If it is obvious that a horse is too much for the handler. If it rears, strikes, shows extreme studdish behavior and finally gets the handler down on the ground…WHAT is the responsibility of the judges??? Is there any rule about protecting the safety of not only the unfortunate handler, but also the other horses and handlers in the ring. MY horse was in the ring…I would have endangered myself to try to protect him from this horse!!! Isn’t there some rule that should be implemented for all concerned? I ask, because, this same horse and handler are entered at Upperville this weekend…I will not take a chance this time.
If you are referring to the unfortunate incident that occurred last Sunday, they are not going. They were originally entered but scratched due to the colt’s rank behavior IN THE RING.
It was a scary, unfortunate event. The colt was bad but did not go attacking other horses when he knocked the handler down. He stood there.
This is not the first horse to “be free” at a show. Normally they gallop about. If it is the same one, he just stood there and was grabbed.
ETA- horses get loose in HB. One got loose outside the ring in the schooling area with no halter, no bridle. It is usually a lot more disruptive to the other horses. I understand the concern but it’s not like this colt went on a rampage attacking others. In 34 years and plenty of loose horses, I’ve haven’t seen one attack another horse, though someone may have.
And this should be moved to Sport Horse Breeding.
I was there and was watching, although I did not have my eyes GLUED to the ring especially with the first few classes. What happened? Without naming names, what did the colt do?
The colt was rank in the ring. He was rearing and striking. The crowd was gasping and yes, it was quite a display and very scary. He started off fine but got worse and worse as they headed up the ring. At the end of the jog, he reared and stepped on the handler. A combination of the rank behavior and the handler forgot to take his medication for diabetes.
When the handler fell, the colt stood there and was immediately caught-I can’t remember who-and his owner took him. He did not move a foot. I was across the ring to the handler in about 5 seconds or as fast as my fat butt would get me there. The colt was rank. He really needed a CTJ meeting but that is not appropriate in the ring. Another handler also also excused himself due to bad behavior on the horse’s part.
The colt is scratched from Upperville and last I heard going home to be gelded.
Okay, that sounds really unfortunate but also along the lines of what sometimes happens to young horses at shows (although a more extreme version!) I recall a DAD where a horse got loose and ran for ages and threatened to try to breed other classmates before he was caught. I hope the handler is ok.
Exactly. Sometimes it happens.
Handler is fine. Medics checked him out, his blood sugar was through the roof. He was bumped but no worse for wear, thank God. He was back to being bossy and wandering about within 2 hours.
We joked we needed some “balls be gone” for the special prince. =)
On a side note, everyone in the HB world is wonderful. Stepping up to help, making sure everything was OK. Checking the next day - he had to stop answering his phone. People offering to hold the rest of his string, drive horses home, take the colt temporarily, show it for him at Upperville.
It was amazing how awesome people can be.
I wasn’t there, but I heard about it on Tuesday- at my dentist’s office! I ran into a friend there who was also in the ring at the time it happened. Glad the horse just stood there and the handler turned out to be ok.
I agree that with the young stock, sometimes things can go wrong. Unfortunately, it can be nerve wracking when things go REALLY wrong.
It is wonderful to hear that the handler “felt the love” of the horse community…he has certainly deserved it and has been an example of excellent horsemanship. At St. Christopher’s the same horse reared repeatedly and got his foot through the reins…the same handler let go and grabbed back the rein with the speed of light…a most impressive move! Everyone who has seen that colt “perform” is thrilled that he will get a dose of “ballsbegone”…his performance ruined his chances and he is a really athletic, beautiful young horse.
Since when is a ctj meeting not appropriate for a show? I don’t give a rat’s ass where I’m at, a horse strikes when its in hand it’s backing up so far and so fast it won’t know what hit it.
[QUOTE=tinah;7611831]
Since when is a ctj meeting not appropriate for a show? I don’t give a rat’s ass where I’m at, a horse strikes when its in hand it’s backing up so far and so fast it won’t know what hit it.[/QUOTE]
Agreed. This colt needs a CTJ meeting of the real kind, not just a smack and backing up across the ring, IMO. People who have seen him in action know. That is not appropriate at a show and I believe a violation of a rule.
I had a halter and chain over his nose in the other ring. He was “up” but not like he behaved in the ring. On a side note- a gentleman was videotaping me. I had stopped and asked if he was the owner and he said no, “a concerned citizen” and I should “smile for the camera” because I was “abusing” this horse and he was going to post it online.
I hope he saw how the colt behaved.
Claudius- I hope I didn’t seem snarky. This was the most ill behaved colt we’ve had in my 30 plus years of helping Dear Handler. The whole situation had me a wreck, evidenced by my crying escorting him out of the ring- not typical me behavior. It was a crappy set of circumstances and the behavior is exacerbated by the owner, who doesn’t like the colt to be disciplined. It needs to be in a steady program, not just show up 1 month prior to big shows- but that’s a whole different topic.
[QUOTE=Pennywell Bay;7611845]
Agreed. This colt needs a CTJ meeting of the real kind, not just a smack and backing up across the ring, IMO. People who have seen him in action know. That is not appropriate at a show and I believe a violation of a rule.
I had a halter and chain over his nose in the other ring. He was “up” but not like he behaved in the ring. On a side note- a gentleman was videotaping me. I had stopped and asked if he was the owner and he said no, “a concerned citizen” and I should “smile for the camera” because I was “abusing” this horse and he was going to post it online.
I hope he saw how the colt behaved.[/QUOTE]
Unfortunately he’ll probably say the cold misbehaved because he’s been so “mistreated” before getting to the ring… Chances are (not knowing the horse or the handler) that’s 99.8% false, but you can’t win with those people regardless.
