I am disappointed at the repeated and extended attacks on Ann Romney and her horses.
First: Ann Romney has multiple sclerosis. Horseback riding is a valid and helpful physical therapy. That's why she started riding. I am a lifelong rider myself, and have taught riding in the past (hunter/jumper), and over the years taught several children who were sent to me, simply as their doctor wanted them to ride for physical therapy.
Please don't attack a woman with a disease for participating in valid physical therapy.
Secondly: Ann Romney has always been known as a very participatory horse owner. She is not "just a rider that gets handed her horses". There is a difference between those that love horses, horsemen and horsewomen, and those that love only riding and winning. Ann Romney has proven herself to be a member of the former group over the years. She obviously loves her horses, and cares for them very well.
Yes, that's easy when you are wealthy. But I cannot attack people simply because they possess great wealth. Good for them, as long as they earned it legally and morally.
Third: The Romneys are paying to help sponsor an American Olympic-level rider and horse team. Ann doesn't ride this horse. Her trainer does. Competition at this level, in any sport, doesn't occur without generous financial sponsors such as the Romney's.
Attacking a fellow American for helping sponsor an American Olympic Team member, in an Olympic year, is a lose-lose. It's ridiculous.
We WANT Olympic sponsors - see Stephen Colbert, who came in at the last minute to sponsor a winter sport two years ago, and save the team.
Fourth: The business deduction for Ann's horses is perfectly legal, and a very common one for those with multiple horses. It is a deduction that is very heavily audited by the IRS, to keep hobby riders from using horse/farm deductions to pay for their hobby. I have deducted horse and farm expenses myself when needed and legal.
Fifth: As I am a life-long serious rider, please stop calling it "dancing horse" and call it what it is, dressage. Dressage is a valid, ancient horse sport and training method, whose beneficial results are used within and cross all disciplines.
It takes years of dedication and ability to trainer a horse and rider to upper levels of dressage.
There are hundreds of thousands of riders in this country, who do not have the Romney's money, who participate in dressage at lower levels with much less expensive horses.
I have spent too many dollars myself, too many financial sacrifices and choices, over too many years, on my own horses and horse sport.
Please do not disparage our fellow Americans for their love of horses and this sport.
If one is going to knock a horse sport they don't understand, mostly because they don't understand it, it looks as foolish as someone knocking opera, or listening to the symphony, or wine-tasting, as "elitist"
Sixth: Dressage, national and international competition at the upper levels, costs a lot of money. As does competing at the rodeo at upper levels. As does participating and competing at the top levels of skiing, triathalon, tennis, soccer, weight lifting, etc.
Knocking someone simply because they are financially able to compete at these levels is ridiculous and petty.
And I would like to point out, that it is not Ann Romney herself that is competing. It is a fellow American, Ann's trainer, who has gotten through the Olympic trials and has been selected to go on with American Olympic Equestrian Team training.
Seventh: Wives of candidates should be off limits. Attacking Ann Romney for this is out of line.
Eight: Please don't mistake my comments for any love of Mitt as a candidate. If Romney were to win the Presidency, I would leave this country. He'd be a disastrous candidate, I can't stand the man, I consider him a pandering liar and completely incompetent as a leader.
End of rant. Thank you for listening, and thinking.
Please enjoy this lovely video of the legendary dressage horse, Blue Hors Matine, at the 2006 World Equestrian Games finals. This is no trick, this is not circus riding. This is the result of years of difficult training on part of the horse and rider. Both are elite athletes, at the peak of ability.
Let's respect and admire both the beauty, and the athletic skill:
Edit: The point of this diary is because I am tired of the attacks from my fellows on people who own and love horses, on this hobby, this business, this sport I have spent my life within and devoted my life to. Oh, and the Olympics.
And although I've unfortunately been accused of it, no, I am most certainly NOT a "rich horse owner". Not remotely close.
Focus on tax code issues revealed. Focus on income inequality. Focus on the absolute, unequivicable unqualification of Mitt Romney to be President of the United States.
Edit Two: The personal ad hominem attacks against me, as not being suitably hateful against the Romneys, and questioning my devotion to our President, are absurd and unfactual. Keep your personal attacks out of my diary.
If you can't not childishly attack and insult horses, riders, "dressaaage", don't bother to post.
The point of this diary is to leave the childish, absurd attacks on owning horses and horse sports behind - because, yeah, you are attacking me and many of your fellows here, when you attack our sport and hobby and work - and focus on what is important: tax codes, income inequality, perks of being wealthy and having outstanding tax accountants.