See Why This Is The Most Dangerous Sport For Men & Women And Horses

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I got the chance to make a prime time television documentary for the USET, the United States Equestrian Team, in the late 1980s at events where great horseback riders were competing to become part of the American Olympic team. Equestrian sports at the Olympic level are highly challenging and competitive as they represent the pinnacle of the sport, showcasing the world's best riders and horses. There are three main equestrian disciplines: Dressage, Eventing (three-day event), and Show Jumping.
The 3-day endurance competition is considered the toughest equestrian sport due to its demanding nature and the diverse skill sets required of both horse and rider. This sport consists of three phases: dressage, show jumping and cross country which is shown in this clip.
Cross-country is considered the most demanding phase of the event. Riders must navigate a course of natural and man-made obstacles, such as water jumps, ditches, and banks, over several miles within a set time. The cross-country phase requires endurance, speed, agility, and a strong partnership between horse and rider. They must also make split-second decisions to negotiate obstacles safely and efficiently.
During the cross-country phase of the three-day endurance competition (Eventing) the risk of injury for both horse and rider is higher compared to the other phases.
Riders need to complete the course at a high speed, navigating various types of terrain and obstacles. The complexity of the course, combined with the speed required to meet the optimum time, increases the likelihood of falls and injuries.
Cross-country courses also feature a wide range of obstacles, such as water jumps, ditches, banks, and combinations. Some of these obstacles are designed to test the horse and rider's courage, skill, and partnership. When attempting these difficult jumps, errors in judgment or execution can lead to accidents.
The cross-country phase is physically demanding for both horse and rider. As the course progresses, fatigue can set in, affecting the performance and decision-making abilities of the rider and the horse, increasing the risk of injury.
Weather and ground conditions can also impact the risk of injury during the cross-country phase. Slippery or uneven footing can lead to falls, while hot and humid conditions can exacerbate fatigue and affect performance.
To compete at the Olympic level, riders and horses must maintain peak physical fitness and mental sharpness. They must also have a comprehensive training program that focuses on all aspects of their discipline, including technical skills, strength, endurance, and mental preparation.
A study by the Equine Veterinary Journal (EJCAP) analyzed 1,591 horse falls in Eventing and found that 67% of these falls occurred during the cross-country phase, with 47% of those falls resulting in horse and/or rider injuries.
Filming such incredible athleticism by men and women and horses of course, was absolutely thrilling. I was shocked by the danger in the injuries sustained in the fact that the athletes kept on going! Although I am not a horseback rider myself I found these athletes and their ability to articulate why horses are so magnificent, wonderful storytellers.
I post this video today so that all of you who feel similarly can enjoy what they said and how they said it. Horses are God's creatures for sure.

Опубликовано:

8 авг 2023

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Комментарии : 289

@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker 11 месяцев назад

Here is the complete documentary this clip is from - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-iuO4BgAySeg.html

@recklessheartranch 11 месяцев назад

This is old. This is the "long format" which isn't done in America anymore. So no Road/Tracks or Steeple Chase. You can also tell by the outfits/saddles, etc. Most riders DO wear safety vests now, among other things. For instance the red-haired guy who is speaking is Jim Wofford who rode back in the '70s...maybe '80s. He died of cancer last year....he was in his early 70's I believe. So this is interesting from a historical view of the sport, but much has changed since then and isn't really that accurate anymore. You should put this disclaimer.

@TheRaspberry82 11 месяцев назад

Thank You!

@fleetskipper1810 11 месяцев назад

@@recklessheartranchI totally agree with your statements. I currently fence judge for the highest level of the sport of three-day eventing, and you are correct on every point.- the sport is incredibly safer now than it was 40 years ago, which is the time period from which these video clips are taken. The shorter format, state-of-the-art safety gear for both riders and horses, less imposing cross-country jumps, different speed and safety standards, increased monitoring by officials, as well as cross-country jumps that are designed to collapse on impact rather than cause horse or rider falls- all of these things have contributed to far fewer injuries or fatalities to both horses and riders. The sport that is depicted in this video clips doesn’t exist anymore. It should go without saying, but it is worth repeating here, that no sport is 100% safe. Just last night on television, I witnessed a human injury during a track and field event at the World Athletics championships being held in Budapest. Those athletes get the best care anywhere. But injuries are not 100% preventable in any sport.

@dobbylein93 11 месяцев назад

I'm an eventer myself but seeing this makes me question the high level sport in general. There are boundaries within the sport that you just shouldn't cross. Thats so unfair to these brave horses that are giving it all to us humans...

@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker 11 месяцев назад

I understand how you feel seeing it. It is still an incredible sport today. David Hoffman filmmaker

@janethill4365 11 месяцев назад

@@DavidHoffmanFilmmakerincredibly cruel for the horses.

@Passthesaltpleasewhy 11 месяцев назад

It was a much different sport back in the day, it used to be way more focused on endurance and fitness rather then technicality like today, my trainer used to event when it was like this

@mikemiksovsky8098 11 месяцев назад

I call bullshit that you are into eventing. Nothing on this video should shock you.

