accurate reports you can. No one is disputing that or saying your mother and her editor included a typo on purpose. But mistakes happen and they get pointed out. I wish my boss subscribed to your theory of never critizing me for my mistakes! Maybe you could talk to him! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Seahorsefarmtobe]

OMG! http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/sleepy.gif

[Erin]

Hunters Rest, I do think you are taking this all just a little bit personally. Regardless of whose fault the '84/'86 mistake is, I'm sure Jackie is mortified that it happened in a story with her name on it. Happens to all of us, which is why we like to curse editors. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif (Are you listening Beezer? http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif )

Actually, I think just about EVERYONE on this thread is overreacting. No, the original story wasn't "horrible," and no, no one is attacking Jackie Burke, and no, an email isn't going to make the Post stop covering horse stuff. Can everyone just take a deep breath please?

The Post publishes a column of corrections in the front section (p. 2, I think) every day. They are sticklers for accuracy and I'm sure they're not happy that such an obvious mistake slipped by them. So email them and say, "Hey, please make this correction."

But to expect them to publish a Chronicle-length story on the Upperville GP, and to chastise them for not doing so, isn't realistic. Personally, I'm in the camp that thinks it's a nice idea to try to encourage MORE coverage in the future, rather than lambasting a publication for not providing enough right now.

BTW, the Post had a very nice article on the sidesaddle division at Upperville a few days prior... well-written, no obvious non-horse-person mistakes, and it didn't make equestrians sound like rich snobs. I think their coverage is probably more geared to pre-event stuff than post-event "news" coverage.

[mdponygroom]

i happen to intern at washingtonpost.com and i am upset by this post. I have passed it along to other people around the office to check out as well.
There may be some mistakes in this, but as it was said before, at least it was covered. Lets be honest-- the greater public does not know enough or really care all that much about horse showing for it to make front page news on the washington post. However, if anyone on here recieves the entertainment page newsletter via email (http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=admin/email to sign up to get this great newletter!!!)-- there was, to my surprise, a link about the horse show, telling people what it was, how to get there, what time to go, etc-- encouraging washington area families to go out and enjoy the horse show! If we want more people to come out and support our sport, we should inform people not degrade their attempts to promote events.
I agree with another posting that said to email washingtonpost.com and allow us to fix it instead of just complaining about it. You can reach customer care by going to www.washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com) scroll to the bottom of the page and click "contact us" fill out a form and send. I know that customer care is quick in getting back to people about this!
Let's hope that more mainstream media will pick up on covering our sport! There was an article about georgina bloomberg in Harpers Bazaar recently as well! how exciting!

[mdponygroom]

heres the url to the entertainment coverage from last week: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26584-2004Jun8.html

and heres the url to the side saddle article that was written last week: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A29495-2004Jun9.html

[MAD]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mdponygroom:
heres the url to the entertainment coverage from last week: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26584-2004Jun8.html

and heres the url to the side saddle article that was written last week: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A29495-2004Jun9.html <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

mdponygroom, not everyone took the time to set up an account:

here are the stories:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Thursday, June 10, 2004; Page LZ18
UPPERVILLE COLT AND HORSE SHOW
This year marks the 151st anniversary of the oldest horse show in the United States, involving more than 2,000 horse and rider combinations that include young children on ponies and Olympic and World Cup competitors. Today-Sunday, horse show grounds, Route 50, Upperville. Gates open at 8 a.m. daily. Benefits local charities. Food available for purchase. $10; ages 11 and younger accompanied by an adult, free. 540-253-5760 or www.upperville.com (http://www.upperville.com). <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
==========================

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>They Ride, But Not Astride
Sidesaddle Ladies Hold On to Tradition
By Jason Ukman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, June 10, 2004; Page B01
In Virginia's horse country, the women who ride sidesaddle should not be called women. They are ladies.
They ride in long skirts and top hats, both legs positioned carefully on the left side of the horse, controlling and communicating with it almost entirely through balance. They often must carry a flask of sherry on the saddle and a small leather case containing a regulation sandwich -- no crusts. Those who can do it are elegant in appearance, graceful in performance.
"It's very much like being a princess," said Callie Fulmer of Lovettsville, a sidesaddle rider for the last five years.
There aren't many ladies left. The heyday of sidesaddle, originally ridden by women who considered it unseemly to ride astride, passed long ago, and membership in the country's two main sidesaddle associations is down to a few hundred.
But those who still "ride aside" are devoted to keeping the tradition alive, and many of them are on hand this week at the Upperville Colt and Horse Show, the oldest show in the country. The event, at the show grounds straddling Route 50 west of Middleburg, ends Sunday with Olympic-class riders competing in Grand Prix jumping. The sidesaddle classes -- some with jumps, some without -- are scheduled for Saturday.
The rules that govern sidesaddle classes are reminders of the days when horses were the best means of transportation and hunting was the most efficient way to grab a meal.
In the "under saddle" class -- walk, trot and canter -- riders wear formal hunt attire: the skirt (known as an apron), a jacket, vest, boots, a stock tie (which was useful for bandaging an injured horse if the need arose) and a top hat at least 4 1/2 inches tall. If the rider has a letter confirming membership in a recognized fox hunt, the vest may be of the hunt's official color.
Judges will measure the height of the hat; they will check the sherry; and they have been known to take a bite of the sandwich -- which, besides being crustless, must be made of white meat, hold the mayo.
One-quarter of a rider's score depends on the gear, as Rose Marie Bogley well remembers. Bogley, a longtime Upperville resident whose age will remain her business as befits a lady, began riding sidesaddle in the late 1960s, after her husband, Samuel, died in a fox hunting accident.
She, too, was an avid fox hunter, and about that time, the hunt's master said: "You're still young and pretty. Why don't you try sidesaddle?" She began riding aside and, she says, "beat all the young kids out there."
Her home, on a 400-acre estate, is a testament to that. Besides the oil paintings of horses that line the walls of the manor house, countless ribbons and more than 50 photographs of her at horse shows take up an entire room. The trophies are distributed among other rooms.
"That's me in Upperville. That's me at the Garden," she told a visitor recently, indicating her name in lights at Madison Square, just like Walt Frazier before her.
By the time Bogley took up the discipline -- about a century after the invention of the modern-day sidesaddle -- it had already fallen out of fashion. World War II had emboldened women to do whatever men could do, including riding astride. Its popularity has ebbed and flowed since then, but it has always remained outside the mainstream.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation has a sidesaddle division, but the American Quarter Horse Association, the largest breed organization in the world, does not. And some riders regard sidesaddle as awkward at best, kooky at worst.
Glenn Petty, executive director of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, finds watching women ride sidesaddle akin to watching people bungee jump or sky dive.
"I just kind of look at it and think, 'I could really not do that,' " Petty said, adding, "It looks rather uncomfortable, and it doesn't look particularly safe, either."
Sidesaddle riders beg to differ. It is not only comfortable, they say, but also more secure, because the specially made saddles give them a firmer grip.
A brace known as a "leaping horn" curves out from the saddle and over the top of a rider's left leg to help keep her in the saddle. An "upright horn" curves out from the saddle under the rider's right knee for more stability.
The other day, Penny Denegre -- who, also ladylike, would say only that she is in her forties -- appeared perfectly comfortable sitting sidesaddle on a thoroughbred named Hero, even as he shifted into a brisk trot on her 100-acre Middleburg farm. Although Hero is in the early stages of training, he moved smoothly under her, which is the whole idea. A fidgety or distracted horse wouldn't impress the judges.
And because Denegre's legs were on the left, Hero's entire right side was fully exposed, showing off his graceful movement -- his extended form, his flexing muscles, his lively gait. He made it all look effortless.
For her own part, the rider said she was feeling pretty good. "It's exactly the way you feel when you get dressed for a ball," Denegre said.
© 2004 The Washington Post Company

