Even the best riders can have things go wrong as seen in this video.
Guy has some injuries and it appears his horse is okay. On his FB page he posted updates (including the latest one that his horse is okay) and what he think happened.
Excerpt from FB page:
After an overwhelming display of thoughtful wishes and caring thoughts sent to me and my dearest friend ‘Spinabbey’ this evening after an unfortunate incident at Equine Affair, I sincerely want to set everyone’s minds at ease and thank you all for your prayers and kind wishes. My Mr incredible ‘Spinabbey’ and I were all prepared for an amazing Saturday night performance and after last nights standing ovation we had a lot to live up to. The crowd was pumping, Spinabbey was ready (like he always is) and we burst into the arena to the soundtrack of the ‘Brumby Chase’ in my Favourite movie of all time ‘The Man from Snowy River’. My plan was to gallop around my end corner of the main arena (Stockwhip a whirling) turn left on the diagonal and gallop to the far corner wall before breaking away at the last second with one almighty crack of the ‘Stockman’s voice’ before continuing down along the fence at full speed and circling up into a canter spin before addressing the crowd and joining my equine team members for the ‘Brumby Chase’. It all happened so quick and I have wracked my brain for the last three hours trying to remember what happened. ‘Spinabbey’ is now and has always been the most incredible equine athlete I have ever ridden and his physical abilities have only ever been surpassed by his complete commitment to the moment and an extreme courage and desire to please me that defies logic itself. I have often felt and even been known to say that “Spinabbey’ would run through a brick wall if I asked” and tonight he proved me correct in the most stunning way possible. As we galloped to the corner, I can remember my dear friend doing an unplanned flying change to the right and by the time I rethought my actions and looked left again and tried to turn out of it, he had changed straight back and for a split second, I was staring straight at the wall and ‘Spinabbey’ (committed to the bitter end) gave actions that said to me “If you say so Dad, the wall it is”. It happened in the blink of an eye and I was just able to turn him left just enough for his powerful side to take the brunt of the impact and this action caused us to hit the wall high up and as his wonderful frame continued its course along the High boundary, I continued my path to the other side of the wall and the concrete floor below.
It is extremely important for me that you all know that I would never put any of my beloved equine family in harms way on purpose and as I lay on the ground on the other side of the wall (with wonderful caregivers surrounding me) my mind went straight to my dear friend and my heart ached that I may have caused him harm. My Dear wife Emily, red faced with tears streaming down her pretty face, called our precious boy to her and as he returned to her at the trot (seemingly completely unharmed) she said he looked at her as if to say “Where’s Dad, is he alright?”. My adrenalin was through the roof and all I wanted to do was check on my dearest friend, find he was perfectly alright and return to the arena and finish what we started but common sense and many caring and concerned faces stopped me doing so. As I walked to the ambulance with a large lump on my shoulder and one in my mouth just as big, with a kind ambulance officer on each side, I had to pass Spinab to get to the waiting van. He looked at me with the deepest and kindest eyes I have ever seen looking back at me and in our caring embrace I felt equalled emotions from both of us that echoed “I’m so sorry my dearest friend, I love you dearly and I’ll see you soon” My dear friends Hannah and Chelsea returned my precious boy to his stall and too many kind wishers to count ensured that all of the team were bedded down safe and sound. ‘Spinab’ was given a clear bill of help from the wonderful vet on site and and received double the ration of food then normal and from my asking, was told how much his Dad loved him and that would be with him soon.
I must sincerely thank everyone involved from the amazing staff at this world class event to many beautiful hearts who have reached out in many wonderful ways and as I type this from my Hotel bed with a clear bill of health other than a separated shoulder that was explained to us as damaged ligaments and a stretched ACL, I have hoped to convey my sincere feelings of one very eventful evening and I think that I may even wear my shirt tomorrow that reads “Living on the edge is dangerous but the views from there are Breathtaking”
So as I try to get some rest tonight in my endeavor to take some part in tomorrow’s final day of one of my favourite events worldwide, I want to thank you all for caring so much about my dearest mate and I and I sincerely want to put these wishes and feelings out to my comrade in arms before being with him once more in the morning.
“Spinabbey’, my dearest mate, you have always been my hero, my one in a billion, my Super Horse that could fly and tonight my legendary soulmate, you almost did just that. I want you to know that I would lay my life down for you and tonight I felt the same from the boldest heart I have ever known and this evenings actions only make me love and appreciate you more than ever and I cannot wait to hold your noble head in my arms in the morning and tell you how proud I am of the man you’ve become. My idol, my friend my Spinabbey”
