Badminton Horse Trials 2023

[fordtraktor]

The hold was on Fiona’s horse. That is a hard one to judge, because it was a refusal/slide into ditch. No obvious reason why it would be fatal. So sorry for the horse and all its connections.

I know Ollie was pulled up, and that given the timing he can argue it was his idea to retire. Not sure we will get a clean view of it given the hold. My view is that he likely argued with the GJ and they said he was done, and he said well I already decided I was done so I quit first, and you get that press junket.

Dan Jocelyn said yesterday he was thinking of retiring (after a similar MIM on that table) but the hold refreshed his horse so he could finish. The lighter bay one, he had 2 finish.

[punchy]

I don’t know what to think. Lucinda’s commentary says someone stopped him from riding. But she doesn’t say they flagged him down to stop him. Versus he’s stopped on a hold for someone, and they tell him not to continue.

[fordtraktor]

I might be wrong, but he went on for several fences and seemed to be stopped in the time frame for Fiona’s horse.

I wish the officials would issue a press release and be transparent about their calls over the day so we don’t have to speculate. It should NOT be a secret if someone is stopped by the GJ.

[Mohan]

I would buy this explanation if it was someone other than OT.

[Jealoushe]

Ollie went off screen for a bit before the hold. I think he might have been pulled up before the hold.

[fordtraktor]

For sure. Just reporting what I think happened because that was what I saw on the live feed.

To be clear, it is clear he was stopped and the timing seems like it was based on the course hold for Fiona’s horse. It is purely my speculation that he argued with the Ground Jury, but he would argue…. No insider info here.

[Rnichols]

At the end of the day, he can say whatever he wants. The fact is, he did not stop the horse on his own free will. So what he was “going to do” or “would’ve done” is irrelevant because that’s not what happened.

ETA: not coming after you at all, sorry I know my tone can be off putting lol Its directed at the situation not you

[fordtraktor]

It might be. I think the feed went to people just starting for a bit when Fiona’s horse needed a hold and Ollie had the MIM clip. Happy to be wrong.

[Mohan]

Yeah maybe it’s wrong of me but I’m so over any explanation for OT because people do let it all slide. It happens every year. He does something dumb, dangerous or just abhorrent and people comment. Many of those same people the next event or year are all “I hope OT does well!!!”

It’s mind boggling.

So I apologize. I think he needs to go the way of GM or PP or pick a hack that rides.

[fordtraktor]

Totally agree, I was just reporting what I saw in the replay because not everyone paid for the footage. I don’t personally like OT at all. I am so thrilled for Ros and Walter!!! I wish it was Ros-Austin-Tom McEwen.

[fordtraktor]

That makes no sense. You don’t want to someone to possibly explain where the different perspectives come from given the facts we have…why? Because you don’t like him? Welcome to the club. What did you see in the video that makes you think I am pro-Ollie?

[Mohan]

No because the tendency with him is people ranting about his bad decisions one year and cheering him on the next. It nuts. No I don’t like him but I don’t see a reason to maybe interpret the hold and then well yes he retired on his own…. No. Why give that any credence? He was eliminated.

Any rider at any point could say oh yeah when the GJ pulled me up I was pulling up anyway. That delegitimization of the GJ and the rules is not okay.

[FitzE]

Yeah, I’m confused about Lucinda’s comments. She is talking about rider #27 as Richard and he pulled up his horse. She then notes that OT should have done the same with SS.

So, my mistake, no reference was made to anyone stopping OT.

[BWP]

@Djones

the owners of Ollie’s horses are just as guilty as he is, if not more.

Well one of his owners (not of the horse in question) and a groom were all over Facebook in the aftermath of XC this year, you would think defending Oliver but no, they were definitely straight on the attack! The usual ‘keyboard warrior’ and ‘armchair quarterbacking’ insults but they also both seemed to be finding a lot of humour in the whole situation with laughing emojis and plenty of ‘lols’. What can you say? Like attracts like.

Oliver has 5 competing here on Friday so glad I’m doing nothing more important than dressage writing.

[enjoytheride]

@Mohan

No because the tendency with him is people ranting about his bad decisions one year and cheering him on the next. It nuts. No I don’t like him but I don’t see a reason to maybe interpret the hold and then well yes he retired on his own…. No. Why give that any credence? He was eliminated.

Any rider at any point could say oh yeah when the GJ pulled me up I was pulling up anyway. That delegitimization of the GJ and the rules is not okay.

Fordtraktor isn’t defending him at all. It does look like he was pulled up due to the hold on course. Had he not been pulled up due to the hold perhaps he would have kept going. Some transparency from the officials and a follow up from him would be nice as the results do not match with his statement.

[DogWithBigEars]

COTH published this article about a week after the Maryland 5*. Will be interesting to see if OT gets a yellow card and whether it’s reported on in the next week. Can’t imagine he won’t receive a yellow card…but who knows.

[kmwines01]

We were at the staircase at Rolex when he fell. It was terrifying.

So sad that ros’s beautiful rides are getting overshadowed by OT being an *ss again. She’s had both of those horses since they were young and brought them up the levels. Probably a bit bittersweet for her after losing Allstar B.

[Jealoushe]

His sponsors were also in the comments supporting him.

[endlessclimb]

Can we just be done with this guy? Is anyone here willing to say they think he’s changed, or that his horsemanship is “good”?

[Jealoushe]

Not update yet but it will be soon I’m sure:

https://inside.fei.org/system/files/Updated%202023%20-%20List%20of%20Eventing%20Warnings.xlsx