I’m with others–If a CTJ moment needs to happen, it needs to happen regardless of the environment as long as the handler/rider/trainer is competent enough to make it swift and effective (timing is everything…). Dangerous behavior can never, ever be tolerated. In my experience, it just builds and doesn’t ever fully diminish–although I’m sure the “snippity snip” will go a loooong way with the colt’s antics/attitude.
ETA I’m a huge fan of a chain over the nose for any horse. If I don’t have to touch it, fantastic. If it’s a young horse who decides to throw his weight around or a spooky horse who has no concept of personal space, I’m glad it’s on so I don’t have a loose horse.
[QUOTE=Pennywell Bay;7611713]
The colt was rank in the ring. He was rearing and striking. The crowd was gasping and yes, it was quite a display and very scary. He started off fine but got worse and worse as they headed up the ring. At the end of the jog, he reared and stepped on the handler. A combination of the rank behavior and the handler forgot to take his medication for diabetes.
When the handler fell, the colt stood there and was immediately caught-I can’t remember who-and his owner took him. He did not move a foot. I was across the ring to the handler in about 5 seconds or as fast as my fat butt would get me there. The colt was rank. He really needed a CTJ meeting but that is not appropriate in the ring. Another handler also also excused himself due to bad behavior on the horse’s part.
The colt is scratched from Upperville and last I heard going home to be gelded.[/QUOTE]
The other handler (who excused himself from the ring in that class) was directly behind that stud colt. The 2 year old colt he was handling became unnerved by the stud colt and unfortunately, withdrew in the best interest of the other exhibitors. It was really ashame.
Zuri- I don’t think the one I am referring to was in the same class because I was ringside. I know one of the handlers left and it is a good guy who I personally and professionally like (including his whole family). Perhaps it was the same. Either way, young horses are unpredictable and it is hard to prep them for every circumstance - general statement, not directed at anyone and certainly not in reference to the bad actor in the colt class.
What show was this?
Devon
There was another thread about the HB classes being moved to Sunday, and how that didn’t help the young horses because of the noise and commotion of trucks, people, horses, etc. as everyone was moving out during the classes.
Sounds like the colt might have misbehaved anyway, but could this have added to his meltdown ?
[QUOTE=Mardi;7612491]
There was another thread about the HB classes being moved to Sunday, and how that didn’t help the young horses because of the noise and commotion of trucks, people, horses, etc. as everyone was moving out during the classes.
Sounds like the colt might have misbehaved anyway, but could this have added to his meltdown ?[/QUOTE]
On that very same thread people were defending having HB on the same day as the Grand Prix saying that the exposure was good for the horses and that a good horse is a good horse in any venue. The very defense of having HB on Thursday was having more activity on the same day as HB. Sorry, but you can’t have it both ways.
This colt apparently was bad at Blue Rock too. But sure – blame the venue. Please, go ahead. Do. According to the connections, it has behaved pretty rotten for a month before Devon too. But I am sure, in some way, that’s the horse show’s fault too. DHS is actually responsible for all bad behavior of all horses at all times, this is a well known rule.
What noise and commotion are we talking about anyway? You would think this was an open demolition zone. Here’s a picture of the Dixon and the crowds that VERY DAY… maybe you can point out the cranes and work crews…
http://s5.photobucket.com/user/vxf111/media/photo3-1.jpg.html?sort=6&o=7
Sure looks like an unitigated construction zone to me. Look at the children crying from the noise and people in hard hats!
OMG, there were TRUCKS and PEOPLE and NOISES at a HORSE SHOW?! OMG!!! Who can PERFORM UNDER SUCH CONDITIONS?! Course, when HB was on Thursday there were trucks, and people, and noises (pearl clutch)-- but somehow, that was ok.
[QUOTE=Mardi;7612491]
There was another thread about the HB classes being moved to Sunday, and how that didn’t help the young horses because of the noise and commotion of trucks, people, horses, etc. as everyone was moving out during the classes.
Sounds like the colt might have misbehaved anyway, but could this have added to his meltdown ?[/QUOTE]
Personally- it was much nicer in the AM than previous years. There were not tons of horses lunging and riding. Not the typical craziness. That’s just my opinion. I’m not a pro and my time working in HB is done when this handler finally retires. This colt was pretty good in the AM and prior to the class. He did not exihibit this behavior or would not have gone in.
In this case, he was bad period. Yes, his mind blew less than halfway through the class but IMO it would have occurred regardless of the day.
I didn’t think I’d like it on Sun, but I did. Bonus- 50% off vendors!!!
Lots of people, boy did the general population get an eyeful ;).
I’ve been to some HB shows at very quiet, secluded, private farms, with zero activity. And you know what? Some of the babies misbehaved anyway. Because they’re babies and young stock, and that’s what they do sometimes.
There was one show a couple of years ago where a young horse who was done showing for the day somehow managed a jailbreak off the trailer in the parking lot, and came running back into the ring without a halter to tour the venue a little more. The bad news was there was another class about to start. The good news was I got to see if his canter was as nice as his trot had been when he showed in hand. (And it was!) His handler said that was more energy than he had seen out of the horse in his entire life.
Eventually he was caught, he was fine, the other horses were fine, nobody got hurt. Sometimes stuff happens, especially with horses.
How very frustrating having someone video you disciplining a horse. No matter the method or the reason some people are always going to scream abuse. I had a 2yo colt rear over the top of me a few months ago and I would have made America’s Most Wanted if anyone had been filming. He was very polite the next day.
