Great saves. We’ve all had our own — those moments where we see our life (or at least our dignity) flash before our eyes. We saw some really top-notch saves in 2015, and we’re continuing our look back on another year full of insanity with our Top Saves of 2015.
We’d also like to know who gets your vote for the unofficial Best Save of 2015! Take a look here, and vote in the poll for your favorite.
Photo courtesy of Mary Pat Stone.
1. Tim Bourke’s Stirrupless Save at Burghley
Losing a stirrup is pretty nerve wracking at any time, but imagine losing your stirrup while on course at big, bad Burghley. Your heart rate just went up a tick, didn’t it? Thankfully, Tim went on to complete with no further issues, but he somehow jumped the Cottesmore Leap with his iron dangling in the wind.
2. Joe Meyer Saves the Runway at Richland Park
If “Dancing With the Equine Stars” were a thing, perhaps Joe and South Paw would not have won, but they’d certainly win plenty of marks for composure (or lack thereof for South Paw). Luckily, Joe had everything under control and made his save look easy.
3. Leslie Law Avoids a Swim at AECs
The powers of stickability came together to keep Leslie Law safe and dry after a near fall at AECs aboard Cooley’s Rule of Law.
4. Lizzie Snow Wins the Best Save at Rolex
This save could straight up go on one of those Thrills and Spills videos that we all used to watch as kids. Lizzie Snow and Coal Creek made their four-star debut this spring at Rolex, and they kept things exciting at fence 20. Thanks to Tylir Penton, we can see how it (nearly) went down.
5. Niklas Bschorer Casually Stays Dry at Badminton
It definitely seemed to be a year of great four-star saves, and this one from Niklas Bschorer is no exception. Niklas made the best of a potentially bad (and wet) situation — as well as an inflated air vest — and somehow made it through a tricky question on course with Tom Tom Go 3.
6. Lillian Heard Saves the Day at The Fork
We saw a fantastic stickability lesson from Lillian Heard at The Fork when she somehow managed to both hang on and still pilot Arundel to the next fence.
7. Darby Weerstra and Seelie Court II Pull it Together at Richland Park
Darby Weerstra competed in the Novice division at Richland Park this year and safely made it home, albeit with one heck of a save at fence 5. Way to kick on, Darby!
8. The Littlest Girl Makes the Biggest Save
And finally, we look back at little Naomi Langeler, who at just 9 years old already has a viral save under her belt. Thank goodness for “around the world” training! Keep an eye on this one, y’all.
So now it’s time for a vote! Pick your favorite save of 2015:
