WHEN JUSTICE ISN'T SERVED

Are these JSO people bred to be disruptive and selfish?  Is there a gene secretly installed in embryos similar to a computer chip in order to muster  protesters/morons for Just Stop Oil?   Earlier this week a 60 year-old grandmother, Karen Wildin  - who appears to have lost a 'g' somewhere along her backstory - aged 60, was ordered to pay a £3000 fine.  This selfish, irresponsible and self-righteous cove - or Golden Oldie - depends upon your point of view - stopped a freight train before climbing onto the roof of a wagon waving the JSO trademark orange flag.  Having held up the train's journey and its staff for several hours, she then alighted.  How thoroughly pointless.

Whilst she was fined what might seem a reasonable amount for her action and the trains inaction, the cost of her petulant behaviour was considerably more, but don't worry, the taxpayer will pick up that tab! Network Rail had to pay £16,400 in compensation to rail operators for delays caused and 16 police officers were in attendance.  Why was she not made to pay every penny of both Network Rail's compensation and the cost to the public for the police attendance?  If that had been the case, she may then  think twice about her continuing in this puerile manner and it may even make her homeless.  I'm not vindictive by nature, as you well know, but these people need to be taught a lesson and in the pocket is where the lesson is generally taught the hardest.

                            

                           WHERE JUSTICE WILL HOPEFULLY BE SERVED

'An error of judgement' said Charlotte Dujardin as she spoke of the film footage that emerged of her whipping her horse on the back of the legs 24 times.  This is not training, this is cruelty performed on an animal.  I have always had mixed feelings about Dressage.  It doesn't sit comfortably with me that a horse should be subjected to this extremely disciplined act.   I see it more as a party piece for the rider,  I'm sure it makes them feel good about themselves, but I doubt if the horse feels the same way about the constant instruction and performance.  You wouldn't put a human being through that, well not before the 'Strictly Come Dancing's' revelations you wouldn't!  Why are people so competitive?  This desire to win at all costs makes monsters out of those who at one time were probably nice people I suspect, but success can breed and indeed feed the need and lead to greed, so take heed! 

As ever, once made public and looking to minimise the obvious backlash, both from within the 'industry' and from the public, the once 'Golden Girl' of last week, and swiftly-cast pariah of today, stated that she was 'deeply ashamed'.  In mitigation - and there is always mitigation when you've been found out and there's nowhere to go - the disgraced Dujardin added 'What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils'.  It never does when it looks as if your career is about to take a dive, hopefully never to rise again.  

 The British Olympic Committee and the International Federation of Equestrian Sports  have acted with purpose and authority.  She will not be representing our country at the Olympics and two of her financial backers - Equine LTS and KBIS - have withdrawn their sponsorship.  The first company states  that they are 'shocked and saddened by the video' and the latter company saying they 'cannot and will not condone behaviour that goes against providing the best care possible for horses'.

I do hope the resulting enquiry does not end with a metaphorical slapping of the wrists where she is allowed to 'get back in the saddle', so to speak once the furore is over and the training circuit dust has settled. Frankly, I would ban her from owning a horse for the rest of her life, that way she would most certainly suffer.  I'd imagine a lot of horses might vote for that punishment as well given the circumstances!