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[mdponygroom]

thanks, just so you guys know, wp.com wont spam you with information that you dont want if you sent up an account, its just to see how many people visit the site.... register! its worth it!

[ClemsonGraduateRider]

I just want to add that I think it's perfectly reasonable to expect that our news media give us the most accurate and up-to-date information possible regardless of the subject. Now I certainly realize that humans make mistakes but honestly, who doesn't know (editors included) that the Olympics were in 1984?? I was only four then and even if I didn't know off the top of my head, I would imagine that editors have incredible resources for fact checking that could have eliminated this error.

Now as for the Margie bye stuff, I think that's asking a little much, not to mention that it wasn't terribly relevant to the article at hand.

Now, Hunter's Rest I think you should take a step back and look at this objectively without the emotion that is attached to your mother having authored the article. Is it quite possible that you would prefer that your news media try their absolute best to report accurately? I would imagine so.

And Xcntrygirl, while your first post was a little over the top, some of your later posts explained your position better, but really is it worth this much angst?? I do think that letters to the editor are wonderful (my mother had one published in the Post Mag) and should be written but I really think this whole thing, on both the OP and the author's daughter's side have been way blown out of proportion. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Lord Helpus]

I guess I am in the camp that has trouble understanding why we should send thank you notes to the Washington Post (The largest newspaper in the world, I guess) for a short article on the steeplechasing that occurred in Upperville yesterday. For their excellence in journalism?


I would also like to vote Hunters Rest an Honorary "MEANY" for her short, but memorable, foray onto the H/J board.

Rarely has someone posted so frequently, using so many generalities, without providing ANY underlying facts in support of said generalities, which paint such a de-MEAN-ing portrait of every member of this BB -- AND, do it all in one page of one thread!

This is truly a unique accomplishment, deserving of a special "MEANY" Award, which is hereby given on this date and at this place. [Clap, clap, clap]

[ClemsonGraduateRider]

Lord Helpus - SPELLING ERROR!!!

Meanie!!!! http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif

[Go-Go]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lord Helpus:
I guess I am in the camp that has trouble understanding why we should send thank you notes to the Washington Post (The largest newspaper in the world, I guess) for a short article on the steeplechasing that occurred in Upperville yesterday. For their excellence in journalism?


I would also like to vote Hunters Rest an Honorary "MEANY" for her short, but memorable, foray onto the H/J board.

Rarely has someone posted so frequently, using so many generalities, without providing ANY underlying facts in support of said generalities, which paint such a de-MEAN-ing portrait of every member of this BB -- AND, do it all in one page of one thread!

This is truly a unique accomplishment, deserving of a special "MEANY" Award, which is hereby given on this date and at this place. [Clap, clap, clap] <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif (clapclapclapclap, and a whoop whoop)

[elizabeth]

(A) If someone said my mom did a horrible job of covering an event when there was actually very little, if anything, she did wrong, I would get annoyed. I love my mom. My mom is smart. I am VERY protective of my mom, and I imagine many folks on this board are similarly protective of their mothers. Were I in HR's shoes, I'd prefer that folks not refer to my mother's work as "horrible," particularly if her work was actually marred by an editorial foul-up. Professional standards and all that be damned - a mom is a mom, and I am quite sure that some of us here might be a little hot under the collar were our moms' professional work . . . harshly called into question.

(B) I would rather have some coverage of an event than none. I am not convinced that nit-picking a person who covered an event and a major newspaper that was willing to include the coverage is the way to encourage more coverage.

(C) I am not sure that what the OP pointed to amounts to, in my view, horrible coverage.

Hunter's Rest, I am sorry your mom's coverage was called "horrible." I actually think the blurb (which is really all that it was, folks) was fine. Tell your mom I said "thanks for the info, and nicely done."

And ask you mom if she can spell "disappointed" without looking it up. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[mdponygroom]

i wasnt saying that we should send thank you notes to the post about excellence in journalism-- I am saying that if theres a problem, why not talk to customer care about it instead of coming onto a forum and complaining. as far as editing, it isnt like washington post is the only paper that makes mistakes...

[ClemsonGraduateRider]

mdponygroom - The OP said she was going to send a letter to the editor. As far as I'm concerned that is an acceptable way to express one's displeasure in reporting.

I think we can all improve from some constructive (although this was a little harsh) criticism.

[mdponygroom]

must have missed that! thanks!

[BLBGP]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ClemsonGraduateRider:
mdponygroom - The OP said she was going to send a letter to the editor. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Actually, the OP posted the letter she already sent to the editor (or, actually, the sports department).

[Old School]

Posted by Lord Helpus:
I guess I am in the camp that has trouble understanding why we should send thank you notes to the Washington Post (The largest newspaper in the world, I guess) for a short article on the steeplechasing that occurred in Upperville yesterday. For their excellence in journalism?


Explanation: BECAUSE WE WANT COVERAGE OF THE SPORT.

[hoopoe]

The Devil is in the Details


QUOTE
I hope xcountry girl didn't ruin horse sports coverage in the WORLD's BIGGEST NEWSPAPER for all of us.


