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{{Short description|American horse trainer (born 1935)}}
{{Infobox writer {{Infobox writer
| name = Monty Roberts | name = Monty Roberts
| image =Monty Roberts Equitana Germany1.JPG | image = Monty Roberts Equitana Germany1 (cropped).JPG
| imagesize = 150px | imagesize =
| caption =Monty Roberts at ] in ], ], March 2003 | caption = Roberts at ] in ], Germany, March 2003
| birth_name = Marvin Earl Roberts | birth_name = Marvin Earl Roberts
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1935|05|14}} | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1935|05|14}}
| birth_place = ], ], ] | birth_place = ], U.S.
| death_date = | death_date =
| death_place = | death_place =
| occupation = Horse trainer, author | occupation = Horse trainer, author
| subject = Horse training
| nationality = ]
| subject = Horse training | awards =
| awards = | signature =
| website = {{URL|http://www.montyroberts.com/}}
| signature =
| website = http://www.montyroberts.com/ | portaldisp =
| honorific_suffix = ]
| portaldisp =
}} }}
'''Marvin Earl "Monty" Roberts''' (born May 14, 1935) is an American ] who promotes his techniques of ] through his ''Join-Up International'' organization, named after the core concept of his training method. Roberts believes that horses use a non-verbal language, which he terms "Equus," and that humans can use this language to communicate with horses. In order to promulgate his methods, Roberts has authored a number of books including his original best-seller, ''The Man Who Listens to Horses'',<ref name="listen">{{cite book |title= The Man Who Listens to Horses |last= Roberts |first= Monty |authorlink= Monty Roberts |month= August |year= 1997 |publisher= Random House |isbn= 0-345-42705-X}} '''Marvin Earl "Monty" Roberts''' ] (born May 14, 1935) is an American ] who promotes his techniques of ] through his ''Join-Up International'' organization, named after the core concept of his training method. Roberts believes that horses use a non-verbal language, which he terms "Equus," and that humans can use this language to communicate with horses. In order to promulgate his methods, Roberts has authored a number of books including his original best-seller, ''The Man Who Listens to Horses'',<ref name="listen">{{cite book |title= The Man Who Listens to Horses |last= Roberts |first= Monty |author-link= Monty Roberts |date= August 1997 |publisher= Random House |isbn= 0-345-42705-X |url= https://archive.org/details/manwholistenstoh00robe }}
</ref> and regularly tours with a live demonstration. He runs an Equestrian Academy in ] and an "online university" to promote his ideas. </ref> and regularly tours with a live demonstration. He runs an Equestrian Academy in ] and an "online university" to promote his ideas.


==Early life== ==Early life==
Monty Roberts was born in ] and is the son of horse trainer Marvin E Roberts, who authored his own self-published<ref></ref> book on called "Horse and Horseman Training" in 1957.<ref name=DadBook>{{cite book|author=Marvin E Roberts|title=Horse and Horseman Training|year=1957|url=http://www.montyroberts.com/images/jui_photos/horse_horseman_training.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.montyroberts.com/jui_about.html |title=Join Up International |publisher=Montyroberts.com |date= |accessdate=2012-04-26}}</ref> Roberts claims that his father also beat him as a child, although other family members, including his younger brother Larry, dispute this version of events, with his aunt and cousin, Joyce Renebome and Debra Ristau, specifically refuting the allegation in the book ].<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Time|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,989824,00.html|title=Books: Horse of a Different Color|author=Skow, John and Willwerth, James|date=December 14, 1998|accessdate=2010-09-15}}</ref> Monty Roberts was born in ] and is the son of horse trainer Marvin E Roberts, who authored his own self-published book, ''Horse and Horseman Training'', in 1957.<ref name=DadBook>{{cite book|author=Marvin E Roberts|title=Horse and Horseman Training|year=1957|url=http://www.montyroberts.com/images/jui_photos/horse_horseman_training.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.montyroberts.com/jui_about.html |title=Join Up International |publisher=Montyroberts.com |access-date=2012-04-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100403081340/http://www.montyroberts.com/jui_about.html |archive-date=2010-04-03 }}</ref> Roberts claims that his father also beat him as a child, although other family members, including his younger brother Larry, dispute this version of events, with his aunt and cousin, Joyce Renebome and Debra Ristau, specifically refuting the allegation in the book '']''.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Time|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,989824,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023032024/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,989824,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 23, 2007|title=Books: Horse of a Different Color|author1=Skow, John |author2=Willwerth, James |name-list-style=amp |date=December 14, 1998|access-date=2010-09-15}}</ref>


