Anyone at Terranova today? Jessie Phoenix had two falls (Wabbit and Obeah Dancer) and I’m wondering what happened
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Wondering also why so many Horse Falls? What a wretched day for too many horses and riders. The upper levels results page has many more letters than numbers. This isn’t a positive reflection of efforts towards a safer sport.
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At least for Wabbit, I know she fell at the coffin. The horse didn’t see the jump out and either stopped or deaked out (I think it was the same for the Obeah Dancer horse as well). I think the coffin was quite difficult
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Agree with this, not a good look. We can say “not a good day on paper” but with the numbers they had (which were great for a newer event) this should not be the case 
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Is there somewhere to watch a replay of XC? The Terranova website looks to have only Prelim and below
USEF Network has it on CMH.
Wabbit refused at 6a, Jessica took the longer route and Wabbit then stopped and activated the pin at 6c where Jessica went over his shoulder.
He looked unenthusiastic pretty early on.
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Three horse falls in total. Two in the 4L and one in the 4S.
Yes 3 horse falls out of 26 horses that started at the 4L and 4S combined. 3 pins luckily were set off. Could have been an even worse result for horse falls. Glad they helped.
I’m curious having not looked at the entry list in detail, do you take into account the experience level of the field when reviewing HF/errors.
Even from my experience, I had a new horse at the 3*** level. Had we qualified for the long, I would have opted for Terranova versus Maryland for his first, flatter ground, considered less beefy. And as such, strictly from an experience level we likely have a higher % for error than someone with more experience.
I would assume that there are two FEI groups heading to Terranova: those that are so close, it makes most budget/sense to attend this event and those with horses slightly less experience at the level wanting a slightly less difficult course than Maryland/Morven. (I’m not saying the second group isn’t able, but when you are looking for MERs I think it’s consistent thinking that when planning your schedule there are courses you prefer for a newer horse at the level than others) Therefore from a horse experience level, perhaps you can assume that a horse with less experience (or rider) has a higher likelihood of error.
If we had the top horses at Morven compete on this course, would the results have the same % of falls ? I don’t know. I think it’s an aspect you can add into the mix.
I do think this differentiation would come to light at the upper-levels more-so than lower. At the 2** level I would assume entries are primarily from proximity to the event, but at the 3 and 4**** levels riders more strategic and willing to travel for the right event. So, if this event is considered less difficult than another, I would assume the same riders/horses preferring the less difficult option would come here. (Now, after seeing the results from this event, one may now not assume one is less difficult than the other… so next year you may , (we don’t have tons of numbers so seeing shifts is probably harder to pinpoint) you may see a shift.
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Terranova is pretty flat; the questions have to make up for the significant lack of terrain.
IIRC tables and other visually boxy fences are a mainstay at Terranova. Those fence styles historically have a higher HF rate.
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They have everything up on their Vimeo channel as well to rewatch. https://vimeo.com/user155208456
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Thanks!!
Do upper level horses not get winter breaks anymore? She rode Wabbit in the Maryland 5* and retired at the coffin there. I realize he didn’t complete the course, but I would think that most who aimed for that 5* were doing it as their last event of the season.
I think much less than they used to, with a winter circuit available in the South.
@beowulf Because of the historic level of horse falls, the design of table faces has been modified to include a clear ground line and a slightly sloping profile to ensure the horse can judge the width of the jump (the FEI design guidence is available online). As a result, falls at such fences have been considerably reduced at FEI and BE competitions. As a result, riders now consider a table to be “a galloping fence” and no longer a fearsome thing to treat with caution - but they are nonetheless a safer obstacle than they once were. I presume this show followed best practice.
I’m sure that was the original plan and that if she’d completed at Maryland she wouldn’t have run him at Terranova. Everyone likes to finish the season on a number if possible.
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Likely trying get a 4L qualification in while he’s fit and ready.
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