Only if newspapers in Japan read the COTH BB and the Letters to the editor of the Washington Post ( 5th largest newspaper in the USA)

...But US daily newspapers are pikers by comparison to the world’s largest newspapers. Check out slide 15. It lists the ten largest circulation newspapers in the world. Six are published in Japan alone including Yomiuri Shimbun, the world’s largest circulation newspaper at 14.5 million copies per day. Two are published in China; and one each in Great Britain and Germany....

Carry on gang

[Old School]

But what about Al Jazeerah?

[PiedPiper]

Okay maybe xcountrygrl used some adjectives that were a little on the "harsher" side but got to side with her, regardless of who is at fault, get the facts right.

Hunter's Rest I thnk you may be taking this a LITTLE personally which I know was never the intent of OP. She is a very passionate person who most definitely speaks her mind (whether you want to hear it or not http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif) but she does mean well especially in regards to all things horse.

But hey, if you look at the bright side, at least the Post knows that at least ONE person is reading what is written! Remember any advertising is good advertising!

Tell your mom to keep writing she is doing a good job!
http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Old School]

I am not sure of this, but I'm guessing:

If the article had been perfect, xcountry girl would have written to tell the Washington Post what a great job they did!

[SaddlePotato3]

I've got to tell you, the only real "meanies" I've come across these boards are the people that come from different boards and bicker at one another at the Hunter/Jumper Board. JMO.

Also, I really didn't think the article was that bad. I mean their could have been some details that could have been substituted for some better ones, NO OFFENSE, but their IS a space issue, and you can't go into a long length bio. on Margie (as much as I LOVE and ADORE her). It's like the 500 word papers you have to write for high school, and you have loads of info. you use to much and you get a big fat C for going over the word limit!! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_mad.gif Not like that's happened to me of course... http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

I think we should just let go of this petty little thing and move on.

So, Joe Fargis is 56? Who knew? See! The article was very informative! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[cmannphoto]

Ok, I need to throw my 2 cents into this mix.

This morning when I opened the Sports section of the Washington Post, I was upset to see the heading of “STEEPLECHASE” above the Upperville article. I have been working in the equine world’s media for over 15 years; I also am a member of the IAEJ and AHP. I know how hard it is to get any equine coverage in any mainstream publication.

I would hope that the author of this article would be the first to tell the powers-to-be at the Post of their mistake. I think that if a steeplechase article received a header of “Hunter/Jumper” or “Eventing” that they would be upset as well. We all would love to see more articles in the papers, but accurate and informational.

I think that some of the posters on this thread are missing the importance of reading the newspaper vs. the internet. The print edition has the “Steeplechase” header and the internet does not. So the first impression is that the “WASHINGTON POST” got it wrong from the start when you are reading the print edition.

Now, please show me in the article where the word Olympian is used??? I can not find it. I spent 3 weeks last in Santo Domingo covering the 2003 Pan American Games, with little or no coverage in the Post. The US Show Jumping Team won the GOLD Medal. So I could assume that “…Fargis, the 1986 double gold medal winner...” might have won them at the Pan American Games, Young Riders, etc???? (I know she states his age at the end of the article)

The media has to remember that they are writing for a broader audience not just the horse person, when they are writing for a mainstream publication. Did she really need to put in “…never flinched when his second ride floundered to his knees in mid-course.” Probably not but that’s like not talking about the crashes during a NASCAR race. We all rubberneck at the crash. That reference makes the article a little more interesting and show Joe as an accomplished rider.

To get more coverage in print and on TV the media needs to make it interesting for the general public. Because is comes down to the almighty advertising $$$$$$$. Look at what the PBR has done for Bull Riding. They have taken an event that was mostly a western event and made it a national primetime weekly show. Even the Washington International Horse Show got onto the band wagon.

I have made many mistakes over the years in captioning my photographs. But I don’t get all bent out of shape about being told of my mistakes even if the magazine was the one who made the mistake. I have caught many a mistake on web coverage and immediately e-mailed them with the corrections.

So I agree with Box-of-Rox that “although you see the typos as trivial, I would be surprised if the post felt the same way,” along with the whole researching of facts.

Also I might have to take some blame with this whole incident. I should not have said to Emily first thing in the morning that “Did you see Joe won the Steeplechase in Upperville yesterday”. She is not a good morning person ;-)

Enough said,

Charlie Mann
www.cmannphoto.com (http://www.cmannphoto.com)

[M. O'Connor]

Ohhhh boy. As a 10 year PR person for the Hampton Classic (though it was quite some time ago) I sympathize with those who MIND it when errors are made.

I can't tell you how many excuses I had to listen to when I diligently pointed out errors made in covering our show.

It certainly did make me wonder how accurate ANY media reporting is...reporters blamed every mistake on "editors," and editors had their own set of excuses. How tolerant would baseball, football, or basketball fans be of the same kinds of mistakes? Why should we in equestrian sports be any MORE tolerant, and why should we be satisfied with sub-par coverage?

A lot of the blame rests with equestrians. As a group, we are lazy about reporting the goings on to our local media outlets in the form of press releases. We expect national coverage of a sport that presents very little evidence to the public in terms of obvious participation. I have a hard time believing that there are more high school tennis players than riders in many communities--yet the tennis players get the press, and the riders don't, because the tennis coach sends a press release to the sports editor, and the riders don't. The riders COULD, but they don't. In the meantime, the editor remains oblivious to equestrian sports and the possible readership that might be interested in reading about them. It doesn't HAVE to be that way...but for some reason we settle for it, then throw fits when they get the national coverage wrong. Go figure...

[Xctrygirl]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cmannphoto:
I should not have said to Emily first thing in the morning that “Did you see Joe won the Steeplechase in Upperville yesterday”. She is not a good morning person http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

He's very right, I am not a morning person, and believe me every morning he knows this. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Ok back to a few points
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>

<LI>I am not a meanie, nor do I strive to be.

((The following is said with the utmost respect and not to be mean))
<LI>I love my mother. I respect all women who are close to their own mothers’ as I believe it makes us more full and appreciative of the world around us. My mother is a strong, independent, outspoken, tough woman. She has raised me in much the same mold. I would die for her in an instant. That being said, I would defend her actions to the hilt, but would I do it to the world at large if it were not my battle? I’d want to for damn sure. But I believe that the battles we handle ourselves are what meld us into the people we are. The situations that arise in the form of criticism are opportunities for us to grow and learn and become more aware of the failings, and to a greater extent, strengths that we possess.
Were this your article HR, I would welcome the chance to explain what faux pas, and what reasons I would have for a difference in how it was written. But it is not your article. Therefore I would be debating on my perception of an event at which you were not present. Nor was it your words that I disagreed with. I have no qualms with you HR. Never did.