Roberts competed in ] and won his first trophy at the age of four.<ref name=CalPolyMag></ref> He attended ] ("Cal Poly")<ref>http://www.calpoly.edu/</ref><ref></ref> and riding for their rodeo team, he won 2 ] (NIRA) National Championships, including National NIRA Champion ] in 1957, the NIRA Champion ] in 1956.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.collegerodeo.com/downloads/Champions/National%20Champions%201949-1979.pdf |title=College National Champions 1949-1979|publisher=National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association}}</ref> He graduated from Cal Poly in 1959 with a degree in Animal Science.<ref name=CalPolyMag/> Roberts competed in ] and won his first trophy at the age of four.<ref name=CalPolyMag></ref> He attended ] ("Cal Poly")<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calpoly.edu/|title=Cal Poly - Welcome to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California|work=calpoly.edu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sanluisobispocounty.com/media/facts-figures/|title=Visit San Luis Obispo County Media - Story Ideas & More|work=sanluisobispocounty.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416054120/http://www.sanluisobispocounty.com/media/facts-figures/|archive-date=2012-04-16}}</ref> and riding for their rodeo team, he won two ] (NIRA) National Championships, including National NIRA Champion ] in 1957, the NIRA Champion ] in 1956.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.collegerodeo.com/downloads/Champions/National%20Champions%201949-1979.pdf|title=College National Champions 1949-1979|publisher=National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213144620/http://collegerodeo.com/downloads/Champions/National%20Champions%201949-1979.pdf|archive-date=2010-12-13}}</ref> He graduated from Cal Poly in 1959 with a degree in animal science.<ref name=CalPolyMag/>


⚫ In 1966, Roberts assisted in the founding of Flag Is Up Farms, of which he is now the full owner. From 1973 to 1986, he was a leading consignor to the Hollywood Park Two-Year-Old Thoroughbreds in Training Sale. In 2004, Roberts’ German-bred horse Sabiango won major races throughout the US.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/breeding-news/2005/August/18/Robertss-former-charge-Sabiango-retired-to-stand-in-Italy.aspx |title=Roberts's former charge Sabiango retired, to stand in Italy |publisher=Thoroughbred Times |date=2005-08-18 |access-date=2008-11-02}}</ref>
⚫ Roberts describes in his books and web site how he was sent to ] at the age of 13 in order to round up horses for the Salinas Rodeo Association’s Wild Horse Race, and there began observing ]s ]. He writes that he realized that they used a discernible, effective and predictable ] to communicate, set boundaries, show fear and express annoyance, relaxation or affection, and that he came to understand that utilizing this silent language would allow training to commence in a much more effective and humane manner, encouraging true partnership between horses and humans.<ref name="listen2">Roberts, Monty. ''The Man Who Listens to Horses'', p.231. Alfred A Knopf Canada, 1997. ISBN 0-676-97055-9.</ref> Roberts describes this language as ''Equus'', and refers to this frequently in his books, tours and other materials.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.montyroberts.com/university/ |title=Equus Online University |publisher=Montyroberts.com |date= |accessdate=2010-11-22}}</ref>


==Career== ==Career==
⚫ Roberts describes in his books and web site how he was sent to ] at the age of 13 in order to round up horses for the Salinas Rodeo Association's Wild Horse Race, and there began observing ]s ]. It was there he realized that horses use a discernible, effective and predictable ] to communicate, set boundaries, show fear and express annoyance, relaxation or affection. Roberts states he came to understand that utilizing this silent language would allow training to commence in a much more effective and humane manner, encouraging true partnership between horses and humans.<ref name="listen2">{{cite book|last=Roberts|first=Monty|title=The Man Who Listens to Horses|page=23|publisher= Alfred A Knopf Canada|year=1997|isbn=0-676-97055-9}}</ref> Roberts describes this language as ''Equus'' and he refers to it frequently in his books, tours and demonstrations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.montyroberts.com/university/ |title=Equus Online University |publisher=Montyroberts.com |access-date=2010-11-22}}</ref>


