What a godawful day...

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Araboo27

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Very briefly, I was at the farm this afternoon with my three children. Saw that there was a ODE going on, one child wanted to watch sj another the xc so we headed towards a group of people where we could see both phases. Children are walking next to me. Next second, I heard manic shouting over the tannoy - my children were stood at a jump which a horse was cantering up the hill to. Thank god they got out of the way and horse didn't bat an eyelid. I had no idea we were on the course :( I am mortified, SO cross with myself and incredibly embarrassed. It was horrendous. Caught the yard owner and apologised profusely but it doesn't feel like it's good enough. I've spent the past few hours crying at what could have happened to that poor rider/horse and my children had there been an accident. I'm not a novice by any means but I feel like such a fool and don't want to go back to do my horses later this evening! If I had anywhere to move to I'd be gone already.

Please tell me that I'm not the only one who has made such a stupid mistake? I am beyond ashamed and everyone will be talking about it. I just feel so dreadful about the whole nightmare :(
 
I'm sure you had a fright, but really it has happened to so many before, so don't beat yourself up about it! I've fence judged before many a time, and the amount I have had to shout at ''professionals' you wouldn't believe.
As a rider, approaching a fence, if someone is in they way, I shout at them too - they move and no more thoughts. I expect the rider isn't even thinking about 'nearly running over a family', and as you say, horse won't be stressing about it.

Certainly not worth moving yards over, or any loss of sleep. All is fine.
 
Nope, it happens, my friend is very much in to golf, well the social side, and she was found picnicking on the course [as seen on TV], I thought it was hilarious, but then I don't pay £25.00 for one glove!!!!
 
As above 😊
No one was hurt, it must have been a shock (and I have 2 little ones too, so know that immediate shock and the after effects well)
But you will be laughing about it soon.

These things happen, children are as unpredictable as horses!

I would also like to know if it was roped off and if it wasn't why?
 
It wasn't roped off and there were no signs/any indications that it was the actual course. Hard to explain but the majority of the fences were in a field, looked like the full course to me, then they came up a hill, out of the field and crossed into another field to finish. The middle section where we were had people in there, I was totally in shock when the horse came up the hill.

You've calmed me down a little, much appreciated. Children are 4-10 btw
 
Don't beat yourself up. I presume the course wasn't roped off?

It also happened to me at Weston Park BE a number of years back. We'd just arrived, and headed towards the x country. We had no idea we were on it until we heard the FJ repeatedly bellow 'clear the course!', which was no help as we didn't know where the course was and where we should run to to get off it.
 
Oh blimey, you really are being hard on yourself. OK...so it could have ended badly, but it didn't. You've apologised so unless anyone brings it up, just forget about it! :)
 
Don't beat yourself up about it. I got caught out standing at an option at a XC fence and flattened myself against a bank to stay out of the way.
I do stay well clear now lol
 
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