Very tragic thing to happen to anyone of any age at any venue! Everyone deals with grief in different ways and one way is to carry on and do your grieving when you are alone and can punch pillows and cry your eyes out. One can sit around and bemoan fate or one can get up and get going, personal choice and I am sure this kid is dealing the best she can in a way she can.
Just to add… in no way, shape, or form, is the brain of a 15 year old like that of an adult. Science shows that the human brain reaches maturity at 25. A fifteen year old is not an adult, and while perhaps not a child, is certainly not to be expected to behave and react on an adult scale. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=141164708
Very sad for all involved. My condolences to the poor child who had to experience such a traumatic experience. Even though (I hope!) she knows that she didn’t do anything wrong, it’s still horrible to experience.
I wouldn’t have chosen to continue showing that day, BUT I think it was very professional of her to do so. Talented riders like her are like mini-professionals with people counting on her & real commitments. I wouldn’t have faulted her for scratching the whole day, but I find it appalling people are judging her for fulfilling those commitments.
I thought I saw awarding Best Child Rider scheduled for Saturday but haven’t heard anything. I think this kid deserves it.
Lord knows she demonstrated the maturity and sense of responsibility that a life with horses is supposed to bring.
Responsibilities you keep track of even when you’re bleeding and your heart is breaking.
And I’m really tired of the “have a right to express an opinion” rationale for some of the facebook comments. It’s not that you expressed an opinion, it’s how you expressed it! This was no ordinary situation, the whole way around. So bless this kid, the horse and all involved. She reminds us that the horse world is not an easy one and how very few people can actually afford for it be easy.
edited for punctuation and whatnot
Results for best child rider I think are taken from the results of the junior hunter classes/divisions.
1 358 CLEARWAY
BETSEE PARKER VICTORIA COLVIN
2 712 SKYFALL
LINDA LANGMEIER MCKAYLA LANGMEIER
3 593 FERNWAY PARK
DONALD STEWART ASHTON ALEXANDER
4 315 GREAT EXPECTATIONS
LISA DESLAURIERS LUCY DESLAU
The comments about this “child” not being competent enough to make her own decisions are getting pretty annoying and are very disrespectful. Fifteen is hardly a child. This young rider is exhibiting FAR more maturity than several adults, and she is the one person that has the right to be immature and hysterical about it right now.
I realize age is the only edge some people have going for them and it is what they cling to in order to boost their self esteem. Emma is proving the old saying, “it’s not the years it’s the miles,” to be very accurate.
She also could have turned 16 in the last 5 months, she’s not 12 and is a very experienced catch rider. Give her some credit in the maturity department.
Understand she was pretty shook up for a time but chose to carry on after a few hours. Sounds like there was nothing anybody could have done and no fault of anybody’s. Many others might choose to carry on under those circumstances.
Lighten up on her.
BTW, at many shows, you must enter Best Child Rider and wear an armband or something, it’s not automatic. Don’t know how Devon handles it.
I have known Emma Kurtz and her family for many years and in fact, she catch rode ponies for me many times… She is a caring, sensitive person and an excellent rider… Her mother is very smart, very caring and very involved in her daughter’s well-being, while not being overbearing or intrusive in her training… You can rest assured that Emma is getting good guidance and all the love and support she needs from her family, friends and trainers. People that do not know her or her work ethic should refrain from speculation in my opinion. This is a young lady that has worked very hard to get where she is, and she continues to do so. Im so very sorry this tragic situation occured for all involved.
Yeah, I knew it was largely determined by performance in the divisions but it was dimly lurking somewhere in the back of my mind that there were other, abstract considerations at the judges’ discretion – sportsmanship, attitude and so forth.
Whatever the case, I’ve only loosely followed the show world since I’ve been away from it and am only vaguely familiar with who’s who in the junior ranks – but gained a ton of respect for this young lady yesterday. I hope she knows a lot of us are pulling for her from the sidelines.
[QUOTE=arapaloosa_lady;8162817]
Very sad for all involved. My condolences to the poor child who had to experience such a traumatic experience. Even though (I hope!) she knows that she didn’t do anything wrong, it’s still horrible to experience.
I wouldn’t have chosen to continue showing that day, BUT I think it was very professional of her to do so. Talented riders like her are like mini-professionals with people counting on her & real commitments. I wouldn’t have faulted her for scratching the whole day, but I find it appalling people are judging her for fulfilling those commitments.[/QUOTE]
Please know that I am not judging her for continuing to ride. My point is about the position we put these riders in. I was simply surprised that the adults close to the situation - owners, trainers - let her continue. But what you wrote seems to explain it well.
It’s interesting that in your first sentence you describe her as “the poor child”.
Yet go on to say that her decision to ride was “professional” and describe her as a “mini-professional” with commitments and a cadre of adults who are counting on her. Yes, they are counting on her for their BUSINESS, not for doing her evening home work.
I just ask that we listen to ourselves and consider the responsibilities and expectations we put in front of these very young riders.
In her shoes, I probably would have wanted to get back into the ring asap for fear I wouldn’t be able to do it again if I didn’t. How traumatic and terrible for all involved. RIP Cambridge 
[QUOTE=heronponie;8163046]
In her shoes, I probably would have wanted to get back into the ring asap for fear I wouldn’t be able to do it again if I didn’t. How traumatic and terrible for all involved. RIP Cambridge :([/QUOTE]
YEs - I agree wholeheartedly. She needed to get back into that ring, and fortunately had the opportunity to do so.
I remember at Culpeper about 10-15 years ago, a kid’s horse collapsed in the middle of a round - I believe in the middle of a line. Died on the spot. It was horrible for all, especially the child.