In his books, he has written about how he strongly disagreed with his father's equine training methods, which he described as "almost torturing the animals into submission".<ref name="listen"/> Morever, Marvin Roberts' own book has described training methods similar to the "Join-up" technique developed by son.<ref name=DadBook/> However, critics have also noted parallels between the training methods of both father and son.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usaviews.com/2009/03/03/horse-whispers-lies-book-review/|title=Anti-Monty Roberts Book Review-"Horse Whispers & Lies"|work=USA Views: The Voice of Reason|date=2009-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223121/http://usaviews.com/2009/03/03/horse-whispers-lies-book-review/|archive-date=2016-03-03|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2000 critics of Roberts registered a website using his name: www.montyroberts.org. After litigation, ] ruled against these parties stating they had "engaged in abusive registration" and transferred ownership to Roberts.<ref>{{cite web|last=WIPO|title=Monty and Pat Roberts, Inc. v. J. Bartell, Case No. D2000-0300|url=http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/decisions/html/2000/d2000-0300.html|year=2000}}</ref> Roberts says the website owners tried to ] him for ]90,000 to transfer the domain name.<ref>{{cite web|last=Roberts|first=Monty|title=Response to Citizens for Justice Website|date=6 July 2004 |url=http://www.montyroberts.com/news-archive/response-to-citizens-for-justice-website}}</ref>
⚫ ===Books===
⚫ Roberts' first book, ''The Man Who Listens to Horses'' was published in 1996 and is ]. It spent 58 weeks on the New York Times Bestsellers list, and was subsequently translated into more than 15 languages, selling more than five million copies worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/03/15/bsp/nonfictioncompare.html |title=Independents/Chain Bestseller List |publisher=NY Times |work=NYTimes.com |date=1998-03-15 |accessdate=2008-11-02}}</ref> Roberts has authored a number of further books, including best-selling ''Shy Boy: The Horse That Came in from the Wild'' (1999),<ref>Roberts, Monty and Christopher Dydyk. HarperCollins, 2000. ISBN 0-06-093289-9</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/books/00/12/24/bsp/papernonfictioncompare.html |title=Best Sellers Plus |publisher=NY Times |work=NYTimes.com |date=2000-12-24 |accessdate=2008-11-02}}</ref> ''Horse Sense for People'' (2001),<ref>Roberts, Monty. Penguin Books, 2002. ISBN 0-14-200097-3.</ref> ''From My Hands to Yours'' (2002),<ref name="frommyhands">{{cite book | last = Roberts | first = Monty | authorlink = Monty Roberts | others = Illustrated by Jean Abernethy | title = From My Hands to Yours — Lessons from a Lifetime of Training Championship Horses | edition = 1st | year = 2002 | publisher = Monty & Pat Roberts Inc. | location = Solvang, California | ref = harv | isbn = 1-929256-56-6 | oclc = 50204027 | quote = Quotes: «A good horse trainer can get a horse to do what he wants him to do. A great trainer can get a horse to want to do it.» —Monty Roberts}}</ref> ''The Horses in My Life'' (2005)<ref>Roberts, Monty. Trafalgar Square Publishing, 2005. ISBN 1-57076-323-2.</ref> and ''Ask Monty'' (2007).<ref>Roberts, Monty. Headline Book Publishing, 2007. ISBN 0-7553-1722-X.</ref>


⚫ Three documentaries on Roberts have been released. The first was the 1997 documentary ]/] ''Monty Roberts: The Real Horse Whisperer''. It showed Roberts as he set out to tame a wild mustang without enclosures, and his developing relationship with the horse later known as Shy Boy. Other documentaries include the 1999 film ''Shy Boy: The Horse That Came in from the Wild'' and a 2005 documentary<ref> </ref> on Roberts' work with wild horses and another about his work with aboriginal youth on ], Australia.<ref name="Montyroberts.com.au">{{Cite web|url=http://www.montyroberts.com.au/news.htm |title=Monty Roberts Honored for Lifetime Achievement in Germany |publisher=Montyroberts.com.au |date=2005-03-15 |access-date=2008-11-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060105221551/http://www.montyroberts.com.au/news.htm|archive-date=2006-01-05}}</ref> In 2006, a DVD series with 17 episodes, named ''A Backstage Pass!'' was completed and broadcast in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uk-tv-guide.com/programme-details/Horse+and+Country/13+October+2008/18:00/Monty+Roberts+-+Backstage+Pass/ |title=Monty Roberts&nbsp;— Backstage Pass on Horse and Country |publisher=Uk-tv-guide.com |date=2008-10-13 |access-date=2008-11-02}} {{Dead link|date=September 2022}}</ref> The series has also been broadcast in the US on the HRTV cable channel.
⚫ He has his own show on ], ''Backstage Pass with Monty Roberts''.

==Horse training==
===Live demonstrations=== ===Live demonstrations===
] ]
Today, Roberts travels around the world, demonstrating his method of horse training to paying audiences, all well as volunteering time for audiences such as incarcerated youth in juvenile detention facilities. An event that would change the direction of his life was an invitation in 1989 from the offices of ] of the ] and an avid horsewoman. She had heard about Roberts' work and invited him to come to her country and show her staff his "Join~Up" method.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=The Telegraph|title=The Queen's Corgi Monty Dies|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/9535656/The-Queens-corgis-are-part-of-her-family-Montys-death-is-a-great-loss.html}}</ref> After watching his demonstration, Roberts claims that the Queen urged him to write a book about his nonviolent horse-training methods. That book became ''The Man Who Listens to Horses''.<ref name="listen" /> Roberts travels around the world, demonstrating his method of horse training to paying audiences, as well as volunteering time for audiences such as incarcerated youth in juvenile detention facilities. Roberts also teaches his techniques to students at his Equestrian Academy in Solvang, California, acts as a consultant at schools with disciplinary issues in the UK and the US,<ref></ref> and advises executives at Fortune 500 companies.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026094333/http://www.montyroberts.com/flag_corporate_events.html |date=2008-10-26 }}</ref> He also runs the "Equus Online University" to promote his ideas.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Horse and Country TV|title=Join Monty's Equus Online University|url=http://www.horseandcountry.tv/monty/join-online-equus-university|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802023427/http://www.horseandcountry.tv/monty/join-online-equus-university|archive-date=2012-08-02}}</ref>


