Here’s another wacky bridle mishap that had a happy ending.
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Wow that was beautifully ridden before and after the mishap!
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That is a master class in riding the horse forward into the bridle. The connection of the rider’s hand, and the horse’s participation in the contact, kept the bit in his mouth.
For those who didn’t catch it on the jumbotron, that’s Gregory Walthelet and Conrad.
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Wow, that was amazing!! Such skilled riding, and such calm under pressure!
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What is interesting to me is that it looks like GW didn’t even notice that the bridle had slipped off until he finished his round. I don’t know if that’s true, or if he just kept his cool.
Two things funny in that video.
Horse is going to the jumps with confidence but gives a side eye to the timer thing that was on the ground.
And, the horse gently flipping his head with the bonnet swinging round, almost asking, “ok, what weird training exercise is this?”
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I have always loved that Richard Spooner moment. I was always taught that when in doubt, let the horse work it out. You may not have the best jump, but you’re more likely to make it out alive if you’re not interfering with the horse using themselves. Of course, every instinct says not to let go… so it’s easier said than done.
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And “Why are we trying this in the show ring instead of at home?!?” Lol.
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Oh, he knew.
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Interesting contrast detail – GW’s bridle slid straight off and the reins were still on either side of the horse’s neck. The few times I’ve seen this happen the horse seems to understand the rein guidance even without the bridle.
CS didn’t even have that! Somehow a rein broke or something? The bridle and reins are off to the side, nothing is around the horse’s neck. He was using the breastplate to fairly good effect. But not nearly so much control.
Throatlatch, y’all. 
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I like how the rider took the blame. I also cringed at the jump photo. Whew, that was close to putting a foot in there and tearing the bit straight down!
The same thing happened at the Olympics. I think it was 1992, one of the German riders (maybe a Beerbaum?). It was a hackamore also.
Anyone have a better memory than me?
I think McLain had the bit break on Sapphire at the Olympics at one point. Maybe in the individual round? As in, the actual bit itself fell apart in her mouth. Very unfortunate timing, to say the least.
I’ve seen just a few people over the years ride and show with just the bit. No headstall at all.
It’s not something I would ever want to try, but the horses seemed to figure it out in those specific cases.
Generally in those cases they’re using one of the leather bits that attaches under the jaw like this to help it stay in place:
It’s entirely possible that some of them are using something else, but all the ones I’ve seen were using the extra strap, so not quite as risky as just holding the bit with rein contact.
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Yes, it was Ludger on Classic Touch on the first day, trying out a new hackamore. He had to bail out eventually. It was extremely hair-raising. But going on to win gold took the sting out of it somewhat.
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Happened to someone I know at WEC last year in the Stadium schooling ring and sent her to the hospital with a severe concussion. It’s a hard lesson in checking your tack and proper fitting tack. Her issue was a broken hackamore, I believe… and it’s cost her a ton in terms of recovery.
The more I see these… the more I’m gravitating towards a safety vest. Just too many variables and too easy to be a lawn dart. Footing doesn’t bounce the way it used to when it was sand arenas and the probability of injury as I get older is just too great not to consider one.
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Wait.
He was trying out a new bridle… at the Olympics?!?
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While we’re pulling out old videos, this is the one I remember. It looked like the bit popped right out of his mouth, but I’m looking at the video on my phone, so I won’t swear to it. That was a crazy episode, for sure.
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The bit stayed in the horse’s mouth just fine. There was no bridle there to come off.
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