@Gestalt Agreed! There were many comments on Facebook about how the ground staff was asleep at the wheel. That poor jockey was lodged quite tightly. Also agreed that the horse may have been fatigued but still I think he deserves major points for saintliness anyway, since even a tired horse can bolt. He was like a statue. If I lived in the UK, when his racing career ended, I’d be first in line to give him a second home. And yes, the jockey who assisted was incredible. I know that falls are part of the business but still being able to be that quick-thinking after taking a hard tumble deserves commendation.
Thank you, Hunters Rest, for explaining that. Most of the US horses I have seen running here in the UK do seem to be fast as possible out of the stalls.
That fall could have been really nasty! Fortunately the horse looked to humans to get him out of trouble.
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Totally off topic but I remember seeing a cowboy that was in the same predicament. Upside down with a foot caught in the stirrup. He twisted himself towards the horse and slid out of his boot. It was crazy scary! I kept hoping the horse wouldn’t kick him or bolt.
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Yes, it could have. The horse was a SAINT for just standing there. I doubt the horse was “out of breath”. Might have had the “breath” knocked out him and or a bit out of his “senses” after the tumble. There have seen numerous times when a horse takes a good tumble, jump racing or other disciplines the horse can and does get the “wind” knocked out them. No different than human. They lay there looking like the dead. Or get up “bewildered”. Just like a lot of us. Coming off a horse, bike, skis, etc. lol.
I got bobbled off in a Timber race 3 from home and looking’feeling like an easy winner. Had visions of my first win picture as a jockey instead of paying attention to the business at hand, lol.
We were in front by many. My horse was in FULL race mode. My head getting repeatedly smacked by his hind leg. My only worry at the time, that I distinctly remember is not wanting to get dragged over the next fence. These are large, solid upright fences, no padding, no bush, up and over or through. I figured it had to hurt more than my head.
Didn’t think I was hung up very long until I watched the race replay several months later. Didn’t think I got knocked out either. Thought I came loose and got right up. “So, WTF was my wife so upset” , lol.
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IMO there is not a lot to compare between Timber Horses and hurdle horses. Esp American hurdle racing. As far as the the horses and the start in Europe one needs to understand the vast majority of the horses are National Hunt bred, broke and trained to be “jumpers”. From last cover to the “drop of the flag”. “National Hunt” racing is bigger, more popular than flat racing over there. These horses are pros. They are bred and trained to pros over jumps. From the start to the finish.
In this country it is a “niche” sport. 99.9% of Steeplechase horses, Timber or Hurdle are ex-flat horses. In recent years a few owners with deep pockets have been going to Europe to buy 2nd, and 3rd string jumpers to bring here and run for the few big hurdle races with very large purses. It has worked out well. Some winning enough to justify the purchase price. Which are the ones’ we read about. There have been plenty that didn’t come close to working out. A couple of recent purchases that were run over Timber because they weren’t worth a damn over hurdles. But have done very well over Timber. But I promise you they are the exception to the rule.
For me and my very limited over the hill race riding, Going to the start and keeping the horse in hand, lining up being ready for the flag drop was more difficult, taxing and exhausting then the race at times, lol.
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Maryland Hunt 2017, this link was posted in one of the eventing threads. I must confess to being bored of watching after about 4 minutes. Round and round the field jumping board fences. Would have been fun riding :yes:, but I’m taking this race off my bucket list of things to see.
One of the grays was hard to handle before race start, but most of the others looked very nice. There’s nothing like a Thoroughbred. So much beauty in one place.
I take it the fallen jockeys are not permitted to remount? One jockey on a grey seemed to be trying to stay on the fence and get back on board but gave up once his feet hit the ground.
One goes to the Hunt Cup to party and be seen.
Will. - Jockeys used to be allowed to remount and continue (from where they fell/came off; could have assistance to remount) but no longer. Too much risk of adreneleine masking injury/concussion/etc. I’m sure there are a few ‘horse wheels left before the start and rider comes off on his feet’ that are allowed to remount, but not during a race any longer. That’s been policy for 10+ years.
@Hunter’s Rest that is good to know. We’ve all probably been in that situation. You don’t know if you’re injured or not, adrenaline can keep you going, and head trauma sometimes can take a bit to become obvious.
The same can hold true for the horse!
As Hunter’s Rest said. Personally and most of us old guys think it is BS. The jocks aren’t children. Should be treated as adults and the last time I checked adults can, should be allowed to make their choices in life. I have taken some real “crowd pleaser” falls. That don’t hurt nearly what they look like from the sidelines.
One of my best friends and former brother inlaw Billy Meister fell, came off about 5 from home. Remounted and won the Hunt Cup. Other races also. Remounting was part of the sport since the beginning. A lot of riders in the Hunt Cup get tossed. One of these years since the rule was changed there is going to be a good chance no one will finish. I guess they will have to have a “do-over”? lol.
Billy Miester is one of the few if only trainers who’s barn is mainly full of only Timber Horses. Retired from riding now but rode in it more than 20 times. Almost became the all time most wins rider. Has trained many winners of it. Hoping to beat his, mine and most of us in the sport Hunt Cup idol the late great Mikey Smithwicks record.
I understand the reasons behind the rule change. Lawyers, the new mind set of “adults”. There is just too much liability for the race organizers and the governing body the NSA (National Steeplechase Association)
The NSA carries a $1,000,0000 policy. Not cheap. They also instituted a “concussion test” as part of he jock licensing processing a few years ago. Before flat racing did the same. It’s basically a series of questions and answers. That are kept on file and taken to the race meets. When you come off, the race meet’s"doctor" asks the sames questions and sees how well, fast your answer. Like who’s your grandmother, what is the name of your first dog? When did you loose your virginity and with who? Just kidding on the last one, lol.
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@gumtree That’s really interesting! As you probably know, in US eventing, a rider fall is an automatic elimination except at the Beginner Novice/Novice level if a rider happens to fall off AND land on her feet but with a fairly significant amount of penalties. So no real chance of winning, mainly it’s relevant for unhurt riders to just finish up to get the experience. I can see how in a race like the Hunt Cup, which is at such high speed and which results in so many falls, how it might be possible to get back on and still win. But all the more reason, given that temptation, to have the rule–sadly, a person with a concussion is often the worst person to judge whether he or she is fit to get up and go again.
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I hope this isn’t too cheesy, and just as a bit of follow-up and thanks–as some of you know, I’m a novelist as well as a COTHer and I just released the latest book in my series–which focuses on the sport of timber racing and how some eventers have used it to sharpen their skill set cross-country.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GR3X4CS
Although we all joke about the COTH forums, and how people rush to them for advice, in this instance, without everyone’s input, there is no way I could have written this book. The leads people gave me were invaluable, and Patrick Smithwick’s award-winning memoir Flying Change was particularly useful. It’s the story of how he came back as a jump jockey late in life to ride in the Hunt Cup and includes minute, fence-by-fence analysis of the famous race. If fiction isn’t your thing (and even if it is), I’d highly recommend reading his work. He’s an accomplished author and rider.
OOoooh! I’d like to do an author profile and an interview and a book review for my newspaper and a magazine for an International Gold Cup special section. Can you contact me - betsyburkeparker@gmail.com
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I’d be delighted! I’ll send you an email!