===Royal connections===
Monty Roberts also teaches his techniques to students at his Equestrian Academy in Solvang, California and acts as a consultant at schools with disciplinary issues in the UK and the US,<ref></ref> and advises executives at Fortune 500 companies.<ref></ref> He also runs the "Equus Online University" to promote his ideas.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Horse and Country TV|title=Join Monty's Equus Online University|url=http://www.horseandcountry.tv/monty/join-online-equus-university}}</ref>
] in the ] at ] in 1996]]
An event which would change the direction of his life was an invitation in 1989 from the offices of ], who was an avid horsewoman. After hearing about Roberts' training techniques, she invited him to come to the United Kingdom to demonstrate his "Join Up" method to her stable staff.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=12 September 2012|title=The Queen's Corgi Monty Dies|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/9535656/The-Queens-corgis-are-part-of-her-family-Montys-death-is-a-great-loss.html}}</ref> After watching his demonstration, Roberts said the Queen urged him to write a book about his nonviolent methods, which became ''The Man Who Listens to Horses''.<ref name="listen" /> During his book tour of the UK in 1996, Roberts presented a copy of his book to the Queen.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/31361405@N03/2991918519|title=Monty and Pat Roberts give Queen Elisabeth II a copy of "The Man Who Listens to Horses" during Monty Roberts' UK book launch tour in 1996.|date=15 October 2008 |access-date=18 September 2022}}</ref>


⚫ In 2002 Roberts returned to Windsor Castle as part of the Queen's ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.horseracingbetting.com/horse-racing-trainers/monty-roberts.html |title=Monty Roberts & Horse Racing Betting |publisher=Horseracingbetting.com |date=2008-01-29 |access-date=2008-11-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119082503/http://www.horseracingbetting.com/horse-racing-trainers/monty-roberts.html|archive-date=2008-11-19}}</ref> In the ], Roberts was appointed an Honorary ] (MVO) "for services to Her Majesty's racing establishment".<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=59808 |date=11 June 2011 |page=4 |supp=y }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The cowboy and the Queen who bonded over horses |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-62931524 |website=BBC News United States and Canada |date=17 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref> In June 2012, the Queen, as ] of Join–Up International, attended the ], and along with Roberts presented awards to international polo trainers from South and Central America in recognition of their work in promoting the non–violent training of horses.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=]|title=Horse whisperer makes Guards debut|url=http://www.guardspoloclub.com/news/horse-whisperer-makes-guards-debut}}</ref>
===Television===
⚫ Three documentaries on Roberts have been released. The first was the 1997 documentary ]/] ''Monty Roberts: The Real Horse Whisperer''. It showed Roberts as he set out to tame a wild mustang without enclosures, and his developing relationship with the horse later known as Shy Boy. Other documentaries include the 1999 film ''Shy Boy: The Horse That Came in from the Wild'' and a 2005 documentary<ref></ref> on Roberts' work with wild horses and another about his work with aboriginal youth on ], ].<ref name="Montyroberts.com.au">{{Cite web|url=http://www.montyroberts.com.au/news.htm |title=Monty Roberts Honored for Lifetime Achievement in Germany |publisher=Montyroberts.com.au |date=2005-03-15 |accessdate=2008-11-02|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060105221551/http://www.montyroberts.com.au/news.htm|archivedate=2006-01-05}}</ref> In 2006, a DVD series with 17 episodes, named ''A Backstage Pass!'' was completed and broadcast in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uk-tv-guide.com/programme-details/Horse+and+Country/13+October+2008/18:00/Monty+Roberts+-+Backstage+Pass/ |title=Monty Roberts&nbsp;— Backstage Pass on Horse and Country |publisher=Uk-tv-guide.com |date=2008-10-13 |accessdate=2008-11-02}}</ref> The series has also been broadcast in the US on the HRTV cable channel.
⚫ He has his own show on Horse&Country channel, Backstage Pass with Monty Roberts.


