Why has the Barbados Equestrian Association (BEA) issued a Letter of Suspension to Natya Soodeen? According to reports Natya Soodeen is the first rider to represent Barbados in the sport. She represented Barbados at the Pan American Games in 1995. An interesting footnote to this developing story is the known fact that Soodeen has paid her way when selected to represent Barbados.
The question remains, why has the Barbados Equestrian Association turned its back on Natya Soodeen?
On the face of media reports Soodeen … until recently [has been] trying to qualify to represent Barbados at the up-coming CAC Games. The BEA kept changing the rules on Natya, and without any explanation sent a notice to all that Soodeen had not qualified. Soodeen and her managers had thought she HAD met all BEA criteria and would qualify.
All of Natya’s results submitted to the BEA were received from the official show office of each show (German National Shows) and printed with the German Federation stamp endorsing these results.
When contacted by the media Nicole Tull, president of the BEA declined to comment.
Why is it Barbados authorities always disrespect the Barbadian public by refusing to disclose pertinent information? This is a sports person who represented Barbados. She paid her way on those times she represented Barbados and deserves to know what she has done to have earned the cold shoulder of the BEA. We live in times when full disclosure must be par.
Although the equestrian sport is associated with the elite in Barbados it does not mean an apparent injustice to Soodeen should not be exposed. On behalf of Natya Soodeen we urge the BEA to do the right thing by communicating what rule she has run afoul of or if she failed to meet the qualifying standards to compete in the upcoming CAC Games.
Fair is fair!
198 responses to “Barbados Equestrian Association (BEA) Suspends Natya Soodeen”
@ XYZ
I believe that in order for Natya to be able to compete in Germany, she MUST be sanctioned by her country’s related federation. This would equate to no sanction, no competitions.
If she could continue to compete, but in her individual capacity, I’m not sure this suspension would be such an issue…….
Here is the problem we are working on – I thinks and belief.
who has the facts? I would really like to see the German perspective on this.
Also if this is her “work” how is she competing for a place in a show dedicated to ameteurs.
Still too many questions
I dont think Mr. Deane’s comments referring to mothers who have given their time tirelessy as an insult. However, it is more or less run by some mothers and dads
xyz, you seem to suggest that you know for a fact that x- rails are not used in classes higher than children’s pony classes, well you obviously did not do your homework, for FEI World Jumping challenges which are run as four rounds, two of which have trot poles in the competitin round as well as x-rails in them. This is of course to show that someone who is riding actually knows how to control the horse and is not just on a good horse that takes them around while they hold on.
Of course it can be her work. Look at the Grand Prix riders who compete for $100’s of thousands, do they not go to Olympics etc. Does Usain Bolt not receive sponsorship. Stop trying to get at every little comment someone makes and think about what you are saying.
As far as the evidence that the BEA has received with regards to results from her qualifying rounds perhaps they could share them. I have seen evidence to show the opposite.
I have also seen letters from one Naomi Roachford approving shows and then sending results out to members with that same said show not approved, how odd considering two of the three rounds for qualifying were on tha particular date.
Letters from DR Nicole Tull, who should know better but seems to be somewhat brainwashed by the power of her position, stating some three weeks after an acknowledged show schedule has been submitted (and one week before qualifying closes) that the schedule was not yet approved and” she will let Natya know when she has time…” which shows are approved.
Just in that instance alone the criterias change and clearly there are too many Chiefs on the committee.
Maybe the BEA should just try for one minute, and I know it will be hard, but to actually look at the facts, and see if maybe, just maybe, they were a little too quick to penalise someone who was trying constantly, with numerous road blocks, to fulfil the criteria.
come on now 123, I know this is off topic but surely you cannot condone these comments from Deane. with reference to X Rails and more particularly on Mothers.
“Miss Soodeen is a cut WAY above the BEA standards, that actually lists what it calls X Bars (and we, their precursors, called “Cavaletti” and that we used solely as a schooling aid) as competition fences. WOWEEEE!!!!
