How is Quiet Man????

[up-at-5]

Anyone know how he and his rider are doing??


Please....

[HereandNow]

I was not there, but I heard it was bad. I know that he fractured his right scapula/shoulder. I know he was taken in for evaluation, but I do not yet know the outcome. Mikey is a tough guy, and was fit, ready, and up to the task of Rolex. Sarah is a wonderful person, and he is her horse of a lifetime. She's had him for years and taught him everything. I'm sick for them both--- knowing how hard they work for each other, and how much trust and love is there. I don't know how she is, but I've read on other sections of the forums that she was up- possibly with a shoulder injury. I'm praying Michael will make it through--- At this point, all we can do is send them well wishes :(

[goodymar1188]

I do not know either Sarah or Mikey nor have I never seen them run, but I am jingling for the both of them for a speedy recovery!!

[kookicat]

HUGE Jingles!!

[2016 RoyalCrown KTug]

Jingling like mad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AppJumpr08]

Jingles from New Hampshire for a happy and healthy outcome!!

[NeverTime]

C'mon Sarah, c'mon Mikey ... I've got no doubt she will do whatever is best for him.

On a positive note, Melissa Hunsburger's horse suffered what sounds like a similar injury at Fair Hill last year and, according to recent posts from the Windchase web site, is recovering nicely :yes: :

Speaking of Just Fun Stuff, as many of you know he was injured in a fall at the Fair Hill CCI*** last autumn, sustaining a broken scapula. I am happy to report that he is doing very well after months of Melissa's careful nursing and rehab, and he is happily and comfortably grazing in the pastures now. We are hopeful that he will be ready to return to riding by the end of the summer, although top level Eventing is probably no longer on his agenda.

Jingling for a simialr outcome for Sarah...

[FLeckenAwesome]

oooh jingles, thoughts and prayers for both of them also!

[sporthorselover]

RIP Quiet Man

http://www.chronofhorse.com/index.php?cat=40511032791602&News_ID=1132704083920683

[frugalannie]

Oh no. Another brave horse crosses the bridge.

My deepest condolences to Sarah and all those who loved Mikey.

[flyingchange]

i don't know what to say. it's too much. I am losing my ability to deal.

heartfelt condolences to sarah and all of TQM's connections. A very sad day.

[kookicat]

I have no words... huge hugs to his people..

[Sassenach]

:( RIP Quiet Man - need to give *my* Quietman a hug for him.

[Gestalt]

RIP Quiet Man. :(

All these deaths are wrong. Eventing needs to change.

[TB or not TB?]

OMG I read this and died a little inside. I thought he was going to be okay! :cry::cry::cry: Now to start crying again.

[EnjoyingRiding]

RIP Quiet Man. Condolences to all involved.

Man, what a sh*tty day...

[ToucheToujour]

RIP Mikey :(

Gosh, what have we all done to piss off the eventing gods...I'm watching from a distance and this is rough. I can't imagine how painful this is for people closer to the tragedies.

[clivers]

OMG, No!!! RIP Quietman.

So incredibly sad how this year's Rolex turned out.

[woodstock]

This is beyond terrible. Sarah- if you read this- my tears and prayers are with you. I don't know what else to say- this is a very, very dark day. Love from Virginia- Megan Fineman (now Holt).

[Samantha37]

RIP Mikey
My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved :(
What a horrific day...

[findeight]

They lost two a few years back-maybe closer to 7 or 8? Have lost one more years then not since I have lived in the area. Lost a rider too in the...oh...was it *** they used to run the same day?

Think I have had enough of it. Don't buy the "accidents happen" for all these rotational falls over solid objects. Can accept it for horse sports in general as they can be fragile and shit happens, not this type of thing.

[woodstock]

Anyone know where we can send condolences to Sarah? I think she'd like to see/feel some extra support right now :(

[goodymar1188]

RIP Quiet Man...

Condolences to all involved.

[Reds-n-Greys]

:cry: Godspeed Mikey:cry:
My condolences to Sarah and all associated with him.