After the ] on 8 September 2022, Roberts was invited to her funeral on 19 September.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Cowboy and the Queen |last=Gross |first=Jenny |newspaper=New York Times |date=12 September 2022 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/12/world/europe/monty-roberts-queen.html}}</ref>
⚫ ==Awards==


⚫ ===Writing===
⚫ In 2002, Roberts received an honorary doctorate in ] from the ] in ] and in 2005 he gained an honorary doctorate in animal psychology from the ] in ]. In 2004, the ] commissioned a special Join-Up badge and training program in honor of Roberts’ work, and in 2005, he became the first foreign-born and first American to receive the German Silbernes Pferd (Silver Horse) Award for outstanding contributions to promoting the love of horses.<ref name="Montyroberts.com.au" /> In the Dec. 2008 issue of ''Your Horse'', a major British equestrian magazine, readers named Monty Roberts Personality of the Year 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yourhorse.co.uk/The-Mag-Landing/ |title=Your Horse, Issue No. 316, 2008}}</ref>
⚫ Roberts has published several books. His first was the ] ''The Man Who Listens to Horses'' which was published in 1996, which was on the New York Times Bestsellers list for 58 weeks, and translated into more than 15 languages, selling more than five million copies worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/98/03/15/bsp/nonfictioncompare.html |title=Independents/Chain Bestseller List |work=] |date=1998-03-15 |access-date=2008-11-02}}</ref> Roberts has written other books, including best-selling ''Shy Boy: The Horse That Came in from the Wild'' (1999),<ref>Roberts, Monty and Christopher Dydyk. HarperCollins, 2000. {{ISBN|0-06-093289-9}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/00/12/24/bsp/papernonfictioncompare.html |title=Best Sellers Plus |work=] |date=2000-12-24 |access-date=2008-11-02}}</ref> ''Horse Sense for People'' (2001),<ref>{{cite book|last=Roberts|first= Monty|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jsIMAAAACAAJ |title=Horse Sense for People|publisher= Penguin Books|year= 2002|isbn=0-14-200097-3}}.</ref> ''From My Hands to Yours'' (2002),<ref name="frommyhands">{{cite book | last = Roberts | first = Monty | author-link = Monty Roberts | others = Illustrated by Jean Abernethy | title = From My Hands to Yours — Lessons from a Lifetime of Training Championship Horses | edition = first | year = 2002 | publisher = Monty & Pat Roberts Inc. | location = Solvang, California | isbn = 1-929256-56-6 | oclc = 50204027 | quote = Quotes: «A good horse trainer can get a horse to do what he wants him to do. A great trainer can get a horse to want to do it.» —Monty Roberts}}</ref> ''The Horses in My Life'' (2005)<ref>Roberts, Monty. Trafalgar Square Publishing, 2005. {{ISBN|1-57076-323-2}}.</ref> and ''Ask Monty'' (2007).<ref>Roberts, Monty. Headline Book Publishing, 2007. {{ISBN|0-7553-1722-X}}.</ref>


⚫ ==Awards==
⚫ In 1966 he assisted in the founding of Flag Is Up Farms, of which he is now the full owner. From 1973 to 1986, he was a leading consignor to the Hollywood Park Two-Year-Old Thoroughbreds in Training Sale. In 2004, Roberts’ German-bred horse Sabiango won major races throughout the US.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/breeding-news/2005/August/18/Robertss-former-charge-Sabiango-retired-to-stand-in-Italy.aspx |title=Roberts's former charge Sabiango retired, to stand in Italy |publisher=Thoroughbred Times |date=2005-08-18 |accessdate=2008-11-02}}</ref>


⚫ In 2002, Roberts received an honorary doctorate in ] from the ], Switzerland and in 2005 he gained an honorary doctorate in animal psychology from the ], Italy. In 2004, the ] commissioned a special Join-Up badge and training program in honor of Roberts' work, and in 2005 he became the first foreign-born recipient of the German Silbernes Pferd (Silver Horse) Award for outstanding contributions to promoting the love of horses.<ref name="Montyroberts.com.au" /> In December 2008, readers of the British equestrian magazine ''Your Horse'' named Monty Roberts Personality of the Year 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.yourhorse.co.uk/The-Mag-Landing/ |title=Your Horse, Issue No. 316, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220154302/http://www.yourhorse.co.uk/The-Mag-Landing/ |archive-date=2008-12-20 }} {{Failed verification|date=September 2022}}</ref>
⚫ In 2002 Roberts again visited Windsor Castle as part of the Queen's ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.horseracingbetting.com/horse-racing-trainers/monty-roberts.html |title=Monty Roberts & Horse Racing Betting |publisher=Horseracingbetting.com |date=2008-01-29 |accessdate=2008-11-02|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081119082503/http://www.horseracingbetting.com/horse-racing-trainers/monty-roberts.html|archivedate=2008-11-19}}</ref> Roberts was appointed an Honorary ] (MVO) in the ].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=59808 |date=11 June 2011 |startpage=4 |supp=yes }}</ref>