@laurenmclain6378 11 месяцев назад

@katelynbananas2635 I used to ride when it was like this, and it was very dangerous. The sport has evolved in many positive ways since then, thankfully. Better for horses and riders now. Yes, it still has issues, but I would say that it's less dangerous than it was back then. I'm referring to eventing specifically. However, working with, and riding horses is inherently dangerous. You are working with large animals that have minds of their own. They are powerful and fast. There are lots of ways to get hurt just being around horses, which is why learning from the start about what is, and isn't ok to do with, and around horses is extremely important. Safety from the ground up, safety in fields, safety in the barn, safety is crucial for this sport. Riders are fortunate now to have access to the safety gear they wear. I know someone whose horse had a heart attack while in the hunt field. She would have benefited greatly from everything they wear now. The horse died at a full gallop. She spent months, years really, in rehab. She was much more fortunate than others back then. The helmets were very little protection, if any, and there was nothing else that riders wore. Hitting the ground at speed like that, having a horse fall on you is no joke. Many good horses, and riders were lost before things were finally changed. Thankfully, it did change, and will hopefully, continue to do so.

@frankbelanger9501 11 месяцев назад

horses is one of the few sports where young and old, women and men compete evenly

@liselottenormannsrensen7867 11 месяцев назад

In the 80ties (i was 14 at the time) I was a groomer for the adultes riders and went to big events. I justed to think the riders were brave, but as an adult I have become more interessted in the wellfare of both horses and riders. Sad how many horses have suffred because we humans want to compeed😢

@brigittefarmer4400 11 месяцев назад

I seen horses bleeding from spurs ....didn't come down from sweating...too ...by Military competition like this ...I was cryiing...😢😮

@gottasay4766 11 месяцев назад

Wow. No safety vest of any kind, no frangible pins. Insane. The sport has problems of different sorts now but it is better for the safety features it has now.

@kristiwetsel9531 11 месяцев назад

😮😮😮

@vandemanferretstasmania.ni9576 11 месяцев назад

I’ve been doing cross country for 32 years, never wear a vest, never will. That’s just my choice and not one I push on others. Same with helmets, I only wear one during competition not practice. If I’m teaching a student/client, then I insist on a helmet but anything else is up to the client

@kammycordner7177 10 месяцев назад

New issues now is horses are not as fit, I don't think. People don't have the time they used to have, nor the open spaces, to get horses fit the way we did back then for Phases A, B,C, D.

@stacey_h 11 месяцев назад

Since this was filmed in 1982, the whole day of competition has been changed. It now is all about safety. The sport had gotten too unsafe and without changes the sport would have been taken out of the Olympics.

@henrietta9394 11 месяцев назад

Yes and people need to remember this before they bash eventing today! It’s been so much worse but it’s still improving, and this needs to be considered!

@sylviahouder6665 11 месяцев назад

a 16 year old young woman had her horse land on her a couple steps after a jump in southern Sarasota County in early spring this year. Sad to say she died

@alicemeyers670 11 месяцев назад

And it should have

@JohnAllenRoyce 11 месяцев назад

@@alicemeyers670 No the sport belongs in the Olympics. I don't think people understand how much these horses love running and jumping, instead all they seem to want to do is destroy their place on earth. I question that kind of "love" for the horse.

@tracym6297 11 месяцев назад

@JohnAllenRoyce running and jumping, maybe. But not running and jumping themselves to the point of breaking. Humans know the risks. Horses don't. So it's our job to not take running and jumping to extremes. I'm not against running and jumping. In fact, I love it. But not at the horse's expense. I'm glad things have changed for the better of the horse and rider.

@ezire 11 месяцев назад

I remember when it was first debated that the trotting phase and steeplechase should be removed. It was right after a lot of human fatal accidents happened and the sport was about to be taken out of Olympics. The opposition was fierce. The debate today below this video shows that people now see what many could not at that time. They see the danger and the cruelty while a few did back at those days. Makes me wonder if this will one day happen to other equestrian sports. What is normal today, will be unacceptable in the future. Certainly horse racing is heading that way. So many deaths now, changes are coming. Dressage is also heading to the gutter but the abuse there is more hidden.

@thehotcoffeehouse6081 11 месяцев назад

Dressage is one of the cruelest things I've ever seen done to a horse.

@nogames8982 11 месяцев назад

The men and women choose to do it, the horses don't. I don't feel bad for the people. But these poor horses don't need to be treated this way.

@sandrahealey6385 11 месяцев назад

Sorry I missed this when you posted it dear David! RU-vid is getting very difficult for us all! As a lover of horses I find any extreme limits confronting. As an Australian, gruelling feats of horsemanship are no longer necessary to prove bravery and connection. Australian horses and their riders proved themselves in WW1 but none of these horses returned to Australia. Steeplechases and events such as the Melbourne Cup make me shiver. I think this film displays the obsession of humans, rather than the good breeding of animals that have always served us well. Thank you sir! For all you share with us, everything you have documented is a treasure immeasurable ❤️❤️

@MicahScottPnD 11 месяцев назад

Excellent thoughts Sandra, very good points. I really appreciate the look back, the history and purpose of it, even if uncomfortable to view. And the comparison to today's world

@susanfantozzi4415 11 месяцев назад

Im glad the sport has come so far from these truely horrifying times.

