John Whitaker & Peppermill . . . . disgusted.

[wonkey_donkey]

So the final update was;
Peppermill was sore across the back y'day so couldn't jump - fair enough.
BUT
Team GB was told y'day that if Peppermill came out fit to jump this morning then the decision to allow him to jump today may be challenged (which is was) and the only to avoid this was to walk through the start and up to the first fence y'day. Now I presume if Peppermill became fit enough from being sore to be able to jump an Olympic course in one night then it would have been OK to put his tack on and just walk into the arena??
But apparently, this option was poo-poo'ed by who ever from the GB camp as it would be 'embarrasing' for JW & Peppermill.
Well, SO WHAT if it was embarrasing, what about the rest of the team and the many people who supported the team financially and in spirit ?? Let alone the other fantastic showjumpers we have in GB that would have given their right arm to have a place on the team.
So if what has been said is true, then I am disgusted with the outcome and I really feel it's about time the Whitaker brothers move over for some of the other equally talented riders we have in the UK who may have been a bit more 'hungry' for a good GB team result.
Oh, and the best of luck to Ben Mayer for an individual medal, he has been totally FANTASTIC and proves my point exactly.

PERSONAL RANT OVER !!!

 

[Bossanova]

If it geuninely was 'sore across the back' then there's no way the horse should have jumped an olympic track today anyway so I feel the discussion is slightly irrelevant.

It's tough luck on everyone but horses are horses and they will injure themselves at the worst possible moment!

 

[ajn1610]

How weird...is that to stop tactical withdrawals or something? Don't get the idea behind that at all.

 

[wonkey_donkey]

He was defo declared 100% fit apparently?? And they would defo had jumped today if allowed.
It's obviously not the injury to the horse that has got my back up, just the reaction by 'who ever' that it would be too embarrasing for JW to go through the start in walk etc, etc ..

 

[KimYoung]

Actually I agree with him not going into the arena if not fit to jump.

Here is a quote from the BEF website

"Early yesterday morning, we got the worrying news that Peppermill was stiff and tight across his back. The vets and physiotherapist set about getting him right and comfortable with a hope to him jumping in the evening. His blood tests didn’t show anything to cause concern but as the start time neared, it was clear he couldn’t jump on welfare grounds so I sought some advice on our best option. What came back was this; the combination should enter the arena, circle twice in front of fence one and eliminate themselves. Then they could jump in the second round. Now that didn’t really sit well with me. Firstly, the reason the horse was withdrawn was that he was not fit to jump and to put tack on him and canter into the arena would have potentially aggravated any condition and secondly, the whole concept of sending a horse into to ring only to be eliminated is little short of a farce. Imagine the reaction of television viewers around the world, the press would be in uproar and we’d look ridiculous. It was wrong for the sport, and wrong for the horse, so I made my decision to withdraw them."

Rest of the article is here:
http://www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk/news-detail.php?id=181

 

[Puppy]

[ QUOTE ]

But apparently, this option was poo-poo'ed by who ever from the GB camp as it would be 'embarrasing' for JW & Peppermill.

[/ QUOTE ]

1) I totally agree with Boss that if the horse was injured it shouldn't have been asked to jump an Olympic track today anyway.

2) I think it more likely, that as DR said on BBC - they felt it was not fair on the horse to take him into the ring when he was injured. I mean goodness - if they HAD taken that horse into the ring (after popping a vertebrae!!) and done as you suggest and ridden for team tactics, with such disregard for the horses welfare, then THAT would be disgusting!!

I am just so so sorry, that such an amazing combination who earned us the right to compete a team suffered such amazingly bad luck

Tbh, I'm far more unimpressed with the decision to travel Portafino...

 

[BackInBlack]

it was so unlucky for them. tim and nick seemed well p*****d off about it. good luck to ben maher tho on thurs.

 

[lucretia]

"Well, if I’d have done what was suggested, he wouldn’t have jumped a fence anyway (the farce continues). This protest was upheld by the Jury of Appeal so Peppermill was prevented from jumping. To say I’m annoyed is an understatement. It seems quite mad to allow a horse to enter an arena and eliminate itself as opposed to withdrawing. In my own mind, I stand by my decision as I know I did the right thing by the horse and, even more importantly, the sport." quote from will connell author of above diary.

why would anyone think that they could miss out a round in which everyone including the individuals had jumped and think they could rejoin the competition later? you dont need a rule book to work that out.