⚫ ==See also==
In June 2012, the Queen, as ] of Join–Up International, attended the ] and along with Monty Roberts presented awards to international polo trainers from South and Central America in recognition of their work in promoting the non–violent training of horses.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=]|title=Horse whisperer makes Guards debut|url=http://www.guardspoloclub.com/news/horse-whisperer-makes-guards-debut}}</ref>
* '']'' (1999 biography)

* 'People who Train People: An interview with Monty Roberts.' (1997) ''The Teacher Trainer.'' Vol. 11 No. 3 pp 14–15 Pilgrims: Canterbury.
==Controversies==
* '']''
Roberts strongly disagrees with his father's training methods, which he describes as "almost torturing the animals into submission".<ref name="listen"/> However, the senior Roberts' book, on page 55, also describes some training methods similar to the "Join-up" technique,<ref name=DadBook/> and blogger John Dolan, who posted extensively at http://citizensforjustice.org has noted other parallels between the training methods of father and son.<ref></ref>

In 2000 ] ruled against Jay Bartell, who had registered www.montyroberts.org, saying he had "engaged in abusive registration" and transferred ownership to Roberts.<ref>{{cite web|last=WIPO|title=Monty and Pat Roberts, Inc. v. J. Bartell, Case No. D2000-0300|url=http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/decisions/html/2000/d2000-0300.html}}</ref> The case was decided by a single arbiter associated with WIPO by the name of Frederick M. Abbott (Sole Panelist) who charged that the domain names had been "abusive registrations".  Abbott totally ignored the fact that Monty Roberts is a public figure and the registrants had legitimate uses for the domains to disseminate news and information related to his deceits, fraudulent business practices, horse abuse and the dispute with his family members.<ref>{{cite web|last=Roberts|first=Monty|title=Monty and the WIPO Domain Name Dispute|url=http://www.citizensforjustice.org/component/content/article/22}}</ref> Prior to this judgement, Roberts alleges that Bartell attempted to blackmail him for $90,000 to transfer the domain name. However, the truth is that Bartell was involved in a lawsuit with Roberts that centered around Roberts' training of Bartell's mustang horse.  The horse had been at Roberts' Flag is Up Farms in Solvang, CA for a full six months where it received no training as had been promised to Bartell.  Crawford Hall, the farm manager simply had one of the farm's riders walk the horse around the park-like property a couple of times a week and pretended that the horse had been trained.  When the horse returned home, it nearly killed Bartell's partner which lead to the lawsuit.  Bartell sought reimbursement for medical bills which Roberts and his business manager Marty Roberts (Roberts' son) promised to pay.  Just after making that promise, Roberts complained to the Santa Barbara District Attorney that he was being blackmailed. <ref>{{cite web|last=Roberts|first=Monty|title=Monty Roberts Sued by Owners of Mustang|url=http://www.citizensforjustice.org/component/content/article/23}}</ref> The D.A. never pursued the matter because they believed Roberts was lying and they became aware that a civil lawsuit was in progress.  Bartell was later forced to drop the lawsuit after the judge in the case, a friend of Monty Roberts, had prejudiced the jury against Bartell.

== Publications ==
* Roberts, Monty. ''The Man Who Listens to Horses''. Random House, August 1997, hardcover, 310 pages. ISBN 0-345-42705-X.
* Roberts, Monty. ''The Man Who Listens to Horses'' - abridged audio book. Random House Audio, August 1997. ISBN 978-0-679-46044-2.
* Roberts, Monty. ''Shy Boy, the Horse that Came in from the Wild''. 1999, 239 pages.
* Roberts, Monty. ''Horse Sense for People: The Man Who Listens to Horses Talks to People''. 2002, 256 pages.

⚫ == See also ==
* ]


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|2}} {{reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.montyroberts.com/}} * {{Official website|http://www.montyroberts.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|id=1992010}} * {{IMDb name|id=1992010}}
*


{{Authority control|VIAF=12444928}} {{Authority control}}


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| PLACE OF DEATH =
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, Monty}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, Monty}}
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Latest revision as of 12:34, 17 November 2024

American horse trainer (born 1935)
Monty Roberts
MVO
Roberts at Equitana in Essen, Germany, March 2003Roberts at Equitana in Essen, Germany, March 2003
BornMarvin Earl Roberts
(1935-05-14) May 14, 1935 (age 89)
Salinas, California, U.S.
OccupationHorse trainer, author
SubjectHorse training
Website
www.montyroberts.com

Marvin Earl "Monty" Roberts MVO (born May 14, 1935) is an American horse trainer who promotes his techniques of natural horsemanship through his Join-Up International organization, named after the core concept of his training method. Roberts believes that horses use a non-verbal language, which he terms "Equus," and that humans can use this language to communicate with horses. In order to promulgate his methods, Roberts has authored a number of books including his original best-seller, The Man Who Listens to Horses, and regularly tours with a live demonstration. He runs an Equestrian Academy in Solvang, California and an "online university" to promote his ideas.

