OMG Clayton Fredericks Burghley XC

oldvic said:
There were spotters around the course but they have to report back to the ground jury who stop the horse if they deem it necessary. From the time that Clayton sharpened the horse and he got no response to the time he fell, there was only 1 person who would have time to react and that was Clayton.
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Yes, precisely. It's NOT easy to have a horse stopped... it takes a couple of people to decide that they must be stopped (XC Controller and a Ground Jury member maybe, I can't remember exactly), then they have to radio far enough ahead of where the horse is galloping for a Fence Judge to react fast enough to stop that combination.
Also, sometimes a horse can look a bit cooked and then have a bit of a breather or a sharp reminder and perk right up. That horse of Clayton's could easily have sharpened up immediately... unfortunately he didn't. And the decision to pull out of a fence because something doesn't feel quite right, a few strides away, when clear to that moment... not at all easy to make. (Yes, I've done it btw, but only at an OI! BUT I was riding my own horse and had nobody else to try to explain my actions to!)

I think it's probably a good idea for B.E. to introduce a rule that ANY horse that has fallen MUST be led back to the stables/horsebox, if not ambulanced back... but then, some horses get daft and possibly dangerous being led through crowds, and the crowds yesterday were heaving... I saw someone else hacking back right through everyone.
 
Billie1007 said:
This is hilarious. Where did you hear anyone claiming they were an expert? When did anyone say the fact that he didnt run over and kiss and hug his horse means that he isn't an amazing rider?

When were people suddenly not allowed to say what their opinion was of a moment in time? Most people have said 'it seemed heartless that he didn't attempt to see to the animal' or something to that effect. That is their opinion. In their opinion they would have liked him to show more care for the animal. LOTS of people have then come on to say - he was shocked, injured, concerned for his own health; I completely agree - he was probably all of those. That doesnt change the fact that lots of people would have liked him to have paid more attention to the horse.

The other stuff about 'A few seconds of tv coverage of an incident and people seem to know the man personally and have full knowledge of his character and attitude' is just silly. Nobody commenting on the fall has really commented on anything other than his seemingly cool attitude after the fall. I commented on how I found him to be when I was around him at an event one day. People can have their opinions.

I don't think it is fair that you have criticised people here for having an opinion and therefore claiming they are 'experts' from the 'sofa'. So we're not all 4* event riders. I've never claimed to be one but should I feel like I can't have an opinion on something I saw because I'm not a pro rider or anywhere near? Opinions only reserved for the very experienced?
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No you just stated he had a rude SON, which he most defo doesn't!!!
 
Honestly, I've just watched both clips and I don't know what people are bitching about. CF had a very heavy fall, was back on his feet and looking for his horse very quickly. What more do you want him to do?
 
Kiribati_uk said:
No you just stated he had a rude SON, which he most defo doesn't!!!
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Jeez - I am pretty sure I apologised for getting it wrong. Incase you missed the two posts where I apologised and corrected myself...

I apologise - Clayton does not have a rude son. He did have a small, seemingly rude boy with him.

Not sure my mistake negates my post in response to Ribbons though :rolleyes:

Kiribati - couldn't you come up with a valid argument in response?
 
Horrendous falls :( I hope all that were involved are okay, not too sore and RIP Heartbreak Hill, must be devastating.

Shock does very odd things to people. Twice I've experienced intense shock - once when I had a fall - my horse spooked, reared up and got caught in barbed wire and I was knocked out momentarily - when I came round, I managed to get up and run after her, someone on the yard caught her and I managed to clean her up and finish off the jobs. I drove myself home somehow, calmly rang my mum and said I think I need to go to hospital, then when she came home I couldn't tell her what had happened for the life of me.
The second time was after a friend managed to put his car in a ditch with me in the back - after what I assume was about 30 mins and myself calling a friend and someone with a LandRover to come and tow the car out, we got back and my legs just buckled and I couldn't speak.

It's not for us to assume whether or not the riders care for their horses - its just how shock and falls affect riders and how hurt they are.
K x
 
KellysHeroes said:
It's not for us to assume whether or not the riders care for their horses - its just how shock and falls affect riders and how hurt they are.
K x
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No, it's not fair, but sadly some people seem to confuse their right to have an opinion with the need to tell it to all and sundry.

I was judging at a low key competition today, if I started a thread slating and naming one or more of the riders, stating that they couldn't care less about their horse's welfare, were only in it for the money etc., etc. I would be strongly (and rightly) criticised and the thread would most likely be pulled.

Why it's somehow acceptable to have a go at someone, just because they are a 'name' (and have become a name by being bloody good at the sport they do) I just don't understand. There is a vast difference between discussing things with friends, and publishing it on a public forum.

