Maryland 5*

[StormyDay]

They definitely had water filling stations last year. I believe it was sponsored and the first few hundred people also got a free water bottle too.

[Djones]

@NeedsAdvil

We saw Boyd walking around after fall #1 near the warm up area and he was limping pretty good and seemed to be trying to walk it off. I heard from a volunteer that he lost consciousness after that fall but recovered well. I was surprised they let him continue. Then I saw the 2nd fall from behind at a distance and it appeared rotational but we quickly saw Commando up and trotting around and appeared to be sound.

This is where the allegations of Boyd losing consciousness came from. This is a game of telephone from the start. I do not say that to zing @NeedsAdvil at all, not one bit- but from the start we don’t know that this is accurate.

[Jealoushe]

Yes which I thought the conversation was more of a “if he lost consciousness” more than a “he did…”. I don’t think anyone is judging or criticizing.

I think it’s an important conversation we have, doesn’t have to necessarily involved Boyd but it would also be nice to know for interests sake on what the protocol is for return to the saddle if a rider hits their head.

[Marigold]

@Willesdon

I thought it to be a good five star course, from watching online (which certainly is never the same as walking a live event). 5* is supposed to be the ultimate test. Times past, horses would do one competition at this level and that was the pinnacle of their career. Now we have horses winning multiple 5* which says a lot about vet care, nutrition, course design etc - all the unseen things, as well as relentless hard work, that underpin a great cross country run. I suggest that the lack of runners indicates a worrying lack of depth in American and Canadian Eventing: there are just not enough riders able to run at this level. Without the European-based riders it would have been a non-event. There were plenty of runners in the 3*.

I agree with all of this (as a North American). The international entries were comparable with Kentucky in terms of quantity, and frankly it was a higher quality international field than I’ve seen in the US for a long time - very exciting.

It was the North Americans who stayed away. Perhaps rightly, knowing their horses and given the day, but if we ever want to learn to compete with the best of the best we need to learn to ride these courses. We said we wanted another 5* so that we could do that. Now we need to actually show up and learn.

[Bonnie2]

And I’m just going to throw this in the mix. The administration- FEI, Md Sports Authority, Mars, Brown - is all about no bad pictures. This is stated policy. If the medical staff that examined Boyd thought he was concussed or for any reason shouldn’t ride there is no possibility that he could talk them out of it. Commando hit the fence and Boyd fell off. That could have happened regardless. Don’t like Boyd? Fine, you’re entitled. Don’t like some of the decisions he makes? Yeah, me neither. But could we please stick to the facts and not make diagnoses from an overheard comment by a spectator.

[NeedsAdvil]

Yes I apologize, I was not trying to spread any misinformation, just passing along what we were told by what we thought were reliable sources.

[Live_Wire]

@FrittSkritt

Of course there’s no concussion protocol in FEI like other sports… you only get one brain, but I guess some people ignored that memo.

@FitToBeTied

aren’t riders conditioning their horses?

@FitToBeTied

They know what the course is like, it was not the debut season for the event.

These aren’t the type of comments that foster a constructive conversation. To claim there isn’t a process implemented to protect horse and rider health and safety doesn’t shine a good light on our sport or our organization. If you don’t know, ask, don’t spread false information with a smug comment. If you think an overwhelming amount of horses look tired, exercise some curiosity before presuming it was rider irresponsibility.

[TheJenners]

@skipollo

IMG_82583024×4032 3.74 MB

oooOOOOOOOooooooooo… are they… are they BROWN??

[risuenaVT]

Thank you for this. I had wondered if there was a concussion policy. And there is, and from my cursory, layman’s POV, it seems pretty comprehensive. And I am glad it exists and I hope it is something that all FEI events take seriously (I hope non-FEI events also take it seriously).

[skipollo]

They are I’ve been dreaming of brown boots for years and finally did it.

[Live_Wire]

Of course. Over the past several years, rider safety has become paramount. There were no less than five officials at some capacity there to evaluate him. He willingly withdrew Barney and afterwards a medical professional observed him while he schooled Thomas. He walked the first line in a four and his horse had a green moment and added a step resulting in an unfortunate fall. Conner didn’t read the width of the over in the 5*. Light played a major factor this weekend. I’d personally rather go cross country on a rainy day as opposed to what we had on Saturday.

[kaya842]

Which boots are those?! The brown is so pretty!!

[FrittSkritt]

I should have anticipated the number of Boyd fangirls on the forums and Facebook would jump all over me. If he had lost consciousness - and no one seems to know for sure - he absolutely should have been taken to a hospital and given a CT scan. But some people here apparently live in Boyd’s head and knows what he’s thinking, but whatever.

Considering he’s had multiple concussions over the course of his lifetime, it’s probably a good idea to play it safe… but there’s no forcing anyone to do anything with FEI rules.

[TheJenners]

@kaya842

Which boots are those?! The brown is so pretty!!

I have the same question @skipollo Not that they will fit me, but I can dream.

[Live_Wire]

He’s had five.

I’m not a fan girl but for the sake of having a productive conversation you should present facts and not opinions.

[Djones]

@FrittSkritt

Considering he’s had multiple concussions over the course of his lifetime, it’s probably a good idea to play it safe… but there’s no forcing anyone to do anything with FEI rules.

Did you get the memo about snark?

[FrittSkritt]

No, but it reminded me to renew the ignore feature on your handle!

[FrittSkritt]

Fact: 5 concussions over a lifetime is not something to brush off.

[Live_Wire]

…Which is why he was evaluated by trained medical professionals.

[Djones]

@FrittSkritt

No, but it reminded me to renew the ignore expiration on your handle!

I’m so glad to be of service!!