Another Horse-Sports Tragedy

Reader Comments
Back to blog

aortic ruptures are due to congenital weakness of aorta, not effort. my friend's horse died from aortic rupture while it was standing grazing in field.
look, eventers are human just like all other people they can make an error miss the takeoff of a fence, misjudge their horse's response. the pace is fast and the modern courses are complex. accidents do happen. but in this case, this was just something that happens, aortic rupture.

slc2 of OK 8:35PM February 07, 2010

February 19, 2009
I looked up the website for Westboro Baptist Church and was going to send an e-mail to Rev. Fred Phelps and his family, however, I did not see any place to be able to contact them so I am writing on this blog what I would like to say to them, since this article referred to them:
You and your family are obviously very passionate people about your beliefs. I have read many different times about your protests in various places. I certainly believe in a healthy democratic nation people should be able to voice their opinions as long as they are not spewing obscenities or inciting violence against people. I believe that according to scripture there are very clear boundaries for sexual activity and that is within the boundaries of heterosexual marriage.
What I would also like to ask you is why do you only seem to focus on the sin of homosexuality? Scripture talks repeatedly about many different types of sin. I have a family member tht was molested by a man who then tried to convince him that he was homosexual, when he was a young boy and he told his parents that he struggled with his sexual identity ever since that time in his life. Do I believe since it is a member of my family that homosexuality is alright in his case? No I don't. Jesus never condoned or excused sin, however, he did have compassion on people for the struggles that they sometimes find themselves going through in life. When Jesus was really harsh in the things he said it was when he was talking to Religious Leaders. He showed compassion for people that were caught up in sin. He said it is not the well that need a Doctor, but the sick. When they brought the woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus he showed compassion. He did not excuse her sin, however, he said "Neither do I condemn you, now go and sin no more. When he met the woman at the well he told her all about her sinful past. He then showed compassion and made her believe there was a way to get out of the entrapment of her lifestyle and that her life was valuable in God's eyes. If our motives are truly to help bring change then we must stop and assess are our actions bringing about the desired results? Then why do we sometimes continue on blindly saying and acting out the same failed methods. Once again, Jesus never excused or condoned sin of any kind, however, he always had a heart of compassion. I pray Rev. Phelps when my family member decides to go back to church and to the scripture he was taught in his youth he will find a minister and a congregation that will reach out to minister to him with compassion and motives of restoration and love. As the Apostle Paul said if I have not love I become like a noisy gong or clanging cymbal. May God give each of us wisdom to stand for the truth of His word with the motives of love and restoration for hurting people.

Deborah Solomon of MO 12:56PM February 19, 2009

If you want to rant about how horrible eventing is, go do some research on REAL slaughter the horses that are thrown on double decker trucks, tied and hung by their hind legs...Why don't you write about that? This is happening all over and THEY are making a quick buck. Not eventers.
In ALL horse competetions there are risks. I for one know I would NOT take my horse up levels if he is not ready and does not want to do. Horses are our best friends, yes there are a select few people who may be riding to get to the international level and not have the horses best interest in their mind but I guarantee that 97% of us eventers put our horses first.
"Some of the risks involved with riding Cross Country are unavoidable. But there are some precautions that riders can take to keep themselves and their mounts safe while on course. Many of these precautions are enforced by USEA rules." - Taken from a different article.
Pulmonary hemorrhage - is just one of the causes of some of the deaths you mentioned. That is not something to be called the riders fault, that is NOT nor does it have anything to do with slaughter.
GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT, DO SOMETHING USEFUL AND GO AFTER THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY SLAUGHTERING HORSES FOR FOOD AND A QUICK BUCK!!!!!!

Randi of WI 1:34PM February 13, 2009

If you had done some research you would have seen that in 2007 out of 45,705 starts there were 684 falls. Of those 684 falls only 111 of those resulted in injuries. From these number that means that 1 in 67 starters fell off going cross-country in 2007. That's 1.5%. It's not like they are dropping like flys.
Horses are athletes, especially those that are competting at the levels you see broadcasted on television; and as such even top horse athletes (like human athletes) can have off days, can miss-judge a distance, or make a mistake. It is not like we are beating these horses over fences. Lets see you try to make a 1000-1400 pd horse jump that doesn't WANT to. These horses LOVE their job, many times you see riders PULLING their horses back to slow their approach to these 'Cruel fences' that you're so convinced we're beating them over. They love their job so much they race on to the next fence ears up eyes bright, these are not the facial expressions of an upset animal, try bronc riding, THERE is an unhappy horse.
Maybe you should try doing a little research before you post bogus articles of which you know none of the facts because you are too busy wringing your hands and pointing fingers to investigate.

