Tryon Under FEI Investigation Following Rolex Kentucky

Chronicle of the Horse online ^ | 4-30-07 | staff

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See video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqUPoQj5hV8

Tryon Under FEI Investigation Following Rolex Kentucky Le Samurai’s injury before the last fence at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event left spectators at the event and around the globe, who were watching on the Internet, shocked and upset. He jumped the last fence almost on three legs, and Amy Tryon, who had been in the lead after dressage, dismounted immediately upon crossing the finish line.

Members of the ground jury met later on April 28 to investigate the incident for alleged abuse. They reviewed written statements from the fence judges, watched the videotape and interviewed FEI Veterinary Delegate Dr. Catherine Kohn. They could not reach Tryon, because she had left the show grounds to be with Le Samurai.

Ground jury officials then referred the matter to the FEI Appeal Committee because the matter falls under their duties, according to article 164.4.5 of the FEI General Regulations, “In serious cases, immediate disqualification with one or more horses from a competition or from the whole event with referral to the Secretary General (for referral to the Judicial Committee.)”

Tryon was disqualified from the competition. She released a statement on April 29: “Le Samurai is resting comfortably at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute [Ky.] and has the best care that could be provided anywhere in the world. I wish to express that I am totally devastated about the injury he sustained yesterday but cannot comment further pending a review by the FEI. I’d give anything if this had not happened. I love this horse. Le Samurai is very special to me, and we share a deep bond that is beyond competition. Although we will no longer be competing together, we will always be partners. I thank everyone who has generously assisted with Le Samurai’s care and been so supportive.”

The FEI Judicial Committee (Ken Lalo of Israel, Erik Elstad of Norway, Jens Adolphsen of Germany, Patrick Boelens of Belgium, Leonidas C. Georgopoulos of Greece, Helen Huggett of Great Britain and Philip O'Connor of Ireland) may take any action, ranging from a warning, to a fine, to a suspension for any period of time or for life, if she is found to have violated the rules.

[HairOfTheDog]

I just think there’s a big difference, in terms of accusing someone of abuse or malice, between trying to cover up and ~enter~ a lame horse in something, and having the horse get injured and it taking several seconds to realize the extent of it during the heat of the moment. I’m not saying she’s definitively off the hook, I am just being cautious about joining in with allegations of malice....

[AnAmericanMother]

But the horse could have just cross-fired and stung himself, or cast a shoe. Just because somebody looks down doesn't mean they realize what is wrong or the extent of the injury.

Things are happening fast out there at a full gallop. Split second decisions - how bad is it, we're almost in, possible harm by pulling up abruptly from a full gallop in front of a fence - it's easy to sit in a chair and watch the video and say yeah, she should have realized immediately that it was a serious injury and pulled up. She didn't have the advantage of the video or the leisure to review her decision.

[Joe 6-pack]

From what I’ve read, and been able to piece together from a few family history accounts, cavalry mounts were something near sacred, and a cavalry trooper’s responsibility toward his horse was roughly analogous to a naval captain’s responsibility toward his ship...unnecessarily hazarding a horse, like a vessel, was not dealt with lightly.

[AnAmericanMother]

Exactly. She didn't try to bute him through a vet check, cover up an existing lameness, or defraud anybody. Also, this didn't happen at the start of the course but at the very end, when the horse was tired.

The fact that a horse tries to break to a trot at the end of a very tough cross country course (after steeplechase and roads-and-tracks as well) doesn't necessarily indicate a serious injury. When I went to the 96 Olympics 3-Day in person, I got to see ALL the entries, not just the front runners, and there were plenty of horses who just shut off when they had had enough.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

and having the horse get injured and it taking several seconds to realize the extent of it during the heat of the moment.

There was 32 seconds between the time the injury showed up, and her finally getting off, after a big jump. She had plenty of time, and plenty of evidence to come to the right decision to get the horse to stop, rather then pushing him on to the jump. She just wanted to keep going with no concern for the animal. At the level of horsemanship she is supposedly at, she knew.

In obvious cases of deliberate neglect I have no problem calling it for what it is. In High level competition, sportsmanship and care of the horse should be the top most consideration.She had none.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

The fact that the horses head was bobbing a lot....added to him trying to break to a trot...I’m sorry, she knew. I’ve been on horses before that were lame, with no head bobbing, at a walk, and I could feel it. She knew.