 

[xspiralx]

[ QUOTE ]
So if what has been said is true, then I am disgusted with the outcome and I really feel it's about time the Whitaker brothers move over for some of the other equally talented riders we have in the UK who may have been a bit more 'hungry' for a good GB team result.

[/ QUOTE ]

Think that is incredibly unfair, seeing as it was not JW's decision - it was that of the team leader! Would you rather somebody "hungry" went in and rode a sore horse for the sake of a medal?

Actually, I think his decision was the right one, and just seems very unfair to me that they should have to send a horse into the ring just to be eliminated so he could compete today! I think the rule is stupid, not the decision, and I am heartbroken for John, who I am sure is absolutely gutted about all of this.

 

[Rambo]

I've been out of this since friday as i'm on holiday in Greece at the moment......but......as frustrating as everything may be, and bearing I mind ALL the negativity surrounding the situation that there may be....a couple of observations :-

John and Peppermill jumped the first round for 4 faults plus 1 time.

John is ranked number 1 in the country...and NOT just because of Peppermill....who has in fact only won about £40k this last year...but because he consistently performs at the highest level.

The selectors chose a varied squad in terms of experience and current form. Nick was a reserve....what better reserve could any nation ask for than a 4 times Olympian !

Our least experienced member...Ben....is currently looking like our best prospect for a medal...and good luck to him...but he has NO pressure compared to the others. Be in doubt however that Ben will lead team GBR into London 2012.

On a final note...i'd like to say a HUGE well done to Norway...who got the bronze. Two of my past trainers are heavily involved in that setup...George Remmen who I believe owns Casino...and Rob Hoekstra who certainly coached them in Athens if not here. Both of them Dutchmen by birth...and the team punching well above their weight in real terms...

 

[TarrSteps]

Interesting.

I'm very surprised the Ground Jury told Team GB that the original plan was an option and not surprised at all it was overturned. What's to stop a team leaving a horse in the barn, saving it for the next day then? It's one thing to take it to the ring, warm up under the Stewards and then not HAVE to jump. Quite another to not bring the horse down at all.

The interesting part would be why were they told one thing (it would be fine the way they did it) and then had it changed on appeal. Or, if they were told there might be a problem (as there was), why they went ahead.

My guess is the horse couldn't jump yesterday so there was nothing to be lost by giving it a try. It's possible (though improbable) no one would have objected and then they would not have had to make a final decision until today.

It's a tough call. In retrospect the horse should just have been WD as Mac's was today, and that's the end of it. You can bet the rules will be very clear from now on.

 

[Clodagh]

[ QUOTE ]
So the final update was;
Peppermill was sore across the back y'day so couldn't jump - fair enough.
BUT
Team GB was told y'day that if Peppermill came out fit to jump this morning then the decision to allow him to jump today may be challenged (which is was) and the only to avoid this was to walk through the start and up to the first fence y'day. Now I presume if Peppermill became fit enough from being sore to be able to jump an Olympic course in one night then it would have been OK to put his tack on and just walk into the arena??
But apparently, this option was poo-poo'ed by who ever from the GB camp as it would be 'embarrasing' for JW & Peppermill.
Well, SO WHAT if it was embarrasing, what about the rest of the team and the many people who supported the team financially and in spirit ?? Let alone the other fantastic showjumpers we have in GB that would have given their right arm to have a place on the team.
So if what has been said is true, then I am disgusted with the outcome and I really feel it's about time the Whitaker brothers move over for some of the other equally talented riders we have in the UK who may have been a bit more 'hungry' for a good GB team result.
Oh, and the best of luck to Ben Mayer for an individual medal, he has been totally FANTASTIC and proves my point exactly.

PERSONAL RANT OVER !!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Yay - couldn't agree more!!

 

[Puppy]

I am so surprised that people think JW should have ridden a horse into an Olympic showjumping ring who had that very day popped a vertebrae....

SURELY horses' welfare comes before medals...?!

