Hi team
Let's get a few things straight here.
I know many of you keyboard warriors like to talk shit about Paul without even knowing him, but you need to get your facts straight before you go defaming people online.
In regards to the comments about race fixing, etc, you all seriously need to stop playing this broken record. Yes dogs get scratched from races, but you do realise there is 6 days between nominating on a Tuesday and racing on a Monday, right? Dogs need to be worked in the days leading up to a race so they're fit enough to even compete. This means sometimes they get injured before a race. Would you rather we have a dog break down on the track, or scratch it? What's a better look for the industry? Distance dogs tend to require more work than sprinters, so it's no surprise minor injuries occur in the lead up to a race. We would never race a dog that is not 100% for the sake of trying to win money. Dogs come first. If that's race fixing to you, then I don't care. In regards to Fusion Cronulla, if you look at the stand down period she got 28 days, because she has come in season. If you don't believe me, you can hopefully expect to see her mating come up on the website in the coming weeks. The doping insinuated comments also need to stop. Have you ever seen Paul or Angela throw a positive swab? Exactly. Just because they win races does not mean they're cheating. Same for any trainer. Stop hating on other's for their success. That kind of negativity never helps anyone.
The comment about racing dogs without a license is also very flawed. I'm sick of people claiming my mother is only a namesake trainer. Anyone who knows our family knows that my mother is out working on the dogs for all hours of the day. She is the trainer by name and by truth. Yes it is a joint effort, they work and care for the dogs together, but for crying out loud, give the woman the credit she deserves. You don't see her at the track because she is doing the hard yards at home. Paul puts countless hours into the Palmerston North club and the committees he is on, he wouldn't have time to be the sole trainer anyway. Yes you see him on tv, but that doesn't mean you know what's happening behind the scenes.
That leads to the next point. To those who claim he does nothing for the industry - do you realise he was the person who countered the board on the import fee, instigated all the research, got support from other trainers and clubs, went to Wellington and argued the case on behalf of the 95% of people who were against it? And look what happened there. I know you are all going to say he only did it for personal gain. Yes, we get dogs from Australia and the fee would have affected us. But look at all the trainers who would be indirectly affected? Some of these ex Aussie dogs get sold, leased up north/south, bred from by others, etc. You might never have imported a dog from Australia, but that doesn't mean you've never trained/bred from one. The whole industry would have been greatly impacted and no one can deny that. So if you think he doesn't have the industry's best interests at heart, you are greatly mistaken.
Those who think he is unapproachable have obviously never had the balls to actually approach him. He will always greet you and help with anything needed. Yes sometimes he might be busy, but that doesn't mean he's arrogant.
He has taken this role at Wanganui to try make a positive impact. Making improvements won't just impact our kennel, but everyone who chooses to race there. Look at how he turned the Palmy club around. That place was dead and buried and now it is now of the most successful, proactive clubs in the country. Don't we want success like that at all clubs? Any improvements to this industry should be welcomed by all, regardless of your view on the person initiating them.
I never thought I'd go to the extent of creating an account to make this point. I understand people have their own views and that's fine, but I'm over seeing the nasty comments made about my family. About anyone for that fact. Stop talking shit about people you don't know. Discuss the real issues, promote the positive aspects of this industry, and make suggestions for what could be better. The industry, and the world for that fact, does not need people making disrespectful comments about others. There's too much hate and it's disgusting to read. Get over it.
Kind regards,
Courtney Turnwald - a girl who is extremely proud to say she's the daughter of Paul Freeman and Angela Turnwald.
