juliehannah58
Well-Known Member
I found this on the GBR website, makes interesting reading:
18th August
To say Ive had an interesting day is an understatement. Ill do my best to update you on the proceedings here but it has been an emotional time so youll have to excuse any emotion that creeps in. I wasnt able to touch on the Peppermill withdrawal yesterday as it was an ongoing issue when I wrote my entry so couldnt comment.
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 didnt show anything to cause concern but as the start time neared, it was clear he couldnt 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 didnt 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 Firstly, the reason the horse was withdrawn was that he was not fit to jump and to put tack on him and canter into the arena would have potentially aggravated any condition and secondly, the whole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 wed look ridiculous. It was wrong for the sport, and wrong for the horse, so I made my decision to withdraw them.
Away from all of this, the three remaining combinations put up very solid performances to leave us in fourth equal. Nick, Tim and Ben were all very focused and determined to put the carry on behind them and ride to the best of their abilities so to finish within reach of a medal was heartening.
This morning, I approached the Ground Jury to see if John and Peppermill were able to jump tonight as hed made a 100% recovery overnight and was told yes. Shortly after, there was an objection from seven of the nine nations involved apparently on the basis that it was an unfair advantage as the horse would have been fresh having not jumped. Well, if Id have done what was suggested, he wouldnt 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 Im 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. Well never know if this prevented us winning a medal but it has certainly had a negative effect on morale. To finish seventh is disappointing but by my calculations, all three riders are through to the individual final so we still have something to cheer about.
Meanwhile, rumours are abounding of a meeting involving the Dressage Ground Jury and other officials and some of the nations competing after the Grand Prix Special last night. Perhaps details will come out later...I feel like Im writing a spy novel full of twists, turns, secrets and double dealing, not a sporting diary
Then yesterdays entry:
19th August
I was a person to be avoided this morning. It has to be said I was chewing glass, unamused, hacked off, however you want to put it. The nights proceedings took every ounce of decorum from my being and tested me to my limits. Discussions have continued through the markets and back streets of Hong Kong about the rights and wrongs of what went on but the overwhelming feedback is that John was harshly treated. What went on before the start of the competition must not take any of the brilliance of the end of the competition. The battle between the old rivals America and Canada was fantastic it made history as the first time there was a jump off for the gold medal and made for a great sporting spectacle. They were the deserving Gold and Silver medal winners but as for what the competition for the bronze could have been in different circumstances, we will never know. For ever more, there will be a nagging doubt in my mind to what might have been and sadly it will leave tarnish on my trip to Hong Kong. Perhaps, this matter is best closed with a line firmly drawn under it but we must all work to ensure the rules are clarified so no one suffers in the future. There it is, end of story, finito, cerrado, done and finished.
What do you think...?!
18th August
To say Ive had an interesting day is an understatement. Ill do my best to update you on the proceedings here but it has been an emotional time so youll have to excuse any emotion that creeps in. I wasnt able to touch on the Peppermill withdrawal yesterday as it was an ongoing issue when I wrote my entry so couldnt comment.
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 didnt show anything to cause concern but as the start time neared, it was clear he couldnt 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 didnt 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 wed look ridiculous. It was wrong for the sport, and wrong for the horse, so I made my decision to withdraw them.
Away from all of this, the three remaining combinations put up very solid performances to leave us in fourth equal. Nick, Tim and Ben were all very focused and determined to put the carry on behind them and ride to the best of their abilities so to finish within reach of a medal was heartening.
This morning, I approached the Ground Jury to see if John and Peppermill were able to jump tonight as hed made a 100% recovery overnight and was told yes. Shortly after, there was an objection from seven of the nine nations involved apparently on the basis that it was an unfair advantage as the horse would have been fresh having not jumped. Well, if Id have done what was suggested, he wouldnt 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 Im 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. Well never know if this prevented us winning a medal but it has certainly had a negative effect on morale. To finish seventh is disappointing but by my calculations, all three riders are through to the individual final so we still have something to cheer about.
Meanwhile, rumours are abounding of a meeting involving the Dressage Ground Jury and other officials and some of the nations competing after the Grand Prix Special last night. Perhaps details will come out later...I feel like Im writing a spy novel full of twists, turns, secrets and double dealing, not a sporting diary
Then yesterdays entry:
19th August
I was a person to be avoided this morning. It has to be said I was chewing glass, unamused, hacked off, however you want to put it. The nights proceedings took every ounce of decorum from my being and tested me to my limits. Discussions have continued through the markets and back streets of Hong Kong about the rights and wrongs of what went on but the overwhelming feedback is that John was harshly treated. What went on before the start of the competition must not take any of the brilliance of the end of the competition. The battle between the old rivals America and Canada was fantastic it made history as the first time there was a jump off for the gold medal and made for a great sporting spectacle. They were the deserving Gold and Silver medal winners but as for what the competition for the bronze could have been in different circumstances, we will never know. For ever more, there will be a nagging doubt in my mind to what might have been and sadly it will leave tarnish on my trip to Hong Kong. Perhaps, this matter is best closed with a line firmly drawn under it but we must all work to ensure the rules are clarified so no one suffers in the future. There it is, end of story, finito, cerrado, done and finished.
What do you think...?!