@jenrayn5040 11 месяцев назад

I enjoyed seeing young Jimmy Wofford. RIP. His commentary on the evolution and evaluation of cross country in the last decade was stellar.

@flaviaruffner1074 11 месяцев назад

Yeah, he passed away this year.

@kristiwetsel9531 11 месяцев назад

Quite incredible in a way but beyond the level i personally think a horse should be pushed im glad its changed were only seeing the cross country not the other stages of it , horses will lay down and die for you literally .. that doesnt mean you shoukd ask them.. you choose this but the horse doesnt "I guess the good thing is , he hurt himself pretty bad , i almost pulled him but then i said lets see how tough he is"..

@nicolaxoxo1 11 месяцев назад

Yeah that quote sums up his attitude…..horse is expendable. Pretty sad 😞

@katherineschmidt2075 11 месяцев назад

Nope, disgusting to do that to a horse. You do a circle at trot and see if he outkinks the lameness. If he doesn't, trot back home if he can, if not, dismount and walk him along the trees out the way. Tell a jump supervisor you're not continuing. I've been rolled on before, on a Black Friday. Spent 3 days in hospital with bad concussion, that's all luckily. Bolted on me, on gravel, I wanted to turn left, he turned right, his hooves went from under him and landed on me, rolled over me and got up. After a minute I got up, tried to remount him, and knocked myself out again. Me, a 155cm size 12( aussie) 16year old girl, versus a 800kg thoroughbred gelding at 17hands high. Lucky he was a leggy boy and oh so sweet aswell. Eventing is fun. I only ever did 2 foot one day eventing. I'm sure if I pushed myself I could've done the 3foot, but some of those 3 foot jumps really scared me just to look at, so imagine my fear and nerves to approach them, would've been enough for a horse to sense it and do a refusal.

@Kholoured 11 месяцев назад

This is the old school 3 day eventing now the course is usually 3 miles and that's it. There's no 14 miles of running. This was very dangerous and has been banned

@rinzerider 11 месяцев назад

Fortunately things have changed somewhat for the better, no more roads and tracks, no more steeplechase, the fences are technical, but not so deadly. Any fall by horse or rider is immediately dismissal, no more throwing a rider back up and sending them on. Riders aren't so much 'ride or die' anymore, but more likely recognize when their horse is spent or struggling, and willing retire from the course, and as they say, " live to ride another day".

@paulinewoodhouse5175 11 месяцев назад

Those were much harder competitions, I groomed for eventers in the 80s with roads and tracks, steeplechase and cross country, it's hard to believe what they did in those days, remounting after a fall for 1, some riders got back on even if they didn't know what day it was😂, it's much safer now both for horse and rider

@kammycordner7177 10 месяцев назад

Too right! Getting on again after a dumping in water was actually pretty dangerous. I remember sliding all over the saddle like it was covered in soap. Could barely hang on to the finish.

@belindavicarey9331 11 месяцев назад

A friend of mine who I was groom for was a top eventer, in August 1999 was competing at the Scottish open championships at Thirlestane castle fell at a fence and her horse landed on her and she sustained fatal heads injuries. I was not her groom at the time , she was a contender for the Olympics, my husband brought the was paper home I was flicking through it and there was her photo I was heartbroken to fine out .

@stellaswales8625 11 месяцев назад

I think you may be talking about Polly Phillips and her horse Coral Cove?

@xhaltsalute 11 месяцев назад

So sorry to hear, at least she died doing something she loved. RIP and hugs to you.

@topcat32349 11 месяцев назад

This a very old film. So much has changed regarding safety for the rider and horse. Not that it’s easy. It is a competition at the highest level after all. The riders really don’t want their horses harmed and can pull up. I did event for several years and did withdraw a couple of times when I knew my horse was not up for some reason. It is thrilling when your horse jumps an obstacle perfectly.

@SJHFoto 11 месяцев назад

Yes, it is 40 years old

@robertnewell5057 11 месяцев назад

Eventing is still an incredibly high risk sport, as we have seen with some high profile rider injuries in the UK in the last couple of years. However, there are two mediating factors. First, as you say, riders in the main pull up horses that are struggling - there's always another day, and more likely to be one if your horse isn't out with an injury. Second, vet inspections are extremely rigorous and there are also teams observing the horses for signs of difficulty throughout the course A(especially XC), and they don't shrink from pulling them up (at least in the UK).

@famouskate9071 11 месяцев назад

Horses deserve better than this. No horse chooses to do this. Those humans deserve to be behind bars.

@dv84sure 11 месяцев назад

These competition horses are amazing. I’ve ridden only for recreation and always did my best to bond with the horse ... didn’t always work out. These riders show the very close bond and trust they have.

@bethanys-herd 11 месяцев назад

1:23 looks like he's riding in a racing saddle?!?? Crazy! This sport has changed SO much since the 80's, and for the better. Every fence is designed to come apart (like in showjumping) to prevent flips, horses and riders have safety gear requirements.. it's wild seeing how dangerous it used to be.

@MsVanorak 11 месяцев назад

not a proper, short stirrups racing saddle, no, but it looks like weight has been a consideration. either a racing home work saddle or even a pony saddle.

