An open letter from Monty regarding the Citizens for Justice website and J. Bartell follows:

Visitors to my website homepage should know that there are negative websites available which are dedicated to destroy me. They have been in existence for approximately seven years now. They were created by J. Bartell and a small group of his followers. The public should know that in 1998-1999 Mr. Bartell actively pursued payment from me to cause these sites to disappear. The Santa Barabara County Sheriff’s Department equipped my phone with a audio taping device. Mr. Bartell overtly stated that he thought my work was good but he just wanted to extort money. At that time he demanded $90,000.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department issued a warrant and opened the case #98081128 dated 10/26/98. The district attorney decided not to prosecute Mr. Bartell citing that there were complications regarding jurisdiction on the internet.

I welcome you to visit the sites as I believe it is crystal clear that they are collections of statements that sit clearly outside the truth. One negative site even goes so far as to call itself “Horse Whisperers and Lies” and believe you me, it is nothing but lies.

It is a shame that our society allows this abuse of decency but I strongly support freedom of speech and I believe that the internet does far more good than harm.

There are those in our society who would seek out writings such as these and who choose to believe them. I say that’s fine, you have that right and opportunity. Decent folk, however, might choose to sort out the transparent venom of sites such as these and eliminate them.

It is my hope that you will not be inconvenienced by people with an agenda to hold decency for ransom. I will never pay one cent to these blackmailers so you may see their handywork for a long time to come.

I would ask you to allow the horses to do the talking; to believe Equus, as there can be no agenda to lie within the horses’ makeup.

I feel sorry for those people who have nothing better to do with their lives than to seek to destroy. I am, however, more sorry for those who might come to believe this trash. It is such a disservice to the horses we love if purveyors of untruths guide others away from a good and just cause.

- Monty

http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/decisions/html/2000/d2000-0300.html

Royal Windsor Horse Show, May 16 – 19, 2004
By Pat Roberts

Earlier this year, Monty was invited to take a major part in the very special event, the occasion of the celebration of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee. Monty was asked to demonstrate a Join-Up® each day during the Royal Windsor Horse Show. This meant that Monty had to fly directly to London upon completion of his 2002 German and Austrian Tour, where he would meet me as I was flying in from California. We were invited to stay with the Governor Sir Richard and Lady Elizabeth Johns in their residence in Windsor Castle in the restored Norman Bridge Tower apartments.

The demonstrations were particularly good and were held in the middle of the specially constructed horse show ring located on Windsor below the north towers of the Castle. Ian Vandenbergh procured three outstanding horses and they were excellent demonstrations of Join-Up® by Monty for the audiences. Ian also provided the rider, Grant Basil, who works with Ian in Oxford.

On Wednesday, May 15, the first complete practice for the All the Queen’s Horses spectacular was held in the early twilight. Monty rode that evening and each evening after with other celebrities in an elegant carriage during the All The Queen’s Horses Equestrian Extravaganza..

Saturday evening was the highlight of the week when Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip attended for the final performance that was perfection in its execution. It was one that shall never be forgotten with the entire show ring filled with color, pageantry, horses and people in costume. There were riders from all over the world contributing their presence on this most momentous occasion. For the first time since 1977 the Royal Golden Coach was brought out for display from Buckingham Palace and Her Majesty, The Queen will ride in during the Golden Jubilee celebration activities in June.

An intimate reception followed the Sunday horse show performance was attended by Her Majesty and Prince Phillip and other dignitaries. A special bonus was the presence of Sir John Miller, The Queen’s retired equerry who traveled to California in 1989 to meet Monty at Her Majesty’s request. Monty and I cherished the time spent with Sir John that evening, catching up on recent events.

For both Monty and myself it was an incredible experience we will never forget. We cannot imagine that this huge production will be seen again anywhere in the world in the future. It was an amazing time with 1,000 of the Queen’s horses and 2,000 people gathered in that magnificent setting all coming together honoring Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee.