Burghley Horse Trials

Underworked and overfed above! Not what I said.

say no more

OH and yes I know about the track system, we've had Welsh ponies!

nightowl

I would most definitely never keep a horse in a stable 24/7 foxie but that’s not the only alternative to going out and competing. Horses can have a lovely life whether retired or happy hackers or competing. I agree totally about being stuck in a field as well, overworked and underfed. Whatever level we’re at we all owe it our horses to give them the best life possible, and to be very objective about their overall health and welfare. Have you seen track systems? That’s a fascinating take on trying to replicate a horse’s natural lifestyle and diet.

Whatever they are, they need the three f’s - forage, friends and freedom. Some get it, some don’t, at all levels of horse keeping and that includes some top level horses who don’t get turnout.

Totally agree on the three F's.

I would most definitely never keep a horse in a stable 24/7 foxie but that’s not the only alternative to going out and competing. Horses can have a lovely life whether retired or happy hackers or competing. I agree totally about being stuck in a field as well, overworked and underfed. Whatever level we’re at we all owe it our horses to give them the best life possible, and to be very objective about their overall health and welfare. Have you seen track systems? That’s a fascinating take on trying to replicate a horse’s natural lifestyle and diet.

Whatever they are, they need the three f’s - forage, friends and freedom. Some get it, some don’t, at all levels of horse keeping and that includes some top level horses who don’t get turnout.

I think that not only does the horse have to trust it’s rider, but the rider has to trust it’s horse

MaizieD that is so true, when DD competed our little mare had the courage of a lion, went hell for leather over jumps often bigger than herself, and they won or were placed high frequently.

The darling little horse knew when I rode her round the lanes and streets for gentle exercise whilst DD was at school, that I was not as confident as DD and she looked after me well.

But isn't that what the fences are designed to do Maw? They're people frighteners...

First time we walked the Badminton course I thought the fences looked terrifying; the horses just sailed over as though they were nothing...

But you don't get a horse to Badminton without a lot of experience at lower levels first...

"I don’t know, these are big questions but don’t we owe it to them to keep them safe. The thought of doing anything to put my horse at risk absolutely sickens me. But that’s why she’s more of a big pet than a riding opportunity grin"

nightowl I think everything we do with horses has a risk. I've had to retire my lovely mare as she injured herself in the field but I would never want to keep a horse in a stable 24/7. I see so many leisure horses that are overweight and at risk of laminitis or EMS, a big part of the problem is that many are under worked and over fed. Travelling a horse is a huge risk but might save their life if they need treatment in an equine hospital. I know quite a few pro riders and they take calculated risks based on their experience, knowledge of the horse etc. They usually know what they are doing. I've helped out at unaffiliated XC, SJ and dressage comps and tbh I'd rather be a horse with a pro than being ridden by some low level amateurs. Just my POV.

I remember one particular X country jump where the horse had to jump through a brush “oval” without being able to see what lay on the other side, then carry on down hill . Terrified me and I can only think that the horses 100% trusted their riders who perhaps could see more from up top than I thought?
But I agree that however many stone of horse (even a Shetland pony) will not be shifted unless it wants to (or has been beaten into submission and TG top event riders do not go down that road. Thrilling to watch the best though isn’t it?

Don’t you think that’s a tricky one though foxie, the idea that I’d a horse doesn’t want to do something it won’t?

I think I'm with foxie on that one, nightowl. I think that horses have a great sense of self preservation and that a good rider listens to their horse.

My DD's first horse was a keen jumper who would die rather than touch a fence but he had a tendency to put his poll out which made jumping painful for him. So he'd refuse. He knew it was going to hurt. A visit from the vet, who was a great 'back man' and he'd be back on form again.

And I think that if she'd asked him to jump of a cliff he'd've said 'not bl**dy likely mum!"

I think that not only does the horse have to trust its rider, but the rider has to trust their horse.

Sorry for typos I forgot to preview!