@bethanys-herd 11 месяцев назад

@@MsVanorak The weight factor absolutely makes sense! I cant imagine trying to jump without my knee rolls and supportive saddle! Incredible rider!

@MsVanorak 11 месяцев назад

@@bethanys-herd some of the racing saddles don't amount to much, just something to hang the stirrups on and some of the winter jumps racers use then in the uk if weight is an issue. 😳

@bethanys-herd 11 месяцев назад

@@MsVanorak Yes exactly! Thats what I was referring to, my sister used to work with racehorses on the track, incredible to have so little support for the legs and clear that course!

@fleetskipper1810 11 месяцев назад

@@bethanys-herdForty years ago, the riders had legs of iron. That’s how many of them managed incredible “stickability” when things went wrong.

@matthewfarmer2520 11 месяцев назад

Thanks Mr Hoffman for sharing this video, 🐎

@deaddocreallydeaddoc5244 11 месяцев назад

I am 72. During my active years, I pursued three sports; 1. Motocross racing (sportsman ex), 2. Competitive fencing (national level), and lastly, I trained for a while for eventing as depicted here. All of these sports have their dangers, MX is very dangerous, but equine is at least as dangerous. I had a great horse, a grandson of the famous Damascus, and trained 4-5X a week for three years. My career called me to Europe before I got into much competition. One thing I learned is that the reason the cavalry preferred smaller riders was because it was easier on the horse. They put the big guys in the infantry and the smaller men on horses. Notice how well the lightweight women did. The horse had it that much easier. But I saw a horse get killed at a national-level event.= with a female rider.

@katelist8367 11 месяцев назад

That 3 part water jump was so stupid! That was just beyond ridiculous and impossible for horsesxand riders ... I love this sport but my god it is just going beyond sport and is too dangerous and deadly for both horses and riders. So brave, but I would never want to risk a horse on purposecatvtgat level. The people are on their own! Yeah, it is like climbing Everest w/o the horse having a choice. The horses love doing this until they have a terrible experience and ruins them physically/ mentally or they have to be put down or just die right there.

@nancybraybrooks5509 11 месяцев назад

I love horses. I ride. Did a little hunter/jumper. But I believe this is too hard on horses.

@karenmessinger9609 11 месяцев назад

I understand the need for competition, to be the best etc but putting your horse through that, no. A lot of trust between the rider & the horse has to be there but when the miscalculation comes the cost can be too great. Couldn't imagine having to put my horse down because of it. Great athletes both rider & horse but, no, this is too much.

@henrietta9394 11 месяцев назад

But it’s so much different these days, it tests the best horses in the business in a safe way. Competing is important because it allows people to spend their whole life dedicated to these horses and to keep them as happy and healthy as possible, and to earn money doing what they love instead of having horses as a side hobby and not being able to pay as much attention to them. Eventing is dangerous but so is every sport, you have to remember safety regulations are much improved these days and freak accidents are a lot less common!

@fleetskipper1810 11 месяцев назад

Far more re relational riders 17:56 and their horses die each year in car collisions. Maybe we should ban recreational riding, too. Or we cold just ban cars.

@sibyllek.9181 11 месяцев назад

What poor horses 😩 I hope these riders comme back to this world next time as one of these horses!

@Maishley 11 месяцев назад

How many miles were the horses supposed to run in cross country-4 phases? Absolutely freaking insane. You could see how exhausted those horses were. Insanity. 😡

@katherineschmidt2075 11 месяцев назад

The cross country courses in Australia for 1 day events are like 4klms max. That was enough for me and we'd both be blowing after it.

@spmoran4703 11 месяцев назад

This sport is difficult. It needs much skill and healthiness from both horse and rider. They have to work together .

@Ravennwing 11 месяцев назад

Riders make the choice of putting themselves in danger. The horse does not. That is the major problem I have with aggressive equine sports. The horse is a tool, not a living creature with emotions and thoughts and fragility, just a tool no matter how much they claim to love and understand them. If they truly did, they wouldn't do this to them. Riders get injured, they choose this. Does anyone ask the horse if it wanted to break it's leg or neck or run itself into a heart attack or go head over hooves before racing or heavy endurance riding?

@xhaltsalute 11 месяцев назад

After working in the industry on the sidelines and a very limited competitor, you have to understand that these horses love their jobs, just love it. I understand the injury issues and it is always on the riders minds, the professionals perhaps not so much because they always have horses coming up in the training. But to watch a horse do a job they enjoy is absolutely beautiful. It opens their minds, it enriches their lives. Seriously.

@stephaniemanchester-chermo3840 11 месяцев назад

Hairy stuff man. 😮

@winstoncorrigan4309 11 месяцев назад

Mr hoffman thank you so much for your uploads love ur work ❤🚾

@drewpall2598 11 месяцев назад

The first time I saw the sport of equestrian on television I was hook even though I have never ridden on a horse there something about watching the sport of equestrian. I can imagine this must have been another highlight in your career as a filmmaker, thumbs up on your documentary and description write up David Hoffman.

