Cynthia Bayles Beats the Heat at Whidbey Island

Cynthia Bayles into the water at Whidbey Island Horse Trials. Photo by Susie Rowand Thompson. Cynthia Bayles into the water at Whidbey Island Horse Trials. Photo by Susie Rowand Thompson.

If you’re going to be an eventer, then one of the most important tools to have in your toolkit is a sense of humor. Cynthia Bayles — the rider pictured above taking a head-first plunge into the Training level water off her mare, Accolade — was quick to smile about her self-described “lawn dart moment” at Whidbey Island Horse Trials last weekend. Thankfully, both Cynthia and Accolade were unharmed by their parting of ways.

“Thanks to (picture-taker) Susie Rowand Thompson, here is the winning OMG moment ride of this year. I can hear Jonathan Elliott saying, ‘I told you so.’ (Yes, you did, and I finally enjoyed my long-awaited lawn-dart moment),” Cynthia said. “There was zero forewarning; I think (Accolade) was so focused on the crowd on the mound that she was shocked to see the drop to water. I’ve never had a horse stop so fast in its tracks! I thought I jumped it quite nicely however and the landing was cool and soft. Welcome to the Wet Knickers Club.”

We eventers are an aerodynamic bunch. Kudos to Cynthia for displaying perfect lawn dart form and having a sense of humor about it. Go Eventing.

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