By now, I’m sure you’ve seen the gasp-inducing “Oh Crap!” video from novice cross-country at Gatcombe on Saturday. In case you are unable to view the video, here’s what happened: Caroline Harris and Zamio attempted to navigate an obstacle of double drop-down banks. Zamio stopped suddenly at the first drop, whirled on his hind feet 180-degrees and slipped backwards down the drop. Somehow, horse and rider were still standing, though facing the wrong way. The rider turned the horse and continued on to jump the next drop and the final element of the obstacle. It was a miraculous save.
A question though … how do you score that? Breaking down the incident, the horse clearly refused the first bank. Ok, one refusal. Horse and rider then continued through the obstacle, ending up completing all sections. They went on to finish the course, and the results show them with 20 jumping penalties and finished in 34th place.
However, they went backwards through that one set of flags … with the red flag on the rider’s left and the white flag on the rider’s right (and, I dare say, a whole NEW kind of insanity in the middle!).
According to FEI rules, which most national rules (including USEF) are based upon, completing an obstacle in the wrong direction is subject to elimination.
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When I first started eventing many years ago, and stumbling through my first Pony Club rallies, I do remember being taught the “Red on Right” rule. At the time, it was explained to me using a water crossing example: you had to enter the water forwards, with the flags appropriately on your right/left; you were not allowed to back your reluctant hydrophobic pony into the water. Despite getting his sorry butt INTO the water, you would have had your right/left/red/white backwards and thus be eliminated. I do believe there was actually a test question on this on the CT Rally Rules test before competition. (As a side note, perhaps USEA competitions should have a compulsory rules test before the start of dressage? I’m sure TDs would appreciate it!)
So, while the dramatic video is indeed an incredible save, sadly it probably should have resulted in a technical elimination. As with most rules, it is grounded in the safety of horse and rider. I think we can all agree that the horse’s decision to slip backwards was not a safe one!