<LI> Regardless of how my original and second posts came across, my thoughts and intentions were honorable. I truly love all horse sports. I have fought at media jobs I have held for a higher standard of equestrian reporting and respect amongst the press. I have doggedly yelled and burned many bridges at NBC in LA defending the belief that riders are athletes and not just passengers. At the final Olympic show jumping selection trials in San Juan Capistrano last month, I worked in the press tent. As part of this job I repeatedly explained in lay terms what show jumping is, how hard it is to compete and be successful at, and the efforts of all the crew involved to keep a horse and rider successful. Were these conversations with knowledgeable equine reporters? Nope… it was educating the non-horsey press from all over the LA valley and Southern Cal papers. Including the reps from the LA Times. (Since what I said was used in the piece, I can only infer that I possess knowledge that was deemed useful for a piece in a Times’ top five rated periodical.)

<LI> I have and will continue to email in thanks for well-written articles to various papers. As I did when I was pleased with the coverage that the local papers and television stations provided when Summer Wind had their fire and I was the de-facto PR person.

<LI> I want to say this to all those out there who saw the original email as mean spirited. I have reviewed that letter a bunch of times today. Have asked friends whom I respect to view it and not one of them saw it as mean. I definitely provide a ‘tone’ to my letter but it was not construed as mean.

<LI> One thing bothers me though…. If we’re only interested in the winner, why did we get commentary on Aaron Vale, who was 3rd? And a full three literary toned sentences on Joe’s stumble on his 4th placed horse. And yet nothing on Margie who was 2nd. Hmmmmm. (No I am not Margie’s PR rep, which is good because I do not think she should be on the team. But balanced reporting would have been nice too.)

[/list]

I didn’t start this thread with the intent of starting a commotion on a board that isn’t my main home. I started it because I felt that the mistakes were worthy of noting to other horse lovers. Since I ran into a bunch of H/J board regulars myself yesterday, I thought they might like a chance to see this themselves.

Thanks very much to those who defended me. Thanks to those who didn’t because it made me re-read my words and seek to find where the faults lay.

To HR, you are an accomplished writer and one who often succeeds at retelling events with a clarity that allows the reader to feel as if they were there. This isn’t sucking up, I have said this to you in person previously.

As far as future journalism jobs for me… maybe….maybe not. But if I did, I know I would welcome any and all criticism. Fair or slanted, each piece would be welcome. And hopefully each piece I might write would inspire you all to make suggestions to me that could improve the world’s perception of our little world of delight. Because amongst all this, isn’t the goal to get more people to see how magical the world can be from the back of a horse??

~Emily

[Beezer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Erin:
Hunters Rest, I do think you are taking this all just a little bit personally. Regardless of whose fault the '84/'86 mistake is, I'm sure Jackie is mortified that it happened in a story with her name on it. Happens to all of us, which is why we like to curse editors. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif (Are you listening Beezer? http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif )
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

La la la la la ... I can't HEAR you! ... La la la http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/winkgrin.gif http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/winkgrin.gif

And no, as another poster has said, the Post is not "the world's biggest" paper -- assuming we are going by circulation numbers; it's not even the U.S.' biggest paper, or even the biggest paper east of the Mississippi. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

None of which, of course, means that it shouldn't be held to a high standard; it IS the Washington Post. I imagine the OP's email to the sports editor wound its way through several other email addresses, probably bounced to the writer for a response to the factual error, then either a correction/for the record ran or or not. To be honest, a more succinct email giving only the primary errors -- the wrong heading (wouldn't "Horse Sports" work for just about all of us? Or "Equestrian"?) and the wrong year. Sorry, but all the rest of it just gets in the way of the point and tends to make the eyes of those who read dozens of reader emails a day glaze over.

Now, Hunter's Rest, while I think it is good and admirable of you to come so staunchly to your mother's defense, the both barrels blazing approach is not going to win many over. It's also not casting you, your business that you advertise in your signature line or our shared profession in a very good light.

Mistakes happen. If journalists stopped covering every story just because a mistake in coverage had been made, I doubt there'd be much to write about anymore. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[xegeba]

Hey Beezer! Would the editors at the Register even know what Steeplechasing is? Or confuse it with something Schuller does in his free time...

[Beezer]

LOL, x!

I think I will have to use that line. I even know some Register editors I can use it on ... although we prefer to think of the Reggie as TOP (you know, the other paper). http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[xegeba]

My day is not complete if I can't swear at some dumbass column written by a fellow O.C.'er... The L.A. Times pales in comparison for entertainment value.

[Beezer]

Glad to hear it! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif Although we find ourselves amusing. Endlessly. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif

[xegeba]

Well........ apparently I find myself ammusing and I find you amusing. I think more people find you amusing than find me amusing. I hope that you find me amusing. I for sure find the guy that writes the prep section utterly amusing.

[Beezer]

I find you amusing. The prep guy, not so much. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[xegeba]

he is such a weenie... he was the ball boy for the badminton team. He washed the girls gym suits and was best friend with ALL the PE teachers. He has the entire sport community by the b****(you know I can't say that word here)

[M. O'Connor]

I realize y'all are embroiled in your own conversation here, but as this isn't a PT, and, as I did take the time to interject another perspective, along with a suggestion for a remedy to the overall ADD problem when it comes to eq. sports and sports editors, perhaps some of y'all might take the time to offer comment on my suggestion...

I might also add that we did formalize the process with our local paper for a number of years, (it's likely that Box of Rox will remember reading "From the Paddock" in the SH Press) and there was an uproar and an outcry when the equestrian columnist who funneled the info to the paper finally had to "retire" after two and a half years--that was me, because of school and mothering committments that conflicted with the paper's deadline--yet no one in the equestrian communnity stepped forward to fill the gap...we all WANT the publicity, but it's always someone else's job to see that we get it, and that it's correctly done.

The W. Post isn't by any means the only guilty party...and these reporters typically receive a media kit (prototype created at the Hampton Classic all those years ago has changed very little since, but still remains accurate) yet seem to toss it on the back seat--they COULD hand it to those headline editors, couldn't they?

Did anyone catch the Olympic Trials on TV? Talk about innane commentary...and no mention of Joe in the entire broadcast, although he tied for second in the $175K GPx that served as the final leg of the trials, and placed 7th overall, making him the highest placed "old timer" and third alternate for Athens (at the rate things can go wrong in this sport, that's not all that far back...). Not to mention he was the oldest rider in the trials (there was a big deal made of some of the younger riders in their first trials), and a double Olympic Gold medalsist. Talk about an editorial screw-up. Yet we're so happy to see ANY eq coverage that we're OK with weak, weak, commentary: "a lot of riders are having their hearts broken today..." (Um, not likely, in this tough as nails sport...)