Equestrian origanizations like the Pony Clubs generally are run by mothers almost exclusively for the amusement of their children and, in England at any rate, to give the mothers themselves social prominence on the roads by being able to attach a sticker to their cars that reads something like “GYMKHANA”. Which often shows that they have the money to own a horse, but are usually not quite sure which end bites and which end kicks. There isn’t much difference in Barbados.”
Dean is obviously getting the Jollies on the BEA and all of its members with these unreasonable comments… I shudder to think of how the ladies I mentioned previously would react to the comment that he suggests they might not know which end bites and which end kicks.
If he wants to castigate the current BEA management all well and good but this has in one swoop tarnished all of the fine mothers (and Dads as you mentioned) who have built the sport over the years.
Debate strongly yes but do not condone these insulting comments.
If as you say the FEI uses these X rails in competition at higher events who is Iain Deane to state such nonsence. you have adequately explained what X rails in the higer competitions are for, and I than you for that, I am not sure you fully digested what Deane has said.
ok, maybe you misunderstood me…and it is definitely off the topic, but Mr. Deane, I believe is trying to show, and while I am sure he supports the efforts of the mothers etc who give of their time, they are, and I stress, NOT in the know. So perhaps they either need to go and further their knowledge with courses etc or know when to state that they are not able to make knowledgeable decisions which may and clearly in this instance affect someone who has travelled and competed on the world stage.
I think he is also trying to say, that the ue of x-rails is okay. at least that is how i read it.
I have watched many ‘clinics’ being held by international, some Olympic riders, and many of the trainees never get to actually jump over an obstacle. What this says is, that while we seem to concern ourselves with what height someone is competiting and training at, as with all sports the fundemental basics are what really teach you what you need to know when you are at the top.
Natya is presently taking clinics with Marcus ehning, put that name in google and see the standard of training she is receiving.
As for the courses that are being set for Natya, ask the BEA to show you the course designers and see if some of them have not built courses at the Olympic Games. Not like the courses that are used here and built on someones home ground which could have been repeatedly practised before competition date and judged before a candidate judge who also sits on the Jumping sub committe of the BEA and who would know of every decision being made by the Exec. and should, if she is worth her ‘weight’ in gold should realise what NAtya has achieved so far.
Sounds like a spoilt brat that cant get her way, that must be used to getting her way. Why should the BEA splash out thousands of dollars when she did not even qualify. To make it worst. Looks like in one of those results she came dead last! Sounds like a waist of money to me!! I’m going to have to back the BEA on this one. I really think that if she was worth the money to compete that she would be sent. Obviously she isn’t!!
@paro
Don’t think you are being fair. She has the right to question as it affects her standing, the real question is did she qualify and I honestly think she did not, based on BEA email to members. I would cut and paste them but 123 knows my ineptness at getting that done so won’t bore you.
Re the suspension we will have to await word from the BEA. I am sure we will see a reply. debate is good, however, personal snips and such are unnecessary.
We simply need to have a decent debate.
In the end one party will be right and the other wrong, but the gloating of one over the other is not productive.
The sport will eventually win, we are operating in a very competitive environment an dI know from my involvment in swimming that these things come and go but the sport lives on.
I wish you would cut and paste. Actually wish you would cut and paste everything associated with her results and height tables etc that were used by the BEA and drawn up by them, Not the ones the German Federation sent through.
I would never nor did accuse you of being inept xyz
Do not some athletes come dead last as was noted by someone above, gosh does that mean they are no good. She did go to the Panam Games which is even harder.
all of this aside, until all here see all emails and ALL results with regards no-one will know what truly happened but as i stated before it appears Natya has nothing to hide, bad rounds and all, the only ones with stuff to hide, and I believe I would too knowing what they have done, is the BEA
@ paro
you obviously cant read….the BEA has no money, so they wont be splashing it around. Funds for this come from the individuals fund raising drives, some from sporting Associations
Natya has done much more than merely “represent” Barbados at show jumping competitions across Europe…for many years, often with little or no publicity, she has succeeded in bringing an untold measure of credibility and elegance to the reputation of riders representing the Caribbean region, all of which will be destroyed by the pathological infighting which seems to plague the BEA.
