G.
Probably because nobody prepared to offer their time and skill for free likes it much being told "no, you aren't good enough". As you say, an ego thing - we all have one
Not so sure that (based on what you said) that they told you that you were not good enough, rather more the case of your experience did not meet their criteria (at this point in time).
Its no different to my experiences of teaching a young lad to fly, who completed his PPL in two weeks after his birthday. I could not send him solo until his birthday, thats the rules, even though he was more than to the standard. If the LAA sets 1000 hours SEP as the standard then that's how it is, if people don't like it then its always worth putting forward a case for change (as members)