"Chasing Olympian Dreams: Chris Burton, Shadow Man, and Ethical Challenges in the Equestrian World"

Shadow Man: From Britain to Australia, Aiming for the Gold

Australian equestrian Chris Burton, a bronze medallist at Rio 2016, has taken the reins of Shadow Man, previously ridden by British rider Ben Hobday. This 14-year-old horse has been produced to a five-star level by Ben, setting a firm foundation for the aspirations of Chris and Shadow Man towards the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Unexpected Change of Rider

The exchange of reins to Chris Burton wasn't the initial plan for Ben Hobday, "but then we had a good think about it, and thought what were the realistic chances of me doing Paris this year." On careful contemplation, they decided that the best course of action would be for Chris to borrow Shadow Man for the next six months with the Olympics as the goal.

Equestrian World's Battle with Online Acrimony

Raising another crucial issue within the equestrian world, Olympic dressage rider Laura Tomlinson expresses her concern about the effect of online acrimony on competitive equestrians. She feels that recent online hostility has generalized all competitive riders as being on the wrong side of equestrian ethics.

Misinterpretation of Ethical Equestrianism

With social media and online imagery being so prevalent, Tomlinson points out the risks of being judged harshly based on static images, which can often misportray a situation. "The line between abuse and riding a horse in the wrong frame seems to have merged," she asserts, highlighting a significant gray area that is often overlooked in snap judgments.

The Countryside Code & Equestrian Safety

For those who enjoy the tranquility of country walks, the case of Shetland pony Teifi is a poignant reminder of the importance of following the countryside code, which urges to leave gates and properties as they are found. The pony got stuck in a cattle grid due to an open gate left behind by walkers.

Teifi's Rescue

It took hours for fire crews to free little Teifi using road traffic collision and animal rescue equipment. The owner expressed her deep gratitude towards the rescuers and was relieved that Teifi recovered well from the ordeal. This episode highlights the need to respect and follow the Countryside Code in order to prevent similar unfortunate incidents from occurring in the future.

In Conclusion

While we witness the preparation and performance of exceptional athletes, human and horse alike, in everyone's journey to the Paris Olympics, our conversations around equestrian sports should also encompass discussions of ethical practices and respect for each other's efforts both in and out of the field. References: Horse & Hound. (2024, March, 14).