Contrary to what was mentioned in one of the above comments, the fact that she has paid her own way for many years is extremely relevant. It is indicative of the fact that she rides and competes out of a love of horses and a passion to achieve excellence in the sport at the highest level. She is not seeking meaningless gratification or sycophantic adoration – she is a world class athlete and deserves to be treated as such.
The issue here is not merely that she is a “spoiled brat” who is upset that she has not been selected to represent Barbados. Few words could be so far from the truth. Natya has an innate talent for riding horses, is a highly respected figure among her fellow riders in Germany, and trains for long and countless hours to perfect her craft. Again, SHE ALONE funds her day to day training,as well as the upkeep of her horses.
The real issue is that she has been suspended for six months. In doing so, the BEA has effectively stripped Natya of her livelihood, which is nothing less than a gross infringement of her constitutional rights. Furthermore, by punishing her without even hearing her side of the matter and imposing such a strict penalty, they have completely disregarded the concepts of due process and proportionality respectively, two of the most fundamental aspects of Human Rights Law.
No one deserves to be treated this way…NO ONE.
Stacey,
very elegant writing technique..
Re stripping of her livelyood I asked already for some indication as to how this suspension affects her livelyhood and have received I thinks and I believe. That is not what we need we need fact. show how riding as an independant rider in Germany will deprive her of her livelyhood.
@123 tried cutting and pasting but it come out jumbled and unreadable perhaps you can give it a try.
Are they not methods that Natya can use to appeal? Most sports will entertain an appeal, has she formally lodged one? I know that if I were her that would have been my first course of action on receiving the suspension. Usually during an appeal the suspension is put on hold until a final decision is made. or do we have a situation where emotion has taken over and all logical thought has been clouded by thoughts of how do we get back at the orgainsation.
XYZ // June 15, 2010 at 8:14 AM. I most certainly bloody well DO dare. Not only the mothers took over the show jumping in Barbados, but the riding schools as well. Keep the children coming by ruling the authority and lowering the standards so the parents think their children are doing so well and keep paying the fees for the little darlings to be able to pin rosettes on the walls at home. Yes, I dare. If you want to step from behind your XYZ anonymity and duke it out with me, come on. There were, in my day, exceptions to the riding school generalization. Particularly Diana Clarke comes to mind (I mean the wife of Denis Clarke). But as Di was a bone fide international herself, kids would go to learn from her in any case and they could not have had better. She was (and is) a class act and one of the finest jumpers I ever saw anywhere.
So XYZ, please don’t get there trying to teach your grandfather (me) how to suck eggs. Or trying to persuade me that a showjumper of the talent of Ms Soodeen should be arbitrarily suspended by a bunch of people whose main interest would appear to be social therapy and their own self-importance. The standards in Barbados are shit, except for people like Miss Soodeen all of whom seem doomed to be discouraged, rather than receiving the encouragement they (and she) so richly deserve.
By the way, there is no need to remind me that is has been a long time since 1964 to 1972 – my joints tell me that all on their own. However, my eye sight is extremely good and Miss Soodeen is a rider that we would have been delighted to compete against and to have as a colleague on our teams – before mothers and riding schools stepped in.
I think it was anonymous that cut and pasted. Well said Stacey..You are very correct in stating that there is continuous pathological infighting….
I would have to respond with I thinks and I believes as I do not do her accounting for her and so would not like to suggest how she earns her livng exactly. One way is to purchase a young horse, train it and show it and bring it up to a standard that is saleable. Of course as she has now been stripped of her sanction, she is unable to do this. Yes she can continue to train but showing is a very big part of training.
