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....
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.
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