Don’t you think that’s a tricky one though foxie, the idea that I’d a horse doesn’t want to do something it won’t? I think we all know horses that will do almost anything for their humans because they are such willing, trusting creatures. They have to have such a bond with their riders at that level that I wonder if they’d jump off the edge of a cliff if they were asked to do so. And of course, they aren’t able to judge the risks they’re taking nor do they understand the possible consequences. They live in the moment don’t they? And if that moment is everything they are trained to do and what they live (as I’m sure they do) then they’ll do it.

I don’t know, these are big questions but don’t we owe it to them to keep them safe. The thought of doing anything to put my horse at risk absolutely sickens me. But that’s why she’s more of a big pet than a riding opportunity

I love that Maw

£42 each MayBee for the cross country day, for four of us including parking. A lot more if you want to go for the whole event.

Nightowl I agree it's a tricky balance and one that is being discussed a good deal nowadays. Having said that my own experience is that if a horse doesn't want to do something, it soon lets you know. I haven't done much XC but daughter has, her horses have all seemed to love it and when faced with a huge fence if you aren't sitting on a horse that wants to jump it, you are doomed! Dressage is the same. I bought a dressage school master for my 60th birthday and he was a disaster as he'd decided he didn't want to do it anymore. I got to the point where he'd warm up nicely but as soon as the bell rang he'd throw in the towel. Never nasty with me just shut down. He loved hacking though and I sold him to someone who had miles of off road riding, who just wanted to pootle round a low level test and he was a happy chappy again.

Thankfully Maw I don’t think there were any serious injuries this year although I think around a third of starters didn’t finish. Some withdrew but there were quite a few falls as well. We did stand at the trout hatchery for a while but didn’t see anyone dumped there this time ( sadly )

It’s a very expensive day out, isn’t it. We had free tickets but we’re shocked at how expensive it would have been to go.

Just to cheer us up though !

I know what you mean Nightowl -I was always struck by the size and strength of these horses close to .
Falls of any severity are distressing (apart from riders dumped in the Trout Hatchery, always good for a laugh) but when you see the ambulance trundling across the ground or , worse, a screen round a horse then the trailer, it is sickening..

MayBee I love sh*teventersunite on Facebook, it’s so funny. I went to Burghley on Saturday, I hadn’t been for over 40 years and I don’t know whether I’ll ever go again. The horses are magnificent and the trust between horses and riders truly amazing, but I don’t have the heart to watch horses pushed so far. We saw quite a dramatic fall (there were a lot) and held our breaths until the horse and then the rider got up and appeared unscathed. What got to me was the stunned look on the horse’s face and the little nicker it gave just after it stood up. When they stripped off all the tack it just looked so vulnerable. I’m not sure we have a right to push these beautiful and trusting animals ever further in the pursuit of human ambition. That’s not to say I don’t admire the bravery of horses and riders enormously, I just question whether it’s worth it.

Now I have disappeared down the rabbit hole of dressage videos and had a good old cry over Valegro’s final performance at Olympia ???

m.youtube.com/watch?v=smq7IFGuun0

Anyone else watch the sh*teventersunite Facebook page? It has me in stitches. I misses Burghley this weekend and don’t have catchup tv at the moment. Sadly, the last time I went to Burghley there was a fatality and I can still hear someone shouting ‘good luck’ to her as she went out. I find the jumps terrifying; I can’t believe how brave the horses are. I see that William Fox Pitt has given up eventing and is doing in hand showing. What was the name of that little horse he used to ride years ago?

MawtheMerrier

Fab-u-lous!
I didn’t think anything could beat the London Medley of 2012 but it might just have!
(For your delectation)
m.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXXW8_NMOs

Ha, it was my previous "go to" I just love it! I saw her do that freestyle for the first time at Hartpury prior to the Olympics. I actually cried! It's difficult to explain to non horsey people, just how difficult it is to train a horse and to ride at that level. Valegro is such an amazing horse but I think Glamourdale may just be better. Certainly he has more extravagant paces and he seems to love his job. I just hope he stays sound

Absolutely superb, thank you for posting that foxie48

It was fantastic .
I was thrilled to watch Piggy win .
I drooled over the horses - as each one performed I thought this one is definitely my favourite.
If pushed - I love greys .

Fab-u-lous!
I didn’t think anything could beat the London Medley of 2012 but it might just have!
(For your delectation)
m.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXXW8_NMOs