This just makes me sick. As the mother of a young girl, it also makes me afraid.
8
This happens in every sphere of life from companies to academia to sport all the time. These are pathologically twisted individuals and just like bank robbers and thieves will ply their "trade" forever using new tricks to evade discovery.
7
This is terrible. But he wasn't sick. He was a predator and criminal. He knew what he was doing.
23
I hope someone can convince Hap Hansen to reconsider his definition of the word “stupid.”
24
I am so ashamed to be a man on account of the actions of other men. Where is our moral center? Where is our inmate sense of right and wrong? And why does it not start from within each of us?
17
Unanswered question?? What made him a great or the greatest coach?
This is just one side of predation on teenage girls. What happens within their own age group? How do their peers react? No preganancies?
Groping is reprehensible but it is not the same as rape -- clue some of the comments. And it happened to boys as well.
1
Wow. We have to keep speaking, telling, and talking even after the molester is good and dead. And maybe we need to stop referring to molesters at humorously as "womanizers", "lady's man", "flirts", "dirty old man" etc. Keep telling and save our women.
24
Having grown up in horse country in Maryland in the 50's, I remember well that good girls should 'keep away from the barn.' Whether or not a Jack Williams resided there the barn was an easy place to lose our virginity. And, my! How we scorned those who were foolish enough to get pregnant in the process. Our unguided ignorance spawned frightened , cruel whispering. The barns posed the passage through which we somehow stumbled into adulthood.
9
Such bravery. Thank you for sharing your truth. It helps some many to know tyat you spoke up
5
Any parent found responsible for not removing a child from a known situation like this should be at least charged with criminal facilitation. Were it up to me they would be treated no different than a co-conspirator who restrains the victim for the rapist. They may as well have put their daughters on the street to finance their status anxious life styles.
9
What happens when the trainer's son (almost 18) takes your 14 year old daughter who looks up to him on a 'bike ride' off the property , plies her with alcohol he snuck from his parents cabinet, peer pressuring her into drinking it, (telling her she'll be fine by the time they get back to the barn), and then tries to have sex with her when she becomes drunk and can't even walk on her own and has to be carried back to the barn ? To be continued...(we are not at that barn anymore btw....)..
8
Everyone wonders why they didn't say anything ?
Because it would have been met with your lying this is "fake", back then more than now.
14
When will the powers that be in the h/j world Amit it isn't just the girls but also the boys? Will we hear about the male abuse after the "venerated god" of our sport is finally dead? Most likely.
5
I didn't make it through the entire article.
I couldn't get past the part where a girl ran and told her mommy what happened, and mommy "couldn't believe it!"
So, her daughter was molested for another 3 years.
This tragic for the girl.
This is also neglect.
Wake up mommies!
If your kid says something happened, then something happened!
No, it's not mommy's fault that it happened, but yes, it's mommy's fault that she didn't believe her own child.
Children NEED adults to protect them.
We adults need to learn how to do that.
We adults need to step up for our kids.
I think we need a companion to #metoo, where every adult that was told and did nothing, is listed.
There's no excuse for that, there never was, and there never will be!
22
#METOO victims are often children, in a weakened position, controlled by others & clouded by a dream of a future which uses them as tools to unlock what may be a trumped up fantasy (no pun intended) or a chance at success, combining the skill of the dominator with that of the dominated.
There is no constructive choice on any front. For a commenter to state that "people will continue to subject themselves to nearly unendurable abuse" in the name of fame & fortune mistakenly implies that there is a willingness to do so, ie to be victimized. Instead, there is no such "will". They are reduced to broken shells of their former spirit, devoid of a sense of freedom.
"Continuing" without volition or perception of freedom equals a limited sense of choice & a loss of feeling human at both extremes, where the controlling aggressor & his enablers place him beyond judgment, while the victimized feel they are beyond the reach of hope, justice, belief, respect, support or protection. Only the image of success is valued & taken from them along with their self-worth. They can't feel like winners. Their beloved horses represented not only their vehicle of success, but the quid pro quo of their inner defeat every time they "practiced" or "won".
Now that Jimmy the beast has ridden into the sunset (or way hotter perhaps), may his ignorant supporters follow, including the hapless & hopeless Hap. May the sun rise on all who struggled & suffered so much. My heart goes out to them.
#METOO
10
As a parent of an abused daughter and former passionate equestrian, I can only say THANK YOU for finally bringing this to light. Ten years ago my daughter had the courage to take her story to a lawyer and the police. She did not want anyone else to have to experience she had had. The whole process was very difficult and drawn out over more than six years. As she was trying to forget and get on with her life, she had to repeatedly retell the story. This led to eating disorders which she struggles with still today. The equestrian coach was finally convicted. The fine was minimal and because the court did not want to hurt the sexual predator economically as he had a family, the case was not recorded on his police record.
She was ahead of the #metoo movement. Had I, as a parent been more aware, less naive, I believe I could have prevented this terrible ordeal. Your article precisely describes the trap that ambitious, passionate athletes with supportive and equally ambitious parents can fall into. In my defense I had nothing but positive experiences with honest, professional coaches participating in competitive swimming and tennis as a child, teenager and student. Only I am to blame for having placed my trust in an abusive coach. Had I better understood the potential risk of grooming, I don't believe I would have let her fall into the trap, gone to the barn alone or to stay for a summer internship without asking more questions.
24
As a parent of an abused daughter and former passionate equestrian, THANK YOU for finally bringing this to light. Ten years ago my daughter had the courage to take her story to a lawyer and the police. She hoped her courage would prevent others from having the experience she had had. The process was long and drawn out over more than six years. As she was trying to forget and get on with her life, she repeatedly had to retell the story. This led to eating disorders which she still struggles with today. The equestrian coach was finally convicted, but the fine was minimal. Because the court did not want to hurt the sexual predator economically as he had a family, the case was not recorded in his police record. Today his punishment may have been more appropriate.
She was ahead of the #metoo movement. Had I, as a parent been more aware, less naive, I believe I could have prevented this terrible ordeal. Your article precisely describes the trap that ambitious, passionate athletes with supportive and equally ambitious parents can fall into. In my defense I had nothing but positive experiences with honest, professional coaches participating in competitive swimming and tennis as a child, teenager and student. Only I am to blame for having placed my trust in an abusive coach. Had I better understood the potential risk of grooming, I don't believe I would have let her fall into the trap, gone to the barn alone or to stay for a summer internship without asking more questions.
8
The relentlessness of truth in these repeated horror stories - men, successful coaches, in powerful positions, being given a pass in favor of winning in exchange for repeated sexual abuse of young women and men, over and over and over - demands a deep soul-searching of our culture.
Don’t stop telling all stories until we truly understand the full scope and the full damages. Hopefully then we can begin to prioritize children’s safety over winning. We have sacrificed their innocence - and our decency - far too long.
21
It is the larger society and its values that makes this possible and inevitable, in particular the craving for success and the need to believe that the world's appearance of goodness is real. But emperors are usually either naked or dressed in rags, and any attempt to get them decently attired must begin with the recognition that they arent.
12
In any conversation about historical accounts of sexual abuse - affecting students of horse riding, students at a private prep school, or whomever - there are, inevitably, allusions to the “different” cultural expectations of a past era. I’d like to suggest that the unacceptability of behavior like Mr. Williams’ has always been clear (notwithstanding the core product of Hugh Hefner’s industry, namely the myth of the blurred line). What has been obscure is the question of what resources are available to the individual victim, to do something about it. Even now, while we see that public news reports about specific situations force accountability on those perpetrators and provide some sense of justice for their victims, that’s not a practical option for most occurrences of sexual abuse. As the “me too” “movement” unfolds, I wonder: Is anything changing for the better, other than vicariously, for the vast majority of victims?
19
“It’s sad things like that are said about a man who has been passed away” for more than 25 years, said Hap Hansen..... While he said he witnessed Mr. Williams kissing and touching women and girls, Mr. Hansen said he did not believe it was without consent.... "... I just think those things are stupid to bring up whether they are true or not.”
Mr. Hansen, you are no better than the criminal, Jimmy Williams. In fact, your eye witnessing the "kissing & touching of girls" and failing to stop & report it, disgusts decent adults.
everywhere. It seems Jimmy Williams 'kissing & touching" girls failed to disgust YOU.
Now, exactly why is that, Mr. Hansen? You are hardly exempt from accountability in those actions. In truth, you are among the very worst of all these who turned the other way.
Shame on you, Mr. Hansen. SHAME.
68
If complaints had been addressed the first time they were made, the club could have stopped this pedophile's abuse and he would still have been a genius at training horses and riders. They could still have drawn the rich and famous to their door without allowing this sickening creep to abuse their children.
People at the club saw him do some of these things again and again and just looked the other way? There's no restoring these young girls' and women's innocence, but there should be lawsuits that at least make them pay some big bucks and give them the black eye they so richly deserve.
23
Is Hap Hansen known for speaking without thinking? Would he like this to be swept under the rug? Would he like all the horrific stories of abuse and damaged lives to be swept under the rug? The only way this will stop is for it to come into the light of day, every instance. Potential victims need to be alerted and potential predators need to know they will be found out.
37
"Is Hap Hansen known for speaking without thinking?"
Not really, no. He is from the era when one didn't speak ill of the dead. Sadly Hap doesn't realize that that era has passed.
7
What bothers me most is that so many pep[ple doubt this happened despite the odds that even if only one accuser is telling the truth that is one too many. You can't bilk money from a dead man after all those years. Why would they lie? And the parents and directors who turned a deaf ear for the sake of their kid's success or to keep their jobs because it was a man's word against theirs should be ashamed for being so complicit. These people probably thought Trump the groper did no wrong also and voted accordingly. Suffer the little children indeed for supposed God-fearing Christian errors.
24
Ugh. And the people still defending this pervert should be ashamed of themselves. Hap Hansen, it's not "stupid" to "bring this up" even after the pervert died. Saying it's "stupid" or "due to the social mores of a different era" is your closed-minded way of devaluing what these women -- GIRLS at the time, most of them unable to give "consent"! -- are saying. Shame on you. And thank you to the Los Angeles Times for bringing all this to light in front of a world audience.
33
And BIG OOPS, I meant the New York Times, of course. APOLOGIES.
3
Interesting. I grew up back East but had a trainer who had worked with Jimmy when he first came time this country.
He was a pig and used a lot of the same tactics mentioned here. Now I know from where he learned them!
23
I am beginning to conclude that child molesting is not the exception, but is the rule. And all men know this rule and participate with the knowledge that other men will not "tell." I am not saying all men do this, but I really think they all feel it is OK, if they do!! After all, it is a man's world, isn't it? But maybe it no longer is!!!
10
Not one single adult in this sordid and tragic story about child abuse did the right thing. Children deserve to be believed and protected. Hap Hansen's comments and attitude are particularly reprehensible. Shame on all the adults who dismissed, minimized or turned a blind eye to Jimmy Williams's crimes.
32
My experience in criminal justice has taught me that people who prey on women and children in sexual ways are committing crimes of opportunity against those they perceive to be powerless against them. They are not mentally ill, pedophiles who stand out in a crowd. They are the charming, helpful, gifted ones who volunteer to take your child on trips, invite them on sleepovers, drive them home from games and meets, and give them private music lessons. It is really so, so simple: trust no one. Their fawning over your child's talent is the bait for your trust and confidence - and it can be impossible to believe that they would harm a fly given their reputation - so make it a broad rule - and just say no to these special invitations - even by family relations.
36
I hope they sue the US Equestrian Federation and any organization, and any anyone else alive who knew or should have known. This women deserve to be heard and compensated for the terrible things done to them because the man was famous and good looking.
13
I rode with a different trainer in the same area and we all were suspicious that something was going on.
But he was such a god in the industry . . . I remember thinking "I've arrived!" when he acknowledged me. I was in my early twenties then and very naïve. I also remember him standing just a little too close and being a little too familiar when I was standing in the trainer's box with my trainer. But I was flattered to be included in the conversation. For those with the fire in the belly to succeed in the show horse industry, it was heady stuff.
Someone commented on the other forms of manipulation that go on with students. Anorexia was what got me. I'm 70 now and fight the mindset every single day, even though I'm now at a healthy weight. But I'm grateful that my lasting mental scars are only with a distorted view of food and body image. It's so much worse for so many, some of whom were my friends.
Many, many thanks to The New York Times and to The Chronicle of the Horse for publicizing this. And kudos to the women who came forward. You are my heroes, as are all of you survivors.
Oh, and Hap Hansen. I can't even say what I think of you on a public forum. Shame on you.
56
“It’s sad things like that are said about a man who has been passed away” for more than 25 years, said Hap Hansen..." Really? Sad that women who were molested repeatedly as children and still carry the pain and shame of that every day finally speak out about a man who got to live his whole life without ever facing the consequences of his crimes? It is clear where Mr. Hansen's values lie.
33
The non-stop revelations of coaches molesting their charges (female and male) has gotten to the point where, unfairly or not, a part of me is suspicious of, and automatically questions the motives of, any man who pursues a career of coaching children and young adults in any sport. Very sad.
19
It isn't just men. My mother molested both of her daughters with various implements. We told, no one believed.
14
“It’s sad things like that are said about a man who has been passed away” for more than 25 years, said Hap Hansen, who grew up riding at Flintridge and became one of the most successful grand prix riders in the world.
“I think he was a great horseman; he was a legend in his time,” Mr. Hansen said. “In my mind, he still is. I just think those things are stupid to bring up whether they are true or not.”
How can any person be so dense?
23
These women seem to possess great love & respect for their horses and their ambition for ribbons & awards and none for themselves. They are not at fault for being the victims of this alleged pederast but they must question their own values as well.
What is there to question; they were children. It is the values of the adults that need to be questioned.
21
No.
6
As a horseperson, this is really depressing but not surprising. There are predator trainers in every discipline. The worst people in this story are those who enabled him and looked the other way..and who apparently still defend his abuse as no big deal--the board members, others who worked with him and saw what he did...and most appalling of all are the parents who allowed their daughters to be abused in exchange for social status. This story is one of the worst stories of alpha male abuse I have read.
18
This may seem petty, but a equestrian stunt double does not "star" in movies. He appears in them. He is not a "movie star" but a stunt man.
It seems inappropriate in the context of this article to aggrandise this man further.
7
The writer of this article could have spent a little less time saying what a great horseman he was. The man was not a great man; he was a serial sex criminal. Writing paragraph after paragraph about his work achievements is not helpful.
14
Even way back surely no adult with a brain could think it is normal for a grown man to grope a minor in public no less. Even kissing...in my culture outward displays of affection are not the norm so the alarm bells would have gone up immediately. Even to this day, hugging is ok but not something I would initiate. Waving hello or shaking hands is fine. But even in a more demonstrative culture, the adults here were remiss. Just common sense alone would tell me this old guy (old to a minor) is "uji" - aka creepy. At a minimum I would think such displays of familiarity are unusual and out of bounds.
11
It's always men defending predators, as in this article.
11
Williams' live-in defended him to the end. Lots of men here hate in the comments hate the predators. You're simply wrong.
3
My riding coach in Dallas started this sort of abuse with me when I was 13 or 14. He used the exact same tactics and brainwashing. For awhile, I didn't know that it was even wrong because I was so shy and naive. Later, I was afraid to say anything for fear of losing my treasured horse. Eventually, I learned that he was doing this to several other vulnerable young girls, usually the less affluent kids, but he also did this to a young woman who was in an unhappy marriage.
20
I read a few paragraphs, then I could stomach no more. I wish I knew why it took this club since 1993 to remove Mr. W's name and presence from their arena and clubhouse.
Any parent who would subject a child to this is guilty of abuse themselves. I wonder how many girls told their parents but were not believed. How many girls were too ashamed to say anything at all? How many lives were ruined by this horrible predator?