@Deane,
We will agree to disagree. I find your comments quite irresponsible and unjust for an Old man 9 your suggestion not mine) but you are entilted to them and I am entitled to totally disagree with you.
Where did Soodeen hone her riding skills, but at one of the mothers you have berated.
123 apologies if I mixed you up with Anonymous.. not intentional
will try experimenting with the cutting and pasting later, am off to work now, back in a few hours and will see what else has transpired.
XYZ // June 15, 2010 at 2:47 PM
Stacey,
very elegant writing technique..
What do you expect from Stacey but elegance. She has pedigree! She is way above the usual class of joker we see engaging in bovine excrement here on BU
Oh by the way, in addition Stacey was an equestrian herself, and should know more about what she is saying than most of the brimblers posting on this thread.
Natya honed her skills at Diana Clarke of Big C , not the Di Clarke Mr. Deane is referring to, prior to her moving away to train. This would be the same Di Clarke that presently sits on the Committee as Show Jumping Chair person
@XYZ. I agree to disagree. Completely. I was supported by my family and my horses bought for me by my family. Hey, it is a very expensive and elitist sport. My mother did her “bit” for the show jumping as well. However, we would never have dreamed to shooting down the international aspirations of anyone by actively attempting to prejudice them through the BSJF so that they could not be accepted by shows as competitors. Then the sport would have been made subordinate to elements that had no right to figure in the advancement of the sport (any sport) in Barbados (or anywhere else) and we would not have found that acceptable at all. I am surprised that anyone ever has found that sort of garbage acceptable.
We all had dreams of competing at the Olympics and we were also terrified of them, because of the awesome size of the courses. I, for one, have always hoped that Barbados would some day field an Olympic team and I know that many of my former colleages feel the same way. It has never happened. That is depressing. While polo has gone from strength to strength and the Barbados teams are highly respected internationally, unfortunately show jumping did not have the equivalent of polo’s Cow Williams to force the pace. And once Mrs Kidd lost interest, our successors no longer availed themselves of coaches of the calibre of Olympian Pat Smythe, Hickstead’s late master Douglas Bunn or the legendary gold medalist Harry Llewellyn whose famous horse, Foxhunter, is inseparable from show jumping in the UK. They no longer had coaches from all over the world, like Canadian gold medalist Tommy Gayford. My recollection is that those people were never approached by our successors. Instead, so that the level of compepetence could be “standardized”, the “also rans” started to be invited. The impetus to compete on an equal basis internationally was lost.
So, if Miss Soodeen’s mother has been instrumental in producing the first really international calibre show jumper since the early 1970s, she is clearly someone to celebrate and encourage. Well done her. She is the model to be looked to, not the enemy to shoot down. Now, let me see you other mothers produce competitors of Miss Soodeen’s undoudted world class ability – and I will be the first to celebrate you too. Till then, don’t claim an international status for which you have no qualification and don’t try to crush the aspirations and chances of one who IS of international calibre.
I believe what Stacey said above was very true. There is a continual animosity that seems to thrive between stables and people on the committee.
I can only hope that we will all see or know what the reasons are behind the suspension of Natya.
Deane, don’t we have international coaches coming to Barbados?
Recently Glen Bishop was in Barbados doing Clinics and Pierre Joulicur (not sure spelling if right)
Have een here, all supposedly competent. For Dressage we have seen Stephen Moore, and clinics from people like
Sally O’connor. So we do have the international element fuelled by the same mothers you criticise.
Alas I agreed to disagree so that’s it for now. Going back to work now.
All of this is blabber, because no one knows the truth other than the B.E.A’s Exec committee and Natya herself, and if Natya had something strong to carry forward why not hit the B.E.A with a Lawyer’s Letter and take it seriously? Why try and un-face the B.E.A amongst people who have no frigging clue what they are talking about?
Why didn’t her managers think of this? Say a lot doesn’t it?