@SugaryPhoenixxx 11 месяцев назад

This gave me so much anxiety. Especially for the horses. They do not have a choice in this. I was so worried they would accidentally break their leg. That is pretty much a death sentence to a horse. I know that most of these people truly love their horses & treat them very well, I used to be an amateur eventer. But I found someone who is extremely good with horses & he explained to me why this is not good for the horses. I'm glad the sport has changed since the time this video was taken. But I still think that some of these sports are not in the best interest of the horses, like horse racing & competitive jumping. That is just my opinion.

@meganproffitt424 10 месяцев назад

A broken leg is no longer a death sentence.

@riverraven7 11 месяцев назад

I grew up on a Morgan gelding who was absolutely just GAME for everything from swimming to jumping to climbing. RIP Lord Calvert ❤ (I didn't name him)😂

@horsegonewild 11 месяцев назад

I adopted an Ottb. After teaching walk trot lol she was game for everything unless you put an English saddle on her. Her opinion was a stiffing of her spine with ears flat telling me no! I respected it. Best trail horse I’ve ever owned on a western saddle.

@KittyGrizGriz 11 месяцев назад

@@horsegonewild What is an Ottb? I love to trail ride too! Once had a horse lay down with me in the saddle while coming down a mountain, luckily I jumped off in time. Got back on and everything was fine but it was frightening. They can be very silly animals but love them so.

@BlueyKind 11 месяцев назад

Off-the-track Thoroughbred (i.e., originally trained to be a racehorse). @@KittyGrizGriz

@KittyGrizGriz 11 месяцев назад

@@BlueyKind Oh ok, thank you for the answer! 😉

@riverraven7 11 месяцев назад

No wonder she didn't want an English saddle tho. Painful memories perhaps? And I bet she was absolutely game ...she could go at a pace where she could enjoy the ride ♥️

@jess_o 11 месяцев назад

Thank you so much for your work Mr Hoffman

@secretsquirrel7374 11 месяцев назад

The best thing they did was getting rid of the roads and tracks and steeplechase.

@uschihase3331 11 месяцев назад

I loved riding such courses in the 90s ♥. In these days we were unbeatable, unbreakable, unstoppable, we were the strongest, the fastest und the bravest and we smashed it. Me and my stallion, RIP my friend.

@kammycordner7177 10 месяцев назад

Your description reminded me of my own halcyon days in this sport.

@mariepascale6921 11 месяцев назад

😳 J'ai été groom en CCE jusqu'au niveau l'international dans les années 80. J'ai baigné dedans (spectatrice quand je ne groomais pas.) Ce reportage me fait comprendre l'évolution énorme qu'il y a eu dans ce sport. Merci ! (À l'époque on savait que c'était dur mais là je suis un peu choquée.) Aujourd'hui les épreuves sont moins longues (disparition du routier et du steeple), on ne voit plus 4 efforts pour un même obstacle, les gros obstacles doivent se briser pour éviter les chutes "en soleil" souvent mortelles, apparition d'obstacles directionnels (pas très hauts mais pas larges), les gués sont moins profonds, ... Les chevaux sont systématiquement couverts de glycérine, les cavaliers portent des air bags, et une chute c'est l'élimination directe, (à l'époque on remontait...si on pouvait) et pourtant, il y a toujours des accidents dramatiques. Ce qui me choque le plus ici c'est l'état d'essoufflement de tous les chevaux. Je pense qu'ils sont mieux entraînés au niveau cardio aujourd'hui. Et alimentation. Et ostéopathe... Ce sont à présent de véritables athlètes. Je pense aussi que la diffusion des images au grand public a participé à l'évolution positive. Personne n'a envie de voir des accidents graves (j'en ai vus 😒) Surtout pas les spectateurs qui ne sont pas "du milieu". Et malgré tous ces progrès il y a encore chaque année des cavaliers qui décèdent. C'est terrible. Peut-être qu'un jour ce sport sera interdit...

@sockpuppetco 11 месяцев назад

I had this on VHS, nice to see it again. Wow, I'm glad the sport has changed so much for the safety of horses and riders.

@cheri238 11 месяцев назад

Thank you again, Mr. Hoffman, I have this seen this one before. This is definitely a great one of yours. I love horses 🐎 and I have been to many tracks and seen the trainers of all kinds. Equestrian is one of the most difficult and dangerous for sure.❤ And expensive!!!! Actually, they are all. But this is for the elites, these riders some of the best and horses are beautiful !!! It's kinda like playing Polo!!!

@smitajky 11 месяцев назад

For more than two decades I have scored for hundreds of these events. At a lower level than this one. But at the end of the cross country all horses had to be given a ten minute break and tested. If the horse has not recovered in this time the combination is eliminated. We had unyielding jumps. I was always happy when we reached the end of the day with no one injured. Doubles, triples, coffin jumps, water jumps, downhill jumps. Many challenging things where a horse may be disobedient. That disobedience is the most dangerous moment. People have been speared headfirst into those jumps. That is deadly. I notice at 9:57 people assisting the rider. That would be an instant elimination for us. To make it safer falls now always cause elimination.

@nicolavinci1900 11 месяцев назад

I remember an official from a recent cross country event visited our barn and was telling us stories about how horses and riders were falling at one particular jump. He made a casual comment that he could have said something and stopped the event, but he didn't...I let him have it, loudly, in front of a lot of people. I am a nurse.It's all well and good to be brave and tough.But competition should be reasonable and adhere to safety of both horse and rider.There are some accidents that people and horses never recover from; life changing and permanent.Not worth it.