I hope the #MeToo movement has brought us to a time when child predators will no longer be tolerated, when no one will look the other way when they behave badly in public, let alone in private.
Children deserve better.
11
Wow… I rode competitively in the 70’s in California and had been to many shows at Flintridge and the PCHJSHA circuit where Jimmy Williams (and Susan Hutchinson) were a major presence. I rode alongside Gigi, Francie and Ann and knew them to be serious and excellent horsewomen, I am so sorry and disheartened to hear they were going thru this. For those girls to be subjected to that kind of abuse and intimidation by the man who was their mentor/trainer while they were trying to be at the top of their game… is unimaginable. I knew many parents were very involved and were a big presence there, I can’t believe they didn’t see what was going on.
24
I was a young competitive rider during this period in Connecticut and Washington,DC. I had male coaches; I had female coaches. I’m stunned at this revelation. The etiquette of competition riding was strick and straight-laced. If anything, coaches were overly protected of young riders from anyone and anything that might harm them. A teenage boy wanted to take you out? He got a big interview beforehand.
I have to believe this was an aberration — and for me the fault lies with the parents. Nothing is worth the abuse of your child. Period. And shame on you, all of you — parents, friends, adults in this micro-world —- for not protecting and overseeing these young woman more ferociously.
7
Hap Hansen, how sad that we should ruin your pastoral cocktail hour by dredging up such uncomfortable reminiscences about an equestrian "legend"!! But, sir, what can I say, perhaps we are gauche because we are just so tired of the silencing and enabling, the confusion and isolation and decades-long shame.
Grand horseman, sublime artist, powerful producer, trusted physician, revered priest, 'right values' politician—too many of us have had our lives irrevocably altered by just such 'legends.' Enough is enough!
21
Noticing this kind of stories in very different areas, associations, teams, etc; we can only hope that in every single social sphere preventive measures are taken, so that this time is the only obscure era in which impunity for sex offenders is the rule. No one has the right to be lawless and everyone must be questioned regarding these conducts. He did not suffer the consequences of his acts because of a fearing social circle.
1
This makes me sick, though it doesn’t surprise me. Jimmy Williams was my hero, as was Anne Kursinski. I used to watch a video of him training her - coaching her over jumps - and feel both envious and inspired. I am so sorry for Anne and other talented young riders like her. As in the world of gymnastics, men like Williams operated/operate with impunity in the equestrian world. When I met my first creep/pervert/abuser, at least I was in my twenties.
12
With sincere thanks to all the brave women who came forward to share their horrific stories of rape and assault at the hands of a predatory child molester who was revered for over 40 years in the elite equestrian community. I hope they all find solace and peace in their lives with their horses and loved ones. To the people who protected Mr. Williams, shame on all of you. Children were harmed and hurt and the ones who spoke up were not believed, not even by their parents in some cases. Back in the early 90's, I used to house/pet sit for a lovely, wealthy and privileged family who lived in a mansion by the Rose Bowl. The wife and daughter were equestrian riders and were members of the Flintridge Club. I hope to dear god the young daughter was not harmed by this monster.
6
I'm so weary of adults turning their heads when other adults in charge of children are behaving badly. I've now witnessed it for years from my sons' teachers, coaches, fellow parents. There is always a price to pay for when I've spoken out. People rarely come rallying around the victim. It's been hopeful though in the last year to see more and more of these people being called out and action being taken. #timesup
9
When a society operates under the pretense that certain meritorious achievements are guaranteed paths to total existential fulfillment, then all of the members of said society will inexorably find that their motives and principles have been compromised completely.
4
In my eyes, the PARENTS are COMPLICIT. They willingly placed their children in danger, and then waited for a trophy, medal, or blue ribbon. I firmly believe that PARENTS should be held legally responsible for their child's endangerment if a reasonable person would suspect an assault of any sort upon the their child. Especially after the child confided in the parent. These tragic accounts relay the years long sexual assaults against minors. Their PARENTS are COMPLICIT for the purpose of their own glory. The children/teens were sacrificed. Law enforcement is mandated to step forth, examine these horrific crimes, and outline in BOLD RED LETTERS all legal consequences for ALL negligent parents and legal guardians. That includes foster parents. Punishing the PARENTS who look away, do not listen, watch, and take action by notifying law enforcement must beheld legally accountable for the endangerment of their minor charges.
14
Thank you and amen!
3
I am starting to believe that maybe it was best not to be "chosen" for any team. Gymnastics, swimming, riding....the list goes on and on.
15
I remember following Ann Kursinski's successes in equestrian magazines in the 90s and being in awe of her. So saddened to hear that her life was not so idyllic behind the scene.
19
This guy committed institutionally sanctioned pedophillic molestation/rapes.
And the parents turned the other cheek.
What on earth does that say about us and our terminal lust for the almighty dollar and fame, so much so that our children are used, abused for the sole purpose of - pure adult greed.
We are a sick place.
24
I do wonder how the parents did not know and if they did why they did not take action. If you molested my child something bad would happen to you, hopefully legally.
11
WHAT A SAD AND YET IMPORTANT STORY! The greatest generation is passing and with it the untold stories of their abuse of women and children. Let this story ring from the highest of towers so that all Men can frown and the guilty cower, and let not the following generations of Men ever, ever try to repeat this behavior.
19
The entire world needs to have a day of education about sexual abuse and assault. That day should recur yearly. Because men are mostly the perpetrators, their unfettered contact with children should be monitored at least until we get control of things.
14
Good point, and in the U.S., I think a mandatory 6-week high school course might be needed.
10
At the conservative community that my sister lived in, her children's elementary school presented a couple of hours workshop about unwanted touching that all the kids took. Thank the heavens for this! Should be required nationally.
7
I'm a big sports fan and used to work in sports media. I'm wondering how much I missed as reporter, missing sexual abuse cases. From Michigan State/USA gynmastics, to USA swimming, to equestrian ... to probably EVERY sport out there, abuse has happened. Sadly, sports from little league up to the pros needs to be fully investigated and perhaps taken down. I think the Olympics should end with all their frauds and yes, abuse. Perhaps it all needs to be drained and re-started, yes, all sports.
4
Would someone please inform Hap Hansen that an 11 year-old girl does not "give her consent" to an older man who is in a power position over her. Mr. Hansen's remark is profoundly ignorant of the way pedophiles manipulate their victim's. The tone of his remark is likewise nauseating.
56
Girls, bring a legal action against these sick predators, you will win enough to buy your own horse and at the same time teach these sickos a lesson, where it really hurts—in the wallet. Unfortunately, some parents are sick predators too.
10
Well, there goes any ounce of respect I ever had for Hap Hansen. How disgusting that he is defending a child molester. Shameful. Kudos to the brave women who are speaking out against Mr. Williams and glad this topic is finally getting the coverage it has always deserved.
37
“I just think those things [rape and sexual assault of children] are stupid to bring up whether they are true or not.” — Hap Hansen on Jimmy Williams’ legacy.
What do you think people? There’s a very good probability that Hap’s a Trump supporter, no?
31
The only heroes in the horse-show world are the horses.
23
My close friend was a child in Hollywood during the 1970s spending time around studios where her parents worked. Predators were everywhere then she's said, and was a victim herself. It's obvious we've only begun to unveil who they were.
24
The first step in treating a disease - is to acknowledge its existence. The other approach - denial - is not only ineffective, it permits the contagion to spread and inflict further damage. The women that have come forward should be congratulated for their courage.
See something? Say something. The fact that not only adults, but adults who were parents, chose to shield a predator targeting their own children is revolting in the extreme. If there is any shame - it's not with the victims but the enablers.
I grew up in sunny Southern California. Who would have known? Not exactly the stuff of blue skies, sunshine, and golden dreams. But now is not the time to forget and forgive. Now is the time to remember and insist on a proper accounting of such terrible violations of human decency. The wanton abuse of innocents. It sickens me.
12
To all the men out there who think the mistreatment and abuse come from a very few men I hope your eyes are starting to open at how women must dodge abusive men throughout their lives...the exception is the woman who is NOT abused by someone not the woman who is.
31
“I think he was a great horseman; he was a legend in his time,” Mr. Hansen said. “In my mind, he still is. I just think those things are stupid to bring up whether they are true or not.”
He thinks it's STUPID to bring up the rape of an 11 year old child???!!! This is the sort of attitude that allows these behaviours to continue without repercussion.
34
"“In my mind, he still is. I just think those things are stupid to bring up whether they are true or not."
That's the saddest most pitiful statement I've heard about the sexual abuse of minors.
28
Stupid to bring up whether true or not?
These are crimes against children.
It is this kind of thinking that has protected abusers forever.
Courage please, not denial.
Takes a village to hurt a child, to decide to look the other way.
20
My daughter rides. Fortunately she has always had female trainers. But I know the allure of a great trainer and the power they wield through access to good horses and time spent in the ring. The competition is intense. I can easily see how easy it would be for someone such as this jerk to get away with this for so long. He had the power and the horses and they had the wanting. It was never a level playing field.
21
Caution mother: Simply because your daughter has female trainers does not mean she is immune from sexual abuse. Be vigilant in all cases.
13
In addition to all the great comments, two things I'd like to point out:
1. Hap Hansen is an enabler and one has to wonder if he is excusing himself as well as Williams -- and he has apparently pulled both his FB page and Instagram account, but still has his website up.
2. I question whether Williams was the "great" "genius" horse trainer he's still considered, as if you abuse humans, you are likely abusing the horses as well. He may have gotten results from the horses, but by what methods? I question his horsemanship as well as his human decency. That the horses did well and the girls rode well means nothing about how he got that to happen. I've seen lots of abusive trainers, and I suspect he would fall into that category. Same leopard, same spots.
25
I immediately went to his social media and saw that his accounts were no longer available; it seems he wasn't brave enough to defend his disgusting remarks.
5
I can't even finish this article. What a disgusting man, and all the other disgusting, complicit people ... perhaps the worst being the horrifying, selfish parents. May they all still be alive to feel the shame, and may their children give them hell for prostituting them so those parents could climb the social ladder. May #MeToo reign supreme for years to come and root out all these dregs of society disguised as persons of excellence to be admired and sought after.
17
A couple of takeaways or thoughts: Some people find it so difficult to accept that this man could be or was capable of the alleged acts and behavior. But, let's consider the history of the conduct of men in this country with a similar profile: mostly white, wealthy, influential, and powerful. Before the #metoo movement, enslaved women on plantations knew and experienced all too well the predatory nature of slave masters. And poor women and immigrant women have had similar experiences. The acceptance of this behavior by some is engrained in who we are as a nation.
And then there are the similarities between this story and what was exposed about U.S. gymnastics world. Sometimes we're so hungry for success, fame, and fortune that we cease to think straight and sacrifice the well being of our children for it.
15
Sorry, I have to respond to the racism of this post. It has not been my experience nor do I believe for one minute that African American or Hispanic men are less likely to grab and grope than white men. Nor is it remotely limited to wealthy and powerful men. Read about sexual harassment at Ford manufacturing facilities.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/19/us/ford-chicago-sexual-ha...
10
The abuse of women knows no boundaries; white, wealthy, powerful it's the same as black, brown, poor and a nobody.
17
To Oliver Dallas:
There are countless locals ---- say, Africa --- where similar or worse atrocities are perpetrated by persons who are not white, not wealthy, not even always male (South Africa!) --- only powerful because they have an AK47 in their hands.
A little less stereotyping would be appreciated.
3
Ears can listen to, and hear, " whispers that escaped..." Sighted-eyes can focus to look, see, and not be wilfully blind.And brains, of fellow coping, adapting, and functioning people can, and do transmute disperate numbers, words, images, ETC., into useable knowledge, transmuted into necessary understanding, and even insights and wisdom, about what was enabled to begin and continue in those violating sites of the vulnerable. Of the helpless, trapped, violated. The club has removed the material-memories of the now-dead-violator. How many of the complicit are still members? What opportunities can they have, now, to contribute make much needed differences. Both to prevent volating of people, Values. Norms. Which unite. And to seed and harvest equitable, shared, well being for all.
5
This complex, dynamic, process, and its outcomes, also presents a complex, multidimensional, interaction and study. Multiple and competing motives/reasons/emotions /perceptions/
judgments/decisions, which are, or are not, implemented. Learned from, or not. All are ever present. Barriered or bridgable? And make it difficult, and for some, perhaps, even impossible, to ACT. To make-take-risk a first step in making a needed change. To"fail better." The craved for "equestrian addiction," and its "highs" and "lows," by children, parents and a range of other adults CHOSE to self-immunize against awareness of a questing-deified-violator. What kind of "coaching" does it take to begin, continue and finally master complicity? How often? For how long? Can one learne to distinguish between: " I apologize," which leaves the power with the original violator, and " I ask you, beg you, to forgive me," which leaves the power,final decision-making, their thoughts, feelings, and memories, with the violated. The quests in the relevant questions, and the range of questioners and the questioned, surely go beyond the limited focus of this article's targeted equestrian.
2
And yet we have a whole culture that is pushing our kids towards elite sports and high pressure relationships with coaches. Can we talk about that?? I think many parents are so obsessed with the miniscule chance of a Div 1 scholarship somewhere that they don't see (or chose to see) what could be right in front of them.
17
I wonder how many of them do see it, but believe it to be an acceptable price for their children to pay. As long as nobody talks about it, of course. If the monstrosities come to light, these parents will deny having ever believed what their children told them. They will claim they thought it was all their children imagination. But why would their children create such stories?
7
So brave of this woman to speak out and find her voice. Moved me to tears as I have had similar trauma as a young woman. The affect is so scattered and far reaching on the brain, and lives on forever
12
What is unique about equestrian sports is that it's a partnership with a horse. These kids could move on, find new coaches or barns, speak up (though we know from other sports that they do not, for many reasons). In equestrian sports, the kids often don't own the horses. They may be leases or in some cases simply riding horses they don't own which are accessed through the coach. Losing access to a favorite horse just adds another barrier to the kids wanting to speak out. The man was a monster to do what he did, and I'm disappointed that some commentators are partly blaming the victims for not doing anything. When I was a pony crazy 12 year old, I would have never done anything to have put my riding pony at risk of being taken away. My mom used my pony to get me to clean my room! The reason molesters can molest is because they know victims won't speak, and know which victims won't speak.
43
And when the victims do speak, their parents often silence them, because they don't want to lose access to that exclusive world.
11
I idolized Anne Kursinski growing up, when I was about the same age she was when she was going through this abuse. Read the article through tears.
Maybe something good will come of November 8, 2016. Maybe the grotesque defenses of this man and those like him, and the institutional silencers in this industry and so many others, will finally be de-normalized. Maybe.
19
Yes, this happened at the barn I rode in too. And this trainer was also a WWII cavalry veteran. He had a mystic around him as well. And even mothers who knew what was happening turned a blind eye because they wanted their daughters to WIN!
This trainer started on girls as soon as they started to hit puberty. It was an open secret. Even I, at eleven years old, knew what was happening. I remember hearing the sounds of slaps as some of the other girls were cornered in the tackroom.
Thankfully I had a very good and protective mother. The first time he cornered my sister, my mother moved our horses out of the barn the next day. My mother contacted the hotel that owned the barn. They didn't believe her.
This man went on to molest girls until he lost his health and couldn't teach anymore. But he was in his 80s by then.
I knew of two other trainers in our area that were the same way.
32
You were so lucky you really had a loving mother!
15
Is there anywhere where anyone is safe? Certainly, not all men are molesters, but 99% of harassment, sexual assault, molestation of children, violent crime is perpetuated by men. We need to change how we raise the male of the species and change what is acceptable cultural behavior.