Clare of NC 7:07PM July 23, 2008

Racehorses are run too young. Period.
Eventing at its highest level has always been dangerous. It's just become more popular and more scrutinized.
As a horse lover, owner and rider I am a little offended by outsiders' critiques--though some of those critiques are absolutely valid. A discussion of ethics and horsemanship is definitely called for following the recent events. Any decisions and conclusions will, no doubt, not please everyone.
As far as our ability to speak for our horses--I defend it. I've known many horses who love their work, and I'm certain others have found that, too. We need to get to a place where we can trust that the riders are having that same "dialogue" and are able to read their horses. I believe that most all of them are already.
It seems to me that all of us are, in fact, interested in the same general outcome: that the horses are treated as well as they possibly can be. The disagreements seem to be over how and which accidents can be prevented without completely dilluting the sport. There are dogmatists on both sides, which means this topic won't get boring, or resolved for a while.

Jeremy of NC 3:59PM May 22, 2008

I do have a clue- and will have to differ from your opinion. I have been involved in the horse world on very local level but I really cannot believe that you say that money is not a factor in these sports. I know for a fact that many of the high level sporting horses cost thousands of dollars. I certainly could never afford one. And yes, you do occasionally hear the story that a horse that does well was rescued or found, but most times the horses at the top of their sport whether it be racing, jumping, eventing, dressage etc. did not come cheap. And the riders and trainers are not doing this for free, and while they may not be pulling down the salary equal to some CEOs, they are certainly not making even close to the minimum wage. And yes, I would hazard a guess that compared to most average middle class folks, the O'Connors are probably very comfortable with their finances. As you stated they are well-known and respected equestrians and while I do not pretend to know their income, I would hazard a guess that their income is probably in the 6 figure range. And if I am wrong, I would love to know how they can afford to do what they do- because I am totally missing something here...These days that may not be considered mega rich, but it's certainly nothing to sneeze at either. And again when you are that the top level of these sports, you as a rider or trainer are able to charge higher fees for training, riding, lessons, etc. I also know that there are some large purses to be won at some of these events esp. on the higher levels as I have attended these events and while the purses do not compare to horse racing at the Kentucky Derby, they are not just a minimum amount either. As a top level rider ,you may also be asked to promote products. This all involves money. Just to be able to participate in these sports costs money for travel, board, grooms, hotels, etc. It is very doubtful to me that the average person would be able to participate in these sports without a financial backer. Where would the money for all these expenses come from? How much would you say going to one of these events around the country and internationally costs? As I said in a previous post, I will not compare eventing, jumping, dressage and other sports such as these to horse racing as far as money goes. But you can not tell me that there is not a money factor with these events. Most importantly, I never said that money was driving the accidents in eventing, although you can't say the same for racing. However, I was trying to make the point that you cannot state that there is not a money factor in eventing also. It may not compare with horse racing,but believe me money is involved and rather than disagree with me, I would ask you tell me how it's not. How much do the O'Conner's make each year as a result of their status as well-known equestrians? That would include any money for jobs that resulted from their reputation as a good rider in addition to winning events. As their salary as well as their reputation is derived at least partly by the fact that they have won events. How much does it cost to buy a top-level eventing horse or dressage horse or a jumper? How much would a top level trainer cost to train your horse? Why are they able to charge a higher fee than the run-of the mill trainer at a local community collage or local barn? How much would a top level rider charge for riding lessons or to ride your horse? If the figure is higher than the average riding instructor - why is that? So while I respect your opinion as we all have our opinions, you still have not convinced me that money is not a part of this sport and a factor in decisions made regarding the horses. Most people in the high level events are not just in the sport for charity, and while you may convince me that money is not the only factor, you cannot state that is not a factor at all.