 

[H's mum]

[ QUOTE ]
The selectors chose a varied squad in terms of experience and current form. Nick was a reserve....what better reserve could any nation ask for than a 4 times Olympian !

[/ QUOTE ]

No disrespect but Linford Christy was a damned good Olympian but we wouldn't want him running in the 100m in this Olympics would we???

Kate x

 

[H's mum]

I think your views and sentiments are shared by a LOT of people at the moment - Sending horses which are not quite right to the Olympics is just a shambles

Kate x

 

[Hullabaloo]

[ QUOTE ]
I am so surprised that people think JW should have ridden a horse into an Olympic showjumping ring who had that very day popped a vertebrae....

SURELY horses' welfare comes before medals...?!

[/ QUOTE ]

Quite agree.
It seems to me the problem is the inconsistency of the rules. I can understand why Peppermill wasn't allowed to compete today (although I was disappointed about it), but I don't understand why a horse that was eliminated would be able to compte. That rule is asking for people to try and jump their horse if its not right, which isn't in the horse's best interest.

In any case, it would've been bad sportsmanship as well as embarassing for John to circle twice in front of the the first fence in my opinion.

 

[Puppy]

[ QUOTE ]
I think your views and sentiments are shared by a LOT of people at the moment - Sending horses which are not quite right to the Olympics is just a shambles

Kate x

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with that, in that Portafino shouldn't have been sent; THAT was our downfall. However, seeing as Peppermill wasn't injured until the weekend - having jumped a good round on friday - I don't think that selection can be criticised!

 

[LauraBR]

[ QUOTE ]
I am so surprised that people think JW should have ridden a horse into an Olympic showjumping ring who had that very day popped a vertebrae....

SURELY horses' welfare comes before medals...?!

[/ QUOTE ]

Totally agree Puppy.

 

[H's mum]

...how do you know that he wasn't injured previously?

 

[VLHIEASTON]

Well lets try and see the positives in this...I am sure they are all disappointed and knowing John he will be gutted, esp as it may well be his last Olympics.

 

[Skhosu]

He did jump a good round on the first day..

 

[xspiralx]

[ QUOTE ]
John is ranked number 1 in the country...and NOT just because of Peppermill....who has in fact only won about £40k this last year...but because he consistently performs at the highest level.

[/ QUOTE ]

Quite. I am staggered that some people are suggesting that the number one in the country ought not be in the Olympics anymore simply because he is older!

 

[Puppy]

Thank you!

Never mind embarrassment - I *truly* don't think that would have been the issue, but just imagine the uproar if JW and Peppermill HAD just passed the start line tactically, and then gone out again for that reason, purely so they could jump today - how bad would that disregard for the horse's welfare be for the image of showjumping?!!!

Very glad the horse was treated correctly, even if it cost us.

 

[skewbaldpony]

[ QUOTE ]
Well lets try and see the positives in this...I am sure they are all disappointed and knowing John he will be gutted, esp as it may well be his last Olympics.

[/ QUOTE ]

sorry, where were the positives in that?

 

[H's mum]

But what if that affected an old injury? My horse can go wonderfully and then the next day be a bit stiff... That's all I'm saying

 

[Puppy]

[ QUOTE ]
...how do you know that he wasn't injured previously?

[/ QUOTE ]

He jumped a good round on Friday,

and then couldn't even canter on the sunday

As Nick said on BBC, he popped a vertebrae....

(I may not shout as loud as some, but I have some contacts too...

)

 

[Puppy]

[ QUOTE ]
But what if that affected an old injury? My horse can go wonderfully and then the next day be a bit stiff... That's all I'm saying

[/ QUOTE ]

And that's why they shouldn't have sent Portafino,

but not relevant to Peppermill

 

[H's mum]

(ooooh puppy now we're intrigued..!

)
Kate x

 

[moodymare1987]

I think John made the right decision, at the end of the day the horse was not right, not worth doing any damage for the sake of a medal.

I respect him for making that decision even if some think its disgusting.
And I think he deserved his spot on the team, he isnt number one for no reason now is he

 

[Syrah]

Mmmm, JW has actually gone up in my estimations for putting his horse first before any possible glory.