Speaking out is a first step to get this out in the open and society must mandate absolute zero tolerance of this aberrant behavior.
14
So many revolting acts described in this article, as well as apt comments by readers. I was particularly struck by the experience of Gigi Gaston when she was 17. That she immediately told several adults speaks to her fortitude and courage even at that age and the feckless character of adults in her life. If only one of them had not just confronted Williams, but approached law enforcement and requested a court order to have a doctor inspect Williams' genitals, future abuses might have been averted.
And as for Hap Hansen, one would think that if common decency didn't prevail, self-interest might. Hansen is the owner of his own riding academy and stables; what parent would consent to having her child attend Hansen's training facility after he publicly declared his support for a child molester?
32
Glad society is finally realizing children's activities are a magnet for perverts. And it continues. Need to be on your guard at all times and keep watch. I caught a few creepy people trying to ingratiate themselves into my daughter's gymnastics group and sent them packing.
It amazes me so many parents are oblivious to this.
13
It is important that the Times publishes stories like these. It doesn't matter that Mr. Williams has been dead for many years. The injustices that were perpetrated on these young women are not trivial; they have certainly NOT been forgotten by the victims. A light must be shone on these types of crimes, because in this way we finally can make victims feel that YES, YOU ARE BELIEVED and NO IT WAS NOT YOUR FAULT. The victim's prison of self-doubt and self-blame must be destroyed, and the fact that a major newspaper is willing to give voice to these abuses is a major step forward for our society as a whole.
17
Riding. Swimming. Gymnastics. Music. The priesthood. Football. There is no end to it.
18
Yes, no end to it, and it seems unstoppable. Hopefully more and more people can speak out, arrests and prosecutions can be made, and this can end. Penn State went on without a missed football season; Michigan State will carry on in gymnastics and other sports, too. If people and institutions actually paid heavy prices, it would maybe slow down. Maybe.
I'm guessing we're not raising boys well, starts at home.
10
I showed hunter jumpers at a barn in Calabasas that competed against Jimmy Williams girls in the 80s. He was seen as a god in the horse world by parents and kids alike. When I showed at Flintridge my mother even considered moving barns she was so impressed with Williams. Thank God it was too far. It breaks my heart to learn women like Annie Kursinski GigiGaston suffered so...but I get it. I was assaulted by the pervert gyno at USC at 19 and at 31 quit a burgeoning Academy Award winning career as a writer/producer in Hollywood when a friend of Harvey Weinstein drugged and raped 15 very young actresses on a film I was co-Executive producer on. I was sick of the filth. I walked from a multi picture deal, bought a ranch north of LA and went back to training horses. Ive never looked back. That was 18 years ago. Finally with #MeToo maybe Hollywood will finally clean up its act. Hopefully the horse world will pay attention and do the same.
28
I hope all goes well for you from now on.
5
I hope & pray that the Harvey Weinstein's pal has been "outed" and law enforcement is finally involved. If not, call the the sex crimes unit and the FBI if necessary. A serial rapist must be stopped by law. They will listen, investigate, and the paper trail will begin.
I am so sorry for your indelible scars from the assault against you by the gyn at USC. Come forward, bear witness, and you will save others while the criminals are publicly "outed." You are brave; you can do it.
God bless you.
10
How dare you, Hap Hansen? You assumed consent, event though they were teens, and now suggest that it's "stupid" for them to bring these assaults to light? I am sickened by the level of complicity among adults mentioned in this article.
27
greed and lack of responsibility! These young girls grown into older women will suffer till the day they die bcuz of what this man did!
I work with SNAP victims of the Roman Catholic Church pedophile priests. And u find a community where young children go to their parents& parents refuse to go to any authorities! No one values children's lives in America is that what it's coming to? Not their parents or Guardians or clergy members, teachers or coaches or Society?
That the parents priority was to keep the horses and a specific level in society over their children's health and well-being?!
I work w parents r professors and phds and even attorneys! And they don't want to rock the boat or make waves when find out their child was molested and they choose to get up and move! And 100% of these parents I'm talking about r white, well educated,affluent Americans! concerning malfeasance from Catholic priests I have American Filipino &Mexican families either choose2force their children2 shut up about it and still go2 same church&priest! Why?! This is horrific Slaughter of American children! They grow up to be adults that can never have a healthy relationship with another human being. They can trust no immediate family member. My parents& grandparents would tell me times the whole Community surrounded the child& warn students in Catholic schools, dont b alone w Fr. so-&-so. VALUE OUR CHILDREN NOW!
11
Adults A to Z need to change here. The way adults look at child molestation sends powerful messages about justice, courage and protecting our youngest.
Overwhelmingly, from the church to the police to the courts, support has been weak. I remember the Roman Polanski case involving a 13 year old girl. Many prominent people came out with the "it was the seventies, time to move on" position. Maybe 12 years old was their cut-off?
Do not reference other cultures, other times in history or biology where sex abuse may have been accepted or tolerated. The adult is in power position. The child gets the damage. We should least agree on that.
Here's the test: if you would not want your child treated in such a way, then it is wrong across the board.
14
This is a story about a horrible person. That's all I can say.
9
As a parent cannot be with a child every second, it is imperative that kids understand that if anyone ever does anything to them that just feels wrong, or tries to do anything that feels wrong, they need to tell. They can tell their parent, their teacher, their school counselor, their pastor- someone who is not tethered to the offender.
If your girlfriend tells you something happened to her of this kind, go with her to help her tell an adult who can see to it that the behaviors stop immediately.
4
Jimmy shoved his tongue down my throat and forced my hand on his penis in front of a room full of adults and girl riders my age (including two mentioned in this article). We were at his bungalow - I had been super excited to get to tag along. The sudden assault felt like an initiation - people watched, laughed and almost encouraged it. I left with one of the girls (who suffered continual abuse by Jimmy, unbeknownst to me) and her mother - who was drunk but drove me home. The next day at school I recounted the incident to my friend who also rode at Flintridge and we both said “eeewwwww!!”. Needless to say I steered clear of Jimmy, his house and the alcoholic mother of my friend. It wasn’t traumatic for me, just bizarre. I’m incredibly sad that I never, ever knew about my friend’s abuse. We spent a lot of time together at the club and she never said a word. She was probably relieved to see him do it to me and I was still ok. She was a beautiful rider. It breaks my heart to know the horror she experienced.
36
I read this article and my first thought was one of embarrassment and disgust!
My second thought was : Why would the RC church even want men as priests, or any other capacity, where they have contact with children?
Men need supervision or they do unspeakable things!
11
As with the young gym stars. NO ONE TOLD their parents about his behavior?
3
It's the same old story: different venue, different actors, same story. Abuse of power, silencing, gaslighting, narcissistic tendencies to make the victims believe they were the problem, the universal seduction of power on everyone's part: Everyone wanted a piece of him, he took piece of everyone he encountered in order to maintain his power. I am grateful these stories are finally seeing the light of day. Let the healing continue.
15
I will soon reach 84 my dad was 46 a and when I was born. Pop considered me a gift Pop took me everywhere he went and he told me hundreds of stories and gave me advice on being a man and marriage and women. Marriage, Pop said twas an equal partnership for life. I have been married almost 60 years and he was right. Pop said me that picking the right wife is the key to happiness.
Pop was the kindest most patient, generous, soft spoken and hardest working man I ever met; a man of good humor who never lied and who taught his sons that in business that no deal is a good deal unless it is a fair deal and when you give your word, that is a matter of personal honor.
All of this brings us to the topic of how a man should treat women. The answer is that, them you treat them equally as people who expect to be treated with respect. You treat them as people.
As to picking a wife it often happens Pop said the women picks the man but youth and beauty are not lifetime things, so be sure that you pick her and not the other way around. When I was single, I never put my hand on a women unless it was clear to me that this is what she wanted me to do and if I was mistaken I backed off immediately. A woman’s body is her own she owes nobody sex. I wanted a women who wanted me and wanted what I wanted. I was owed nothing because I was a man. This is the way I was raised. The Trumps and predators of his world had different fathers. The apple does not fall far from the tree.
39
Beautiful Sheldon. I never heard my father say a sexist word so it wasn't in mt vocabulary either.
13
I notarized a consent form just last week for parents to send their daughter to Disneyland on a class trip. I had to wonder if they had warned her about anything. I was molested during our sixth grade Safety Patrol trip to Washington, D.C. Talk to you kids about this before you let them out of your sight. Let them know it is safe to tell. Remember they are children and will feel shame, fear, and disgust. Help them help themselves.
18
In the late 60s in suburban Chicago our equestrian "teacher" sexually assaulted multiple girls in my cohort -- including me. Most were 12 to 14 years old. He also abused horses in front of the kids. None of us told our parents b/c we were afraid of being banned from the barn and/or ostracized from our friends. It was a perfect situation for this guy and it went on for years. In my experience, the horse world --- be it horse racing, eventing, or fake fox hunting is a cesspool that attracts people who can't work anywhere else and the most unfortunate victims are the horses.
19
I too am a horse lover and I couldn't agree more with your comments. Luckily there are exceptions to the rule.
Absolutely rampant in the riding world. I was cornered by the grooms or sent into their trailers to use the bathroom. The trainer was SENDING young girls into their living quarters to get cornered. It's the worst kept secret in the horse world. Female trainers from now on for me.
14
“If you’re a star, you can do anything and they let you.”
I was born in the time when a girl’s main goal was to get married. To do that, she had to be vivacious, agreeable, and attractive to men. Went through the ‘60s, ‘70s, and on, evolving from that compliance to knowing that a woman marries IF she wants to to a man or woman who recognizes and appreciates her as an equal as a person.
Now, a lot of women who always hated putting up with casual insults, blatant disrespect, and physical man-handling feel freer to share that pent-up anger. This is the period of purging generations, centuries of poison. It will make life better.
18
I love the braces story. Thank you, brave women, for speaking up.
8
To commenter Steinway: These were kids. Easily manipulated. And girls facing a powerful man in a position of authority. You write, "The prestige, the winning and the fame were clearly more important to these young women than their self-worth at the time." You clearly understand little about kids, or don't care.
18
People who learned of this responded "I didn't see it and had no one said anything." Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it didn't happen.
When I was 7, on a long hiking trip, a man sat one of the girls on his lap--he always singled her out--and shoved his tongue down her throat. She was 14 and voluptuous. He cupped his hand under her breast and no one did anything about it. There were adults and us kids. I had some very icky feeling that it shouldn't be happening but no one was doing or saying anything about it and I was confused. As she must have been.
45 years later, the rest of us have attended school, college, law/med school and led our own lives. That girl would marry another man who forced himself on her and be impregnated before she was 20 and divorced later. Likewise her little sister who was also there. A few years ago I found a snapshot someone had taken of that moment. It still angers, confuses and saddens me.
17
I have moments in my childhood where I'll act strength and integrity to stand up when I saw something of wrongdoing. And it haunts me to this day! Nothing as egregious as a sexual molestation. But something that I could have easily corrected, for example boys and my sister and myself and other girls were playing in the pool and my sisters swimsuit top moved around that exposed one of her breasts instead of going up to her and fixing it I just let everyone stare at her and she had no idea why... Still haunts me to this day. when a teacher physically beat up a boy in front of all of us in our social studies class in a suburb of Chicago and we did nothing... I self analyze many times as a teacher today when I witness kids doing nothing during similar incidents. I was afraid 12 year old because perhaps #1 I would be the next victim? Perhaps #2 I would be blamed and punished? Perhaps #3 my parents would be angry with me. They were not the type of parents I could speak openly about anything.
Everyday that I am a teacher I try to correct my past...
8
Perhaps it is time we err on the side of caution and assume any sport or activity where young girls and women (and boys) are being coached, trained, supervised by men, especially those with power has a very high probability of abuse. There are to many known occurrences not to; equestrian sports, gymnastic, swimming, football, the entertainment industry, the Catholic church to name a few. Parents must be proactive. I would recommend every parent saying to their child's coach/trainer/leader etc. and to the organizations that employ them: "If you abuse my child, I will find out and you will pay dearly".
21
Let us learn from the lessons learned from the atrocious behavior of the Weinsteins and Williams and create an environment of freedom without fear to report these predators from the very beginning of their hurtful behavior so that they do not go on and on.
8
I abhor Mr. Williams' behaviour, however, the prestige, the winning and the fame were clearly more important to these young women than their self-worth at the time. Surely there were some who quit to find an alternate route to equestrian training and competing...
Yes, imagine what their parents would say. We've spent ---- money and ---- time and you're going to throw it away??? Mr. Williams is the best, why don't you want to work with him? Saying a thing makes it more real and these girls are in a position to be ignored or dismissed as well. It seems ridiculous that someone would let something like this happen unless you've experienced something similar. If your childhood hero trapped and forced you, don't you think it would really mess with your whole world view and sense of self, especially if everyone around you kept saying how great this person was? What if you knew other people had seen him kiss and fondle other girls in plain view and did nothing? wouldn't that make it seem like YOU were the one who had a problem?
8
You obviously didn't bother to read the article—or, more likely, don't care about these young women's experiences—because it is made abundantly clear in the article that these girls lived in terror of losing their lifeline: the horses. I would add that we are talking about a generation of young women raised to be deferential to men and authority figures. Shame on you for blaming the victims.
19
No, there were not all that many avenues for women to rise to Anne Kursinski's level at the time. These girls were raped as young children, they had no opportunity to determine if their "self-worth" was more important than success.
Not that it would even matter if this was somehow a choice these girls made. it can be hard for children who have been raped by a trusted adult who is well respected to understand their own self-worth. Especially if they told other adults who did nothing or told them to put up with it. They have been taught from a young age that they have no inherent value and that the only way to be "worth" anything is through their athletic and professional success.
I'm sure your line of thinking was why so many people stood by and allowed this to happen. It's not for children to understand their value, that's an abstract concept. It's the role of adults to show children their value by respecting and protecting them.
2
As for the parents turning a blind eye...
Years ago, my son's soccer coach was verbally abusive, angry at me and taking it out on my kid. Nothing like this, but not nothing, either.
We had the following conversation, and I don't recall who said which sentence:
* "One of us should stay and watch practice -- can't leave him there alone."
* And without missing a beat:
"Yes, and after today, we pull him from the team. "
It meant some missed opportunities for our son, some embarrassment for us, and the loss of some friendships.
That's what parents do. And yes, my experience is NOTHING compared to hints of sexual abuse. If anything, the conversation should have been sooner and faster.
19
“I think he was a great horseman; he was a legend in his time,” Mr. Hansen said. “In my mind, he still is. I just think those things are stupid to bring up whether they are true or not.”
Mr. Hansen's indifference to whether rape occurred or not - and his prioritizing one man's horsemanship over this issue - give us a pretty good idea of what he thinks of women.
39
“He was a great...” Insert pedophile for every accolade given to this an every other man who abused power with children. Oh, and parents who are not present for their kids as they pursue that “dream,” but trust others to care for them in their absence, I don’t even know what to insert for parent, but it’s not very good. Ambition for our children that casts aside their safety is fraught with long term problems that cannot be erased and are rarely forgiven.
6
"I am a clean old man, amen!"
Unbelievable!
Imagine a bank teller wearing a placard; "I am NOT am embezzler, amen!"
Or a doctor flaunting his own placard: "I am NOT a quack, amen."
And here's one:
A president angrily declaring, "I am NOT a crook. AMEN!"
Amen (as you remember) indicates profound, heartfelt assent.
"A clean old man"? Don't think you're gonna get many amen's on THAT one, Mr. Williams.
Not from this child.
Or those innumerable child victims that (at long last) have come forward, telling their dreadful tales.
What to say? I have never been into horsemanship, equestrian events, and the like. I have known some who were.
