British eventer Mary King has been suspended from competition for two months after receiving her second yellow card, for dangerous riding, within a 12-month period.
She received the warning at the Bramham Horse Trials in England, which took place June 6-8. King was riding MHS King Joules in the CCI***, where the pair retired on cross country. On her website, King explained: “The horse I rode at Bramham was disappointingly strong and unruly across country. I pulled him up half way around the cross country course and retired after we had jumped the first part of a rail, ditch, rail combination.
“He dropped his back legs on the first rail and the frangible pin broke. It felt dangerous and neither of us were enjoying ourselves, so I thought it best to stop before we had an accident. The ground jury have interviewed me and said I should have pulled up at the fence before.
“They said because I am a high profile rider/role model for younger riders I should have been more sensible, and I received a yellow card for dangerous riding. I was completely shocked and devastated.”
King’s first yellow card came last October at an event in France, Le Lion d’Angers, for what FEI officials deemed dangerous riding on Cavalier Venture. While competing the young horse in the CCI**, King explained that he spooked going into a water obstacle and stopped at the jump coming out. The FEI felt King should not have pushed the horse after the spook.
Banned from competition until August 9th, King said, “I had a couple of younger horses doing some events during June and July, so Emily, my daughter, is going to ride them.” She added, “I love my horses and love the sport, I am very sorry this has happened.”
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