Early life

Monty Roberts was born in Salinas, California and is the son of horse trainer Marvin E Roberts, who authored his own self-published book, Horse and Horseman Training, in 1957. Roberts claims that his father also beat him as a child, although other family members, including his younger brother Larry, dispute this version of events, with his aunt and cousin, Joyce Renebome and Debra Ristau, specifically refuting the allegation in the book Horse Whispers & Lies.

Roberts competed in rodeo and won his first trophy at the age of four. He attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo ("Cal Poly") and riding for their rodeo team, he won two National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) National Championships, including National NIRA Champion Bulldogger in 1957, the NIRA Champion Team Roping in 1956. He graduated from Cal Poly in 1959 with a degree in animal science.

In 1966, Roberts assisted in the founding of Flag Is Up Farms, of which he is now the full owner. From 1973 to 1986, he was a leading consignor to the Hollywood Park Two-Year-Old Thoroughbreds in Training Sale. In 2004, Roberts’ German-bred horse Sabiango won major races throughout the US.

Career

Roberts describes in his books and web site how he was sent to Nevada at the age of 13 in order to round up horses for the Salinas Rodeo Association's Wild Horse Race, and there began observing mustangs interact with each other. It was there he realized that horses use a discernible, effective and predictable body language to communicate, set boundaries, show fear and express annoyance, relaxation or affection. Roberts states he came to understand that utilizing this silent language would allow training to commence in a much more effective and humane manner, encouraging true partnership between horses and humans. Roberts describes this language as Equus and he refers to it frequently in his books, tours and demonstrations.

In his books, he has written about how he strongly disagreed with his father's equine training methods, which he described as "almost torturing the animals into submission". Morever, Marvin Roberts' own book has described training methods similar to the "Join-up" technique developed by son. However, critics have also noted parallels between the training methods of both father and son. In 2000 critics of Roberts registered a website using his name: www.montyroberts.org. After litigation, WIPO ruled against these parties stating they had "engaged in abusive registration" and transferred ownership to Roberts. Roberts says the website owners tried to blackmail him for US$90,000 to transfer the domain name.

Three documentaries on Roberts have been released. The first was the 1997 documentary BBC/PBS Monty Roberts: The Real Horse Whisperer. It showed Roberts as he set out to tame a wild mustang without enclosures, and his developing relationship with the horse later known as Shy Boy. Other documentaries include the 1999 film Shy Boy: The Horse That Came in from the Wild and a 2005 documentary on Roberts' work with wild horses and another about his work with aboriginal youth on Palm Island, Australia. In 2006, a DVD series with 17 episodes, named A Backstage Pass! was completed and broadcast in the UK. The series has also been broadcast in the US on the HRTV cable channel. He has his own show on Horse & Country TV, Backstage Pass with Monty Roberts.

Horse training

Live demonstrations

Monty Roberts doing a live demonstration.

Roberts travels around the world, demonstrating his method of horse training to paying audiences, as well as volunteering time for audiences such as incarcerated youth in juvenile detention facilities. Roberts also teaches his techniques to students at his Equestrian Academy in Solvang, California, acts as a consultant at schools with disciplinary issues in the UK and the US, and advises executives at Fortune 500 companies. He also runs the "Equus Online University" to promote his ideas.

Royal connections

Monty and Pat Roberts present a copy of his book The Man Who Listens to Horses to Queen Elizabeth II in the mews at Windsor Castle in 1996

An event which would change the direction of his life was an invitation in 1989 from the offices of Queen Elizabeth II, who was an avid horsewoman. After hearing about Roberts' training techniques, she invited him to come to the United Kingdom to demonstrate his "Join Up" method to her stable staff. After watching his demonstration, Roberts said the Queen urged him to write a book about his nonviolent methods, which became The Man Who Listens to Horses. During his book tour of the UK in 1996, Roberts presented a copy of his book to the Queen.

In 2002 Roberts returned to Windsor Castle as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee. In the 2011 Birthday Honours, Roberts was appointed an Honorary Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) "for services to Her Majesty's racing establishment". In June 2012, the Queen, as Patron of Join–Up International, attended the Guards Polo Club, and along with Roberts presented awards to international polo trainers from South and Central America in recognition of their work in promoting the non–violent training of horses.

After the death of the Queen on 8 September 2022, Roberts was invited to her funeral on 19 September.

Writing

Roberts has published several books. His first was the autobiographical The Man Who Listens to Horses which was published in 1996, which was on the New York Times Bestsellers list for 58 weeks, and translated into more than 15 languages, selling more than five million copies worldwide. Roberts has written other books, including best-selling Shy Boy: The Horse That Came in from the Wild (1999), Horse Sense for People (2001), From My Hands to Yours (2002), The Horses in My Life (2005) and Ask Monty (2007).