But my! The MENACE lurking behind that elegant facade. Immaculately clad equestriennes. "The Spanish Colonial Room" (or whatever). Soft light playing over the crystal and silver. Champagne bubbling in those tulip glasses.
And a predator in the background.
Or the foreground.
Nice smile. Good looks. Incomparable skill with horses.
And NOT a clean old man.
Amen to THAT!
13
“I think he was a great horseman; he was a legend in his time,” Mr. Hansen said. “In my mind, he still is. I just think those things are stupid to bring up whether they are true or not.”
This is EXACTLY the problem. Too many people don’t care if allegations of abuse of young girls are true or not so long as the man is good-looking enough or rich enough or a good enough coach or a good enough horseman.
Enough!
22
I am sickened by the inactions of the parents.
Your ONLY job as a parent is to PROTECT your children. When told by their kids about the abuse, their thoughts were simply all about yourselves. You threw your kids to a Wolf.
9
Yes, in my eyes the PARENTS are COMPLICIT. They willingly placed their children in danger, and then waited for a trophy, medal, or blue ribbon. I firmly believe that PARENTS should be held legally responsible for their child's endangerment if a reasonable person would suspect an assault of any sort upon the their child. Especially after the child confided in the parent. These tragic accounts relay the years long sexual assaults against minors. Their PARENTS are COMPLICIT for the purpose of their own glory. The children/teens were sacrificed.
Law enforcement is mandated to step forth, examine these horrific crimes, and outline in BOLD RED LETTERS all legal consequences for ALL negligent parents and legal guardians. That includes foster parents. Punishing the PARENTS who look away, do not listen, watch, and take action by notifying law enforcement must beheld legally accountable for the endangerment of their minor charges.
3
How is Jimmy Williams different from Donald Trump? We have already excused and honored a man who still is abusing women, why condemn one who is long dead?
10
"I just think those things are stupid to bring up whether they are true or not.”
“Jimmy Williams never claimed impeccable personal virtue.”
These quotes are perfect examples of what enabled Williams and allowed the abuse to go on. The abuser and his enablers are reprehensible.
26
I was the little girl that dreamed of making it big in equestria, but my biggest flaw was that I was not wealthy. After many horse shows, I discovered that this is not an objective sport, it’s a sport of time and wealth. Where there is prestige, there seems to be silenced abuse. Being with a favorite horse does not have to be in the show ring, come trail riding with me in the prairies.
14
That sounds like fun.
2
We have come full circle, we have chosen a misogynist as President. Women again are chattel to be used and abused by men, until women demand and take this power from men, nothing will change.
14
I am incensed by Hap Hansen’s comments. They are offensive, reprehensible, inexcusable, and unforgivable. Clearly, his sympathies lie with this morally-depraved monster, as though his gifts as a horse trainer and teacher negate the evil he wrought for decades. Hansen has absolutely nothing to say about the repeated violence and violation the man visited upon those girls! That the man has been dead for 25 years is irrelevant. Death does not change what he was in life. He was a rapist! Period. Shame on you, Hap Hansen!
28
We've been saying for years that we need our own spaces and our own institutions to get away from this madness. Because although society dismisses the "lesser" acts of harassment, we want none of it. We want to be able to be in public life without our every moment being s*xualized. It disturbs me that just when this is all coming out and people are starting to understand just how bad and pervasive it all is, women are now losing the last of our spaces. No one's going to do anything substantive about male misbehavior. It's just trendy to get angry about this every 15 years or so as an act of virtue signaling. And by the time the dust settles on this go-round and everyone gets bored and moves on to some other popular cause, there won't be anywhere to go to "stay away from Jimmy" because he'll have changed his name to Jenny and no one can legally ask him to stay out. Separatism sounds better and better all the time.
4
Can someone write the stories about the girls/boys who left these abusive relationships - those who left before it started, after a brief encounter? What did they do differently, or how were their situations different? Was it being taken seriously by an adult, having the courage to speak up, or something else that gave them the ability to escape?
What can we parents do to prevent this from happening to children now?
14
Whether you are the child or the parent, prioritize your life and health over advancement in any given sport! When I was 18, a coach informed me in front of the whole team that he had wet dreams about me. I found another team to play for and later discovered that he had behaved inappropriately with any number of his players over the years.
8
As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I would say ask the right questions and listen carefully. Children only speak up if they know they will be listened to and believed.
8
Tell your kids that if anyone ever touches them or says something that's scary or upsetting to let you know right away. Tell them you'll believe them. Let them know it wouldn't be their fault and you wouldn't blame them.Tell them that even if the person threatens to hurt him (or the kid's pets or you as the parent) if the kid tells, to do it anyway and that you'll protect them, the pets, and yourself. Have the conversation in advance; have it frequently.
Also, never force kids to show affection ("hug grandpa!" or "Give your sister a kiss!"). Teach your kids they own their bodies and they never have to feign affection--especially physical affection.
17
Shame on Jimmy Williams and his apologists. Unfortunately he died without ever having to answer for his pedophilia.
10
I always wondered about some of these coaches whenever I would see them with their young female athletes at the Olympics. We know a lot more about sexual abuse than we used to and we are more questioning about seemingly healthy relationships such as teacher and student, priest and altar boy, or coach and athlete. It’s a shame that the bad ones destroy what is good about about such relationships.
7
I had the good fortune to hang out with young people from Ireland and England in San Francisco in the late 80s. I realized that these young women had had no problem in their home countries going to pubs and hanging out with no fear of being accosted beyond a dry ribald joke. It was possible to go to a pub alone if you wanted to have a crack (fun time). But here in San Francisco they had to watch out and stick together. One night, I was at a very popular place on Fillmore, and beautiful woman, obviously European and dressed like a film star, decided to stop in for a drink. She was accosted by a group of drunken frat boys to the point of my having to help her into a cab. I apologized for these youths, but she was so stunned and humiliated I don’t think it registered.
12
I don't know when which pubs you hung out in the 80s in Ireland and England but I can quite assure you that women in those countries in those public places were regularly subject to harassment and worse and still are.
6
Adults saw him kiss and grope children - and did nothing.
This is the land of the brave?
21
“He would say, ‘Well, I’m training you so you can satisfy men,’” said Gigi Gaston, who rode there from age 11 to 17..."
That says everything about Williams and all males of his ilk - they see women not as equals, not as partners..not even as humans. They are commodities, just like fine horseflesh. They are judged on conformation, action and the potential for breeding. As such and under "expert" hands - they can be "trained" to satisfy men.
If I weren't so incredibly disgusted and appalled, I'd laugh - it has the making of a really bad Penthouse Forum piece.
And maybe that's the problem - the 60s and 70s sexual revolution/liberation never really took into account any point-of-view other than the 12 year old hormonal adolescent male, which can be found in men of any age. You heard it from Harvey Weinstein and now you have this shining example from the Grand Prix circuit. They wrongly use those decades as an excuse - but that era bears cultural blame as well.
It provided a popular mindset (the current White House resident is a prime example) that is seeded into our male population and combined with power and authority that comes with age and experience breeds exploitation and predatory abuse of women on a rampant scale.
27
ah yes. It was the sexual Revolution / liberation of the 60s and 70s. None of this behavior was occurring before hand. Predatory sexual behavior appeared de novo courtesy of Hugh Hefner, Bob Guccione, Simone de Beauvoir, and Gloria Steinem....
4
"None of this behavior was occurring before hand."
You've got to be kidding.
1
This sounds plausible, Cgriff, but is very wrong. Men have been abusing women and children for many generations. It may be that making sexual behaviors more overt and freeing women from having to please men in order to survive economically actually made today's breakthrough of justice possible.
7
Sick, creepy predator. He should have been exposed for what he was when he was alive.
18
Finally reporting of these horrendous, predatory attacks on girls, women and boys are out in the open. They seem to be - and are - endless because this kind of "boys-will-be-boys" behavior has been endorsed by the male-model culture for centuries.
This kind of behavior has been - and still is at some levels - accepted and even laughed at by men/boys. This The Con Don and the Hollywood Access tapes.
It is NOT funny. It never was. It's sick.
Please, girls, women and boys, keep speaking out about the atrocities you suffered and will carry with you for life. Don't wait. Speak up the minute you encounter any abusive behavior - sexual or otherwise.
Women of all ages must step up and take one-half the power in OUR United States of America - and the world - to stop this archaic behavior and bring balance to the world.
NOW is the time.
17
Hooray for the Chronicle, once a staid bastion of thoroughbred race results and broodmare records. Thank you, Chronicle, for your bravery and your contemporary outlook on the gorgeous equine sports.
18
I was lucky enough to begin my riding career at Flintridge Riding Club when I was seven years old. I by the time I was nine I knew to 'stay away from Jimmy' although I had no idea why. Then I was lucky enough to move to Illinois at the age of ten. At that time I had no idea how lucky I was.
25
OK. This is ridiculous. For many years, I've been a man who sympathized with feminists. Now, I'm a downright radical feminist. No wonder so many women are angry. It's not just a matter of economic injustice; way too many men think it's OK to treat women like animals for their amusement or like chattel, their property to do with as they please. Clearly, there are many, many men who treat women well. (I certainly was not aware of how bad the situation was until just a few years ago.) But ever since Larry Nassar, Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, etc., etc., and the "Me Too" movement, I've been dumbfounded by the pervasiveness of this behavior, which has undoubtedly been going on for eons. I sure hope these last few years mark a watershed in how we deal with this criminality directed against women and children. I don't think any society can be considered "civilized" until this [expletive deleted] is acknowledged, condemned, and punished.
46
Thank you. It's heartening that some men are realizing how widespread and pervasive this behavior is and why the MeToo movement is so, so needed. Some men get it and some men get defensive. The former says a lot about the man and so does the latter. You're one of the good guys.
17
Social climbing parents using their kids as fodder for status. Otherwise this guy gets taken down before he has a second victim.
8
Thank you to Mark and Katherine Bellissimo who own the Chronicle of the Horse for publishing this article. The Bellissimos are one of the hardest working, most industrious, kind hearted families I have ever met. Totally driven and nothing was ever handed to them. Mark's Dad was in the institutional catering business in Boston. All the Bellissimos are unbelievable success stories. Tremendous energy, empathy and generosity... Thank you for having the courage to bring this story to light!!
32
Jimmy Williams, 1917 - 1993
Equestrian, Rapist, Psychopath
Rest in Hell.
22
Hap Hansen for Clueless Idiot of the Year !
61
may he be booed next time he enters the show jumping arena. what a jerk
11
Position already occupied by POTUS.
5
When these women became adults, didn't they an obligation to try and stop this guy? Where were the dads, brothers, boyfriends etc.? Sounds like he got away with it because all involved were complicate.
2
Are you blaming these women? These girls? really? what audacity. What creepy grotesque revolting audacity you have.
16
These men often threaten to kill the girls (young women) (or the boys they abuse) or to kill their families if they speak up. They're also told "No one will believe you" and "It's your fault this happened."
People like you reinforce the idea it's the victim's fault. You are part of the problem.
23
Walter
Did you read the article? The few girls who did complain were not believed at the time. Many of the others probably saw which way the wind was blowing.
Yet you want to make these girls the problem instead of their abuser?
Shame on you!
15
I was appalled at Hap Hansen's response to this as being "silly." All because he's not here to defend himself like say Bill Cosby? Hap is clearly from a time where that kind of behavior wasn't even called abuse and he obviously found it/finds it perfectly acceptable. This coach was just another man using his fame, charisma and power to abuse young women with total impunity.
He died thinking he was the greatest guy in the world. There will be no satisfaction for the women who will carry this burden for the rest of their lives. Renaming some rings, taking down some trophies and this article may assuage their grief a little but it has to be a small comfort.
19
I just saw a film on the TV about this whole scandal, the abuse of these young riders. It stars Miss Dern in a wonderful, if painful, abusive relationship that happened when she was a child, and remembers and investigates as an adult.
4
I don't believe The Tale is about Jimmy Williams. Unfortunately, there are more predators out there.
1
"Equestrian Coach Minted Olympians, and Left a Trail of Child Molestation"
A more accurate title would be, "Equestrian Coach Minted Olympians and Molested Children."
He 'left a trail' makes it sound so passive rather than intentional.
30
"Raped" would be the operative word.
9
“I think he was a great horseman; he was a legend in his time,” Mr. Hansen said. “In my mind, he still is. I just think those things are stupid to bring up whether they are true or not.”
This comment by Hap Hansen is horrifying in its callousness and ignorance. I wonder if he would have uttered those same words if Mr. Williams had cornered HIM in a stall and shoved his tongue down his throat, or pushed HIS head down to Mr. Williams' exposed penis.
Mr. Williams was a gifted coach AND a monster.
24
I'm 55 and in high school I had a soccer coach/PE teacher who leered at and made suggestive comments to me. One year he kept telling me how he was looking forward to the swimming month coming up, so he could see me in my bathing suit every day. That creeped me out so I arranged a substitute physical activity during swimming month. He gave me a D in PE that semester. The next year instead of playing soccer, I would get up at 4 a.m. to go to another city to row crew. My parents supported me in both decisions, and I told them why I was doing it.
Thing is, he was a crappy soccer coach. (And women's soccer wasn't the big deal it was today. There were no soccer scholarships, far from it!) If soccer had been a big deal, and he had been a soccer genius, I may have been conflicted. Children can be very ambitious. As the article explains, some of the guilt and shame that the women feel is because he knew very well how to use even the chidren's ambition against them.
21
I still don't understand why the vast majority of the head coaches of the best women's college soccer teams are men...even a majority of the assistant coaches. I can understand why plenty of dads coach their daughters in youth soccer, but by the time high school and high level competitive club soccer rolls around, there are plenty of women who could fill lots of those top coaching positions. On the other hand, US Soccer has done a commendable job of hiring female coaches for many of their various age-level national teams, and of course, for the USWNT.
7
Because women’s sports has always been seen as second-best, as cute, as less important than men’s sports (i.e., real sports).
When my daughters played club football (soccer), we had to fight to get good coaches, to get good fields, to even get refs. The first choices went to the boys teams. An outstanding female coach had to fight hard to get teams.
Let’s not forget that the USWNT has won 3 World Cups and (plus Olympic Gold medals) because of their outstanding play.
8
This problem was overlooked for too many decades. I hope going forward it will not be.
2
What a sick , disgusting individual, why do they have this in their system that they need to molest a child or even an youth ?
Nothing is life they accomplish mattered they are still sick and belongs in jail for life.
Incidentally, I have a friend who has told me was a survivor of incest by her father when little, she has six children but she has shared with them. One thing she did was telling her husband , later she wished she did not , he went ballistic with such information.
7
Thanks to the NYT for publishing this article and comments. The horse show world remains insular, and in many ways has always mimicked Hollywood, sadly, with all the trappings of fame and fortune.
My heart goes out to every girl who had to have her body and spirit poisoned by irresponsible and morally bankrupt predators, those who wore a protective cloak known as omnipotent "coach" or "trainer." Bravo to those girls (now beautiful women) who came forward! All of you are innocent and beautiful - then and now. You did nothing wrong!!! ♡♡♡
17
Is there any place where our children are safe? One of my sons was molested by the husband of our caregiver. He was quite young and was not able to talk. We know that it happened when we were told by the parents of the two little girls who were also being cared for.
My son's behavior did change drastically. He would scream whenever he saw a strange man. Our wonderful pediatrician, who was a man, had trouble examing my son, too. He had frequent ear infections, so he needed to see the doctor many times. It got so bad that he wouldn't even enter the doctor's office, so our very understanding pediatrician would examine him in our car in his parking lot.
It wasn't until he was five years old that I was able to take him to the dentist. I had to hold him in the dentist's chair, and he was so terrified that he urinated over both of us.