What a sad day

[J. Turner]

Oh goodness. Two wonderful companions and athletes in one event. Godspeed, sweetheart. I hope you and Frodo are running free on the other side of Rainbow Bridge. There is special place for horses who serve their people so bravely.

[maxxtrot]

god, i was so glad to hear he was doing ok last night, then i saw the update on the other thread. crap. i am so sorry for all involved. i met sarah last year at the 2 star when she was riding for my friends at full gallop. really nice girl.
i am hoping we all as a group can now step back and try to find out exactly why this year has been so tragic. too many injuries and too many deaths. something is just not right. the horse and rider combos should not have to pay with their lives for a mis-step.

my thoughts and prayers are also with sarah and her family as well as lainey and hers.

[RiverBendPol]

For those who couldn't see the Chronicle piece, as I couldn't, this is from the USEA:

>>>Press Release from Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event on The Quiet Man
Updated: April 27, 2008

Dr. Catherine W. Kohn, V.M.D, Veterinary Delegate, explained that due to the extent of injuries incurred in his fall yesterday on cross country, The Quiet Man was sadly humanely euthanized this morning. The Quiet Man's loss will be felt by all.

After re-examining the horse's injuries, the damage to the gelding's shoulder proved to be more serious than originally thought. "There were several pieces of the fracture and it was determined that the prognosis was poor for athletic performance or comfort and they made the decision for humane euthanasia, which was performed this morning," Kohn said.<<<

Sarah, I'm so terribly sorry. He was a lovely guy. My Mikey will welcome him to the other side of the Bridge.

[dogchushu]

Oh man. I had thought he was going to be okay. How sad. He was a lovely, lovely, brave boy.

All my sympathies to everyone involved with this beautiful brave horse.

[c_expresso]

Oh no... RIP Mikey, condolences to Sarah...

[AppJumpr08]

Good God.

I'm so sorry to hear about this - what a horrible loss.

[Kementari]

:cry:

[Cinnybren]

My condolences to Sarah and all involved on her team. Godspeed Quiet Man.

[Jazzy Lady]

He fell at the footbridge, correct? Now with the footbridge being an oxer, were frangible pins not used on this fence, or did they just fail their job?

RIP and Godspeed Mikey. Jingles, hugs and prayers for Sarah.

[horsepix76]

I was very near there when this accident happened. It was awful. Here is a picture I got of them going over the ditch and oak rail (fence 9). The Footbridge (where the fall occurred) was fence 11. While I'm so sorry that this occurred, the horse appeared to be overfaced by this course. She had to ride him very hard over this ditch (you can see the crop at work in the pic) and he nearly had a fall at the sunken road right before the Footbridge.

RIP Mikey...

http://sporthorseone.exposuremanager.com/p/the_rolex/img_253052

[RiverBendPol]

..... (you can see the crop at work in the pic) .....
http://sporthorseone.exposuremanager.com/p/the_rolex/img_253052

When I am faced with a jump that scares me to death, you will always see my stick at work. Doesn't necessarily mean the horse isn't going, could mean the rider needs it!

I'm not doubting your word, you were there after all. Just offering another point of view.

[pony grandma]

She was struggling several fences before. It's too bad that the horse didn't just refuse and she could have been given the decision to retire as several other riders did yesterday. But the braveheart that he was he kept trying for her.

I am extremely sad to hear the news. My sympathies and heartfelt condolences for the rider and her team of support.

[Kenike]

I just got the update via email. Dammit! I'm so sad for Sarah, as well. :cry:

[FLeckenAwesome]

oh nooooooo.....

godspeed quietman!

i send my thoughts and prayers to all involved.
:(

[kcooper]

I saw them earlier on in the course and they looked fantastic. It was their first time at this level and there will always be awkward moments when a pair is moving up. I don't think it is fair to say the horse was overfaced as that implies he was not ready for the task, which did not seem to be the case based on the jumping I saw. It is terribly sad that this happened. Thank goodness that she was not seriously injured. That was a huge fence and I saw several horses clip it, one banked the back rail and one tried to bounce between the rails earlier in the morning.

