Riding Kills Horses, Too

Reader Comments
Back to blog

There is nothing "cool" about pushing a horse to the brink of exhaustion at any competition. The sorry coach that allowed his/her horse to become dehydrated should have their license/certification taken away for a period of time. All serious eventers should know how to avoid trouble by properly conditioning their horses AHEAD OF TIME and ADJUSTING during competition. Further, is it time for the USEA to step in and disallow eventing competitions (especially these) when the weather temperature reaches a certain sweltering point? After all, would we pull our horses out of a cross country run in the pouring rain with dangerous slippery footing to protect our their legs? Do we not close down jumps with dangerous footing? Why are we not paying attention to the high temperatures we are asking our horses to perform in? Years ago I visited a Stonely Burnham event running in 98 degree weather. I was only watching, walking and taking photos and I was exhausted with a massive headache and sunburn by the end of the day. Riders were soaking their horses under spray hoses before and after the event. Horses are tough buggers but it's simply not fair to ask them to perform for us in unfair conditions. This problem should be addressed.

c of NH 4:26PM June 27, 2009

Horse back riding is not cruel horses enjoy it

Atlanta of OK 11:44AM April 02, 2009

i wil hery like to stop killing horses and racing ...
i love horses and i will kill the person that kills horses
i will help the pour horse for dieing !!!!!!!!

elpida of 8:31AM August 20, 2008

I'm an eventer and I never had the slightest impulse to go watch Rolex. At that level, eventing's an extreme sport, and I'm not into extreme sports even if only people are involved.
I've heard eventing fans say, after watching their coach compete at Intermediate, "We had to IV [horse's name here] Saturday night, he was so dehydrated."
Me (cringing): "Yikes."
Fan: "It was coooooool!."
See where this is going?

Aunt Sally of NY 2:46PM May 25, 2008

cross country is a beautiful sport, it not only tests the horse, but the rider as well. it is horrible what is being said after the terrible accidents that happended! these wonderful animals were just trying to please their riders and if they really didn't want to, they wouldn't. these people as well as animals should be in our thoughts and prayers and should be respected after what horrible thing has happened

of WI 3:53PM May 09, 2008

Jenna, you said exactly what I have been thinking and feeling over the last few days, except I was there to see Lainey Ashker's fall as well. It was clear that Frodo would not survive after he got up only to fall again moments later, legs convulsing. Lainey is still critical, but thankfully she should recover. I also witnessed the death of the horse Titleist in 2002 after a fall during the event.
I have been composing a letter today to send to everyone I can think of (Equestrian Events, inc who put on the Rolex event, FEI, USEF, USEA, Rolex, etc.) and I encourage all of you to do so as well. I second your sentiment, Jenna, about going next year. And what bothers me the most is that NOTHING was said prior to Sunday's portion of the competition about these 3 athletes who were injured. Someone even posted a you-tube video of Ms. Ashker and Frodo's fall and whether you agree with it or not, it is interesting to note that it has been taken down while videos of the falls of other riders from that day (Boyd Martin, Heidi White, etc.) are still available. Wake up USEF!!! and take care of both horse and rider or the future of eventing will be short lived.

Susann of GA 5:59PM May 01, 2008

i agree whole heartedly with bonnie.erin,jenna and felicity. this is not my cup of tea, as far as horses are concerned. im barely able to stand the horse races anymore. i think that the sport of eventing should be toned down far beyond the fencing construction and made a humane competion. it sounds to me like a death sport. i love my horse and though he is no athlete his welfare and safety come first. as far as boycotting, i wouldnt even watch this on t.v.

michelle of OH 1:12PM April 29, 2008

I agree there should be a spectator boycott until tangible safety improvements are enacted, but a sponsor boycott would apply even more pressure! I think I'm going to avoid products from eventing sponsors from now on.

Felicity of OH 10:04PM April 28, 2008

Today is Monday after the Rolex Kentucky 3-day Event, and I have been at a loss about how to respond when asked, "how was your weekend?" I think to myself, the horse park was beautiful; the weather on Saturday afternoon turned out to be lovely; the shopping at the trade fair was great ... oh, and two horses got killed. On one hand it would break my heart not to go again next year, but on the other, it feels pretty sick to buy a ticket to a sporting event where horses (and riders) appear expendable. Would I participate in a boycott to send a message to the eventing world that fans expect safety improvements to prevent horses (and riders) from being catastrophically injured in cross-country competitions? Yes.

Jenna Stewart of IN 9:54PM April 28, 2008

I just returned from the Rolex 4* Three Day Event, my 5th trip, and my heart is breaking for the two young, healthy, beautiful horses whose lives were cut terribly short from being asked/forced to perform in an event which is seemingly killing more and more horses and riders as the years go by. Add them to the list that continues to grow.
I have tremendously enjoyed attending the Rolex to witness the magnificence of these brave, outstanding, horses and their riders but it is most certainly not worth the thrill when so many innocent animals are dying. Yes, I feel for the riders who are injured but they know the risk, they continue to compete by choice, the horses do not. I have second thoughts about attending The Rolex next year. As a spectator I am supporting this abuse when I pay for my tickets. I can't, in good conscience, continue to do so.
I am not an eventer but I have ridden horses and competed for years in a different discipline and my daughter is now doing the same. We have a love and respect for these animals that goes beyond our selfish need for excitement and thrill.
The people "at the helm" of eventing and those responsible for organizing the competitions have a responsibility, not only towards the riders, but towards the horses. Without these willing creatures there would be no eventing!
I'm tired of hearing of all the horrible accidents and deaths, I'm tired of leaving The Rolex knowing another steed lost it's life. There are most definitely ways to make this sport safer. I don't want to hear any more excuses.
For all of you reading this who have the same opinion, write letters and consider boycotting these events until improvements are made. If the spectators take a stand, thereby affecting the profitibility of these events, maybe someone will take notice!

Erin Oldford of MI 10:11AM April 28, 2008