My sister's young daughter was also molested at a young age by a neighbor's son, who decided to play doctor with her.
Statistics say that one of every four children is molested. We had two out of four.
I learned to make unexpected visits to my children's child care facilities, Cub Scout meetings and play dates.
Because my son was so young when he was molested, he has totally forgotten about the incidents. I, on the other hand, will never forget, and I will always feel guilty about what happened.
247
I am so sorry this happened to your family.
26
If your son was traumatized at age five, he may have forgotten the incidents or never formed conscious memories about what happened to him. He certainly was affected by them and probably still is.
25
Sadly, though your son has no conscious memory of the incident, he was traumatized. His reaction to strange men tells us that. I hope that nowadays he is able to deal with all this.
21
My sister and I both had tongue down the throat kisses from someone who was a good family friend and business associate of my father's.
We were 7 and 8.
I told my mother. As far as I know, nothing was done, although "Uncle X" stopped coming around the house. But my parents stayed friends with him and his wife.
When my children were little, I told my parents I would kill anyone who molested them. I believe they got the message. But I am still angry.
23
is it time for a truth and reconciliation process, like what was done in South Africa?
1
Not yet.
3
All the more relevant because it published the day after THE TALE aired on HBO, dpcumentartian Jennifer Fox's brutal memory b of being sexually assaulted at 13 by her running coah, who, like so many others, got away with it.
As a (male) prosecutor I have spent three decades of my life pleading with juries and judges to beleive girls and women when they have the courage to come forward and tell sthe blood-chilling recount of being sexually manipulated and assaulted. There is such a huge societal desire to pretend this is simply not possible, that the teenage girls are all seductive Lolta's of Chloes or that those of us horrified are just too prudish and bourgeoisie to "understand" this :spaecial relationship."
That relationship is called rape, and I don't care if they allow 13-year old girls to marry i40-year-old men n the Amazon jungles, I don't live or practice law there. You may claim that makes me ethnocentric. Too bad. I choose the Enlightenment and a society tht protects its children until they have sufficient maturity to make their major life decisions, without some man in a powerdul position robboing them of that independence.
34
Oh the things adults will overlook when there is the potential for dreams to come true in their children's future. I'm going to guess that discovering that the price to enter the clubhouse was far greater than they could ever have imagined (that is if they ever found out at all). This story couldn't be more tragic or incredulous. That people who knew Jimmy Williams are defending his behavior as something other than it was is despicable, and yet every time one of these predators is outed a coterie of people come to their defense as if "it's just part of what happens". As an equestrian I feel for these riders and other athletes who've been subjected to sexual abuse by coaches and training staff. my heart aches for all of them.
9
These men, whether they be horse trainers, plumbers, preachers or teachers, are all predators who do lasting damage to the girls and women they ravage. I am so glad to see that women and girls are now working to repair the damage and put a price on the rampant abuse.
12
It seems apparent by now that we have institutional problems with molestation, racism, sexism, etc. The issue seems to me in the power we give authorities over young people and at the same time, the pressure we put on young athletes to succeed. Perhaps it's time for us to examine our obsession with athletic dominance?
8
Terrible. We keep referring to these perpetrators as "abusers", Mr. Williams' "kissed" and "groped" and "penetrated". He was, very simply, a criminal, and what has been alleged by multiple victims are crimes. We don't need long diatribes and quotes about "social mores of the era". Even then, these acts were crimes. That the rich parents who were told by their daughters/and club cocktail hour attendees who witnessed molestations "said nothing" because he was famous/handsome/a star/rich/a talented horseman is just another set of #metoo abusers and perpetrators. Neglect and failure to protect are also crimes and these community members (of the era!) are guilty as well.
And stop with the "that's how it was" red herrings. As we just experienced with Larry Nassar, our institutions/parents/communities have NOT changed in their lack of will and mechanism to protect young girls.
14
Yet another “famous” abuser. Even a girl he molested for 6 years STILL thought he was a good man--just “sick.”
Well we put “sick” pedophiles in prison.
As a 70 y/o woman doctor I ask every child and adult: “Has an adult ever touched you and it felt wrong. You’re safe here, I promise.”
1) Children do NOT make up sexual abuse stories.
2) I have yet to meet or care for a girl who has NOT been abused...and that includes having men rub up against them on public transportation, in theater groups, in elevators, in stalls. The children don’t know it’s so wrong. Even adults make excuses for these criminals.
3) If a boy hemmed or hawed, I set him up for his next well child visit with an empathetic male doctor to get further information.
These abusers recognize the children who aren’t being loved at home. They seek out the child who feels he just doesn’t belong, is different somehow--you know about 95% of children.
We MUST never blame the victim EVER or this continuing abuse will never stop. Parents must stop being so blinded by living vicariously through a child who is a superb award winning athlete. Look at the decades of abuse of our gymnasts.
These children are treated as adults as they are so very GREAT at what they do...but damn it, they’re kids and need all of our support.
32
The people who claim it’s unfair to tarnish the legacy of a dead man should be ashamed of themselves. What about the living, breathing women who have suffered their whole lives due to his heinous abuse ?
19
To define Mr. Williams behaviour as "sexual misconduct" feels far too mild given the actual horror of his abuse.
Let's start naming Mr. Williams and his ilk for what they really are. Child rapists. Pedophiles. Predators. Molesters. Abusers. Creeps. Deceivers. Stealers of innocence. Soul killers.
The names matter.
25
As all these recent 'Olympic" horror stories come out, I can't help but reflect--I grew up without the "benefit" of Olympic sports training, stage managing parents, "top rated pre-schools" , elite travel sports teams....and the resulting problems. I guess i was severely deprived ...and didn't know it, growing up in Northern NJ
We played "pick up games" in the streets ,or in school yards. We organized them ourselves, officiated them our self and somehow made it work. When we got older we played in HS and College. Summers we played American Legion or AAU ball or similar. We even had a few guys make to the "pros".... Gee maybe I wasn't so deprived after all... and we learned a lot about life.
There seems to be an excessively high price many of these kids end up paying to have those trophy's on the wall. Seems like a lot of these parents with $$ are just looking either for a place to "park" their kids --or "build" a money making income source--instead of parenting.
A huge THANKS to my "normal life" and a great set of parents. ...a life too many will not see today.
6
Abuse can happen anywhere, and you were fortunate not to have encountered it, at school, in church, from a family friend or a pal's dad. It doesn't take fame or bad parents or any such thing to be a victim. It takes a criminal abuser and a little time to get you. And he, or she, can look as common and innocent as snow.
9
I give these women SO much credit for coming forward, as I do the women who came forward with gymnastics. It is only by (a) calling out the predators, and (b) taking the stigma away from being an abuse victim that these horrific crimes will be seen for what they are and stopped. The concept in the article that he kissed everyone--women and girls--and that it was somehow okay and acceptable is utterly troubling. Thank you to these women for sharing their truths and shining sunlight on these crimes. To paraphrase Justice Brandeis, sunshine is said to be the best of disinfectants. More men and women coming forward and sharing their truths is what will help prevent future young men and women from being victimized by criminals in the future.
13
Where there is prey you'll find predators. Consequently youth sports is rife with predators. A good rule of thumb is, if the coach, manager, trainer ect.. does not have a relative on the team he/she is suspect. These people who are in these positions decades because they, "love the kids" should be regarded with healthy suspicion. More so when the positions are voluntary.
12
Assume this is the true story behind the Jennifer Fox film “The Tale,” which premiered on HBO this past weekend.
The question it left me asking is: Where were the parents?
It’s a story of child predation but also a story about rich parents pimping out their daughters for a seat at the table of fame/power/money.
Maybe the parents of the girls involved in this story should’ve all been brought up on child sex-trafficking charges.
Disturbing what some adults will do for a shot at money and fame.
3
I rode at the other end of the valley in Westlake, CA and we knew this was going on. We all went to the same horse shows and girls talk. Ms. Kursinski was the rider we all aspired to be, so we were confused about "the talk." When she finally broke ties and moved to New Jersey, no one really thought about it as it was closer to the United States Equestrian facilities, and she was a great role model as many of the famous men equestrians were starting to retire.
Susie Hutchinson began living with Williams, so that really silenced all of us - she was considered also top of the sport and no one could approach her.
I am shocked at Hap Hansen's comments. He was admired as a trainer and was also at all the same shows. He had to know, but Jimmy Williams could kill your career.
It is just a shame it took this long to come out. I thankful that I stayed with my trainer and didn't make the switch to Flintridge.
33
"Several people contacted for this article said that while they had seen Mr. Williams kissing and groping students, they attributed his behavior to social mores of a different era, rather than any nefarious intent."
I'm 72 yrs. old. If a grown man had been seen kissing and groping a little girl back when I was that age, it would have been an outrage. There is no excuse now and there was no excuse then. I don't buy it.
53
At 55, he lived with an 18 year old? How gross is that?
35
Jesus. Yet another case where a predatory man was enabled and protected by society. Hap Hansen apparently thinks it's "stupid" for girls who were molested to try to deal with it to heal, because it will malign his friend. He is almost as disgraceful as his "friend." ("I just think those things are stupid to bring up whether they are true or not.”)
My daughter is 10. It sickens me to think of a girl that age being forced into a sexual situation. And his 18-year-old former wife needs to go to intensive therapy, poor thing. She, too, was exploited.
23
Mom used to leave me at a barn with a male trainer all day on Saturdays and Sundays. I rode for "free" in exchange for work. Then he would drive me home. He once put his hand up my shirt - when we were standing in the tack room. His girlfriend was present. They both laughed. I am very thankful that we moved and those weekends at the barn stopped. He ended up going to a mental insititution but stayed in touch, calling me from time to time and asking me to bring him cigarettes. I obviously declined. At 11/12 years old - no car. Very weird. But true.
156
Not weird. Common. A lot of girls work in exchange for riding. A lot of trainers, grooms, coaches put their hands on them. Like, all the time. Which is why he did it in front of his girlfriend and she laughed. It's literally a joke to them.
40
Sad and sobering. This problem is far more pervasive than is generally known and recognized. The world of ballet seems a likely area of inquiry. Wherever this behavior exists, it needs airing, condemnation, and eradication. Children need to be protected and criminal behavior restrained.
7
Adults in general didn't listen (and believe) children back in the 1950's, 60's, 70's. Many still don't today.
I was hit by a nun a few times in first grade in the mid-1970's. Many children in my class were hit. The nun was a terror. I don't remember telling my mom when it happened. But in the fourth grade I did tease my brother who was in the first grade (with the same abusive nun) telling him he'd better behave or he'd get hit.
It was only many years late when my mom attended a church picnic and was conversing with one of my former classmates and he mentioned that this nun was abusive that my mom realized the truth.
Denial is easier for adults who don't want to deal with the responsibility of protecting children.
19
As a young girl, I dreamed of being able to be around horses. As a teenager and young adult, I had a short chance to experience the competitive equestrian world. As a Grown Woman now, I'm relieved that I didn't let myself get pulled into its allures.
Even when I was young and in that world, I realized much of its toxicity, but my mind was innocent to this particular danger: that of these men having so much power over our naive, hopeful hearts. At the time I thought of my trainer as a gentle old man with a kind heart. Now I look back on many of his behaviors and find them very inappropriate - such as offering a 17-year-old me an alcoholic bevarage at an event. I did not think about these things because we don't teach our children, our girls, about them. We push them out into this world full of danger and dangerous people without proper warning.
17
Mr. Williams “zipped around horse shows in a cowboy hat and a cloud of cologne in a custom golf cart emblazoned with the phrase, ‘Jimmy Williams is a clean old man, amen.’ “
This is not amusing, it is creepy and should have set off some alarm bells for parents of young girls right from the start. Clearly turning a blind eye was much more comfortable for all involved. I am so sorry for the girls and young women who experienced this horrendous abuse.
21
I rejoice and sing my gratitude for the Me Too movement and the way the Times and other publications have brought this forward. May we never ever go back to allowing intimidation from anyone.
25
"'It’s sad things like that are said about a man who has been passed away' for more than 25 years, said Hap Hansen, who grew up riding at Flintridge and became one of the most successful grand prix riders in the world. While he said he witnessed Mr. Williams kissing and touching women and girls, Mr. Hansen said he did not believe it was without consent."
No, what's sad is that this man raped and molested girls over a long period of time and the adults who knew about and witnessed his behavior looked the other way. What's sad is Mr. Hansen believing that young girls can consent to being molested by a powerful man.
51
my father molested my oldest sister, and then me. my mother knew, and did nothing. the effects of that extreme dysfunction are still occurring. my sister married an absolute creep. threats and abuse to this day, and a daughter my sister says is lying when she tells others that her mother is in a horrible place. gaslighting her own daughter. she learned my mothers lessons well.
we moved far away, to protect me, our marriage, our children.
i know these riders pain all too well. i also know the pain caused when others say these women are lying.
i hoped my daughter would have it easier, but she had to say metoo. because of men thinking they could just hit on her altho she was uninterested.
i have two granddaughters now. i have to. no, we all have to make it so that in future, women will not have to fight so hard to be treated as equals, to be free of abuse.
300
Thanks for this.
22
I am so sorry you have had to suffer like this. You didn't deserve it then and you don't deserve it now. I hope you have a good support group of sister-survivors. That can make all the difference.
36
The not being believed is excruciating , as you eloquently said. Sending you hugs and best wishes.
1
This is a sick story, but even sicker is the fact that this man died 25 years ago and is unable to defend himself. Shame on all these (then) girls ( and their parents) for not speaking out much earlier. Of course it's easier now, with the #metoo tidal wave of accusations, but what saddens me is that these ( then) girls, and much more so, their parents, weighed the scales, which, in their cases, tilted toward their own ego's and dreams.
You're concerned that a dead child rapist can't defend himself? I agree that there is a great deal of blame to be put at the feet of parents who knew or suspected and did nothing but to blame the children for not speaking out when they had no adult support is despicable. They were children, they needed help, many adults failed them, they deserve support not your scolding.
28
it this some sort of sick joke? really?
8
"Many expressed anger that Mr. Williams was not alive to defend himself against the allegations and that the legacy of an important and talented horseman had been tarnished."
Well, maybe he shouldn't have tarnished it by committing pedophilia. He knew what he was doing was wrong and he didn't care. Forgive my inability to feel sorry for a child molester. It is indeed a pity that he's dead, because I would enjoy watching him do the perp walk after getting charged for this, and I'm sure many of his victims would enjoy the sight as well.
27
"He knew what he was doing was wrong and he didn't care."
I doubt that he gave even a passing thought to what he was doing.
14
I might have thought so too, but his slogan painted on his golf cart "Jimmy Williams is a clean old man, Amen", gives him away. It's like Bill Cosby walking around after being arrested wearing that sweatshirt that said "HELLO FRIEND" in 6" letters.
9
"hey had seen Mr. Williams kissing and groping students, they attributed his behavior to social mores of a different era"
When was adult teachers groping young students OK ?
25
In the beginning there was faith, which is childish;
trust, which is vain;
and illusion, which is dangerous.
Elie Wiesel "Night"
#NeverAgain2018
12
Whoever causes one of these little ones who believes in Me to stumble, it would be better for the sinner to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be cast into the depth of the sea.
Mark 9:42
12
Good Grief!!! 'Me Too' and all of that aside, how does this story and extravagant pictures rate center front page? The guy's been dead for almost 25yrs.
1
Because its an untold story with vast repercussions.
That's why.
32
But most of his victims are still alive. They are his legacy, far more than his "magic" with horses.
12
My current trainer rode with Jimmy and told me she escaped his predation because her father made it clear he would kill Jimmy if she was ever touched. This was common knowledge in our community.