[staceyk]

Hi,

I'm not an eventer but my sister and I watched their first few fences. They were very "sticky" -- QM seemed hesitant/cautious. My sister and I looked at each other and think one of us said "I hope they get their confidence soon."

My husband saw the fall -- had been photographing from that obstacle. It was a pretty awful scene, he walked away and went to the car. He called me from the car, thinking he had just watched a horse die (they had put up the partitions) and I assured him the horse and rider were okay, that the announcer said QM would "live to fight another day." I haven't told him the outcome, will wait till we get home.

My heart goes out to the people who loved these horses.

[Sannois]

I did not see his fall, HAd heard this morning that it was his shoulder, Did not know how bad. How very sad.:(
And I was thinking Sat morning as I watched several go's wow this is going to be a good year. ~Damn~:no:

[bjm4098]

He fell at the footbridge, correct? Now with the footbridge being an oxer, were frangible pins not used on this fence, or did they just fail their job?

RIP and Godspeed Mikey. Jingles, hugs and prayers for Sarah.

There were not any frangible pins at that jump.

[PFMJ]

I've met Sarah a couple of times where I take dressage lessons. I watched the coverage on line. I feel so horrible for her, and simply cannot imagine what she is going through and what she is feeling. From being around her, there was no doubt how much she loved Mikey. It's terribly tragic.

It is very easy to arm chair quarter back and be critical, especially when it comes to second guessing and being the one to make the choice to ride the horse, not ride the horse, or pull up. For those people who are making the comments about the horse not being ready or over faced, how is that helping at this point? Does it make this sad time, any easier or better, especially when the rider might see your words on line at some point. Does it make you feel like a bigger/better person because you "saw it coming?" How do those types of comments help the situation at all, because I don't see that they do.

Anyhow, I feel terribly for Sarah, and am thinking of her.

[Rallycairn]

It is very easy to arm chair quarter back and be critical, especially when it comes to second guessing and being the one to make the choice to ride the horse, not ride the horse, or pull up. For those people who are making the comments about the horse not being ready or over faced, how is that helping at this point? Does it make this sad time, any easier or better, especially when the rider might see your words on line at some point. Does it make you feel like a bigger/better person because you "saw it coming?" How do those types of comments help the situation at all, because I don't see that they do.

Anyhow, I feel terribly for Sarah, and am thinking of her.


You're absolutely right that it is easy to be critical from the armchair. But I do actually think these kinds of comments can be helpful in at least one sense: So many people are still looking at the accidents and deaths in eventing and wanting the primary, and maybe even only, safeguard to be "personal responsibility" -- meaning the decision of the rider to ride, not ride, pull up, etc. But if that's to be the only safeguard, or the primary safeguard, then we do have to be critical/appraising of riders and whether it's realistic to think that they/we are capable, with all the pressures of competing and all the adrenaline rush, etc., of making cool, accurate appraisals of risk while on course or at any point just before or during a competition.

[Kementari]

There were not any frangible pins at that jump.

So why not? (Not asking you; just posing the question.) That jump looks to me like a prime candidate to be retrofitted for pins (logs aren't huge and there is room for them to fall).

Are there ANY pins on the course at Rolex?

[Lori T]

How very sad. My heart goes out to all involved.

[MaresNest]

RIP Quiet Man. :(

All these deaths are wrong. Eventing needs to change.

I agree.

[2ndyrgal]

I met his lovely rider after her dressage on Friday. Sweet girl, he was a lovely, lovely horse, as someone who's lost a beloved partner, I can only imagine the depth of her grief. To all of those who use this as a format for change and discourse, let's all remember that this accident happened not only at the event of a lifetime, but in a very, very public format. Let's leave the threads regarding the horse's who died yesterday, be wishes for the rider's recovery and condolences. In a way, it's a bit like when Barbaro was so terribly injured. His misfortune came on one of racing's high holy days. Horses are injured in that industry, an industry that hasn't changed in decades, every day. It just isn't on the internet in seconds. It is not only a shame that the accidents happened, but a terrible shame they happened at Rolex. I talked to many more than one "first time" Rolex spectators yesterday, who asked me which jumps they should watch. Obviously, everyone wants to watch the Head of the Lake, but my two favorites are the Creek Oxer and the Footbridge. I hope that they didn't feel like walking all the way over there, or that they missed the falls.