Irrational if you ask me..
@123 you seem to be enjoying making fuss not sure what you are fighting about anymore. You have managed to thoroughly confuse me. If you have ever been fronting for Ms Soodeen to the BEA, I can see how there is a muddle. Ms Soodeen didn’t qualify, she has been suspended and we are yet to hear why. See that took all of one sentence. Go take a break, don’t see Ms Soodeen fretting and carrying on like you do. She is probably busy training her horse. You should get busy doing something useful too and learn to wait with the rest of us. Blogs are meant to be interesting constructive forums, while it seem to me you are repeating yourself over and over. There is a saying “the ignorant repeats time again the little he knows” . Surely Ms Soodeen or her family or the BEA cant be enjoying this, unlike 123.
In my humble opinion, I think we need to hear from the horse…!
Well said!! Very profound and peaceful! Respect!!
@ Stacey Phillips…get a grip….
“Contrary to what was mentioned in one of the above comments, the fact that she has paid her own way for many years is extremely relevant. It is indicative of the fact that she rides and competes out of a love of horses and a passion to achieve excellence in the sport at the highest level….so tell me that is reason to be qualified for the CACs or any other games for that matter??? What rubbish!!!!…. I can assure you that if Usain Bolt does not attain the required qualifying times for the 2012 Olympics…HE WILL BE STAYING HOME!!!! And so it is in this instance. And all competitors, young children, administrators etc etc must learn that the truth…the WHOLE truth and nothing but the truth is what is expected at all times and in particular when submitting results to their local association for ratification for these international games.
This is pure friggin shite.
@EmoGirl and drummer boy
Stop using multiple usernames.
David i havn’t heard of those tablets r they better than multi-symptoms??
Thank you Unity for recognising the profundity of the comment, for indeed the tireless efforts of a fine animal may be dashed at the alter of human expedience..!
I like that! Let me ask you this, shouldn’t more people feel the same way? I love horses but sometimes people can be a bit shallow.
When the horse speaks, the earth and stars listen!
Ok David I’ll stop looking fir the Axe. Spoil sport
It’s all a conspiracy run by Goldman Sachs to usher in the “New World Order” in equestrian sports.
Furthermore, urine tests of Ms. Soodeen’s horse may well reveal unacceptable levels of Alloxan (are you there GP?) This story may well knock the BP oil spill off the front pages of the world’s newspapers.
OMG!!!!!!!! i just want the world to know that i care about the horse!!!!!!!!!!
For want of a nail the shoe was lost for want of a shoe the foot was lost and them emogirl
Had to walk on her hands. Hence the hang nail.
Hey spade you think this goldman sachs thing has any impact on the fact that there is a shortage of nails
This is having a tremendous impact emogirls painful hang. Nail.
Unity
In my limited experience I have found that people who get along well with horses exhibit a level of ineptness in dealing with people. Perhaps these people are the ones to get close to as there may be a good chance that the earth and the stars also listen to them …
If the shoe fits wear it. That is the horse shoe
@Call a spade
For your information. GP call to fame is being the horse whisperer. In his attacks he refers to others as “JACKASSES” I wonder howmany stables he has for so many jackasses.
BAFBFP, yes but think of all those darn flies. All part of the Goldman Swachs conspericy
I think spade is writing a book on it should. Be a best seller don’t u think
Why are we allowing the conversation to deteriorate?
Can’t you see the strategy being employed by some?
It is deliberate.
Stay focussed and if read if there is nothing of value to add.
It is the size of the nail that determines if a shoe is well hung. There can’t be a shortage of big nails too? Who’s Goldman Sachs? Is he from Germany? What happened to him, no one said anything about Mr Sachs. So you think its because of the closeness to the elements that people don’t get along? Never thought of that, we all have a thing or two to learn from horses though, they kick the shit out eachother then they just forget all about it and step in eachothers poop. If someone stepped in my poop we would be bbf’s!
