Who is GM?

[GirlNextDoor]

I think it is easy to comment on women than man because some men are just built like football players. Men have awfully broad shoulders sometimes and I have always noticed that show coats make their bodies look even larger than they are. I also think that men tend to ride lighter on horses even if they are a little bigger while some women don't really (ok this maybe a crock but it's just what i think).

[Calico]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SBT:
I saw Barney Ward ride once, and thought he looked pretty lousy on a horse. Not horrible, but by no means would I consider him athletic. I haven't seen the others, so I can't comment on them. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

SBT, not picking on you, because I would say this to anybody who made the same comment but, the standout thing about Barney Ward IS his athleticism. He is an active, energetic, and effective rider, and my opinion is that would require one to be a pretty darn good athlete.

[PiedPiper]

GirlNextDoor-
How are you making the observation that men tend to ride lighter than women? I am very curious about that statement.

I think that making comments to women on their weight will have a much more profound effect than if done to a man. How many men do you know that care two wits about whether or not you think they are "soft around the edges"?

I think that money talks and so does shock value.

[GirlNextDoor]

well, since you asked, i'm gonna quote myself there: <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> (ok this maybe a crock but it's just what i think). <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It's just my opinion from what I have seen. Maybe it's just the men/boys who ride in my area but the ones who are good or even not really bad seem to ride really light. Again, just my opinion.

[Madame Butterfly]

It's amazing how threads go off on a tangent (I myself am guilty of this...).

This guy is far more than a discussion on body types. Could we maybe move into another area of what he professes...His book HUNTER SEAT EQUITATION says so much.

Certainly we can talk about more than weight, physique, or releases...

[GirlNextDoor]

well considering some poster asked about the weight issue...i think it is more than reasonable that people are discussing it. I personally don't see the problem with the discussion as it is has not gotten out of hand or off topic.

[Madame Butterfly]

GND, it's just that it's gone on and on forever and, of course, it's possible that it's just me, but it's boring now. And GM is not boring. He's a great teacher. And we should move on to some other points. I mean everyone has objectionable characteristics and amazing characteristics. Let's talk about some of his amazing ones for a while. Then we can go back the "weight" thing. Is that okay?

[GirlNextDoor]

if it is boring you, don't reply. I find many threads here boring and I choose not to respond to them.

It is obviously not boring to the people who are still discussing the topic.

So i guess, as one of those people, it is not okay.

[Madame Butterfly]

GM is a brilliant horseman and teacher. The cornerstone of his teachings is structure. And structure is what is so lacking at the grassroots level of teaching in this country. Having started at the grass roots level myself, I am appalled that instructors would not order their students to read his book. Or, in fact to read parts of his book to them at each lesson. The form that he teaches is impeccable. It is appalling that teachers do not teach this form from the beginning. At least, they should mention it to the students. Granted, it takes time. But to have the knowledge from the beginning is a better beginning. Not only is he a brilliant teacher, but he is an amazing course designer. If you have ever been lucky enough to take a lesson with him, you will be in awe of the courses that he sets up.

He is a disciplinarian, but he knows that if you intend to ride competitively as a profession, not simply for enjoyment, that you must be exact in everything that you do. This is hard. And for some, it is not important. But these are not people who are riding for a "competitive living." These competitive riders have to be the best of the best.

GM has trained many of the best riders in the world. And they are winning. And if they are winning, his teaching is surely at the root of it.

Our helmets are off to you, GM.

[GirlNextDoor]

everyone has their own styles or teaching and riding. While i respect GM's styles and ways of doing lots of things as well as being in awe of all of his greatness, i'm not sure i would ever be "appalled" at someone else's way of doing things. What a strong word. There are so many more important things to be "appalled" at. I think it takes a lot of different perspectives and teaching styles to get it all right, not only the style and perspective of a great.

[Madame Butterfly]

Perhaps when you are out of high school, you will be more appalled. Although you talk like an adult, you are a child. You have no idea what the streets are like. But you will, I promise you. And I am sure this comment will anger you. But in 30 years you will agree.

[GirlNextDoor]

True. I am in highschool but i think the board would agree that I am far more mature and better at holding up a conversation or "argument" than you. I don't feel like fighting over something as petty as this. I know your last post was meant to anger me and I don't think i need to give you the satisfaction.

PS. thought i might add (ahh ha! i know how to use the edit button ) I guess I will be able to give you my "adult" perspective next year as I am one year from being considered an adult. I'll get back to you on my birthday.