Becky

[AnAmericanMother]

I can tell when my horse is a little off, but then again I'm not in a hurry to get anywhere. Nor am I pushing my horse at the top extreme of performance.

In hindsight, there's no question she should have pulled up. But I'm not going to say that she clearly knew something was wrong enough to pull up, as opposed to a sting or a cast shoe.

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, she’s probably finished, at least at that level. It sounds like many are looking at it like you are. And I don’t disagree that the welfare of the horse needs to be the primary motive in this or any competition.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

But I'm not going to say that she clearly knew something was wrong enough to pull up, as opposed to a sting or a cast shoe.

IMO, I don't care how little or how much a horse is acting off. If you've been riding a sound horse, and it suddenly goes lame, you get off IMMEDIATELY and check to see what is wrong. You don't first see if he can work it out. And that horse was obviously more then a little off.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Good. She needs to be finished at all levels.

Becky

[Lloyd227]

"...It’s debatable to me whether the rider could clearly tell what was happening well enough to make a decision in real time ..."

I grew up raising, training and competing with horses although not the jumping variety like this. My dad had upwards of 200 horses on his ranch at one point so I know a bit about horses and the people who work with them.

Two points:
This horse was very clearly missing steps and in pain long before that jump. When you sit on the back of an animal, there is no mistaking even a change in gate, let alone what was an injury significant enough to be visible in a youtube video. This rider very clearly knew her horse was hurt and she weighed the win more important than her animal.

2nd and most telling - upon dismounting, this rider just stood and looked at the officials as if her machine were broken..... I did not see the immediate and personal concern that should be there for any rider who cares one damn for the animal. A rider with a bond to the animal would have put personal safety aside and been down inspecting the leg, or at least comforting the horse with a touch or a hold. This woman just stood there as though the horse was just a dirt bike that need repaired.

I'm disgusted having watched the video and this woman should never ride another horse.

Cheers,
Lloyd

[HairOfTheDog]

I understand. I’m a rider and horse lover myself.

I thought it important to give her a fair consideration before picking up my pitchfork and torch and joining the mob ;~)

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Whoo Hoo....two thumbs up for you!!!!!

I get madder and madder everytime I watch the darn thing. Ruined my good mood today:) It’s just disgusting.

Becky

[Help!]

People that work at Hagyard vet hospital have said that Amy has not left “Sparky’s” stall since he got there. She was supposed to receive an award at the Rolex event, but did not go as she was staying with the horse.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Oh wahhhhhhh...she’s such a martyr. Does she own this horse? If she didn’t own it, I wouldn’t let her anywhere near it. Showing concern after the fact means ZIP.

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

thought it important to give her a fair consideration before picking up my pitchfork and torch and joining the mob ;~)

It's important, except when it's sOOOOOOOO obvious what happened. I don't see how you can defend it. Really. I'm not really being deliberately confrontational...I'm just very surprised. You don't think it's obvious that she knew, that she should have known, that she urged the horse on even after she knew...and even after that she deserves "fair consderation"???? You said yourself, "at the least she was in denial"...If that's the case you don't think she should be pitchforked and torched:)...And I never said that anyway, I just think they should break her leg and make her take a jump.

Becky

[HairOfTheDog]

I gave my impressions after watching it once. I’m not going to watch it over and over again, and I didn’t want to be inclined to argue it one way or the other. Others will decide her fate.

[Fairview]

It must be a nice feeling to know that you’ve never made a mistake with a horse, Becky.

[Help!]

Rolex this year was a QUALIFING event for the Olympics....The rider is in first place after dressage... what looks to be like a clean XC and in with a shot...

OOOPPPS I feel something here....but hopefully it is not too bad, maybe a bit of ice etc. and things will come right for showjumping and I get my qualifing score

In this case the gamble DID NOT pay off. Riding is a career for her, and with all careers, pleople take calulated risks and gambles....unfortunately another living being....with out a choice...is forced to pay the price.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Yeah, it’s nice to know I’ve never made a mistake like that!!!!

You know there are things in this world that are totally obvious, and totally unacceptable, and should be punished accordingly.

You people who want to give this woman the benefit of the doubt, are promoting abuse under the guise of ignorance.

Becky