Free Republic

A failed jump by one of the world’s finest riders and a spate of deaths have unnerved the equestrian community....Top competitors and coaches argue that the sport’s growing popularity has attracted inexperienced riders who take too many risks, and amateur riders complain that courses are being designed beyond their skill level in order to challenge elite riders. There is also frustration that the governing bodies for eventing have not mandated the safety improvements they identified after another cluster of deaths nine years ago. A target of criticism is the former husband of England’s Princess Anne, Mark Phillips, who is coach...

Near the end of the x-country phase at Rolex, Amy Tryon's horse Le Samurai took a misstep and came up lame. She pressed on and jumped the last fence and crossed the finish line before attempting to pull the horse up. The horse was later humanely destroyed. He did lose all supporting ligaments. Here it is from FEI Press News: The FEI Tribunal has taken its decision in the case of alleged horse abuse committed by Mrs. Amy Tryon on her horse Le Samurai while participating in the cross-country phase of the 2007 Rolex Lexington Kentucky 4-Star Event on 28...

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...