Like so many, I found the outcome for the U.S. Team to be disappointing at this year's WEGs. Still, I found some of the criticism fairly harsh on the team riders. I am sure they each tried their best, had some great moments, and some not so great moments. If I expected anyone to take the blame, it was team leadership and I still do.

I had been thinking, what if someone that I truly cared about was the subject of some of the criticism I'm hearing, and frankly, thought it was kind of unfair. I've been at the side of someone who had a bad go at Rolex, an unlucky rail at a big event, etc. and I know how much blood, sweat and tears went into each of those shows. But then, three little letters popped into my head: PRO.

Every one of our team riders are a PRO. Now, it is no secret that I find the title PRO extremely egotistical, unnecessary, and annoying. Having riders band together to tell us how great they are, make demands of organizers (such as the proposed requirement that show Organizers create a special place for them to "show" sale horses -- puhleeese!),and convince us all that we should pay for the priviledge of meeting them just doesn't sit well with me at all. I have been around this sport for years and this goes against EVERYTHING that I love about it.

Still, I guess it is their right to do so. However, once I made the PRO connection, my opinions of the criticism changed completely. You want to segregate yourselves off from the masses? ... pound your chest about being at the top of your sport? .... Actually make it one of your missions to thrill "your fans" (I personally would be awfully embarrassed to feel the need to discuss my "fans"....)? Well, the fact is that all of those things open you up to the criticism that other "professionals" face. Every mistake you make is fair game.... because remember, you set the stage.

Be careful what you wish for because now that I have made the connections between the team riders and PRO, I have very little sympathy. You want to be treated like professional riders? ... Frankly, you didn't perform. It's as simple as that.