I think Ribbons' post is interesting, and it is increasingly noticeable that all the incredibly, personally critical threads are always in NL. Not many of the CR'ers compete at 4* or anything near, yet they seem to have more understanding and are far less prone to 'knee jerk' emotional threads like this. Interesting.
 
meandmyself said:
Honestly, I've just watched both clips and I don't know what people are bitching about. CF had a very heavy fall, was back on his feet and looking for his horse very quickly. What more do you want him to do?
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Run over to the horse (if he can after such a heavy fall), possibly putting himself in danger (but never mind about that), shove the Steward (who is already doing a good job) out of the way (but apologise of course) and then cry a lot to prove he cares (but not enough to upset the horse, of course), and snog it (but not to death).
Obviously.
;) ;) ;)
 
kerilli said:
Run over to the horse (if he can after such a heavy fall), possibly putting himself in danger (but never mind about that), shove the Steward (who is already doing a good job) out of the way (but apologise of course) and then cry a lot to prove he cares (but not enough to upset the horse, of course), and snog it (but not to death).
Obviously.
;) ;) ;)
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Pmsl :D
 
kerilli said:
Run over to the horse (if he can after such a heavy fall), possibly putting himself in danger (but never mind about that), shove the Steward (who is already doing a good job) out of the way (but apologise of course) and then cry a lot to prove he cares (but not enough to upset the horse, of course), and snog it (but not to death).
Obviously.
;) ;) ;)
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LOL!!!
 
Is snogging horses de rigeur nowadays?

I am still on peck on the cheek... Don't want to look outta place when I next fall off now...
 
kerilli said:
Run over to the horse (if he can after such a heavy fall), possibly putting himself in danger (but never mind about that), shove the Steward (who is already doing a good job) out of the way (but apologise of course) and then cry a lot to prove he cares (but not enough to upset the horse, of course), and snog it (but not to death).
Obviously.
;) ;) ;)
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Your obviously well practiced in how to keep the NL crew happy :cool::D I think you need to market your skills to these 4* riders who obviously know nothing and all need your help :p.
 
The BBC showed a clip of a horse falling and smashing into the steps. That, too, whinnied in distress. Does anyone know who it was as the beeb didn't say? I hope that the horse was ok.
 
Will Faudree can be seen on Buryghley.tv walking over and giving his horse a kiss.

Nice, small public showing of appreciation that his horse is ok.
 
I don't understand why everyone is jumping on Clayton.

He took a bad fall and when he was up he looked over the jump to see the Horse standing up, he looked very relieved. He was also seen patting is Horse! what would you have liked him to do? Dive headfirst over the jump to see the Horse?!
 
LaurenBay said:
I don't understand why everyone is jumping on Clayton.

He took a bad fall and when he was up he looked over the jump to see the Horse standing up, he looked very relieved. He was also seen patting is Horse! what would you have liked him to do? Dive headfirst over the jump to see the Horse?!
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I agree - it really is quite ridiculous.
 
LaurenBay said:
I don't understand why everyone is jumping on Clayton.

He took a bad fall and when he was up he looked over the jump to see the Horse standing up, he looked very relieved. He was also seen patting is Horse! what would you have liked him to do? Dive headfirst over the jump to see the Horse?!
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Hate to say, I agree with this. Ive seen a lot worse reactions. Yes, ok I probably would have reacted like the girl and been desperate to check my horse was ok - but everyones different, he did look to check the horse was up. He didnt look too concerned ok, but then again he's probably had an awful lot of falls in his time - probably get quite immune to it after a while. It was lovely to see the French guy kiss his horse after falling up the steps though, that was really sweet.
 
kerilli said:
Run over to the horse (if he can after such a heavy fall), possibly putting himself in danger (but never mind about that), shove the Steward (who is already doing a good job) out of the way (but apologise of course) and then cry a lot to prove he cares (but not enough to upset the horse, of course), and snog it (but not to death).
Obviously.
;) ;) ;)
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That actually made me snort! Funny :D:D:D
 
I must say I'm on Claytons side. Had the horse broken it's neck, he would have been in the way, had he rushed to see the horse. Anyway, since the horse was ok, a trained steward is better than a winded rider to lead the horse away and give it fuss.
 
Nah said:
I must say I'm on Claytons side. Had the horse broken it's neck, he would have been in the way, had he rushed to see the horse. Anyway, since the horse was ok, a trained steward is better than a winded rider to lead the horse away and give it fuss.
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Yes... also, a trained, CALM steward, coping admirably. Let's not forget that riders have a lot of emotions and a lot of adrenalin going on (and adrenalin does very strange things to the body and mind), and a rider who has just experienced an exhilarating ride of about 8 mins followed by a few secs of total incredulity, then a second of panic, then a huge horrible crunch and a winding fall... I think he did absolutely the RIGHT thing to just look at the horse, see it was up on its feet and apparently fine, and stay where he was, out of the way.
If anyone is wondering what I mean about the effects of adrenalin, it covers up pain (I broke my arm many years ago, I am an utter wimp, but it did not hurt AT ALL for about 20 minutes, I was oblivious... then it hurt like the blazes and would not stop hurting!) and it makes the brain think that time is doing v weird things... it speeds things up, then it slows them down enormously, very very odd. So, shock + adrenalin = not reacting normally...
 
LaurenBay said:
I don't understand why everyone is jumping on Clayton.

He took a bad fall and when he was up he looked over the jump to see the Horse standing up, he looked very relieved. He was also seen patting is Horse! what would you have liked him to do? Dive headfirst over the jump to see the Horse?!
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^^ Absolutely!
 
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