What I'm getting at is that we ALL have accepted NO coverage from the lowest level media outlets (the easiest ones to obtain coverage from), then are disappointed at getting inadequate or inaccurate coverage from the major outlets. If writers/editors have no exposure to Eq. sports until they have "made it big" it isn't likely that they are going to suddenly do a good job at covering them.

[Dusty]

Hunter's Rest...we've heard loud and clear your take on the this whole saga and how it's admirable to defend your mothers name. However, let's hear from your mom - the author of the article, what does she think all of this???

[Hunter's Rest]

Funny enough, my mom doesn't 'do' the COTh website, though she DOES do the COTH (print edition) Look Back column. She has NO IDEA of this mini drama going on. I wouldn't dream of having told her, esp. with the 'Horrible coverage' header but I might now that OP fixed it to be a bit less inflamatory. In fact, I probably wouldn't have even posted, perhaps even noticed the OP were it not for that horrible word 'horrible.'
I can't imagine what my mom would think if she had time or energy to go through all this stuff. She doesn't do the internet thing - unlike me, she's a freelancer with her own gig, so she writes in between gardening and riding, rather than like most of us posting along in here - chained to a desk with a quick click on to the internet as our outlet for mental energy ... So it may end up being never known what she'd say to all this. Wonder if I should tell her? Really, the original posting was so unkind and harsh judgement - the following words and explanations much softer and gentle. I may have her read the posts in reverse order ...
What do you all think?

[Xctrygirl]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hunter's Rest:
Really, the original posting was so unkind and harsh judgement - the following words and explanations much softer and gentle. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I am gonna regret this.... HR please use the quote feature and allow all of us to see where exactly I was unkind and harsh in my original post. (I ask you to use the quote feature since the last time you "quoted" me, you misquoted me)

Never did I say anywhere that your mother was an inferior writer. My complaints were always directed to the editors of the post sports dept. (Because I had no issue with the author) Only one judgement call even tangently involved your mother and that was the lack of comments on Margie's achievements when she finished 2nd.

Nowhere did I say, imply etc. that the author was inferior.

The things I questioned to the post:

1.) Steeplechase topper - Not your mother's fault

2.) Incorrect date - edited in, not your mother's fault

3.) Lack of data on Margie - Space limitations, writer's discretion.

4.) Not listing Joe's medals as being Olympic - space limitations, writer's discretion

But seriously, please show me where I was unkind to your mother?

**Better question...***

When your mother saw the printed column, did she call into the Post and point out the mistakes????


I actually find it interesting that she doesn't know about this. If it wasn't worth you telling her about, why was it so necessary to attack me in her defense. Seems almost hypocritical to me. Not to start any more commotion, but dancing on a line here.

As experienced as she is, isn't it possible that she would see my complaints to the editors as *gasp* VALID?????? Since the editors did obviously make some mistakes.

~Emily

[california rider]

Emily this is what is on the original post of this stupid thread:

(Edited to alter title and fix spelling error)
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Xctrygirl, Jun. 14, 2004 07:40 PM


You changed the title afterwards!!!!
Your above post means nothing as the whole point of comments directed at you was over you "ORIGINAL" post not what you choose to change after the heat is on!

What was the original title again before you heard more information? WHY did you change the title???? Just curious

[Hunter's Rest]

The original title was "Horrible story in the Post - Upperville" or something like that. See how my attention was caught so quickly?
And yes of course Xco, my mom would be mortified to see the simplistic mistake re: 84-86 Olympic years. But, being as she is the writer, and on deadline - literally had 35 minutes to write the story (and I do know - I was indeed there) before filing, she made those decisions to include or not include what she saw fit. Whether I would have put in anything about Margie, dunno. But she chose not to. Anyone else gets the job to write for the POst, they can put in whatever they wish.
Oh, and I believe she noted Aaron Vale's finish as he was the 2003 winner of the Upperville class. Not sure her editorial thought process, but that's why I would have mentioned him.
Oh, and for whoever would like a FULL, BETTER, more THOUGHT OUT report on Upperville, BY THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR OF THE W. POST PIECE WE'RE NITPICKING TO DEATH, get tomorrow's FAuquier Times-Democrat or log onto www.fauquier.com, (http://www.fauquier.com,) go sports, then horse sports.
I got very cool photos of winner, plus some others, but since my mom was already writing the class up for the Post, I hired her to do the newspaper report for me so I could concentrate on photos ... The Times-Democrat article is longer, more researched - but did NOT include the now-famous 1986 Olympic reference. Instead, clearly says that Fargis was the 1984 gold medal winner. (and yes, I myself ADDED IN that it was the OLYMPICS he was gold medal winner just for Charlie Mann who I think is a god .... )

[cyberbay]

Lots of hands 'handle' a newspaper story before it gets to print, so the original writer can sometimes not even recognize the copy that's in print as being the copy she originally submitted! Factual errors, I think, reflect more on the paper than on the individual writer, since there is usually some sort of gate-keeping by the paper on facts in addition to the writer. But,I think the paper's editors are probably more bemused than put off by the passionate tone of that e/mail. I'm sure they are pleased to get feedback on their efforts-- and I would agree that hearing from readers in support of coverage is beneficial.

Having said that, I know I would have my dander way, way up if someone maligned my mother's efforts, too. And, yes, the h/j world does have the worst rep for 'milk of human kindness,' both from personal experience and from hearing others' experiences... http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[MAD]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>posted by Hunter's Rest:
Oh, and for whoever would like a FULL, BETTER, more THOUGHT OUT report on Upperville, BY THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR OF THE W. POST PIECE WE'RE NITPICKING TO DEATH, get tomorrow's FAuquier Times-Democrat or log onto www.fauquier.com, (http://www.fauquier.com,) go sports, then horse sports. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Frankly, Hunter's Rest, I'm suggesting boycotting the story in the FAuquier Times-Democrat. Out of meanness.

[Xctrygirl]

The original title:

"Horrible coverage of Upperville in Wash Post...Mistakes"

(or something like that.) It had mistakes...thus I said so.

The mistakes were obvious and I am guessing a wash post intern could tell the year was wrong so I maintain it was horrible.

I changed it to soften the thread as it was never my intention to be seen as attacking the author, but rather the Post for the mistakes included that were all their issue, not the authors', as we learned later.