33
I had just speculated to myself that maybe many fathers weren't told, because they would have done what yours had done. And many mothers (or the daughters themselves) were afraid of the repercussions, i.e., being dropped from J.W.'s training.
2
Certain men I encountered as a preteen and teen must be quaking in their boots right now. This thought fills me with great satisfaction.
27
The pattern is a familiar one. Parents tend to believe or want to believe that priests, coaches of all sorts of great repute, physicians, and others in positions of trust simply would not commit such heinous acts as child molestation. Perhaps as well, some parents turned a deaf ear to their children sounding the alarm about Mr. Williams because of their ambition of having their child win an Olympic gold medal. They were willing to sacrifice their children to social ambition.
Mr. Hansen obviously thought that Mr. Williams equestrian skills outweighed criminal behavior on Mr. Williams part.
I hope Mr. Williams victims find peace within themselves. I also hope that parents will question what price glory, even if they have a child who is gifted, when chasing Olympic gold. Sometimes the price far outweighs the value of the experience of winning a moment in the spotlight.
8
I am both heartbroken and enraged reading this account.
That piece of waste............ The others who didn’t believe, who did believe yet didn’t step in because, you know, he’s such a great trainer!!!!
But ultimately I’m thinking of the victims. I’m so sorry for them. I believe them. They didn’t deserve this. It wasn’t their fault.
I see you and believe you.
10
Let's straighten one thing out right now. This is NOT about parents who are obsessed with success, and it is NOT about "psychologically damaged" girls who are drawn to horses. Guess what...this goes on in EVERY BARN EVERYWHERE. Yes, barns are full of men, and young girls spend a lot of time at barns without their parents. And these men grab the girls when nobody is looking and try to kiss them or grope them. So, if you are 12 or 13 or 14 and you don't know how to get them to stop, you just learn that you don't go alone into a stall with men. I believe the vast majority of girls are not raped, but they certainly are molested. Find me one girl/woman who ever rode in any barn who wasn't literally chased around by some man and I'll give you my car. That's not counting the consensual sex that's going on. Hey parents -- there is LOT going in the barn you don't know about.
18
Yeah, a lot goes on in barns, and saying get away from me (or, OK) are skills girls need to learn and do, ideally with partners or would be partners who listen. But grown men who prey on young girls is actually a different story. If someone is watching ou for the girls - not watching, but keeping their interests in mind - and giving the would be predator the message that he will lose his job or worse if he tries anything , then the kids can be protected. That’s what is important.
6
Barns are not full of men. The farrier comes once a week; the vet, perhaps a tad more often.
The only men that inhabit barns are gay. And they are unlikely predators.
3
There are good, safe barns, I assure you.
3
Just like the jungle, the savanna, or the prairie the predators may be found near the prey. For child sexual abusers the prey are children and that's where the abusers are found. When will parents learn to NEVER trust anyone else with your child? No parent should ever sign away their rights to their own child.The parents that sign away their children's future for some low probability promise of 'winning', fame, and success are as guilty as the abuser. We've learned the hard way not to trust the religious authorities with our children, now we must do the same with educational and sports authorities: never trust, always verify. And if you'd heard a rumor about a powerful figure regarding child abuse you'd be best off to believe it and act on it.
12
I was an equestrian growing up, and our coach followed the same path of abuse, although he waited until we were 15, was less aggressive, picking the girls that were more likely to submit (me). At the time I felt "special", but I know it led to a distorted view of what I had to offer boys and men. He learned this conduct from his dad, who was also a coach but limited his abuse to inappropriate touching.
I do not think I suffered from this abuse, but I would not be posting this if either of my parents were still alive, as they had their suspicions, and I made a commitment to myself to never tell them.
166
You have suffered from the abuse. Keeping secrets of this sort from your parents is one sign. Please look for a support group and begin healing. You deserve that.
61
You might not be aware of how it has affected you and the damage it has done. I was over 50 before a life crisis allowed me to put the pieces of the puzzle together and see how the emotional abuse of my childhood has forever shaped how I perceive myself and my relationships with all of the people in my life. It is very deep and absolutely insidious.
39
I have had therapy in the past to help resolve mixed emotions about it, thank you for your concern. I was in my 30s before I even realized it was abuse, and then spent the next 20 years examining my missteps as a result of it. Pretty good now, but this story has brought up some sadness, that me as a young woman was being told that because I was expendable I would be used Unlike the other girls there, my family was not rich or powerful, so I was an easy target.
2
It’s great that these cases are being brought to attention. I knew a young coed who was recruited for college basketball. She eventually left the program because of suggestive incidents by her coach. The coach was a woman. This could be another untold story.
9
I just wanted to thank the women who came out with the truth.I'm sure very difficult to relive that kind of trauma.Feeling hopeful,times are a changing.
11
Yet another story of disturbing abuse of power by a coach.
7
Or by any man. Part of how this predator enriched himself and got away with raping young girls is the jingoistic bizarre hero worship of men simply because they made it through a war with a ribbon then pinned to their chest. Any definition of masculine wholly wrapped in gladiator violence is dangerous to all females and ultimately all of society. Moreover, that warrior is never questioned as to whether he raped or murdered females while in uniform. We've seen a resurgence of this enabled by a concurrent toxic uniquely American anti-intellectual ahistorical theocracy since the 1980s, markedly since Sept. 11, 2001. Half of U.S. voters elected as our commander in chief a "successful" lifelong entitled abusive braggart sexual predator who wrapped himself in the bible, as well as in the flag and the military, apparently not just those of the United States.
7
The core of a patriarchy isn't just the political and religious controls place on females within a society, it is the excuses made - often by parents - that a young girl child or teen girl child has less value than her brothers, father, uncles, grandfathers, and every other male in her world. America never has been a safe place for females and never has made any bones about it. To the contrary.
The overarching question remains what to do what the enormous number of sex offenders in the U.S., not where they live and who they are. The recidivism rate is high regardless of station in life and males rarely believe they've done anything wrong. American society confirms it in our tsunami of misogynist, violent media, ineffective laws, corrupted culture that skews most of the messages, the power, social constructs and believability to men - sons. No one ever has been looking out for daughters, except to insure they don't get pregnant until handed off after adolescence to the next man. Again, what to do with a large percentage of males in an America that is clamoring for less incarceration and less accountability for millions of predatory males. FYI: One reason many women teeter in the middle between our (barely) 2 political parties is to ascertain which will be better at controlling male crime, which absolutely for the last 70 years has held the U.S. hostage, with no end in sight for females. Rape is the one crime stat that never decreases generation after generation.
23
Thank you for thinking this through and sharing your perspective in writing.
4
A conspiracy of silence protected this predator. People knew and said nothing. Parents knew...or had suspicions and did nothing. Years pass. The perpetrator dies with his larger than life rep intact. But his victims are left to suffer and tend to their psychological wounds. Pretty sad. Over horses?
11
As a horse-lover and parent of young riders, I am horrified, yet not surprised by this article. It makes my blood boil that parents "couldn't believe" that so-and-so was an assaulting felon. I don't understand why success in one arena completely obviates responsibility in any other arena (pun intended)?? Any adult you place your child around should be and IS teaching your child not only how to be a good athlete, but also how to be a human being. There are MANY great horse trainers/coaches/doctors out there who are both talented and honorable. This man was and is a criminal. Period. There should be no sugar-coating this. The term 'child molestation' is not strong enough. It doesn't clarify the destruction, pain, injury, fear, confusion, sadness, loneliness and more that are inflicted on the victim (usually too young to truly understand what is going on). There needs to be a term that makes it crystal clear that a 'child molester' is a violent criminal belonging in jail and on the sex offender list.
36
I agree 1000%. My child was a swimmer - another sport rife with abuse. Fortunately we started in the sport when there was heightened awareness of the issue. I don't own a gun and have never even held one; but if some coach had touched my daughter the way Williams abused these girls I would have found one and gone after the coach. That's the hardest part -- and the most tragic part really - for me to comprehend as a parent is how any parent - - either knowing or choosing not to know -- could allow such a crime to be perpetrated on their child.
8
It is so disheartening to read of men who feel these women are “stupid” for sharing their stories. Mr. Williams may be dead, but his victims are not. Don’t they have the right to speak about their own lives?
19
"Several people contacted for this article said that while they had seen Mr. Williams kissing and groping students, they attributed his behavior to social mores of a different era, rather than any nefarious intent.” I wonder what they’re referring to. I’m pretty sure that pedophilia and child abuse have never been social mores. That and certain of the remarks directly quoted in this article highlight how much work remains to be done to get some people’s heads out of…well I’ll just say, the sand.
38
To give context to this sad story La Canada -Flintridge is a wealthy, White community where being social is important. Embarrassing a figure like this creepy molester would require a lot of moral courage; what if you were wrong!
3
So believing your child and confronting such a crime would take less courage if you lived in, say, East LA, because you would have less material goods and occupy a supposed lower level in the "social" strata? Wow, that is messed up. But the sentiment in the comment explains a lot about how far we still need to go - in valuing children, suffering, and strength - in all places.
2
I already knew this first hand, but these stories are slowly revealing the truth - the parents are complicit.
12
I'm a man. Seventy years old. And during the last twenty years I've slowly come to realize that current concepts of masculinity, maleness and male culture a real danger to most of the women around us.I never realized the magnitude of the problem. We're killing our sisters, wives,mothers with an idea of privilege that's just plain crazy. Maybe i was always so and I didn't notice, being in my own world. But when I think of ow much our civilizations and societies rely on the presence of women to succeed, I am amazed at what has happened in the past. We (guys) need to be more active NOW in making sure that this craziness stops. For all our sakes.
741
Thank you, thank you, thank you, a million times over. This means more than you can ever know, since so many men simply don't get it, even now. They think that #metoo is sad, a shame, something must be done...unless it inconveniences any man and then the whole thing has gone way too far and has to be pulled back. The idea of male privilege is everywhere, and poisons everything.
127
Please don't suggest that alleged child rapists like Jimmy Williams or serial sexual predators like Weinstein and Trump are accurate representatives of the tens of millions of American adult males. They are no one's concept of masculinity. They are sociopaths and criminals and in all 3 cases were (are) propped up by complicit men and women who allow(ed) them to prey upon young, vulnerable girls and women because of their talents, prestige and power. It's disappointing that those who would never stereotype about other large groups: blacks, gays, muslims, etc. have no problem doing so about men.
27
Thank you.
A woman.
57
You can hear in some of the defenders of Williams in the article, and in some of the commenters here, the kind of minimization that would make trivial his misdeeds or blame others, parents or victims, in one way or another. They are taken to task by many now, and I am glad of that, because at one time they would have spoken for the majority, for the society, even. The time when it was common not only for men--bosses, ministers, in authority, or on the streets, even boys--to grab, grope, slap, or otherwise molest girls and/or women in their reach. It was joked about, the boss chasing his secretary around the desk, a common cartoon characterization of that type of fella. Not so much fun for a woman needing a job to deal with daily, but no one thought of her. Getting on an elevator with a man, visiting with a professor, walking down the street--well, it was common, and it was accepted, and woe to the girl or woman who put a name to it and demanded that it be taken seriously. Women's bodies were there for men to use, that was the underlying assumption, and a woman was to be a "good sport" about it. Now we look back and ask how it was possible. The same way that other oppressions have been carried on for generations: the acceptance on most people's parts that it was right or fine, the blaming of anyone who objected, the silencing of those who were hurt. Some still think it should be so; you can hear it echo in their words today.
28
Don't underestimate ambitious parents. The child's "glory" is also their glory. Looking back, I am so very grateful that both my male fencing coaches as well as the female coaches never stepped over the line. My parents wanted nothing more than to introduce me to the physical exercise they loved. They were happy for me when I performed well, but fencing as well as swimming and piano lessons were only part of life, not life itself.
11
Lucky you!
2
Like almost all women, I too have a history of incidents similar to this, starting when I was three. I'm almost seventy now, and have gotten in fights with men as diverse as my son to good male friends, about the truthfulness of our accusations. "Why didn't you say anything when it was happening?" they demand.
I had a great job in the 1970's, however my boss couldn't hold his liquor, and when he had one of those three martini lunches, he'd come back, lock me in his office, and chase me around the desk. I finally confided in the office manager. We were all TERRIFIED we would lose our jobs if it was discovered we knew of this quirk in a man who held power over us. We devised an office wide, elaborate plan, in which a signal would be given if my boss "had lunch", in which nonstop interruptions -- knocks on the door, phone calls, managers stopping by to chat, etc., would begin once my boss called me in.
62
"Jimmy Williams never claimed impeccable personal virtue"
Weasel words like these are a signal to distrust both the person who said them and the person he said them about.
47
The equestrian world bears little resemblance to that which most of us inhabit. I know because I was married for nearly three decades to a horsewoman whose entire life was consumed by teaching, horse shows and ministering to psychologically-damaged female children and adult students who came from broken homes and broken marriages to find peace and comfort in a small, isolated universe filled with ponies, horses, dogs and barn cats.
There is ample opportunity for an experienced teacher to take advantage of students. Almost without exception, every new female student arrival (there were no male students) came stories of incest, domestic abuse, infidelity, and/or alcoholism or substance abuse.
These women and girls are drawn to horses because of their size, power, and vulnerability. These animals are not unlike infants -- they need almost constant monitoring and care in large part because of their delicate digestive systems. The students found a supportive, caring and nurturing environment at my horse farm.
My ex came from a broken home and at age 5 found her own solace in the horse world. She was an excellent instructor, and her students always would win their classes. Yet it was her excessive and disproportionate devotion to her students that ultimately led to the collapse of our family and marriage.
The horseworld is at once a fascinating and macabre place. I'm glad to no longer be a part of it.
24
Girls and women are drawn to horses and horses are drawn to girls and women because of a shared inner flight-fight sensitivity. Most prey mammals are attuned to predators. Their survival depends on it. Human females for 2000 years have been held hostage to an upside world constructed by males that instructs females to ignore their instincts, that rewards them for being silent and compliant enough to voluntarily walk the ramp to their own destruction.
27
"Human females for 2000 years have been held hostage to an upside world constructed by males that instructs females to ignore their instincts, that rewards them for being silent and compliant enough to voluntarily walk the ramp to their own destruction."
Truer words have never been spoken. Thank you.
3
Why do we have to wait till the molesters are dead before finding out they were monsters when they were alive? Who is being protected here? Not the victims, for sure.
13
There is, unfortunately, a symbiotic relationship at work here. For many women, irrespective of their age, the horse provides comfort, security, and love that is likely not available at home or in a marriage. Once this attachment is formed, there is little that will break it up. As one woman wrote wrote today, she was terrified of losing access to her horse, so she endured molestation.
14
Sickening. Williams for his unmitigated predation and the parents who put their own desires for reflective glory and being part of the in crowd ahead of their children's safety.
10
Reading this article felt like deja vu, so similar to that of Bill Cosby and others, revered in one area of their life, a predator in the other. Reverence (or convenience) holding people back from seeing what was in reality clearly before their eyes all the time, not being able to give up their myths about the man.... until the dam breaks.
Let's just hope that our cultural progression continues, and that the default position is that in the future, victims are Believed, and that cases are thoroughly and truthfully investigated rather than being ignored, rationalized, diminished or dismissed.
10
This is how predators work. Grooming the children/families to trust or need them. Flattery, promises of success, heady stuff for some. Parents who wanted their children to be trained by him may have ignored signs, symptoms, even a child asking for help. And all the people fooled by him who "liked" him, were manipulated by him or dismissed his groping of young girls should rethink that captivation. There were times each of them closed his/her eyes to something worrisome rather than to ask questions. There were many more victims here.