[Darkstar]

Wow - I didn't know George was gay.... But besides that I belive that whoever you are in the horseworld you need to at least respect the guy a little. He changed the show world for the better. Yes he can be grouchy, but he is very straight forward and it's time someone is... I know alot of trainers won't be for fear of losing the money, Gm doesn't care about the money - he cares about the sport, and it's future.... which is why I respect him. I know he is tough on overweight people, but that's becuase he wants healthy riders --- some people will never achive slimness, and that's ok, as long as they are living a healthy lifestyle. That's what I think on this topic. BTW - I loved the GM joke about God and GM - hahaha

[Madame Butterfly]

Mr. Morris is considered, if not the most, then one of the most influential trainers in the history of equestrian sports. He first caught the eye of the horse world in 1952 when, at the age of 14, he won both the AHSA Hunter Seat Medal Final and the ASPCA Maclay Final. He was the youngest rider to ever do such a thing. He went on to represent the United States, as a member of the Gold Medal-winning United States Equestrian Team (hereafter "USET") squad at the 1959 Pan American Games and Silver medal-winning U.S. team at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Between 1958 and 1960, he rode on eight winning Nations' Cup teams, and in later years, has served as Chef d'equipe for numerous Nations' Cup teams as well. Since 1978, Mr. Morris has been a U.S., Equestrian Team Director and a member of the USET Executive and Show Jumping Committees. In 1988, George Morris won the biggest purse in show jumping history while competing at Spruce Meadows, Canada. This year, for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, he has been part of the training team for the eventing team.

Mr. Morris still rides. During lessons, he gets on students' horses, encouraging these horses to jump fences that their owners can't get them over. These are not slow-moving nags that he mounts. They are high-spirited animals that only advanced riders can ride.

Nevertheless, George H. Morris is not just an incredible, impeccable rider. He is a teacher, trainer, and mentor as well. In 1963, Mr. Morris began training junior equitation riders. His former students include some of today's top Grand Prix riders, including: Leslie Burr Howard, Norman Dello Joio, the Leone brothers, Chris Kappler and Katie Prudent. (We all hope to be seeing Chris and his mount, Royal Kaliber, at the Olympics!) At the 1984 Olympics, the Gold medal-winning team included three former Morris students: Conrad Homfeld, Leslie Burr Howard, and Melanie Smith-Taylor, while the 1992 team had Morris students Lisa Jacquin, Anne Kursinski and Norman Dello Joio. In 1996, Mr. Morris was assistant chef d'equipe of the USET's Silver Medal Olympic team, whose four riders included three former Morris students: Burr-Howard, Kursinski and Peter Leone. In 1999, Morris served as Show Jumping Co-Chef d'Equipe for the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada, wehre the U.S. won team and individual Silver Medals.

But George Morris doesn't just teach Americans. Riders flock from all over the world -- hunter, jumpers, equitation riders, eventers -- to have a lesson or clinic with Mr. Morris. One of the younger members of the extended Royal Family trained with Mr. Morris just this last year. Mr. Morris is well-respected all over the world for his work in the equestrian sports.

A well-known author, Mr. Morris' first book, HUNTER SEAT EQUITATION, has sold over 40,000 copies. His second book, GEORGE H. MORRIS TEACHES BEGINNERS TO RIDE, has also been highly in demand. His newest book, THE AMERICAN JUMPING STYLE, has been equally well received. Mr. Morris has also extended his teaching into the world of video with THE SCIENCE OF RIDING, which describes his approach to teaching and riding.

From what I understand by talking to horsemen, George H. Morris has served in more positions than any one person can name or even remember (and I hope I have these right...). He has served as Director of the AHSA (now US Equestrian), Vice President of the American Grand Prix Association, Director of the National Horse Show Association, and Vice President/Show Jumping of the USET, to name a few. He is a registered jumdge in the Hunter, Hunter Breeding, Jumper and Equitation divisions, and he still designs courses.