But seriously if I was unkind and harsh of judgement in my original POST, show me where.


HR: My quote, "Therefore I would be debating on my perception of an event at which you were not present." I stand corrected, at the beginning of the class we were standing next to your photographer and she mentioned you were returning from AHP by car and would try to make it. I hadn't seen you, nor had your photographer by the last time I spoke to her. Thus I had guessed you had not made it. My apologies for guessing wrong. And congrats for making it back for a great class.

~Emily

[Hunter's Rest]

MAD
That was a really unkind thing to suggest, that you are going to boycott my paper because of my choice of freelancers. I am sorry you feel that way.

[Xctrygirl]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MAD:
Frankly, Hunter's Rest, I'm suggesting boycotting the story in the FAuquier Times-Democrat. Out of _meanness_. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

HR...she is suggesting boycotting your article directly due to your behavior....not due to your mother being the author.

So in essence, you have potentally caused less readership for your mother's article by your behavior.

~Emily

[MAD]

It is not because of freelancers. Who said that? In fact, I'm the one that posted your mother's articles for everyone to read yesterday.

I'm boycotting you.

[MAD]

Hunter's Rest, you insulted *all* of the posters on the H/J board. That is my reasoning behind the suggestion for a boycott. Is that a better explanation?

[Xctrygirl]

Ok folks here's the deal...

I am finding it less and less easy to not drop down into personal attacks. I am trying but since I am working in a fairly defensive frame of mind, I think its time to say "when."

The article has been covered and now we all get that the Post, not the author, was responsible for the errors. No one here questions the author in any way shape or form.

HR defended her mother and did it well enough that I, and presumably many others, will walk cautiously around her and never say a negative thing against her or her articles or family again. Unless there is a mistake.

I am emailing Erin now because I know I do not want to go down the slippery slide to public insults. And I will be the first to admit that I am personally heading that way. That's not the point of this BB, and I don't feel compelled to take up more bandwidth with my feelings, or further nitpicking.

HR I emailed you. You and I can sort our own issues out now. And I would appreciate it if you would respond.

For all the rest of you, I sincerely hope that my comments have still left me far short of being a "meanie" http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Thanks very much for a nice debate. Time to go back to Canter cuties, Trainers who charge too much, and all the other stuff we like so well.

~Emily

[Hunter's Rest]

You're boycotting me? For backing up my mother as not 'horrible coverage'? And joking about meanies? Did you all not see my smilies and little jokes about other boards calling the h-j board famous? wow. The meanie reference was a light hearted joke. The defense of a published writer and respected journalist was not.
I am doubly hurt now. Boycotting me. For defending my mom and my profession. Thanks.

[Kelpie]

Personally, I think M. O'Conner had excellent points and suggestions. Unfortunately, I don't have time to figure out the quoting thing othewise I would add those into my post. All I can say is that I encourage other equestrians to go back and reread M. O'Conner's post. As to those of you that are new to this discussion, I recommend ignoring all the other posts because they are going nowhere and only read the two by M.O'Conner!!

Excellent ideas! http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif

[Go-Go]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hunter's Rest:
And joking about meanies? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I have to say that it didn't come off as joking. It didn't bother me particularly, but it didn't sound one bit like you were joking, just freaking out.

[cowboylogic]

In M. O'Conner's post...she mentions press releases...this subject interested me as well...because I have had people upset with me for not covering an event they put on...when they never bothered to contact the magazine to let us know it was occuring.With so many things going on around the country...I see it as their responsibility to provide us with at least some sort of information...or at least a heads up ...so we know that their event is taking place. The shows that do this...are generally the ones that get covered....If people want coverage...they need to do their part...not everything will be printed of course...but the likely hood will be greater.

As far as this topic...It does seem to have turned silly. M. O'Conner's post was well thought out and I think people could turn this topic towards ways to get more coverage of the sport...thus increasing public awareness and interest...which would be a good thing.

What would all of you like to see covered? Are any of you writers that might be able to work with the media to help get information out there?

Anyway...just felt compelled to write...I think good things could come from this topic.

[elizabeth]

I can't imagine this is the first time that someone has said or intimated that the H/J folks are . . . rough.

I thought, correct me if I am wrong, that the perception on this BB is sometimes that the H/J board picks some things apart in a "mean-ish" way whereas the eventers, for example, just drink, joke around, and ride really, really bravely. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif (Generalizations, all, but. . . .)

I just figured that is what HR was referring to. But do I have a misperception that nobody else (except maybe HR) shares of the different folks in different niches and the "personalities" of their boards?

[Robby Johnson]

Facts are facts.

It's up to many people to recognize errors of fact:

1. The writer. If you're unclear of a fact, ask again.
2. The fact-checker. If you're so fortunate as to have one.
3. The editor. If he/she has the time inclination to go behind two people already responsible for facts.
4. The reader. If they recognize an error of fact, it's up to them to point it out via the process which, indeed, is a letter to the editor.

If facts are not pointed out, public perception can change about the event/story, etc. "The Post said it was a steeplechase, so it must be a steeplechase." Credibility is a journalistic standard ALL papers and publications must hold near their hearts.

Goofy people do goofy things, like change headlines or dates or whatever. As a writer, this would send me into orbit and I would be eating a nice big slice of Editor Ass for lunch. If your paper is going to be credible, your writers must be credible, and don't go f*cking up my credentials by choosing to change my story. I scratch your credibility back, you scratch mine.

I agree too that facts are important. Do you get pissed off when the cashier charges you $86 instead of $84? Yes.

It's all in the details.

So print a retraction, sing a hymn, pass the plate, and move on. Hopefully with lessons learned.

Robby

[M. O'Connor]

Thanks, Kelpie. Thanks, cowboylogic...

http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

It is an uphill battle...a lot of people can't see the manure pile as they are busy swatting flies...

[PiedPiper]

Awww Em, I still love you, meanie and all! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Hunter's Rest- We all love and support our moms but before you go waging war for her don't think think you should maybe clue her in? What if she agrees?

[Hunter's Rest]

Of cOURSE she agrees to be annoyed at simple errors in her copy. What'd she'd NOT agree to was the original post that it was 'horrible coverage' of the show in the Post. That was not nice at all. Not one bit. The OP also picked apart her story, piece by piece, re: her choice of quotes and information. Whatever. I simply explained, guessing, the reasons she didn't go on about the 2nd place finisher etc.
Just remember, everyone, the words that sparked this WHOLE TOPIC were 'horrible coverage.' That would sting, no??

[Seahorsefarmtobe]

Wow...I can't believe this one is still going!