@TheRaspberry82 11 месяцев назад

That was a Fabulous idea video !❤❤❤ The lead in showed it was from 5 days ago…. But immediately recognized the video to be old. I am an OLD horseman who immediately recognized Jimmy Wofford from his younger days.. Ha an. Opportunity to attend a clinic with him - way back in the day (circa 1979???). He was just wonderful and lovely and kind and fun. I just googled and found out he passed in February of 2023……. RIP. ❤❤❤

@cleokey 11 месяцев назад

Absolutely amazing discipline and extremely trust.

@TheBulle 11 месяцев назад

When the horse makes a mistake…😑🤦‍♀️ No. When the horse was too exhausted to keep on properly and safely but the rider didn’t care. 🤬

@cherylalbright2086 11 месяцев назад

Had horses for 40+ years, Eventing is the Ultimate sport. Not for everyone, RIP Christopher Reeves. I no longer compete, but recently got my OTTB, who happens to be my heart horse. Took 4 decades to find her, she's got it all to be a spectacular cross-country horse. Thought about just trying to compete again just for fun, lower levels.. But, that ship has sailed, and I couldn't stand the idea of her getting injured, not worth it. Just want to enjoy my beautiful, sound, horse. 🐴🙂

@wetdewlap8741 11 месяцев назад

It’s just not ethically right to expect so much from an animal. The push is too great and the risks are too high, simply not worth it. The good thing is that more and ore people are turning away from these high level competitions . They recognize that these majestic creatures are sentient beings . All of it is headed for change or the sport will die. Dressage, eventing, racing..etc. so better or risk losing all these sports. Thank you to the new generation of youth which fights for the well-being of all animals and makes these organizations accountable for its poor standards.

@tracyparis310 11 месяцев назад

I was a lower level eventer. Love the sport. What I do bristle at, however, are remarks from the rider "The good thing is he hurt himself, really good, and I almost pulled him up but let's see how tough he really is". That statement does not sit well with me at all.

@LETMino85 11 месяцев назад

This is horrific. This made me cry. When thinking about how horses perceive the world, you see that they tried _so hard _ to do it, but simply had no chance sometimes. The animals were pure sports machines to them. Very sad.

@betsydoylelevy8861 11 месяцев назад

I cannot even watch this and I’m glad you made this video. There’s nothing glamorous about hurting innocents whether someone meant to or not.

@shaaronmccabe1451 11 месяцев назад

Like soring in TWHs, it should be cut back if not altogether forbidden.

@FluxyMiniscus 11 месяцев назад

I’m amazed at how Much cross country riding style has evolved, thank goodness! While the sport still has a LONG way to go for increased safety , it’s certainly improved since the 1980’s (when I spent a few years eventing as a junior)

@GoshenTrailsRanch 11 месяцев назад

I taped this series on VHS from PBS when I was a kid and wore the tapes out. I’ve been looking for it for years. I love the driving episode too.

@HollyJordan15 11 месяцев назад

The speed at 14.25-26 Thad she asked the horse to approach was appalling.

@louisecotulla4296 10 месяцев назад

This video was made 20 or 30 years a go. It's a lot more technical, but a co siderably safer sport now. But still other for the fsinthearted. It should be noted that this is the absolutely top level also.

@meganproffitt424 10 месяцев назад

I would dare say modern Badminton is just as bad.

@stellaswales8625 11 месяцев назад

I think you have to be a little bit crazy to do this sport. But the majority come home unscathed ready for another day.

@kammycordner7177 10 месяцев назад

Thank you for bringing this window onto the sport into the current public consciousness. It has been very nostalgic viewing for me, reminding me of incredible rounds I rode in that same year. So wonderful to see it again in its unexpurgated glory - a totally different beast from today's version.

@joannegiven189 11 месяцев назад

I do cross country, jumping, butI think three day evening is just too much for them and their safety❤

@Bigtubes 11 месяцев назад

7:34 was my favorite part. You have to be a real asshole to treat horses this way.

@lizziesangi1602 11 месяцев назад

The outrageous thing is my daddy was in the US Army Horse Cavalry in WWII, before WWII was mechanized. He kept a diary. He did this. And this isn't near half of what these riders did with their horses. Your horse was your life line and vice versa. There were no Doctors or Vets out in the field. The men took care of everything. There is no oneness between Horse and rider like the Horse and rider on the battlefield - the training between both Horse and rider. These event equestrians leave the field. Someone else walks their Horses, waters them and puts them to sleep. Not so in the Cavalry. These events are called "military" because the training is so precise. My dad put on his boots every day of his life and glad to say I wore his boots and breeches. Even if you never used them, the boots and tack are to die for! There is an US Army Horse Cavalry Book of Riding. Most recommended.

@Dubstequtie 11 месяцев назад

Wow.. seeing the girl get rolled onto by the horse and her limp body just resting to the ground before the narrator said she had died I already knew.. her neck and limpness gave it away.. chilling.. I am glad she somehow was brought BACK TO LIFE AND CONTINUED RIDING? ._.

