Glorification of the Ego

Website Last Updated:
14th May 2008
The French riders do not plan to boycott the Olympic Games in Hong Kong, the French news paper Libération reported. Now that riots are going on in Tibet's capital Lhasa with the Tibetan population fighting against the disgraceful occupation and domination of Tibet by China, world wide speculation has been caused to boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to make an international statement that human rights are violated in Tibet.
French Olympic medal winning eventing rider Nicolas Touzaint made the following ridiculously stupid statement in an article in Libération. "People ask us if we should go to the Olympic Games. I'll be honest: everything that happens outside the sport, does not interest me. Not because I don't want to know what currently happens over there. I'm focused on the Games, for which I have prepared myself for years. It's not my job to tell what policy China has to carry out. It's my job to ride horses."
It is exactly this kind of lackadaisical attitude that causes disinterestedness for the welfare of other people in the world and prevents their progress in life! Though boycotting the Olympic Games is not necessary (the spirit of the Olympics is to bring the world together), raising awareness for the intolerable Chinese dictatorship over Tibet absolutely is. Riders, or any athlete going to the Games, who can not rise above the selfish glorification of their ego desperately need to take a broader perspective on life. They need to look outside their box, which is dominated by their own material well-being. Making such statements, as Touzaint did, only proves their ignorance. They should either shut up or follow people who do have an opinion and can help make the world a better place.
This leads me to think even further. Why is this kind of attitude so typical in the horse world? As if there is no life outside the barn or behind the fences of show grounds. I realize this is a major generalization, but I have come across more horse people who have made similar statements. The greater issues in life are not addressed or just simply evaded by many of them. (Of course there are dressage riders who actively work for good causes, I have not forgot them)
Continue Editorial
--Astrid Appels
info@eurodressage.com |
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CDI
Hagen: Order Photo of the Riders
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Two
weekends ago, Eurodressage was on the scene at the CDI
Hagen, taking photos of the big tour riders as well as
the German professional dressage championship and the
Medien Cup Finals test. Interested in high quality photos
of your favourite rider? You can order them here.
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List
of Qualified Nations for the 2008 Olympics
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The
FEI has published the updated list of National Federations
qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong. A
total of 42 countries have qualified, either with team
or individual, to participate in the 2008 Olympic Games.
National Federations have until 30 May to confirm their
participation.
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BuCha:
Birkhofs Denario Wins in Remlingen
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Nicole
Casper and Birkhof's Denario were the winners and sole
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Bundeschampionate Qualifier in Remlingen, Germany, May
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qualification classes, the judges marked conservatively
and marked the winning ride with a 8.1.
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Bad
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Our
German correspondent Barbara Schnell was on the scene
at the German national Olympic qualifier in Bad Salzuflen
and made a lovely photo report of the key classes at
the show. View photos of the Piaff Forderpreis, Grand
Prix and Bad Salzuflen Pony Derby.
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Della
Cavalleria, Rock Forever, Highlander Win BuCha Qualifier
in Bad Salzuflen
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Della
Cavalleria, Rock Forever and Highlander became the winners
of the Bundeschampionate qualification classes at the
selection trial in Bad Salzuflen, Germany, May 10-11,
2008. The 5-year old Dressage Horse division was split up
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mare Della Cavalleria under Kira Wulferding.
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CDI
Cincinatti: Diane Creech Take Small Tour
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Canadian
rider Diane Creech and Devon L took the win in the opening
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Louise Leatherdale. Creech is definitely a fighter, having
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and months of follow-up treatment. Despite treatment,
she managed to continue riding and qualify for last year’s
Pan American Games. It is the horses that helped get
her through her cancer and it’s clear that she
has a tremendous love for them. And she certainly couldn’t
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on the opening day of the Paxton Farm CDI.
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CDI
Mariakalnok: Salzgeber on Top
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At
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German Ulla Salzgeber topped the leader board twice.
Aboard Wakana, she won the Prix St Georges and with Herzruf's
Erbe she won the Grand Prix. Sunday scores are coming
tomorrow.
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CDN
Bad Salzuflen: Capellmann Wins
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In
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Capellmann won the big tour at the German national Olympic
selection trial in Bad Salzuflen. Aboard Elvis, Nadine
won the Grand Prix and Special. Matthias Rath placed
second twice.
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CDI
Wiesbaden: Werth Stays on Form
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Isabell
Werth is staying on form with all her Grand Prix horses.
Aboard Warum Nicht, she won the Grand Prix and Special
at the CDI Wiesbaden. Finnish Kyra Kyrklund won the Kur
to Music with her Swedish warmblood Max. Heike Kemmer
and St. Tropez reigned in the Intermediaire I.
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Lone
Jorgensen Not
to Compete at the Olympics
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Danish
Lone Jorgensen has announced that she has withdrawn from
Danish team qualification with her 8-year old Danish Warmblood
mare Donna Asana. Jorgensen opines that her mare is too
young for the heavy competition and strenous transportation
to the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong.
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Blue
Hors Matine Not to Compete at the Olympics
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Andreas
Helgstrand will not be riding Blue Hors Matine in the
2008 Hong Kong Olympic Games. Blue Hors stud manager
Esben Møller notifed the Danish Equestrian Fedeation
that the grey Danish Warmblood mare is not fit enough
for the Games.
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Jeroen
Devroe Not Going to the Olympic Games
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Belgian
Grand Prix rider Jeroen Devroe will not be going to the
2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong. His 14-year old Rhinelander
branded Paganini (by Pavarotti van de Helle x Sheyenne
de Baugy) sustained a tendon injury right after the CDI
Hagen and will not be fit in time for the Games.
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