And, come on now, there <span class="ev_code_RED">is</span> blood-letting on the H/J board....

[Diva98]

Okay - I had to laugh when I saw that this debate was still going on! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

HJ - the post topic has been changed to a ridiculously PC title and the offending words have been removed. Can't we all just get along? http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[MAD]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hunter's Rest:
Err, just re-read the original post. Dearie, if you're going to misspell something as simple as 'disappointed' I think you have little claim to judge another's writing.
This is still bothering me. Now I know what the other posters on the other boards mean when they say the 'claws are out' on the h-j board. Wow. You girls are mean. And for no reason. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

This is your second post, when you call us mean. Not a smiley in this post.

In your first post, how many times did you write "you people"? Do you know how rude that is? In fact, I'd almost call it "horrible".

By the way, IMO and just to set the record straight, I do not think that your mother's article was "horrible" or even bad. I just think your behavior on this BB was horrible. While the defense of your mother is admirable, she does write for a national newspaper and is therefore open to critism. Additionally, if you post on this BB, anything you post on this BB is open to critism. We all are open to critism and have been victims of it many times.

[Seahorsefarmtobe]

CRITICISM! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Oh, I just COULDN'T resist! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[MAD]

oops, darn, what? Three times? LOL. However, I admit to not being in the "word" business. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Go-Go]

Yeah, MAD - probably because you're busy dying that slow death in the backwoods of Charlotte.

[MAD]

A horrible death. By the way, is that a "critism" http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/winkgrin.gif of my new city?

[Go-Go]

Yup - a critism, which is the opposite of criticism. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[adenrose]

Hunter's Rest

Since when did the Washington Post become the "world's largest newspaper"? I love the Post, subscribe to it, but I think that the New York Times is a larger newspaper. just a thought

[Go-Go]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by adenrose:
Hunter's Rest

Since when did the Washington Post become the "world's largest newspaper"? I love the Post, subscribe to it, but I think that the New York Times is a larger newspaper. just a thought <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not to mention Tokyo's Asahi Shimbun, who's daily circulation is more than that of all US papers combined. Facts, shmacts.

[Hunter's Rest]

Geez - it was just a quick reply. I didn't consider circulation totals. IT WAS A NOTATION not a FACT. Wow. So sorry ...

[Seahorsefarmtobe]

Isn't it about closing time for this catfight?

[eclipse]

Chocolate martini anyone?

[Midge]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hunter's Rest:
Geez - it was just a quick reply. I didn't consider circulation totals. IT WAS A NOTATION not a FACT. Wow. So sorry ... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

What???? I think you are doing yourself more damage than good with your arguments. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Magnolia]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> A horrible death. By the way, is that a "critism" of my new city? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/uhoh.gif I'm hurt. are you dying a slow death here in Charlotte? Perhaps it was the mussels....

And what about the BABY CARROTS and QUICHES? The Post never covers their plight. Pishaw on you complainers about horseshow coverage when such a cruel end is met by our baby foodstuffs.....

[Hunter's Rest]

Gack. I am not arguing. I don't understand what you mean, Midge, that I'm damaging myself 'arguing'. I simply note that I didn't fact check before I noted the Post as the biggest ..... perhaps I should apologize to the Japanese press and call the Post 'one of the biggest papers in the world.' Sorry.
But seriously, I'm not sure how I'm damaging ... perhaps you can help me understand.

[Albion]

Hunter's Rest, check your email!

[cowboylogic]

On a more fun note....and way off topic...anyone else want to play Packy's Name Dropping Championship Game? We have some good lists of guesses of the names...but not too many good stories about the referenced horses and ponies....and there are great prizes available!! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[MAD]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Magnolia:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> A horrible death. By the way, is that a "critism" of my new city? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/uhoh.gif I'm hurt. are you dying a slow death here in Charlotte? Perhaps it was the mussels....

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Calling Go-Go.

Is that a dis on my cooking?

[Go-Go]

Nah - it was a reference to a way-old post where someone made some dumbass remark about Southern towns. MAD went apes*** over it - it was pretty funny - especially since I picture MAD as being pretty level headed. What was it, anyway, MAD? I can't even remember the original post, and I LOVE remembering the superstupid ones, too. Quiches? baby carrots? Mussels? Yum! Where?

[Go-Go]

[QUOTE] I have lived in Lexington, KY; Augusta, GA; and spend considerable time in Charlotte, NC since my company is based there. One cannot compare these 3 cities as I would absolutely DIE if I had to live in Charlotte, and you would have a hell of a time convincing me to move back to Augusta, but I'd consider Atlanta.[QUOTE]

That was it - from Porcalein (I know it's misspelled - they should make it more phonetic if they want me to get it right) Pony. I was laughing so hard - MAD came back with some funny zingers defending Charlotte.

[Xctrygirl]

This will be the end of the thread...

I emailed HR, as she and I know each other and run in very similar journalism circles. I have, as mentioned throughout, held her in very high esteem since I began reading the Times papers in NoVa. I couldn't stand to be this upset with a person I respect and admired.

We had our says on email and then tonight we talked on the phone. We laughed and gossiped and do what all good people do after butting heads, we were accountable to our strong point of views and re-stated our respect for one another as people. And then we kissed and made up. Well not truly http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif She really wants to kiss my boyfriends ass as she thinks he is a God. (That swollen ego is gonna take me weeks to beat back down. Oh well. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif )

Honestly folks let all of this thread be a lesson to all of us. It's ok to have strong viewpoints. It's good to challenge those you care about on views you're passionate about. And when things are said in the heat of an argument that are hurtful or just not well thought out, allow each other to recant them honorably and keep on giggling about the horsey stuff we all love.

HR and I are friends, will be friends and I might even let her shadow my man for a day just to give her a kick!!! LOL

She shouldn't be bashed or boycotted. She should be someone we appreciate having. Becuase honestly she does some of the best equestrian reporting herself on the entire east coast, if not in the US. And obviously her mother did a great job raising her to it.

With luck she might impart some of her equine journalistic wisdom to me through our continued friendship. And maybe with luck I can share some part of me that she may find equally cool and useful.

I have said my peace and now its time to turn and head for home. The hounds are tired, the horn is spent and I can only smile with satisfaction at the thrill of the chase.

With warm regards to all,

~Emily

[Midge]

Well, of course we need to know the most imprtant thing of all...

Emily, who is your boyfriend and are you gonna post a pic????

[Xctrygirl]

ok Midge... he posted on this thread and its obvious through what he says that we live together.

And part two... his picture is in a photo album on another thread I posted in H/J.