13
This is a problem in every sport where children and their parents aspire to Olympic or professional league glory. The kids are awed by "Coach" who controls every aspect of theirs and their families lives. Everyone has to drop everything to cater to the whims of Coach. In return, he strokes their egos that they have a champion on their hands. The kids want to succeed but were afraid to defy god and their families brush off the allegation because they don't want to believe that the trainer they hired is a predator. I've seen how abusive some of the coaches are in school sports and that is what they do in public. In private they are free to be tyrants and sexual predators and everyone is afraid to question them. I certainly hope that era is over and all abusive and predatory coaches gets what they deserve; prison time. Too bad it's too late for this one.
13
The story said,"I think he was a great horseman ... In my mind, he still is." He's not great nor still is if he molested young girls. The victims should realize to stop praising and giving him power, even in death. Great people are of integrity. Character matters. He lost his greatness the day he started molesting girls.
17
From the movie Spotlight -
Mitchell Garabedian: "This city, these people... making the rest of us feel like we don't belong. But they're no better than us. Look at how they treat their children. Mark my words, Mr. Rezendes. If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to abuse one."
25
“I think he was a great horseman; he was a legend in his time,” Mr. Hansen said. “In my mind, he still is. I just think those things are stupid to bring up whether they are true or not.”
This response from Mr. Hansen is most despicable and can only be said from someone who enjoys a position of power.
103
Thank you to the Chronicle of the Horse for researching this story! Sexual predators are everywhere. It is important for parents to understand this. I am so sorry this happened to these talented young girls.
22
It is becoming increasingly clear that any activity that involves vulnerable young girls or boys may well have such a history. What do altar boys, Penn State football, movies and riding have in common. It seems unlikely that violin, tennis, "Americas got talent" and volleyball are any different. This was not a hard story to crack. There must be some universal lesson here. Parents have a role in protecting their kids.
9
Can we keep the focus on the perpetrator for once in the history of this planet? Deflecting the blame to parents takes the responsibility off the shoulders of the serial abuser.
5
So you think parents should simply wait until the news media ferrets out abuse before doing anything. In my view the issue is not jail time for abusers, but rather protecting children from them.
Amazing article.
I wonder if, one day, possibly after his demise, this kind of article will be written about President Donald Trump, whose legacy of abuse and groping is well known now, but denied by him, and ignored by his spineless republican supporters. As the #metoo movement is now is reaching back to dead abusers, we should be thinking about and acting on the living ones.
45
trump's character and some of his deeds (the tip of the iceberg, surely) have been revealed by his own words.
What are we waiting for?
15
I think that article could be written next week.
9
Every time I read these horror stories, I am perplexed with where the parents were or why they would leave a man in that much charge of their children.
These men are spending more time with their coaches than their fathers. If my daughter told my husband a man tried to make her perform oral sex, he would have beaten him within an inch of his life.
This isn’t turning a blind eye, it’s being complicit to rape of your own children. And for the parents who signed their kids up after these “rumors” they have a lot to answer to their children for.
Stranger child rape is rare. Rape within families, coaches, teaches, neighbors is the usual. Child molesters look for access and opportunity. And for the parents who PAID for this man in their kids lives after the child stated he stuck his tongue down her throat, shame on you.
24
Martin,
I can assure you that any child or young woman who is molested by a powerful adult feels plenty of self-blame. By publicly reporting the sad, sordid events, they are NOT “letting themselves off the hook.” I’ll point out that the law recognizes that children lack the capacity to consent to sexual activity. You seem to want to let predators “off the hook.” Instead, you should ponder the enormous power differential that often factors into adult-child sexual encounters. Even Ms. Lewinsky, though a willing seductress in her relationship with Bill Clinton, is correct in her reassessment of events. Clinton was a middle aged adult and the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, and thus bears far greater moral responsibility. But having noted that, and returning to the subject of child sexual victims of Mr. Williams, those children, now grown, deserve respect, compassion and understanding—but absolutely no blame.
24
What percentage of men are disgusting and should be put away?
5
That's a fair question. I'd reckon 50%.
3
Sicker than the man, sicker than his deeds, is the idea that a parent would look the other way in return for social prestige. A complete betrayal of the child.
16
The children often are there at the riding establishment in the first place because of abuse at the hands of at least one of the parents.
1
OK, people, one more time.
1. Preditors use their status, their accomplishments, their power, and, most important, their roll as gatekeeper to a dream to force youngsters to submit to sex
2. This is coercion, pure and simple. Yes, some of the children appear to willingly submit; see #1 "gatekeeper to a dream."
3. Adults do not want to beileve the stories, because they have dreams, too.
4. At the elite level, young people are told (although brainwashed might be a better word) they have to sacrifice everything to realize their dreams.
We read about the early days of the indistrial revolution and tsk-tsk a system that forced children into the mines and factories. What we do now is much worse; at least back then we didn't pretend that the children really liked shoveling coal 12 hours a day and we are just helping them become an olympic-caliber coal shovelers.
23
I applaud the Times but why report on one man long dead in a horse show industry rampant with sexual abuse of children? When I was growing up, everyone gossiped about Jimmy Williams having sex with the kids he trained, as did nearly every other male trainer in the California horse show circuit.
3
“Why report on one man long dead in a horse show industry rampant with sexual abuse of children?”
Answer: Because when you were “growing up, everyone gossiped about Jimmy Williams having sex with kids he trained, as did nearly every other male trainer in the California horse show circuit.”
This is a good place to begin.
16
Not surprised about this at all. I was warned by other students when I went to Flintridge as a very young woman to enquire about riding. Also not surprised Hap Hansen would defend him. Jimmy was a genius with horses and riders as a coach--he was also a terrible, malicious predator. Someone like Hap can't even begin to understand how damaging these things are for young girls, and how you will do or say anything to keep that horse. The horses are the only thing that got most of us through childhood abuse, and to have that precious friend taken away would have been emotionally devastating. I can assure you, Jimmy wasn't/isn't the only one. There are more little girls' dreams surrounding that one perfect horse than almost anything else, and men take advantage of it. I was molested for the first time at age 11, cornered in a hayloft by an assistant trainer. I never said a word, because I feared losing my horse.
529
And it's not just little girls--little boys and gown women suffer the same abuse. These coaches and trainers are in a position of authority and know how to manipulate their victims. They recognize their victims' weakness and exploit them. It's a predator/abusive situation. Only those girls, boys, and women who have a strong sense of self and those who realize that they can find another coach who is just as good (and have the means to do so) have a chance of escaping. And believe me, even adult women don't always have that strong self-esteem and ability to detach. These men are predators in more ways than one.
Where there's rumors, there's almost always truth. And there are plenty of rumors attached to some of the biggest names in the industry.
52
You are so right.
Your posting made me realize the double whammy you and others suffered.
That of losing what might have been your greatest joy and comfort, the unconditional love of an animal you loved.
51
Pretty sure this happens at all levels of riding all the damn time.
In 1976 ou University of Oregon riding coach cornered me in the tack room. I was 17. Because I was lucky, the only lasting effect was nothing more than a message to never, ever allow myself or any of my teammates to be alone with him again.
We didn't complain to any authorities, though. That I regret.
266
When I was 17 I was abused in the stables and in his office, the most shameful and humiliating thing of my life. I confided in people I thought would help me, but they didn't believe me and started rumors that I was a "whore." I am no longer angry, but I am still fearful of men, 30 years later. (I know it's pathetic to let one loser have control over my life for so many years but the panic attacks are still there from time to time.)
51
I'm so sorry for what happened to you. I hope you are getting help from a good counselor and psychiatrist who can help you reduce the panic attacks and fear of men. No one should have to suffer panic attacks.
2
Dearest Francoiscant, I'm so sorry to learn this happened to you. Please know that those feelings of, as you say, "shameful and humiliating thing of my life" are totally *misdirected*. You also mention another misdirected label that is hard to forget. Please know this: these labels and feelings you have, have *nothing* to do with you. Your predator is unquestionably shameful. Your predator is/will be/should feel humiliated. Your predator is the miscreant Try to find a therapist to help you put the labels where they rightfully belong. You have every right to be angry at *him* --- not you. I hope this is coming off in the most loving way possible because want to be helpful. I believe that if you are able to redirect those labels to the appropriate person, that you will get your rightly deserved power back. Much love to you Francoiscat. xxoo
5
Two things spring to mind over this sorry tale, and it seems reasonably clear they are linked. One: this seems to happen rather more than is normal at the top levels of competitive sport. Two: ambitious parents can be toxic - are in fact toxic virtually by definition.The result would appear to be a kind of poisonous Munchhausen by proxy dynamic, geared entirely at success in the celebrity stakes and devil take the consequences. A healthy society would implement a blanket ban on the involvement of children under 18 in any professional or near-professional sporting or show-business activity whatsoever.
8
Sounds very much like "The Tale" currently on HBO.
4
How could a mere girl stop a giant?
23
Adults knew what was going on and did nothing to stop it.
In so many activities.
That's the gist of it.
33
Especially the parents who were made aware of the abuse. To sacrifice their flesh and blood in order to improve their own twisted sense of status is disgusting.
7
Dear Hap Hansen,
You may not like that your coach's secret life has just been brought back from what you thought was dead. You should also realize that you are one of the lucky, and it probably had something to do with your gender in this case. You should also be ashamed of not giving a care about this whole situation, most especially since it involves under the age of consent females. I trust you don't have daughters, and if you do, I am so very sorry for them.
188
The horse industry is very tough, probably worse than fishing. Once someone told me as a child she saw a head under a car; I'll be darned if she wasn't serious.
Sorry some kids have to go through these things. Adults in America seem to have so very, many issues, especially when it comes to sex.
2
The better we teach our children about themselves, the fewer times predators will succeed.
Just because you have children, doesn't mean you know how to raise children. Just as, just because you dress like an adult, doesn't mean you act like one.
On the side, there has to be better activities then riding horses.
1
"Jimmy Williams never claimed impeccable personal virtue.”
Ahem. That's a low bar for "impeccable". I get the whole notion of heroes having feet of clay, and all, but "less-than-impeccable" behavior usually implies things like swatting the dog or shouting at your wife.
Not raping girls.
And this: "I just think those things are stupid to bring up whether they are true or not.”
... "whether they are true or not"???? In other words, rape doesn't actually matter, what matters is a man's reputation?
This entire article is riddled with quotes that imply too many people still think "boys will be boys" covers sexual abuse and rape.
291
Young girls have continually been preyed upon by male coaches in sports such as gymnastics, riding, soccer, softball, swimming and more. I am very glad that these situations are finally being talked about and dealt with in the open. Secrecy, cover-ups and parents disbelief has been going on far too long. It is sad that the man interviewed in this article is still in denial and wants to go on as if nothing happened. What if it was his daughter? Who doesn't think that some of these men hanging around all these little girls and young women for so many years is a huge problem? I always felt that gymnastics coaches, especially mainstream public figures like the Karolyis were super creepy. I am so fortunate not to have been subjected to abuse by coaches and did have some honorable male coaches during my adolescense. I am hopeful that with the spotlight on this horrible history now coming out, that these stories stop the abuse and make it easier to say #metoo.
197
Include basketball on that list. I know of one such BB coach pedophile who abused the superintendent's daughter. He was fired from at least 4 schools for the same conduct but was never prosecuted.
32
You hit upon what I think often goes under-reported in these terrible cases of child abuse in the realm of high-performance sports: the accountability of parents who will do anything to see their child succeed. As a parent of two young kids who seldom leaves my children alone with other adulys, I am very careful to discuss the environment when I do. And, as someone who has taught summer camps and children both tennis and chess, I always ask that the parent be present for individual lessons and I always hire a local adult of the opposite sex to be present at the camps when the parent cannot be present. Anyone thinking of sending their kid off for remote advanced training of any sort—even in a church setting—should vette the organization for these sort of protections, no matter who it is. And any child old enough to be sent off on their own should frankly he prepared with the possibility and how to handle it, if it does happen. Otherwise, as we have tragically seen again in this case, you risk sexual predation.
339
The next #MeToo teeing up is the enormous number of females who are incest survivors, and it won't just be among the low and middle incomers.
37
Honestly, although my child is old enough to go to music lessons alone, I'm afraid to let her. Her teachers seem perfectly nice and most likely are, but I read things like this and just feel like the risk of letting her go alone outweighs the benefits. I've had people lecture me about how my kid should be "free-range" and I would love that, but these poor girls were scarred for life.
42
Don't you mean especially in a church setting?
44
The powerful prey on the weak -- in sexual abuse cases children and women dependent on the powerful for their careers -- in the expectation the weak will stay weak and silent. But the weak are taking back their power and using their voices. I want to thank them. They're making it harder, or at least less acceptable, for the powerful to hurt others.
91
Spent time around those who rode - not surprised by any of this.
Show riding environment can be so twisted - parents desperate for their kids to achieve at any costs, horses being abused in so many ways, riders anorexic, stressed out and punished because they didn't pin... the list goes on.
I remember rumors about horses being killed for insurance purposes, trainers investigated by major legal, owners threatened...
The equestrian world may look pretty, but ....
185
Pie-O-My! (The Sopranos)
4
dog, the insurance scandal was not a rumor, but an actual criminal case in the 90's that resulted in jail time and lifelong sanctions from the sport for many leading riders and trainers.
This story alas did not surprise me either, other than Hap Hansen's despicable comments. Anne's reflections about the duality of her incredibly successful international showjumping career vs. her childhood abuse are very insightful.
Am grateful for Anne and other women going on the record now with their stories. My heart hurts for their suffering but their courage is undeniable. May this article help parents and kids today involved in high-level sports competition to be clear-eyed and wise in choosing coaches/programs.
83
Pie-O-My!
4
Hard to tell who is more despicable. Williams, the mentality of the people in that system or the parents who allow their children to be subjected to that in the hopes of fame.
27
Hap Hansen stated “I think he was a great horseman; he was a legend in his time.” “In my mind, he still is. I just think those things are stupid to bring up whether they are true or not.”
I'm going to have to disagree with Mr. Hansen. Being a serial child rapist pretty much defines your legend.
Jimmy A. Williams was a child rapist. Just like Jerry Sandusky. Just like Larry Nassar.
And Mr. Hansen's comments are those of an enabler. Just like Joe Paterno. Just like William Strampel.
Maybe that's "stupid" of me to bring up. But it needs to be said.
1034
Agreed. The Hap Hansen statements quoted are inexcusable. "I just think those things are stupid to bring up whether they are true or not.” Uh..what?
126
Thank you! My thoughts precisely.
70
My same thoughts when I read that part -- this is another instance of toxic, abusive masculinity making excuses for the status quo. Qualifying this rape with "it was just the times; everyone did it" completely discounts the victims and their shattered lives. I'm appalled even in the face of all of this evidence that someone could defend this man.
I'm wondering, too, if this is related to the very recently released HBO biopic, "The Tale," with Laura Dern?
62
A similar story about child molestation in the Swedish equestrian world was covered in this excellent 5 part podcast series (in Swedish though...)
https://sverigesradio.se/sida/avsnitt/1086323?programid=909
12
America has an obsession with "great" coaches. Whether it be basketball, football or any highly competitive sport we idolize those we think are "winners." Often, the more vile, vulgar, abusive and hateful a coach becomes the more our society praises him or her as engaging in a quest for uncompromising "excellence" or instilling a strong "work ethic." In fact many of these "great" coaches are little more than angry, dysfunctional abusers and bullies. It is great that we are seeing a few of the worst offenders exposed and thereby safe future kids from rape and abuse. But as long as there are young men and women (and parents) who think they are professional or Olympic material, people will continue to subject themselves to nearly unendurable abuse in the belief it is somehow preparing them for future success.
212
It's not just an American problem.
