14 Sarah Kieran, Maclay Finals First Round

Maclay Finals - First Round, from the Alltech National Horse Show, November 3, 2013.

[@ellajohns245]

You did her dirty by making that the thumbnail.

[@mybutterflybetta8211]

they sure did

[@lola_equestrian]

Exactly what I tought

[@addie_equestrian24]

They didn’t make the thumbnail, the horse actually refused..

[@addie_eq_rideformilly]

@@addie_equestrian24still doesn’t have to be the ‘cover photo’ (aka thumbnail) of him refusing lol

[@addie_equestrian24]

@@addie_eq_rideformilly well that was the point of making that the thumbnail, to get popular and show people what happened in that round.

[@shellykennedy5427]

The horse was clearly nervous the whole round - head high, eyes staring, going too fast, trying to charge the fence, and weaving before several fences. The rider did well in a difficult competition, despite having her hands full with him.

[@eshraberg]

I think it was really lovely how this rider was a gentle and confident leader after that refusal.

[@collynpetroccione4205]

What a wonderful rider. Staying so calm and cool with the horse while certainly experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. Amazing job!

[@jadehillsporthorses2996]

What a beautiful ride from the rider. The horse was sucking back on leg up to most of the fences, and seemed very slippery, yet she was a definitive and confident leader, and wasn't indecisive in any of her aids. This could have gone so much worse. I think she made this a great learning experience for the horse, even if she knew that round wasn't going to win her anything.

[@nadanumber1]

She had a great position considering she barely fell forward when he refused.

[@SarahK293]

Well sat! The horse seemed pretty frazzled after the refusal but I love how the rider handled it. :)

[@mijoutte]

Fantastic rider! Bad luck..

[@Kimberlyk12]

Horses are horses, they dont feel the environment is comfortable sometimes. You won't win all finals, but the more sensitive horses make you better. They take more horsemanship!

[@annikablock6177]

You could see it coming. Poor girl:(

[@viennnamak]

Is it just me, or does the horse make the fences look small?

[@vanessamccaughley9780]

Vienna Mak the jumps aren't huge though😂

[@viennnamak]

True 😂 Probably 3ft?

[@carrib2081]

The jumps are set at 3'6 .

[@laylathompson9028]

Wonderful rider

[@emanubano]

I am sorry, but I could see that stop from several strides out. That horses may have needed to be tapped with the crop. The rest of her course was quite lovely

[@efletcheroonie4925]

+Elena Manubens and to be honest she handled it perfectly. just because a horse spooks doesn't mean it is going to stop...

[@guestuser1671]

It was obvious from the get go that the horse felt very uncomfortable and didn't like the arena at all. It happens, even the best-trained horse remains at heart a flight animal with strong instincts. They also have bad days sometimes, this was probably a combination of both. Bad luck, especially on a stage like this.

[@single55]

I just love the Thirstin howl the 3rd horse talk. Such perfect explanations so the rider can understand.lol

[@barboravlkova1207]

i am love horse

[@judywells8498]

Lovely

[@EMStechy]

I could tell horse was nervous she rode a lot better than her horse went

[@shelbyreynolds5014]

This was me during Medal finals

[@annikablock6177]

I would cry !!! If I refused at mclay! It’s a dream

[@jennac7887]

I am love horse

[@patriciastaton6182]

Good job on refusal just did it again good

[@hellocv1005]

Tbarcalar 😍😍😍😍😍😍😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎👽👽👽👽

[@zoecampbell8629]

A great rider but the horse was probably just having a bad day

[@daretofly1999]

I'm confused, was the EQ or jumpers? looks like an EQ horse, and course, but he/she was going quite fast..

[@daretofly1999]

sargent koerner I know that its EQ, there was a hint of sarcasm in my remark. ;)

[@daretofly1999]

sargent koerner possibly. ;)

[@willapoepsel1865]

For your information, Brody and Sarah are amazing. Until YOU get on that horse and YOU show and YOU work with that horse, maybe you shouldn't judge... Even though he is quite difficult, they look amazing together.

[@daretofly1999]

Lmao. Willa Poepsel

[@marinamontalto5098]

sargent koerner willa and i know sarah personally and very well which i think is why she took it the way she did

[@Lagolop]

On a million $ push button horse, ....LOL.

[@penelope.j.010]

He was a spooky

[@Darlaeq1]

Lmao funny u call this a push button horse… clearly spooky and nervous, a push button horse would be much more well adjusted to a competition like this. After all some of the past winners have made their horses themselves… Dominic Gibbs (2020) made his jumper into an eq horse and proceeded to win the Maclay and the Washington finals on it.

[@Lagolop]

@@Darlaeq1 When a rider is nervous, then even a push button horse might react... as int this case.

[@Darlaeq1]

@@Lagolop she didn’t seem that nervous tho, she stayed calm and for the most part in control