Would you believe....

[flohelf]

That some people- I mean jerks

- got into the stable area(at night) during the Pau*** and clipped Jean Teulère and Nicolas Touzaint's horses manes and tails!!!

So much for security...

They better clean up their act if they want to run a **** next year

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

omg thats awful!!!

 

[CastleMouse]

That's terrible to hear! What complete and utter idiots!

 

[tigers_eye]

I know it's a horrible thing to happen but it might highlight the ease with which something far more sinister could happen. Maybe a wake-up call for international competitions?

 

[Skhosu]

It is horrible, but can you see the funny side with regards to riding the horse (lookswise!)
Pity though the horses weren't 'against' clippers and give them a booting.

 

[flohelf]

Precisely. If they had enough time to do something like this, then think about what someone with nastier ideas could do to a horse/horses... Scary

 

[teapot]

That's awful

 

[monica123]

thats awful !!!!

 

[SillyMare]

Horrible. I bet the riders were furious that this sort of idiot was able to just wander around the stables at night.

 

[SJFAN]

Certainly doesn't say much for their security and the FEI should have something to say about this as they have legislation about security at international events. I am also surprised that there weren't grooms around as often they will take it in turns to guard horses.

 

[KarenX]

Thats terrible!

I dont know what gets into peoples heads to do something like that! Stupid idiots!

 

[SJFAN]

I don't understand the mentality of people who perpetrate any acts of vandalism. Can only be thankful that the idiots did nothing more harmful to these horses.

 

[lil_northener]

That's the weirdest and most pointless thing I've ever heard!!!

 

[Alibear]

grhh what awful people and poor horses not a quiet nights rest for them, oh no some weirdo turning up and shaving your fur off.

Hope this sparks up some better security at these events.

But..... after this and this summers Jersey SJ doping debacle, is anyone else waiting for the next failed dope test person to be yelling sabotage , instead of the contaminated feed buckets theory that's usually trotted out?

I know I'm a cynical old bat

 

[SSM]

I just cannot get my head around why anyone would do this in the first place - now if it had been Stonkey Donkey having her mane clipped off they would now be in the next country - not county, country!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Tempi]

thats so awful, i cant believe people actually do things like this..........

same as the donkey (!), bloss wouldve had them in the next country too, or trampled to death on the floor one of the two!

 

[Sarah_Jane]

You can't believe what people will do I guess it's lucky they didn't do any worse.

I see Mark Phillips is questioning in H&H whether Pau will be ready to do a CCI**** in 2007 and it may not change to 2008.

 

[SJFAN]

A spokesperson for the competition confirmed the incident had occurred but did not know who had done it or why. "It happened during the night," he said, adding that it was not due to a security problem. "The security guard just didn't see."

How is the incompetence of a security guard (nor perhaps not having more than one on duty) not a security problem I wonder?

 

[flohelf]

Thought that the job of someone who calls himself a SECURITY GUARD (and gets paid for it !) was pecisely to SEE things...

If not a security problem, then he got bribed for SEEING nothing

 

[tigers_eye]

I imgine though that it would be quite easy to pose as a competition groom and weedle one's way in. I believe that horses should get rest on the saturday night, but I know some people advocate walking/poulticing through the night if necessary.

 

[SJFAN]

It certainly should not be easy - that's why they are supposed to be issued with proper identification passes, ideally with photos.

 

[tigers_eye]

And what if it was a connection of another horse? It's not beyond the bounds of possibility. I've been to plenty of internationals, and to be honest the securtity can be pretty lax, especially towards the end of the event.

 

[SJFAN]

I agree that security will have more problems monitoring the activities of those who have genuine passes, but hacking the manes and tails of your opponents' horses doesn't sound very likely to me, whereas doping etc would be a possibility.

 

[flohelf]

Precisely the problem: What should security get lax towards the end of the event ?

And all the authorized staff, VIP, visitors have to wear these bright colored bracelets which you can't take off until it's all over...
Another thing: Everyone here knows who Jean and Nic's grooms are...

Only good thing about this: Maybe it will contribute to enforcing stricter security rules on future international events

 

[Rachel_M]

I am more appalled at the response of the event " They just didn't see........"

If thats the attitude that they have to a serious security breach, then I for one would not be willing to risk taking high profile, and ££££, horses to the event.


Makes them look like fools.

 

[beh]

AS IF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, still at least it was only mane and tails and nothing worse, but the FEI better sort it out before things could start to get worse. There are millions-upon-trillions worth of horse at that event and if the organisers cannot find someone decent to watch the horses for a couple of nights then they should seriously look at the running of this event.