@rathertiredofthemess2841 11 месяцев назад

Well, I’m not real Trained rider by these standards, but that pretty much looks like a days ride when I was younger we had a course 367 acres worth

@flaviaruffner1074 11 месяцев назад

This looks great, but was done quite a while ago. The helmets - I still have mine from that era - tell me a lot.

@marysheehy4733 11 месяцев назад

Go Kim Walnes and the Gray!!😊

@SJHFoto 11 месяцев назад

I'm a sports photographer. The worst injury I've ever seen (after 20+ years) was at a steeplechase

@MrRobertFarr 11 месяцев назад

❤There's a good race described by Wilbur Smith in one of his books . I read them all ! ❤

@melaniepitt4295 11 месяцев назад

Great video but what year was it?

@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker 11 месяцев назад

I believe it was 1988. David Hoffman filmmaker

@fleetskipper1810 11 месяцев назад

It was from 1982. I was there.

@hilarydunaway4807 11 месяцев назад

I saw the 1972 Badmingron Event...the likes of the Normandy Bank. I have never seen anything to the likes of that again.

@laurence1643 11 месяцев назад

These riders are forcing horses to do something that is unnatural to them . The only time a horse would do something like that is if it was fleeing from a predator. No sympathy from me for the riders !!!

@barryeva8862 11 месяцев назад

The most dangerous sport for women, in the USA has been stated as Cheer Leading…honest

@denisedolphinpark 11 месяцев назад

i really love horses (i ride western as a barrel racer) but even now the community continues to use horses n take the fun out of it for the horse (n sometimes the parents take the fun out of it for their kids) but these horses n riders then n now, were survivors, troopers of our best n worst equine moments. really cool to see this snipit of the lexington race/derby(?)

@cjwalthall11 11 месяцев назад

I can't even watch this. I had to stop. I just cant!

@equine2020 11 месяцев назад

Been there. Beautiful layout.

@janethill4365 11 месяцев назад

I would love my horse so much that I would never put him through anything this dangerous. These riders do not love these horses.

@TheBulle 11 месяцев назад

Agreed!

@fleetskipper1810 11 месяцев назад

Dosagree

@deirdreryan7402 11 месяцев назад

I remember watching this years ago!

@rathertiredofthemess2841 11 месяцев назад

Horse makes a mistake no no no I said horse will go over anything you ask of him if he has confidence in you. So the mistake is on the rider

@cheusden2775 10 месяцев назад

Reading the comments it's funny that so many people don't know where the sport came from. In a war soldiers had to bring messages from one group to another, it had to be done as quick as possible in the shortest way. If something was in the way they would jump over it. In the old days it were mostly army officers that compete. It took many years before civilians came into competition. It's a good thing they took out the sharp edges, but eventing as they call it now is not even close to what it used to be. If you look at the early days of the olympics you'll see that the competitors were all army officers.

@AntiqueJeans 10 месяцев назад

9:43 “…when the horse makes a mistake” blaming the horse?

@eternalcarnival 11 месяцев назад

Though I don’t like the roots cross country came from, the sport today is something I really respect.

@erich84502b 11 месяцев назад

They still do the jump racing overseas and injuries are difficult to watch

@janethill4365 11 месяцев назад

I have seen so many riders horses hit the fence and just keep going. They don't stop and check their horse!!!

@katherineschmidt2075 11 месяцев назад

You obviously don't know about eventing. Its timed, you do not get off at all or you'll get penalised or eliminated. If the horse hits the fence, it's usually the hooves, which they don't feel, or their heavily padded forelimb boots, which are greased to make sure they slide over the fences if hit. Also their rear legs are greased aswell so they slide over if they clip a fence. If a horse was too injured it will attempt to stop itself and really stumble. The majority of these riders will actually struggle to get through the course without time penalties. Every 10secs is a point, a fall is 60, refusal is 40.

@janethill4365 11 месяцев назад

@@katherineschmidt2075 my point, obviously the horses welfare is not the riders top priority. Anything for a win.

@janethill4365 11 месяцев назад

@@katherineschmidt2075 I what abuse is and I've seen accidents when the horse had a bad wrap and the rider keeps going. Not a hoof hitting. I'm not going to attack you personally as you did me. My concern is for the horse to be respected and cared for.

@barnabasschuler9025 11 месяцев назад

Christopher Reeve!

@Roheryn100 11 месяцев назад

Reeve did show jumping, not Eventing.