Awards

In 2002, Roberts received an honorary doctorate in animal psychology from the University of Zurich, Switzerland and in 2005 he gained an honorary doctorate in animal psychology from the University of Parma, Italy. In 2004, the Girl Scouts of the USA commissioned a special Join-Up badge and training program in honor of Roberts' work, and in 2005 he became the first foreign-born recipient of the German Silbernes Pferd (Silver Horse) Award for outstanding contributions to promoting the love of horses. In December 2008, readers of the British equestrian magazine Your Horse named Monty Roberts Personality of the Year 2008.

See also

References

  1. ^ Roberts, Monty (August 1997). The Man Who Listens to Horses. Random House. ISBN 0-345-42705-X.
  2. ^ Marvin E Roberts (1957). Horse and Horseman Training (PDF).
  3. "Join Up International". Montyroberts.com. Archived from the original on 2010-04-03. Retrieved 2012-04-26.
  4. Skow, John & Willwerth, James (December 14, 1998). "Books: Horse of a Different Color". Time. Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
  5. ^ Cal Poly Magazine, Spring 1998
  6. "Cal Poly - Welcome to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California". calpoly.edu.
  7. "Visit San Luis Obispo County Media - Story Ideas & More". sanluisobispocounty.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-16.
  8. "College National Champions 1949-1979" (PDF). National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-13.
  9. "Roberts's former charge Sabiango retired, to stand in Italy". Thoroughbred Times. 2005-08-18. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
  10. Roberts, Monty (1997). The Man Who Listens to Horses. Alfred A Knopf Canada. p. 23. ISBN 0-676-97055-9.
  11. "Equus Online University". Montyroberts.com. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  12. "Anti-Monty Roberts Book Review-"Horse Whispers & Lies"". USA Views: The Voice of Reason. 2009-03-03. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03.
  13. WIPO (2000). "Monty and Pat Roberts, Inc. v. J. Bartell, Case No. D2000-0300".
  14. Roberts, Monty (6 July 2004). "Response to Citizens for Justice Website".
  15. 2005 Documentary, ABC News.
  16. ^ "Monty Roberts Honored for Lifetime Achievement in Germany". Montyroberts.com.au. 2005-03-15. Archived from the original on 2006-01-05. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
  17. "Monty Roberts — Backstage Pass on Horse and Country". Uk-tv-guide.com. 2008-10-13. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
  18. ABC Nightline, The Horse Whisperer, Oct. 19, 2005.
  19. Monty Roberts Inc. corporate events. Archived 2008-10-26 at the Wayback Machine
  20. "Join Monty's Equus Online University". Horse and Country TV. Archived from the original on 2012-08-02.
  21. "The Queen's Corgi Monty Dies". The Telegraph. 12 September 2012.
  22. "Monty and Pat Roberts give Queen Elisabeth II a copy of "The Man Who Listens to Horses" during Monty Roberts' UK book launch tour in 1996". 15 October 2008. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  23. "Monty Roberts & Horse Racing Betting". Horseracingbetting.com. 2008-01-29. Archived from the original on 2008-11-19. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
  24. "No. 59808". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 June 2011. p. 4.
  25. "The cowboy and the Queen who bonded over horses". BBC News United States and Canada. 17 September 2022.
  26. "Horse whisperer makes Guards debut". Guards Polo Club.
  27. Gross, Jenny (12 September 2022). "The Cowboy and the Queen". New York Times.
  28. "Independents/Chain Bestseller List". The New York Times. 1998-03-15. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
  29. Roberts, Monty and Christopher Dydyk. Shy Boy: The Horse That Came in from the Wild. HarperCollins, 2000. ISBN 0-06-093289-9
  30. "Best Sellers Plus". The New York Times. 2000-12-24. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
  31. Roberts, Monty (2002). Horse Sense for People. Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-200097-3..
  32. Roberts, Monty (2002). From My Hands to Yours — Lessons from a Lifetime of Training Championship Horses. Illustrated by Jean Abernethy (first ed.). Solvang, California: Monty & Pat Roberts Inc. ISBN 1-929256-56-6. OCLC 50204027. Quotes: «A good horse trainer can get a horse to do what he wants him to do. A great trainer can get a horse to want to do it.» —Monty Roberts
  33. Roberts, Monty. The Horses in My Life. Trafalgar Square Publishing, 2005. ISBN 1-57076-323-2.
  34. Roberts, Monty. Ask Monty. Headline Book Publishing, 2007. ISBN 0-7553-1722-X.
  35. "Your Horse, Issue No. 316, 2008". Archived from the original on 2008-12-20.

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