Witnessed a rotational fall at the weekend

Casey76

Casey76

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And it is one of the most scary things I've ever seen.

Fortunately both horse and rider were relatively unscathed (rider sustained either broken collar bone or shoulder, horse walked away fine)
 
It was at the cross country phase of a local ODE. The poor horse didn't lift his front feet enough at jump 1, which was approached right in the middle - however the obstacle was in a wave, so the middle was actually the highest point of the jump. The horse hit the fence with enough force to completely roll one side of the jump right over, and it was a very solidly constructed fence, taking 5 people to lift it back into place. Not only was the jump itself rolled, but the underpinnings/stabilizations front and rear were displaced.

The horse went complete aot, and landed right on his back. fortunately his rider had been able to roll away a little so he only just missed coming right down on her. Fortunately for the rider, as this happened at the first fence, the ambulance was at the start line, so she got immediate help.
 
Always horrible to watch a horse and rider fall :( that moment before they both get up is just awful you always expect the worst! Glad to hear they were both relativly okay!!
 
Horrible to witness but from your description of the fence, can't help but feel that the venue was to blame, very stupid fence to put as the first one and if it is a local ODE then they were more likely to have inexperienced combinations where a) the rider did not know not to jump the highest point and b) the horse was not experienced to cope with this type of fence.
 
I'm not sure that the venue can be blamed actually. They hold regular ODEs throughout the year, and the venue is normally well subscribed with people travelling all over the region to attend. i.e. they know what they are doing ;)

The class was a Club 2, of a comparable level to BE80.

I agree that it wasn't the most inviting fence for jump 1 (to me it was very imposing - but I don't jump ;) )
 
They are awful to watch everything seems to go slow motion, I sadly saw Simon long die at burgley. I was in the riders tent back at the stables and the feeling in the tent was awful we all knew it would be a sad out come.
 
Have seen one rotational fall whilst I was fence judging and I hope to never, ever see one again. Thankfully the rider got away with, we think a dislocated shoulder because she was thrown clear. Her horse was badly winded but seemed ok when he got back up. I do think back and wonder if they were both ok when they got home, but you never get to hear.
 
Sadly saw my friend and her horse have a rotational fall at Lanhydrock ODE...He was catching up to the horse in front too quick and was not paying attention approaching the fence..He chested the fence and threw my friend clear he cartwheeled over and sadly he broke his neck and died instantly..I have never seen anything so awful in my life..My friend kept tugging on his reins and telling him to get up...Absolutely heartbreaking..
 
It is horrible. I saw one close up at Withington Manor some years ago. I was walking the course, a large parallel and claimed 'big, but straight forward'. With that, rider came and combination cartwheeled over it. Luckily bruised, but alive. Makes you think.
 
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