Clouds of Doubt

Its with a heavy heart that I write this entry about my experience at Rolex. I've gone to the XC day for over a decade now and I've just never felt this way before. For those that don't know, two horses were euthanized after crashing on course Saturday. I witnessed one of them (Sarah & The Quiet Man). It was horrific. I missed Laine & Frodo's horrid spill at the Flower Basket by moments. On our way up the hill towards that area of the course, we decided to head back down to the Head of the Lake (primary water complex) instead. Laine was severely injured and had to be airlifted to a nearby trauma center. She is okay, but still on a respirator with multiple jaw, collarbone and rib fractures.

The Rolex has always been one of the highlighting events of my spring. However, I just don't know if I can support a sport that has cost the lives of 4 horses and 1 rider in the last 3 months. Some serious changes need to be made to the sport -- perhaps taking it back to the LONG version, when it truly was about endurance. I'm seriously doubting whether I will go back next year.

Here is a peek at a shot from Saturday. The rest can be found in the proofs.


Karen O'Connor and Hugh Knows
The Footbridge - Rolex 2008