Live report from son on Kentucky ****

[flohelf]

Just thought I would share son's impressions(just back from there) with those who might be interested:
- XC was not difficult, loads of clear rounds within the time
- Some combinations of intermediate level incl. one of the waters
- Some outstanding riders but...
- ...Some others who made horrendous "beginners" mistake... With terrible consequences for some
- Some spectacular falls that shouldn't have been unless riders had better seat stickabilities...
- Philip Dutton (his bet for the win) is definitely the superb pilot - both XC and SJ- he knew he was

- Whitnessed the unfortunate falls/accidents that were fatal to 2 horses and that was the worst part

Has taken 350 photos and I have permission to post SOME when I receive them

 

[wizoz]

I didn't follow Kentucky but caught up with the news today and saw the horrendous fall with Frodo Baggins, it made me feel so sick

It looked to me that the horse went to take off then decided to chip in a stride and was just too close to the fence, it was a spectacular rotation, the quickest I've ever seen and sadly I have seen a few

I feel so sad for all those people involved. I'd never heard of the rider, was she well known?

It's good that A felt it was a nice course, but there weren't many runners were there? I wonder why

ETS, looking forward to seeing the photo's.

 

[flohelf]

Thanks for replying to my post, Lou !
A. saw both fatal accidents + more falls which fortunately didn't end as tragically but were in his opinion due to poor riding.
As he said, course was nice but he felt it was easy at 4* level and was surprised at the mix of excellent pilots along with quite a number of very poor riders at that level.
I think K3DE is really suffering from the US being so far away from the main eventing scene at that level: Europe.

Will be thinking of you next we...Not jealous at all

ENJOY !

xx Flo

 

[teapot]

I've seen the video of the rotational fall and a pretty nasty photo of the other horse that was PTS

re: number of riders. Normally the Brits make up for more than just one rider but due to funding going towards the Bejing costs, Polly Stockton was only out there due to her sponsors.

Looking forward to the photos and I'll get some of Badminton for you

 

[flohelf]

Ah thanks teapot ! Really looking forward to seeing them !
Fingers crossed for sunshine on Badders

Have a great time

 

[kerilli]

look forward to seeing the pics.
i wonder if they should start limiting entry to those with a certain number of Advanced/*** or **** points, or have some other kind of entry criteria, make it harder to qualify.
i haven't seen any of the other falls, but Laine's fall was horrific... an awful misser which neither horse nor rider seemed to do anything about, terribly unfortunately.