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Grand Prix ring oopses(?)
A refusal

Not quite enough height

Same here

and here.

Beginnings of a complete wipeout of a jump

The horse was brought under control. The rider, her mother,
a medical person and the trainer happened to meet near me. The
rider was frustrated; the third attempt in this ring, the third
time on the ground. The medical person looked her over and told
the mother what symptoms to watch for. The trainer basically said
"you wanted to ride in this ring; if you want to continue and if you're
not hurt, put a clean shirt on and get the next horse."

One would expect this rider to be on the ground shortly,
but somehow he regained control and completed the course.

A problem with the jump must have resulted in a slight injury or a loose shoe.
The horse doesn't seem to be worried.

Due to the size of these horses, a dismounted rider's way out
is to pull her helmet over her eyes and lead the horse out.

Another refusal, the horse must have spotted something spooky

I overheard someone say that the horse doesn't make mistakes, the
rider does.
After making a mistake and being dismounted, this rider must be
apologizing to her horse.

Click HERE to return to Gulf Coast Winter Classic 2009 index