Kay of NJ 6:26PM May 20, 2008

I do have a clue- and will have to differ from your opinion. I have been involved in the horse world on very local level but I really cannot believe that you say that money is not a factor in these sports. I know for a fact that many of the high level sporting horses cost thousands of dollars. I certainly could never afford one. And yes, you do occasionally hear the story that a horse that does well was rescued or found, but most times the horses at the top of their sport whether it be racing, jumping, eventing, dressage etc. did not come cheap. And the riders and trainers are not doing this for free, and while they may not be pulling down the salary equal to some CEOs, they are certainly not making even close to the minimum wage. And yes, I would hazard a guess that compared to most average middle class folks, the O'Connors are probably very comfortable with their finances. As you stated they are well-known and respected equestrians and while I do not pretend to know their income, I would hazard a guess that their income is probably in the 6 figure range. And if I am wrong, I would love to know how they can afford to do what they do- because I am totally missing something here...These days that may not be considered mega rich, but it's certainly nothing to sneeze at either. And again when you are that the top level of these sports, you as a rider or trainer are able to charge higher fees for training, riding, lessons, etc. I also know that there are some large purses to be won at some of these events esp. on the higher levels as I have attended these events and while the purses do not compare to horse racing at the Kentucky Derby, they are not just a minimum amount either. As a top level rider ,you may also be asked to promote products. This all involves money. Just to be able to participate in these sports costs money for travel, board, grooms, hotels, etc. It is very doubtful to me that the average person would be able to participate in these sports without a financial backer. Where would the money for all these expenses come from? How much would you say going to one of these events around the country and internationally costs? As I said in a previous post, I will not compare eventing, jumping, dressage and other sports such as these to horse racing as far as money goes. But you can not tell me that there is not a money factor with these events. Most importantly, I never said that money was driving the accidents in eventing, although you can't say the same for racing. However, I was trying to make the point that you cannot state that there is not a money factor in eventing also. It may not compare with horse racing,but believe me money is involved and rather than disagree with me, I would ask you tell me how it's not. How much do the O'Conner's make each year as a result of their status as well-known equestrians? That would include any money for jobs that resulted from their reputation as a good rider in addition to winning events. As their salary as well as their reputation is derived at least partly by the fact that they have won events. How much does it cost to buy a top-level eventing horse or dressage horse or a jumper? How much would a top level trainer cost to train your horse? Why are they able to charge a higher fee than the run-of the mill trainer at a local community collage or local barn? How much would a top level rider charge for riding lessons or to ride your horse? If the figure is higher than the average riding instructor - why is that? So while I respect your opinion as we all have our opinions, you still have not convinced me that money is not a part of this sport and a factor in decisions made regarding the horses. Most people in the high level events are not just in the sport for charity, and while you may convince me that money is not the only factor, you cannot state that is not a factor at all.

Kay of NJ 6:24PM May 20, 2008

Cleary you are mistaken in your claim that top eventers make tons of money. Let's look at the O'Connors, some of the top riders and trainer in the sport, are they rich? They probably have some of the best clients, horses and give the most clinics in the United States. Long hours and little money to be made. As for breeding, how many top eventing stallions are there? Are you serious? Let's say Windfall and Aberjack to name a couple, but a very minimal percent. There are not huge stud fees out there and most of the horses eventing are geldings or mares. Even at the top of the sport, there are no millionaires. To imply that money is driving these accidents is quite ludicrous. If you are going to make comments, please have a clue.

Jenna of IL 1:23PM May 19, 2008

An Olympic hopeful horse fell and broke his neck (not at a jump) on course in France this morning.
A young riders' horse collapsed and died on course this morning in the UK.
This makes nine eventers dead in eight weeks. Regardless of whether they loved their job or not, or whether they died due to traumua, pulmonary hemorrhage or aortic rupture, that is an astounding number of dead horses given the relatively small number of entries.
Eventers - it's abundantly clear that outsiders MUST step in to take the reins from you and your leaders as they have proven themselves to be incapable of policing your sport.

Another equine advocate of VA 5:06PM May 17, 2008

Incredible ignorance and distortion of reality by Ms Erbe. Two of the Red Hills deaths were pulmonary hemorrhage, one an accident in the warm up. Tigger of course an aortic rupture. Two Rolex horses died on course and were jump related and perhaps preventable. Two horses who were loved and cared for and who lived a better life than most people live around the world. Horses who event DO choose to jump and are willing partners. One cannot physically force a horse to jump, or to paraphrase an old adage, drink. Our sport is deeply concerned and involved in making the cross country as safe as possible but it will always be a dangerous sport. You are not concerned about horses- otherwise you would be writing about the hundreds or thousands of starved,abused and neglected horses in this country. And for the first time horses that are simply abandoned because their owners cannot afford them. When was the last time you volunteered at a horse rescue shelter. Or don' you know they even exist. I donate time and money and yes, I am an eventer. Get your facts straight, and do your job professionally. Makes one wonder- if you can screw up a lowly story like this, how can you be trusted with anything else?

Tom Kimmel of IN 10:41PM May 16, 2008