@nicolaxoxo1 11 месяцев назад

@@Roheryn100actually he was doing eventing and fell when his horse refused a jump on cross country …… “Reeve began his involvement in horse riding in 1985 after learning to ride for the film Anna Karenina. He was initially allergic to horses, so he took antihistamines. He trained on Martha's Vineyard, and by 1989, he began eventing. His allergies soon disappeared.[73] He had leg injuries as a teen while skiing, and he later broke three ribs in a riding accident he described, along with the leg injuries, on The Tonight Show in March 1987. Reeve purchased a 12-year-old American thoroughbred horse named Eastern Express, nicknamed "Buck" while filming Village of the Damned. He trained with Buck in 1994 and planned to do Training Level events in 1995 and move up to Preliminary in 1996. Though Reeve had originally signed up to compete at an event in Vermont, his coach invited him to go to the Commonwealth Dressage and Combined Training Association finals at the Commonwealth Park equestrian center in Culpeper, Virginia. Reeve finished in fourth place out of 27 in the dressage, before walking his cross-country course. He was concerned about jumps 16 and 17 but paid little attention to the third jump, which was a routine three-foot-three fence shaped like the letter 'W'.[74] On May 27, 1995, Reeve's horse made a refusal. Witnesses said the horse began the third fence jump and suddenly stopped. Reeve fell forward off the horse, holding on to the reins. His hands became tangled in them, and the bridle and bit were pulled off the horse. He landed head first on the far side of the fence, shattering his first and second vertebrae. The resulting cervical spinal injury paralyzed him from the neck down[75] and halted his breathing. Paramedics arrived three minutes later and immediately took measures to get air into his lungs. He was taken first to the local hospital, before being flown by helicopter to the University of Virginia Medical Center.[76] He had no recollection of the accident”

@fleetskipper1810 11 месяцев назад

Christopher Reeves was injured in 1995 during an eventing competition in Virginia. He was competing at a low level of eventing at the time. He was a tall man who made the rookie mistake of leaning too far forward over the jump, causing his horse to refuse a 3’3” jump, which in turn caused him to lose his balance and fall off. Tragically,😮 he landed perpendicularly on top of his head, breaking two vertebra, which rendered him a quadriplegic. The fence was a routine single-effort fence that an average horse could hop over it-nothing at all like the fences in this video, which depicts a national championship level event in 1982. Reeves never blamed his horse or the course designers for his misfortune. He was wearing a helmet at the time, but it didn’t protect him enough. He became a advocate for improved rider safety gear for the sport.

@alicepotter8165 11 месяцев назад

That rotational fall scared me.

@stellaswales8625 11 месяцев назад

The rotational fall is the worst. They hit a fence at chest height and somersault. It's responsible for most major and fatal falls.

@sherinnovak729 11 месяцев назад

Great to see the indomitable Ralph Hill at 8:05.

@rebeccaluvshorses 11 месяцев назад

I don’t understand why adrenaline junkies insist upon hauling an animal along their selfish joy rides. It’s not courageous. It’s not brave. There should be no pride in ‘succeeding’ in this sport. What does that mean here? Not dying? Good for you. Go rock climbing. It’s even harder and if you fall, you don’t take down another living creature that did not choose to be your toy.

@deirdreryan7402 11 месяцев назад

I well remember the weights on the saddles.

@mariepascale6921 11 месяцев назад

Ah oui, j'avais oublié !

@oakdeneemporium6014 11 месяцев назад

That man that said that I knew he was hurt but I kept him going… I’d beat that arsehole blind! What a disgusting thing to do! Then the next lady said, we are as one, he knows I’d never put him in a bad situation… tell that to the previous horse! People like that man shouldn’t be let anywhere near horses! I love my horses and would NEVER do this kind of stuff. Why do you have to push it so far?!

@cynthianauman1358 10 месяцев назад

What a beautiful horse gray goose was

@mollymarshall5710 11 месяцев назад

I was doing my A level of a Pony Club in the 80’s. Very very dangerous. My parents said no way to 3 day eventing. Instead I show jumped.

@SusanLynn656 11 месяцев назад

I can’t bear to watch this. 😢

@foreverglow5685 11 месяцев назад

With falls ,the horse look back like ,Thats on you ,Dude.

@cherylsmith4826 11 месяцев назад

Some of those combinations were ridiculous. There were some nice corrections made by s couple riders throughout the film.

@elkehof4238 11 месяцев назад

Der Wille, zu gefallen wird schamlos ausgenutzt. Fürs eigene Ego, die Gesundheit der Pferde aus Spiel gesetzt 😞

@VK-qe7if 11 месяцев назад

I think this was before frangible pins were on the cross country jumps.

@EmmieandQueen 11 месяцев назад

They still aren’t on all cross country jumps. They really should be 😢

@joannathatcares 10 месяцев назад

That lady asked if she should walk him???? Country kid knows you need to walk horse always after run!

@kajinsautumn9833 11 месяцев назад

Poor horses have NO choice but to run to death or injury!! This is just as bad as soring horses and huge stacks in the "Big Lick" TWH show!! SICKENING!!

@annmcgarrity9363 11 месяцев назад

If these people really cared about their horses, they would not subject them to this sport.

@EmmieandQueen 11 месяцев назад

Not the entire sport but cross country isn’t great.

@darilynadams7281 11 месяцев назад

This is so WRONG for the poor horses! It's too much! STOP IT! Horses get hurt! They have no choice!

@rosemarylusty8045 11 месяцев назад

No secret as close as that between horse and rider

@sherom 11 месяцев назад

This has nothing to do with the horse, it's all about the rider's neurotic ambition to compete, win ribbons, certificates, and receive praise through the horses' ability to jump, the bottom line is to WIN at something. If you look deep enough, its a proven fact a horse does not want to jump, and he certainly can careless about fame and winning a ribbon. The average horse is looking to be just a horse, some horse owners believe, the horse don't even want to be ridden, let alone jump. amd possibly get seriously injured. So my opinion is, if it was up to me, I shut this sport down, along with the circus,