I believe that HR thinks him a God for the quality of work he does.


So go find him!!!


~Emily

[Party Rose]

WOW!!! I just read bits and pieces, but did read the beginning in depth.

Sure glad that I didn't get involved sooner and this one post will be it for me.

I think that we should all be grateful for any and all coverage that we get in any arena of the media, as over the years, it has become almost non-existant.

So what if there are typos. So what if a little background is not included with the third place rider. "We" all know what is happening. What we should remember in our hearts is that any coverage of an event is the actual planting a seed in the minds of those that are not involved in our sport and those that have stepped away from it.

Isn't our priority to get the above mentioned interested and hopefully involved in our sport and hopefully enrich equestrian sports to the fullest?

How many events in all disciplines have gone by the wayside in the past 30 years due to the numbers decreasing.

I have read the article and in no way find it to be detramental to the growth of our sport.

And sorry for the misspellings...My editor is out to dinner.

[MAD]

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/xctrygirl/detail?.dir=/ea97&.dnm=f8b2.jpg

I think this is him, in the "men in my life photo". I'm really awful at kind of thing. Who is he?

[Party Rose]

He looks like a cross of Charlie Esau and the gambler on the new show that was on Fox last night "The Casino".

[DMK]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MAD:
I think this is him, in the "men in my life photo". <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

OOOOOOOOOOH, he has such a BIG LENS!!!!

http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif

[Xctrygirl]

You all most asuredly recognize at least one picture of his work...

go to www.cmannphoto.com (http://www.cmannphoto.com) and go through the albums and then you'll see the man behind the lens.

~Emily

[MAD]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DMK:
OOOOOOOOOOH, he has such a BIG LENS!!!!
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

DMK, what a Mae West-like line http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Red]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Charlie! He's quite a hottie! You go Em!!

[Xctrygirl]

Oh good lord.... here you heathens...

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/xctrygirl/album?.dir=/Pics+from+2003-2004&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/xctrygirl/my_photos


~Emily


PS: NO comments on the second pic!!! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[DMK]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MAD:

DMK, what a Mae West-like line http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

See, MAD, I knew YOU would get it!!!! http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/yes.gif

[Ata]

I just want to say that this post was a good example of the beauty of our country. We are the home of the free and are allowed to express our feelings without worry of someone hurting us. We are all human, we make mistakes, and we all love our mothers!

[xegeba]

You got that right ATA!!!

[Madame Butterfly]

ATA-girl.

[Midge]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Xctrygirl:
Oh good lord.... here you heathens...

PS: NO comments on the second pic!!! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

ROFLMAO!!! Just what IS going on????

[horse_poor]

how did this go from a good debate on journalistic accuracy to "lust after my boyfriend?" http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

and yet my snarky ass mood continues for yet another day......

[Xctrygirl]

horse_poor... if you look to my post on page 6, announcing the truce between HR and myself, you'll see that she thinks that my boyfriend is a God. This is due to his work as an equestrian photographer and his extensive amount of published great images.

But that made people wonder who he was and what he looked like.

So I think that brings us to current.

Midge... I was napping in his lap as he shot pics... in the field were stadium was being held at Radnor CCI**. No dirty thoughts guys!!! Geez.


~Emily

[Seahorsefarmtobe]

OMG! This must be a first! A thread that ended NICELY?

[horse_poor]

seahorse...give it some time.....the fat lady aint done singing yet

[Ride'emCO]

So the fat lady finishes only when horse_poor says so? Good Grief, you really have been in an awful mood lately, get a massage, would you?

It's a very small community, this horsey world we live in, and we would all do well to have the attitude Xctrygirl has displayed here. Such a small world that I looked at the pictures of Xctrygirl and her boyfriend and recognized them, having sat right next to them at Maxwell's the other night! You never know who you will meet, or where you'll run into them, so be nice!

It's nice to see a disagreement resolved so maturely.

[horse_poor]

nope ride 'em, iwas just saying that the thread isnt over til the fat lady sings...aka as the thread either being locked or dieing a natural death-----i have never claimed a thread is over when i say it is and i have no clue where you would get that idea

thats nice that you know xcountrygirl----and i think its nice that there could be a great debate on accuracy in journalism.
and as far as me being in a bad mood lately, you are correct. i have stated that i have been in one-doent take a rocket scientist to figure that one out---and sorry it is nothing a massage would take care of

[MAD]

Xctrygirl can close this thread, end it on a good "note" before the fat lady sounds like John Stevens who was the red headed kid on American Idol.

[Go-Go]

John Stevens is a lady?

[horse_poor]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MAD:
Xctrygirl can close this thread, end it on a good "note" before the fat lady sounds like John Stevens who was the red headed kid on American Idol. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif

awwwwwwwwwww....but at least he tried!

[Ride'emCO]

I never said I knew her, I said I recognized her, illustrating what a small world it is. I was just trying to point out that paths cross, and this board is public, and you really can't be all that anonymous. Better to get along, that's all.

[PiedPiper]

Ride'em VA-
You also know her as the owner of the two horses that stayed at my place for Upperville. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Wonderfully well behaved Cayman and Nick.

Em- So now that you have made up with HR when are you coming back down here? I don't think you will get run out of Dodge anymore! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[horse_poor]

ummmmmmm please point out to me where i wasnt getting along with someone?

and then proceed to give your its a small horse world spiel to every other hot clashing opninions thread on this board

[Ride'emCO]

Oh yeah, you're just a ray of sunshine. You must get along with everyone, except me. Poor me. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/cry.gif

[horse_poor]

never claimed to get along with everyone nor to be a ray of sunshine

what i dont get is why single me out on this thread? when others were screaming on both sides

but whatever..it finally quit raining and i am going to go ride on my lunch break

cya

[PiedPiper]

Oh boy, looks like we may have a new pair in the ring! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Ride'em-didn't know who were such a feisty one! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[Ride'emCO]

http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Rawr.

[PiedPiper]

Great, now I have potato chips all over my screen! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

You are very very bad. Funny, but very bad.

[Ride'emCO]

Aw, PP, sorry about your screen http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif Rocco's the well-behaved one in our family...

[PiedPiper]

That is what I am learning. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif Eats, sleeps, and stands with his face in the corner. Now that is what I love to see in a man!
http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Ride'emCO]

http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/lol.gif

That's not true I happen to know you like those hard-workin' types!

Poooooor Rocco, maybe he was secretly bad and is giving himself a time-out...nah. Wouldn't happen. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Seahorsefarmtobe]

http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gifI shoulda known it was too good to be true!