George Morris' words are flawless and timeless. As he so aptly writes, "extremes are never good in riding." Mr. Morris lets a rider know when he should be in a 2 point, a 3 point, or sitting deep in the saddle, and when and what is being compromised by not sitting properly. He focuses both on form and function of the entire body: the legs, base, upper body, hands and arms, and equilibrium....and its relationship and affect on the horse in motion as well as at rest. Moreover, he emphasizes what is comfortable for the horse. I repeat, what is comfortable for the horse. Mr. Morris is always concerned with the safety of the rider and the comfort of the horse, whether it is in a book that he is writing or in a lesson that he is teaching. He writes:

"The acrobatics on horseback, as well as the rough-and-ready school of horsemanship, are not pretty sights to behold. When I think of our successes during the 1960's, '70s, and '80s and the style in which we achieved those successes, I must say our attention to this detail has diminished considerably.

Now, often the name of the game is to get it done no matter how or what it looks like. Riding, to me, was always much more than that. I wanted to look good doing it. And I salute those who still keep those ideals in sight. Win, yes, but do it with style and class."

--from "Between the Rounds with George H. Morris", THE CHRONICLE OF THE HORSE, 2000

For decades, George H. Morris has stood as a model for greatness. He is not a big man physically, but when you are near him, you can feel his greatness. He is the consummate teacher in a field where there are too many lackluster roughriders, teachers who claim they have read his books, and teach nothing of what he writes. He teaches lesson after lesson, clinic after clinic, day in and day out, all over the world, riding and writing -- keeping a schedule of someone half his age, while maintaining Hunterdon, one of the United States' finest training facilities for the equestrian arts.

George H. Morris is so in tune with himself and his art that he is most certainly a visionary.

To be in his presence is to feel the electricity.

[GirlNextDoor]

Every now and then i think you must have split personalities. One moment you post a mean and offensive post directed towards me and then you post something that must have taken you forever to type out. Maybe this is a good thing and I should just take your previous post as a lapse in judgement in your behalf and not be too terribly offended,

[Madame Butterfly]

In closing, and in furtherance of my last and lengthy, descriptive post, may I most humbly add the following:

George H. Morris is a proud man. He knows his art well, and he is aware that he is a master. On the other hand, he is incredibly humble, and he dislikes people fawning over him. What impreses me, however, is his brilliance. He devises courses that are so seemingly simple that they are incredibly difficult. And, he can see a rider's thoughts before the rider even knows he has thought them. Moreover, Mr. Morris is inspiring in that he pushes and pushes a student to listen, to learn, to think, and to concentrate. Finally, if this student is lucky, this teaching transcends to all other parts of the student's life.

To learn from George H. Morris is to raise the bar of horsemanship to not only an art, but a science as well.


:yes yes:


RIDERS ALL OVER THE WORLD




GEORGE H. MORRIS

[Babs]

Hmmm, I suspect men don't ride lighter, it is just they are stronger than women, of course, and with less effort can exert some convincing aids on the horse.

Oh, and as to the opening question on this thread - GM - Genetically Modified.

[Madame Butterfly]

Genetically Modified (To Be Part Horse)

[Calico]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Madame Butterfly:
GND, it's just that it's gone on and on forever and, of course, it's possible that it's just me, but it's boring now. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Oh, the irony

I happen to agree with GirlNextDoor, and I'm likely twice her age. Your conclusion that GND is sheltered is pretty funny.

As for the obesity issue, in many other sports, a certain body type excels. i.e. swimming, football, basketball, and gymnastics. With horse sports, however, fitness and balance are more important; one who is "20-30 lbs" overweight and fit can easily excel.

One incident stands out to me, and that was Heidi Robbiani and her fantabulous mare Jessica in the '84 olympic individual show jumping. They took the bronze, but the commentators felt the need to describe her as "hefty" and "big," and even told her weight. They implied that her horse was so talented it didn't matter

edited to add about the women riding lighter than men thing - I dunno, Conrad Holmfeld, Joe Fargis, and McClain Ward, make me hesitant to conclude lightness in the saddle is due to having two X chomosomes.

[QueenMother]

I'm a little confused, MB.

Are you saying that because GND is still in high school, she hasn't been exposed to the real world and therefore doesn't know enough to be "appalled" that all riding teachers don't insist that their students read George Morris' book?

I think what the Girl was saying is that "appalled" is a very strong word that might be reserved for something, uh, "appalling", like perhaps crime, hunger, prejudice, man's inhumanity to man, rather than what a riding teacher might teach.

I have seen George Morris teach a clinic. I was very impressed with his teaching style, his militaristic approach to discipline, and his horse sense. I would like my daughter to have the experience of taking instruction from him.

On the other hand, I hope she doesn't turn into a grown-up groupie, spouting ooy gooey stuff about GM's "humility" and "pride."