Interesting indeed, I have seen photos of the stop and his subsequent fall (rider fall) onto the jump, but the photos stop there.
In other news very very pleased Senior Senator and his jockey are alright, that was the scary fall of the day!
A bit of rumor control. Yes, Baumgartner broke her, rather minor fracture back. But that was at the Green Spring Point To Point.
She did not break anything the other day. She galloped 3 this morning. Nor did the rider of the 12 horse, De Chera who was ridden by Baumgartner. A "pick up " ride when the horse she was named on Imperial Way was scratched.
The above is direct from the “rider’s mouth”. Bethany told me the rider of one of the other fallers, Casey Pinkard on the #1 horses Terko Service was banged up a bit and was taken to the hospital as a matter of course. But hand’t heard that she broke anything as of today.
I can’t remember when a rider or horse was seriously hurt in the race. A horse of the late great Tom Voss was fatally injured in a freak paddock accident a few years ago. Flipped in the paddock and fractured his skull.
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I haven’t read or heard directly but I assume there will be a Stewards inquiry. If any action is taken it will be posted on the NSA’s website in the near future. It will be on the links to “Official Notices”
The jock is a friend of mine. A good guy but very bad form on his part. IMO out of character. He didn’t really “punch” the horse. But bad form nether the less. Especially because there are a LOT of fans, spectators around that area of the course. Easily blown way out of proportion. Not making excuses nor condoning. “Heat of the moment” reaction. I am sure he REALLY regrets his actions.
Did you mean “very very please” as in “please don’t let them have been hurt”? Or “very very PLEASED” they weren’t hurt? Because I have been Googling Senior Senator this morning to see if he and his rider are OK after the fall and I’m not finding anything, so I came here to COTH.
I don’t like “alternative” typing when facts are so important! 
Both hopped right up and walked off the course from what I could see (at a distance). Word has been that they are indeed ok. I am “pleased” (with a D, now corrected) that they are ok.
A few years ago, I walked the course with trainer A. Murphey and she said that of all the jumps, that tiny one was the one to ride. She wasn’t sure if it was because of the water or its smallness, but it has a history of stumping some great jumping horses.
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Saw Casey Saturday night. She doesn’t have a broken collarbone. She damaged a ligament up by the shoulder/collar bone but there were no breaks on her xrays… That was straight from her mouth.
Emily
I hope that is good news, a damaged ligament sounds painful. That horse is cute, jumped in nice form before her fall. Edit: at least I got the right body part!
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In other Hunt Cup curiosity, can anyone tell me how long Gonzague Cottreau has been over here? The NSA website doesn’t have a look up option to see someone’s record.
And check out 2nd place jockey Hadden Frost jumping a course bitless and bareback for charity! https://www.facebook.com/grovefarmequestrian/photos/pcb.1496206790389843/1496206610389861/?type=3&theater
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Ha! I hope you know that my statement regarded the disconnect between the The Baltimore Sun saying that all came back ok and without injuries and Laurie saying otherwise. Yes I have broken my wrist and radial head of my arm/elbow from riding or rather from an unexpected dismount.
The formal video release of the race: https://vimeo.com/215465296
Cottreau came over strictly for this race.
I believe he’s already gone back to France.
He rides beautifully - he rode at Middleburg Hunt Point to Point on Sunday.
The two finishers by far have the most racing experience. Neither had ever ridden the Hunt Cup nor at all, or extensively, in the U.S. Not sure if they are true amateurs (as in, work in an office except racing on weekends - seriously doubt it) but regardless, they both ride like pros.
Neither Haden or Gonzague are true amateurs in the sense that they have non-horse related jobs outside of / besides racing. That aside, having ridden in with Haden at the Manor races and been 3rd behind Gonzague in 2nd over hurdles at Middleburg on Sunday, I can say they are both excellent riders and a pleasure to be in with.
Roger that, Bug boy. I don’t want to draw attention to the amateur status of anybody, but you only have to look at the skills to see that they’re superb riders.
Edited my earlier post: the final "Steward’s Report" for the Maryland Hunt Cup is not yet published; see an example below with the level of detail for M’burg Spring Race
http://www.nationalsteeplechase.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Middleburgspring2017.pdf
What was published today (NSA Official Notices for Tuesday, May 2, 2017) had no notes related to the MD Hunt Cup.
Does that matter though? I thought NSA Amateurs were not allowed payment for riding in a race, but were allowed to school horses for money. Rather different than USEF rules.
I saw Gonzague ride in the Grand National and was throughly impressed.
“Very interesting”
I checked out the "the office notice"earlier today. Didn’t see/find “your” link. Only this one:
http://www.nationalsteeplechase.com/…May-2-2017.pdf
Where did you find it? "m not the sharpest tack in the internet box. But having “surfed” the net since the early 90s I’m not exactly a newbie.
Of course ‘it doesn’t matter’ with regards to amateur status - never has, never will because it never can.
I’m not saying they’re not ‘real’ amateurs, not at all. I’m saying Cottreau and Frost could ride as professionals. They’re that skilled.
American steeplechasing is no longer a sport in which real, honest to goodness amateurs (my dad Charlie Burke was one, George Strawbridge another) could have a career, gallop a horse or 2 before work, hunt on weekends and ride a few races - safely - during the spring season.
These days the horses are too good and the competition is too stiff. Money’s what did it.
Gumtree - the stewards report being public is BRAND new and good on NSA for finally having a bit of transparency. You find reports listed as ‘results and stewards reports.’ They don’t get them up quickly but they’re good reading when they do.
And I fully agree with HR that the level of review and commentary is a benefit for all. Great transparency on the part of the NSA to show where rider, horse and/or even course had something notable for further review or correction. If anyone thinks horses are just run willy-silly in jump racing they would be dead wrong.
Thanks to both of you. After looking around I found it. It can also be found at the top of the page in the drop-down box that opens under “The NSA” on the right under “Racing Details”. I was told they have been doing this for a while. But not that long.
I “aged out” for my Jock’s license a few years ago. I got a few “lectures” from the Stewards a couple of times. The NSA’s head Steward at the time was my cousin so he didn’t take me to the wood shed.
I have always just clicked on Results on the right side of the page. Which doesn’t include Steward’s Reports for some reason.
Personally I think the NSA website is lacking. Boring hard to navigate and I have told them so.