15
America has an obsession with "great" men and boys at the expense of everything and everyone else. It is why our true colors often resemble those of the militaristic or theocratic 2nd and 3rd world places we tell ourselves are far from the jingoistic U.S. narrative.
31
I think you are correct.
Is there no American institution untouched by practicing sociopaths?
Apparently, if you do something better than anyone, all will cover up for you, even some victims.
22
Horses and riding are my passion and it enrages me that a monster like this was allowed to traumatize children for so many years while adults enabled him. That riders of the stature of Anne Kursinski could not only survive but thrive after enduring such abuse amazes me.
28
"He added, 'Jimmy Williams never claimed impeccable personal virtue.'" Oh? What did it say on that golf cart? “Jimmy Williams is a clean old man, amen.”
Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. All these celebrity child molesters operate the same way. Good grooming. Complicit social circle studiously looking the other way. Helpless children cowed into silence.
I might suggest organizations involving young children put into place some sort of proactive agenda that will flush out these monsters before they have the chance to satisfy their own craven, egotistical depradations. Make some rules and stick to them. Speak up. Do not discount "rumors."
And above all, talk to the kids. If they are scared, there is a reason for it.
42
Another "stable genius"...sorry, I couldn't resist. I am quite familiar with this world and for the most part it belongs to the the top of the top 1%. You think it's expensive being in the realm of something like elite figure skating?...peanuts in comparison to the equestrian sports at a high-, or even mid- level. There is a slight meritocracy in that an occasional girl from the other side of the tracks (the daughter of a family with less than many millions) gets to the top by virtue of her talents...and sponsors. But by and large, the most talented and promising riders never make it to the highest levels because they can't keep-up with the Joneses...or with families like a couple of the billionaire families I'm thinking of whose names we all know, but who I won't name because their daughters are actually very good people and good riders. The reality is that most great trainers are women, so there's no need to hire a man. Sure, attend their special open group training sessions/workshops if you like...that never hurts, and it's of course unlikely that many of them are predators. But as a parent, be there with, even for those. For these girls who have been abused, in Williams' barn and others, an important part of the best therapy regimen is no doubt simply spending time with their horses, and receiving the heart- and soul- filling love, companionship, and camaraderie which these magnificent..and wise..animals provide.
58
This appears to be a pathetic trend among men in power no matter what the business is and creating Olympic winners is very much a business. In all types of business and government positions abuse of power must be punished and it must happen in real time not posthumously.
As a father of two daughters I'm hoping that the current movement will give women the confidence and power to speak up immediately, if not to authorities at least to their parents when these situations occur so that these abusers can be brought to justice at the first sign of a problem and not before they've ruined the lives of many young women.
23
Another fake God down the tube. If I was very rich today, I would start a hall of shame for all these powerful predatory men to live together in a perpetual state of shame for the whole world to see.
The only empathy I have is for the victims.
23
And nobody knew, right? Nobody knew about Weinstein. Nobody knew about Michigan State or Penn State or USC. Nobody knew about Cosby. Nobody knew about Levine. Nobody knew about anything. Are we so obsessed with winning, with success, with fame that the lives of innocents are acceptable collateral damage? You decide.
105
It was such a different time and one that hopefully is gone forever. As a young girl growing up (coincidentally also in CA), it was not uncommon to encounter older men who liked to hug you a little too long, or rub against you, or comment on how "pretty" you were. Yes, it felt creepy. But other adults seemed to laugh it off. If you were lucky, you never had occasion to be alone and unsupervised with such men.
My heart aches for these women and I admire them for coming forward. Hopefully in the future, girls (and boys) will know that they don't have to endure such abuse. And, more importantly, adults will stop ignoring the telltale predatory sexual behaviors.
42
In Los Angeles, social climbing and pedophilia, sadly seem to go hand in hand. Just ask the entertainment industry. Creepy.
13
It's never too late to address wrongdoing.
7
Sex education needs to start at a young age and it needs to include a chapter on abuse.
29
“It’s sad things like that are said about a man who has been passed away” for more than 25 years, said Hap Hansen..... While he said he witnessed Mr. Williams kissing and touching women and girls, Mr. Hansen said he did not believe it was without consent.... "... I just think those things are stupid to bring up whether they are true or not.”
Mr. Hansen, those are among the most clueless words I've ever seen in print. Shame on you.
273
Sad to say, this amoral and immoral behavior among powerful men has been going on for centuries. We are, at last, exhuming the evil they have done, whether it comes from a casket or those still in power today. Sad, again, is the fact that these exhumations and exposures sell ad-time like you wouldn't believe on behalf of the pandering press. Why, right in the middle of an otherwise needed NYT column this morning, is the needed exposure of former equestrian coach Jimmy Williams, with an unneeded ad stuck in its midst and with the following unsolicited eye-grabber: "Dazzling photos so beautiful that we can't look away!" including a photo of then TV host, Dick Cavett and a beautiful, endowed woman in an evening gown dipping so low it almost touched her toes. It reminded me of what the nuns told us in grade school: "Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you what you are."
14
Other than the blatant sensationalism, I have no idea why this story is on front digital page. There are plenty of current sports stars who are doing the exact same thing in real time.
4
Unbelievable, to me, how many adults (and parents) still dismiss or even put-up with molestation. These two quotes from the article I found very disturbing;
“I think he was a great horseman; he was a legend in his time,” Mr. Hansen said. “In my mind, he still is. I just think those things are stupid to bring up whether they are true or not.”
and;
"She ran and told her mother. 'She just could not believe that,” Ms. Mihalevich said. “It was Jimmy Williams.' The plan to train with Mr. Williams went forward, and lasted three years, she said. So too did the abuse."
I hope the abused can find some peace in this life.
30
When he went to Heaven, after winning wings of horse feathers, he was transformed into a splendid gelding.
20
I do not think he went to heaven.
3
Most disturbing quote of this article:
"I just think those things are stupid to bring up whether they are true or not.”
Thank you to the women who spoke out and to the NYT for publishing this story. It's a warning to those who think they can escape the consequences of their actions. Their legacy will be one of abuse, not achievement. I never heard of Jimmy A. Williams, but now the one thing I know about him is that he was a rapist and pedophile.
37
Well, we are at a point of being speechless, that this sexual perversion is at every activity in this country. What type of society raises males to grow into these sick adults. There is no way we can state that our society is normal. You cant say people feel comfortable now to state these issues, the question is why is it happening? What is wrong with the upbringing of these males? That is the question we should be asking. Is winning so important that parents overlook everything else? Some of the smartest parents in the country and they didn't notice anything? who is raising these kids?
7
Tony - Maybe we can see these reports not as an indictment of contemporary society - as there have always been criminally perverted people - but rather as a reflection of the ultra-heightened public awareness made possible by the Internet. And to the extent that a future crime could be averted because the potential perpetrator knows that it could easily get mass attention, that's progress. What I wonder about the "me too" movement as it now seems to be configured - that is, with accountability imposed in a few well-publicized cases - is whether it has actually engendered that kind of progress, or any progress at all, for the vast majority of victims.
"...Hap Hansen, who grew up riding at Flintridge and became one of the most successful grand prix riders in the world. While he said he witnessed Mr. Williams kissing and touching women and girls, Mr. Hansen said he did not believe it was without consent." This guy thinks GIRLS can give consent. It's not just that he thought it then. He still thinks it.
53
What's Mr. Hansen really telling us....
10
The adults in this story valued many things more than the children for whom they were responsible. The young people learned very early how little they mattered in comparison to success and that the way to suceed was to trade your self worth. The children faced long years of putting that into practice or fighting to reject what they learned. What an awful inheritance!
14
Never allow hero worship into your life.
The real heros won't stand for it. The ones who embrace it have ego problems.
26
It was a dangerous time for girls because we were shamed for "allowing" ourselves to be abused by older men, but 41% of Americans think this was when America was great. I do not want to go back there. No thank you.
70
So accurate and well put.
8
A common theme running through all of these "me-too" revelations is a toxic combination of striving to be the best is a chosen field and a predator/mentor considered to make you the best in a chosen field. The other variable in this equation are enablers--e.g. parents, friends, other mentors---who are willing to overlook seemingly questionable behavior or rumors of behavior---to protect their careers and/or advance the career of their child or friend. The other theme running through these stories are the extreme character flaws in these genius mentors. In the latest revelations they are sexual, but, in other biographies of great geniuses, along with their particular genius in marketing, technology, art, was an abnormal level of cruelty towards colleagues and family members--as if, in developing this genius other parts of personhood were left unattended.
12
The striving to which you refer is the only path our society allows any age females who need to change their lives and escape a dangerous toxic environment - home, hobby, school or later marriage and workplace. And that almost always involves making men powerful and richer. This is the textbook definition of patriarchy.
6
What a story, an awful saga of a pedophile. Be this a lesson, so any organization with the power to gather children for instruction or any other activity be supervised in real time...and let prevention be the order of the day. This abuse of power is irredeemable.
6
In my hometown of Fairfield, CT, there were these two brothers who were predators of young boys. The older one was much worse than the younger, a serial rapist, truly. But they were charming, connected and educated and they got away with it. But did they really? How many parents willfully ignored the fact that these two fully grown men seemed to do a lot of "mentoring?" How many ignored the looks of confusion and hurt on their own sons' faces? Jimmy Williams was chillingly brazen, and parents must have known, or suspected, something. But they chose to not ask the right questions, and just looked away, because the parents wanted the connections Mr. Williams enjoyed. For entry in the world of show horses. Pathetic. Served up their own daughters....
37
The idea that throwing an arm or arms around young girls and kissing them is some sort of relic of acceptable past behavior needs to confronted. Speak to the men young and old who are doing this in your family groups. Call out your husbands. They get stupider about this as they get older.
19
"Several people contacted for this article said that while they had seen Mr. Williams kissing and groping students, they attributed his behavior to social mores of a different era, rather than any nefarious intent ."
Social mores? Imagine if, in 1979, a busboy or stable hand had gone around "kissing and groping" the young girls. Would witnesses have looked the other way? Imagine a defense attorney claiming "Your Honor, my client had no nefarious intent!" as the perpetrator is dragged from the courtroom.
To attribute this to "social mores" is to admit that sacrificing children was (is?) an acceptable price for basking in the presence of power and fame.
72
We are helping no one, and certainly not helping society change, when we put all the blame on the perpetrator, and none on the enablers who helped cultivate the world where he could act with impunity.
27
Every time I read an article about child molestation, it appears the first impulse of most adults is to protect the predator. And FYI, my dad is a WW2 vet and my guess even in the 1960s and 1970s, he would found an adult male randomly kissing children or teenage girls (even if the adult knew the child) to be strange and inappropriate.
64
I was a serious competitor at that time and looking back am often grateful nothing worse happened to me. The amount of access these coaches have, overnight hotels, empty trailers, big quiet stables combined with their authority as experts is a recipe for trouble. That era also endorsed quiet dictatorial behavior from the coaches and sometimes heavy drugs were involved. I am sad these children had to endure the pain and the suffering for so long. I hope they find peace and applaud them for coming forward. Horses can be wonderful therapy as they surely have experienced.
245
Agreed about the access. When my nieces started on the AA circuit, their Mother or I followed them everywhere--they were never allowed in the barn alone, and we used female trainers when they were young.
38
Many young people who become attached to horses (and other animals/pets) come from emotionally sterile/troubled homes. To then be taken advantage of in connection with the situation which is sought for solace is a double whammy. I also am grateful that I never experienced abuse in connection with my equestrian pursuits as a child. As an adult however, I have experienced abusive instructors and it was even hard to walk away then, but I did.
60
Very smart of you and your family.
Glad you were able to take that time and have that type of vigilance. My parents did as much as they could but were both working long hours and thought their kids were in a wonderful outdoors environment, with animals and responsible adults, which was true for the most part; though it just takes one bad apple as they say. Good luck to your nieces! It can be a great experience with the right people.
1
"...where he starred in several movies as an equestrian stunt double."
I'd be curious to know the basis of that factoid. One does not "star" in a movie as a "stunt double."
I'll also note that there seems to be no IMDb profile for any "Jimmy Williams" who died in 1993.
21
As someone once wrote, "It Takes a Village"...
Not a heroic man, not an individual prize ribbon or cup or gold medal. Not a single person's toothy grin or smile or fame. A caring and honest society.
A village full of parental guidance and social support.
"Save Our Children" was also not an idle slogan.
It must be a guiding principle.
199
Well, everyone is greedy for something, and there's a price to pay for everything in life.
When parents care more about the wellbeing of their children than they do for glory and status--
62
I'm not sure what your point you are making. Nobody expects their child to be abused by a great coach or teacher as part of the "price" to pay.
It appears that you assume the parents all knew about the abuse, and I don't see that in this story at all. The girls initially did not even seem to be aware of each other's abuse.
Based on this article, it does not make any sense to me to call out and judge the parents and question their concern and care for their children.
35
You are letting the parents off the hook, Mary.
My son struggled with a soccer coach after returning to play after a concussion and the coach was inappropriate (not like here, but not right). Our first thought: "One of us should attend practice. Our kid shouldn't be alone there." Our second thought: "After today's practice, we pull him from the team."
Don't think it was easy for us afterwards (gossip, loss of opportunity), but the decision was a simple one.
Well said. Numerous isses to blame for what happened; the ‘win at all cost’ mantra, monied, insular environment, parents choosing to overlook egregious behavior because the man creates champions, etal.
That said, nothing is accomplished by dredging up the past and reexamining in the light of current social norms. The man is dead, commit to not letting it happen again, use the lessons learned.
1
There will be many, many more of these stories coming out.
We're finally confronting the shame -- not of the victims, but that of the institutions and the culture that declared the degraded value of women and girls.
Our last, unspoken prejudice faced, finally.
309
That's why we say #metoo. There are so many out there, in here, and have been for so long. And so many of us thought it was our fault, had to be our secret.
NO MORE. Happened to ME TOO !
213
When I was a 6th grade alter boy going to my parish elementary school back east, the parish Monsignor had me back in the area off the alter setting things up for mass and he tried to get me to drink some unconsecrated alter wine and he was trying to pull me to him to take it.
I'd been warned by another boy in 8th grade to not get caught alone with this priest. The boy said "he's going to try to grab you" pointing to his crotch.
I was stunned and didn't believe it. Then, the Monsignor tried for me. I didn't take the wine and when he told me to come over to him, I ran out of the vestibule still in my frock.
I took off my alter boy garments, got to my bike and went home. When my father got home, I told him what was going on. That this priest was trying to mess with boys at church.
My dad didn't try to let it pass. He drove to the rectory that night and confronted the Monsignor and threatened him and said he was going to report him to the bishop in Trenton.
He did and nothing was being done. So, we stopped going to church in our parish and I transferred school for 7th and 8th grades.
This abuser remained in place at his parish. I refused to attend catholic high school and I have stopped practicing the catholic faith. Needless to say, all the abuse is being exposed now - but too late for many.
I blame the parents in this story for not doing what my dad did - confronting this guy. The shame is on them.
139
Horrified that this was - and apparently still is - a thing in the sport that I have loved for 35 years. I grew up in awe of people like Anne Kursinski (I had every picture of her and Starman that I could find in Practical Horseman cut out and pinned on my wall).
I, too, spent my youth at the barn, but fortunately, like most trainers, mine were loving, kind, and protective mentors. This revelation that the alternative is somewhat commonplace should be a big head's up to all the parents of all those horse-crazy barn kids. These wonderful kids need protection and watchful eyes, as they would probably do anything for their trainers because the horse world means everything to them. Check up on those trainers and have those awkward conversations with your kids!
Thank you, Anne Kursinski, and others, for bringing some degree of justice to this sick and powerful man and light to this situation. Thank you reporters, too. The horse world is too good for this.
71