Pentathlon - horse falls

[aran]

Given that in all other disciplines a horse fall means elimination do you feel that the rules for the show jumping in the pentathlon should be changed to come in line?
I haven't seen so many horse falls in one SJ competition ever and personally I don't think the riders should be allowed to get back on a continue.
Thoughts?

I also think that rather than show jumping it should be a style and performance class over 1m rustic fences (maybe more on the lines of working hunter?) - therefore good riding is rewarded and poor horses don't influence the scores?

 

[palomino_pony]

I completely agree. I couldn't believe some of the riding!

 

[MizElz]

Totally agree about the horse falls - I found myself praying that that poor horse wouldnt have to go and jump the treble at the end after falling at the red upright, but she still got back on him

Horse falls are, IMO, as great an indication of poor riding as anything - anyone whose horse falls should be eliminated.

As far as the whole showjumping format is concerned, I think a Style & Performance format would work well in some ways, but not in others. As was levelled at the likes of diving and dressage a few days ago, there is always going to be accusations of bias and prejudice when an element of judging is involved.

 

[dixie]

Definitely - horse or rider falls should be E and maximum faults or penalties or whatever should be given. And they should walk out of the arena. It makes a total farce of rules for pure SJ and eventing and of course rider and more importantly horse safety.

I don't think however style and performance would work as its too judgemental. I do think that harsher points for stops, falls etc shuold be given though. AND I don't think whips should be carried going by the mens yesterday.

 

[babymare]

I have just mailed the International governing body of the pentahlon to express my utter disgust at the farce and cruelty in the mens showjumping - the round by yahor Lapo of Belarus was damn right cruelty. Going to break my keys on laptop aas typing so hard in anger

Anyone wanting to contact them addy is -

www.pentathlon.org

 

[aran]

it was a slightly unreal competition. Some very poor riding but also some very ill-prepared horses - some just shouldn't have been asked to jump that height, some that weren't fit enough and got really tired in deep going, and others that were just clearly lame! I felt sorry for some riders as they were at a clear disadvantage according to the horse they were given and when they were in the running order - and i felt truely sorry for all the horses that werent really prepared for 2 days of hell!

 

[harry]

I think the whole sj part was absolutey dire. I cannot believe the sj element was allowed to continue. Those poor horses - I wonder about the fate of those horses who were lame. It is truly appalling and I am so outraged! If they couldn't ride, why enter the modern pentathlon and why are the horses allowed to suffer the fate of whichever rider they are unfortunate enough to be subjected to. ARGH!

 

[kerilli]

the only horse fall i saw was the one in the women's event where the horse tipped the pole off between its front legs, (fence before final treble), i agree that the horse should not have been asked to jump straight away, amazingly brave and generous horse to do so.
i didn't see the men's comp, thank the lord.

 

[VictoriaEDT]

Ditto, I was appalled as well. They shouldnt be allowed to do it unless they are of a BHS stage 4 standard at least (or equivilant). I mean for god sake, there is a horses life at risk as well.

 

[saskia295]

What a good idea aran! On both points.

 

[username223]

I couldnt watch. The standard of riding was disgusting, considering some of the horses were actually very honest despite having a blue whale tugging on their mouths! Poor things, some people would give their right arm and leg for a horse like one of those (like me lol), just to save it from heavy handed, careless riders that clearly have absolutely NO balance...GRR...completely shocked that they allowed the 'riders' to compete with no certain level of training, let alone allow it to be shown on TV!

 

[0ldmare]

I have emailed the Pentathlon people, hope everyone else does. What a total disgrace, its completely spoiled the Olympics for me

 

[Ezme]

Apparently they were laughing about it on olyimpic breakfast this morning.... great example BBC

 

[aran]

Before this olympics I'd never actually seen any pentathlon footage - do we think the standard is worse than this in national competitions etc - afterall this is the olympics? that is a truely worrying idea!!!

 

[Flame_]

I had exactly the same thought..... If that lot (the men, not the women) were the best pentathletes(sp) in their respective countries, what the hell are the lesser competitors like??????