There was a lot of scrambling to find the child another horse, and to get it entered into a class in that same ring, so she could go back into the ring ASAP, and not have it haunt her. And I don’t remember anybody judging her for that - just lots of sympathy and love.
I do note that the commenting on the COTH facebook page pretty much disproves the theory that people will act much more civilly and compassionately if you force them to post with their real name. I can’t believe some of what I’m reading there. Really?
^That is one of the reasons I don’t participate I face book.
It is really tough to see a horse die, especially one you know and love. Unfortunately it happens sooner or later to most people who are involved with horses.
My best hugs to the young lady rider, and condolences to the connections of Cambridge.
[QUOTE=heronponie;8163046]
In her shoes, I probably would have wanted to get back into the ring asap for fear I wouldn’t be able to do it again if I didn’t. How traumatic and terrible for all involved. RIP Cambridge :([/QUOTE]
I was also thinking this. This sounds like a very extreme version of getting back on <a> horse…
My thoughts on the horrific things people are saying on the COTH Facebook page:
Unless you personally know Emma, Amanda, Mike, or any of their connections, there is no reason to speculate on the hows and whys. If you are lucky enough to be part of that team, you know each horse at that barn is a family member first and a competitor second. The notion that Amanda and Mike would deliberately put any of their horses and/or riders in danger by drugging is quite honestly laughable. You could tell from the second the horse walked in the ring, head in the air, that he was overly impressed and distracted.
To condemn a child for getting back on another horse, hours later, is despicable. Hopefully you never endure the same tragedy for others to criticize how you grieve, especially at such a young age. To say the adults in her life don’t have her best interest in mind couldn’t be farther from the truth. Emma is no different than any other kid in that barn in that riding accomplishments are secondary to the truly important things in life; safety, health, and happiness being among the top. Emma is wise beyond her years and made her own decision to continue on as a coping strategy. Her ability to compose herself in order to continue showing doesn’t mean she or any of the horse’s connections weren’t completely crushed by the loss.
I am echoing the opinions of those here who applaud Emma’s getting back in the saddle after such a tragedy. Whether we like to admit it or not, equine sports are a business. Why else would people buy and sell as their needs change rather than keep a horse forever no matter what as one would a puppy?
Emma is an outstanding rider with a rare talent that assures that she has an equestrian career ahead of her should she so choose. It was imperative that she get back on and continue to show - the damage done to her now and to her potential future would have been profound had she been allow to dwell in the moment. Also, if she learned to fear or dread the ring, she could put herself directly in harm’s way.
It was in no way heartless of her or irresponsible of the adults around her to have Emma carry on - it was what was needed to get through. Shame on you that are judging her so harshly.
Yes, I agree that the old adage “When you fall off a horse, the best thing to do is to get right back on” applies here.
Many of us have seen the video of Hickstead, but how many remember the tragedy of Buddy Brown and Sandsablaze? This was a horse that Buddy rode in the junior hunters, equitation (winning the Medal finals at age 15?) and then all the way up to representing the USA at the Olympics .
Sandsablaze and Buddy were in a class (Grand Prix?) and Sandsablaze took off at a big oxer, suffered a heart attack/aneurism and was dead when he hit the ground. It was horrible and was the talk of the show world for several years. [There is a book about Buddy and Sandsablaze which might be very good reading since it is all about their partnership and success on the world stage.]
Only the autopsy will tell, but it sounds like the same thing might have happened to Cambridge just as he was taking off.
People who are saying (on FB) that he was still alive because his legs were still moving when he was on the ground must not have seen a horse euthanized. They will often have residuary motor reflexes even after they go down. It does not mean they are “still alive”, but are in “death throes” (violent muscle spasms as the body is shutting down).
Sorry if this is TMI for some people.
[QUOTE=Lord Helpus;8163179]
Yes, I agree that the old adage “When you fall off a horse, the best thing to do is to get right back on” applies here.
Many of us have seen the video of Hickstead, but how many remember the tragedy of Buddy Brown and Sandsablaze? This was a horse that Buddy rode in the junior hunters, equitation (winning the Medal finals at age 15?) and then all the way up to representing the USA at the Olympics .
Sandsablaze and Buddy were in a class (Grand Prix?) and Sandsablaze took off at a big oxer, suffered a heart attack/aneurism and was dead when he hit the ground. It was horrible and was the talk of the show world for several years. [There is a book about Buddy and Sandsablaze which might be very good reading since it is all about their partnership and success on the world stage.]
Only the autopsy will tell, but it sounds like the same thing might have happened to Cambridge just as he was taking off.
People who are saying (on FB) that he was still alive because his legs were still moving when he was on the ground must not have seen a horse euthanized. They will often have residuary motor reflexes even after they go down. It does not mean they are “still alive”, but are in “death throes” (violent muscle spasms as the body is shutting down).
Sorry if this is TMI for some people.[/QUOTE]
If I remember correctly, Hickstead exhibited those same “death throes”. He was most assuredly dead when he hit the ground.
My condolences to all of Emma and Cambridge’s connections. I’m sure those intimately involved are making the best choices for both the rider and her other mounts.
I spoke to the show vet personally at Devon today and she confirmed it was a broken neck. :no:
I hate that people are using this as a venue for why we shouldn’t have horse shows, or shouldn’t jump horses, or their general complaints about the show circuit. Tragedies happen whether a horse is bubble wrapped in impeccable conditions or whether they’re cantering on a trail or jumping around at a horse show. I think it was well-phrased on another thread about a horse passing “It’s just all a big suck, no matter how they decide to leave.”
Huge, huge condolences to the rider and everyone else involved.
