YIKES - Modern Pentathlon showjumping

 It said "this video can not play in your area" for me, so I could not see the vid. I have an "issue" with this "borrowing" horses on two levels. First riding is DANGEROUS you have to 'trust' your partner. You would hope you would be provided with proper mounts but... Secondly as the horse owner do you really want some stranger you have no idea of their skill level riding your horse? Trust me I really question pentathalon riders skill level.

A number of years ago, I had the opportunity to meet and have a meal with the man who was putting together the US Pentathalon team. He asked if I could swim. I hesitantly said 'yes'  then he explained for the pentathalon swimming ability is the key, you can teach the other sports well enough to get by. "Well enough"? Needless to say I was not interested in training for the pentathalon.

I have to look up information. I wonder how high the courses are for the pentathalon show jumping portion. I know they are not like the main show jumping, probably even lower than the eventing stadium phase (I could do that course).
 

Ok I just looked up the show jumping specs for the pentathalon. The jumps are supposed to be 4' that is pretty stout for "less" experienced riders. I personally have not jumped 4' in years! They have to jump a water too? Kate did you see one on course? In my 30+ years of riding I only jumped 1 "water" jump, and it was not really open water it was dressed up to not look like water (it was fun!). I would never want to jump water on a horse I do not know. Riding water takes confidence.  

 I didn't see a water, I'll watch the video again when the "normal" showjumping is over (individuals) and look for it specifically. 

I'm not too keen on that whole idea of "borrowing" horses to ride at that level either.  It was pretty clear that regardless of whether the rider trusted that horse, it did not trust him.  The horse refused almost every jump at least once, some of them twice.   That is a horse unhappy with who is on his back. 

The attitude of that chap you had lunch with amazes me.  "Well enough" is just not good enough when you're trusting an animal with a mind of its own to launch you into the air.  Good grief.