Jack Sprat I am in debt to you sir…ha ha ha
@ David
There is no strategy at work here: just an attempt at a little levity. The conversation deteriorated about 100 posts ago, because neither you nor anyone else on this site has any new information that could clarify anything. The debate has polarized into two camps: one camp suspects Ms. Soodeen is being victimized by a jealous clique, the other camp thinks there is more in the mortar than the pestle. Would 300 posts of the same tiresome debate resolve anything? Do you get paid by the post?
Regards
On the contrary David, some of us have been fllowing the turn of events closely. There is nothing more to add to the passion which have fueled a few (not that many bloggers). Maybe you don’t care for horses, but there is much more to them than what have previously been brought to your blog. This is not about Natya Soodeen, that’s why she isn’t here! This is about people with personal vendettas, every single one of them. When it should be about horses, which in the beginning as in the end, is the reason for us touching eachothers life as we have. Horse people are by nature very passionate people, our dialouge about the elements and the peaceful thoughts on life, is mcuh deeper than you can appreciate but do not speak of deterioation when peace and love is the tone rather than anger. If you mount a horse with such destructive energy, you will for sure be walking home and its a long lonely walk home David.
No names were called by BU but the culprits know what we are talking about call a spade.
Actually this blog speaks volumes about this matter and the BEA should do well to take notes.
BU will not say too much for the moment…
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am hoping that this Unity person is 5ft 8 and enjoys wearing tight skirts….
David, the only thing worse than the slow walk home is to be flung onto the pommel (front part of the saddle)
God that can hurt like hell and have you out of commission for a while.
Interested in going for a ride?
The posts needed to lighten up too much quarrling and fussing.
Have a good night all
@BAFBFP
Maybe unity is a horse HEE! HAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well on that Note, nite davod and culprits! Btw, I measure in hands not inches!
first of all i would like to agree with Anonymous
as they said, “if Natya had something strong to carry forward why not hit the B.E.A with a Lawyer’s Letter and take it seriously?” and this whole matter does seem “irrational.” essentially people, i do feel that as Annoymous has said we “have no frigging clue what [we] are talking about?”
which leads me to my next point. Sadly, because we are operating within the realm of speculation and limited and muddled information, the disscussion will inevitabley detriorate and i’m inclined to agree with ” Call a spade…” in that it probably happened a hundred posts ago.
people for the moment are operating on the ilimited and muddled information and so they can only contribute their thoughts to the disscussion. And sure, some people will comment based purely on what they have read in the information circulated in the petition, and i’m not saying that what it says isn’t true as i’m sure that there is truth in it, but i’m just pointing out that there does appear to be more to the story. So because of this void, “Spade” is just as justified in thinking and writing that a consipiracy to usher in the “New World Order” in equestrian sports is at work, as other people are to make their comments.
As “spade” mentioned the debate has essentially been divided into those who believe Ms Soodeen has been unfairly treated and those who don’t. For people who aren’t sure what to believe the alternative that this is “a conspiracy run by Goldman Sachs” sounds not only as likely the other points of veiws but also alot more entertaining.
Anyhow I do hope that this mess is cleared up promptly and more information dispersed. As a Barbadian citizen I am proud to see our island represented internationally by passionate, hardworking and HONEST ATHLETES in the equestrian sport, under a fair and JUST ASSOCIATION.
As it stands right now I’m not sure of either.
Has the BEA suspended the athlete for NO REASON!!! Or has the ATHLETE done something which serious enough to WARRANT being suspended?
For now, since i have “no friggin clue” I do wish Ms Soodeen all the best of luck in her career. And I am awaiting further information before I jump on the band waggon and point fingers at the BEA. And finally chuckling a little every now and then at the notion that this might all be “a conspiracy run by Goldman Sachs”
and please notice, “xyz” and “123,” my prowess at copying and pasting.
I’m wishing a wonderful and peaceful night to all.
Sincerely,
Nancy the Neutral