[lacy859]

I think there were pins used in some places b/c I saw a rider basically gallop through one part of the double diamonds (?) and it came down. I think I have video of it actually.

[Beanie]

I too saw him at the jump before he fell. Sarah decided to take the longer route which seemed like the very right thing to do. He seemed a bit "high" and she was trying to give him the time to get steady. At the time all of us standing there talked about how we felt she was doing the right thing for him to give him more time. We all just held our breath as they went by and then cheered like mad for her. Just seconds later we could see her go up and then just a big puff of dirt. I walked part way over, just speechless, praying all the way. Someone there said they thought he dropped one leg between the two logs in the jump and then fell. I could see his ears just before they put him on the trailer and then him standing in the trailer as they drove away. What a heartbreak to find out the next morning he was gone. Honestly that fall put a damper on the day for me and we only stayed though part of the afternoon. Little did I know that 15 minutes after we left Frodo was to fall as well. We spent much of the day by that very strange flower basket area. We loved the trip but it is tough to remember all the good when you witness the very, very bad. As Sarah was walked away she looked dazed but kept glancing back to her poor horse. My heart goes out to both riders and their teams.

[Platinum Equestrian]

So why not? (Not asking you; just posing the question.) That jump looks to me like a prime candidate to be retrofitted for pins (logs aren't huge and there is room for them to fall).

Are there ANY pins on the course at Rolex?

You would think Rolex could afford the expense of adding the pins, since that is the reason that was given in previous posts for not using them in the US.

[Platinum Equestrian]

I did not see his fall, HAd heard this morning that it was his shoulder, Did not know how bad. How very sad.:(
And I was thinking Sat morning as I watched several go's wow this is going to be a good year. ~Damn~:no:

I just read that he was put down like many of you. How tragic once again. I'm in disbelief. Prayers for her and all that were close to Quiet Man.

[breakthru]

Unfortunately, I was there and had a prime view of the fall. To me it looked like he got a bad spot and either mistakenly thought it was a bounce for a second- or tried to bank it- but there was nothing to bank off of, (it was a big oxer with nothing between the rails) and didn't quite hang a leg and cause a rotational fall, but got himself enough that he couldn't land on his feet. Thank god Sarah was thrown clear. RIP Quiet Man.

[asterix]

There were frangible pins on the double diamonds (the corners later in the course). We went out on Sunday and spent a lot of time looking at that complex because it had been such a tough ride for so many pairs. I have no idea about other fences. We did see a horse whack one of the elements there pretty hard and it did not dislodge the pin (the pair were fine -- did the option and carried on).

I only saw the first half of TQM's effort over the Footbridge (I was closer to the double diamonds) but for whatever reason, he did not look as though he had near enough impulsion on takeoff to clear the fence. It was one of those moments when you almost know it's going to happen before it happens.

[horsepix76]

There were frangible pins on the double diamonds (the corners later in the course). We went out on Sunday and spent a lot of time looking at that complex because it had been such a tough ride for so many pairs. I have no idea about other fences. We did see a horse whack one of the elements there pretty hard and it did not dislodge the pin (the pair were fine -- did the option and carried on).


I don't know if we saw the same rider, but I watched Tara Ziegler and Buckingham Place hit the outer rail of one of the corners pretty hard. I have pics of it actually. Tara came off and the horse ran away, but was fine. She ended up getting on and taking the long option. Before she continued on, I did see the fence crew out adjusting the log on the far side. While it didn't completely break away, it did move as I watched them slide it back up and tie the ropes around it.

[up-at-5]

OMG! I have been on the road all day today and yesterday and just now got home. This news is terrible. I am SO sorry for Sarah and her horse. I have been crying since Saturday over Frodo, and worrying over Quiet Man.

I know they are not my horses, but as an animal lover, it just breaks my heart. I have pics of the last fence before the sunken road, as well as the sunken road, and then we began to walk over to the footbridge. I am glad I didn't make it to see them fall. I cry every time I look at Quiet Mans last pics on my camera.

My heartfelt condolences to this pair, as well as to Laine and Frodo.

[Pocket Pony]

There were frangible pins on some of the fences, but not all (of course, not all the fences were the type of question that could use a pin). When we did the coursewalk, they were pointed out to us.

Didn't Sarah have a fall at the first combination (fence 5)? I thought that was her - the rider before Becky, no?

I don't think anyone here is trying to assign blame. I do think it is helpful to discuss why it happened - maybe so if any of us are ever in a situation where we have to think twice or something doesn't feel right we'll remember what the worst possible outcome is. Mr. PoPo came to Rolex with me and commented that he thought that some of the fences seemed too mentally tricky for the horses - the footbridge was a perfect example. We saw a rider go over it and the horse looked like he either thought he could bank it or that he didn't realize there was a second rail and he almost put his foot through the middle. IMHO, and I'm only a very very low level rider, that is just too much of a bad set up...it sets the horse up for failure.

[NeverTime]

The rider who had two falls was Dornin Ann North. She rode in the morning, just before Becky, and fell at the Cedar Hop and again at the Footbridge. She was eliminated for the second fall but she and her horse walked away from it alive.
Sarah had some sticky fences (by most accounts the sunken road was tough for her) but the footbridge was her first, last and only fall.

[Pocket Pony]

Thanks for clarifying, NeverTime. Obviously I wasn't sure and stand corrected.

[NeverTime]

Sorry PoPo ... the force of that wasn't aimed at you. A lot of people have been re-telling Rolex stories and that misinformation has somehow become part of the fable (or, more appropriately, the horror story).

[Gunnar]

Godspeed to The Quiet Man! I saw the fall and it really was a case of leaving too long! Poor boy was game and paid the price! I just sat and cried when he did not get up! I saw him standing in the trailer and hoped he would be ok. I most likley have a picture of QM at the Sunken Road! I took one of most every horse who came by! I will cherish it! :sadsmile:

Hugs to Sarah! :sadsmile:

[yellowbritches]

One of our clients did her first Rolex trip this weekend (what a year to pick!). She told me yesterday that she had pictures of his fall. She showed me all her (actually, her husband's) pictures today (which were GREAT!). Quiet Man left his right leg totally behind when he left the ground (it was an odd picture, as the other three were perfect), the next picture was him landing in a heap on his right shoulder. It was ugly. She said that they crawled down to the Footbridge with little impulsion...so, if he left long with zero impulsion, it is little wonder it turned ugly.

Very sad, none the less. :no:

[event1]

I saw with my own eyes the ride that Dornin Ann North had two jumps before the footbridge and she should be THANKING HER LUCKY STARS. After the sunken roads-we were all saying "She needs to PULL UP-not her day". To say that she was crawling over the fences and BARELY made it through the sunken roads is an understatement. So, when she landed in a heap of dust at the footbridge it came as NO SURPRISE to any of us. That footbridge is absolutely enormous and WHY THE HELL WOULD SHE EVEN ATTEMPT IT when clearly her horse was NOT into it. When will some of these riders that make these poor decisions, realize that Rolex is not Romper Room and if you and your horse are not on your A game-WRAP IT UP. That girl needs to take a lesson from someone like Emily Libee who, in spite of her age, obviously has good judgement and the brains to know when to call it a day with herself and her HORSES SAFETY IN MIND.

[BaroquePony]

Quoted from event1:
That girl needs to take a lesson from someone like Emily Libee who, in spite of her age, obviously has good judgement and the brains to know when to call it a day with herself and her HORSES SAFETY IN MIND.

Who is Emily Libee ? How old is she and what is her background ? What does she ride ?

[event1]

Emilee Libby (sorry to have spelled her name wrong the first post) is a 20 year old young rider from New Jersey that rode in her second Rolex this year on her horse Cahir. She was not having a a good go on Saturday and had enough sense to PULL UP.:yes: Last go at Rolex...she finished 21st.

[BaroquePony]

event1,

Thanks.

Finally someone with some horsesense. Was beginning to think that was no longer part of the sport.