Bermudian Olympian MJ Tumbridge's mount Bermuda's Gold competed this month.

Former Chef-de-Mission of several campaigns by local riders and current head of the Bermuda Equestrian Association Mike Cherry said this week that the description on the HSUS website is wrong in saying the horse was "exhausted'' before it landed badly in a jump in the endurance phase at the Sydney Olympics.

Mr. Cherry said he did not challenge the rest of Monday's article -- only the paragraph saying the mortal landing came after the horse completed several miles of the course at a "full gallop'' on the 14 mile course.

Olympic Three Day equestrian events are closely monitored by veterinarians during the cross country phase.

And Bermuda's Gold had not run at a full gallop preceding the jump -- because the Three Day course includes the steeplechase portion is preceded by a two to three mile trot over "undulating'' course and a 40 to 45 minute walking course.

He added the steeplechase portion is also separated by the other parts of the course by a ten minute rest break after which the horse's heart rate is checked.

If the horse is having problems, independent veterinarians pull the horse from the competition.

Bermuda's Gold stumbled at the second jump after such a break, Mr. Cherry said, showing it was a freak accident, not the result of exhaustion.

The horses are not judged by how quickly they complete the course but by how much over they are to a set time.

"Yes, it is quite correct that 38 started and 13 did not complete it,'' he explained. "The cross-country is a test of endurance. But how many runners don't complete the marathon?'' Mr. Cherry added that equestrians who support the competition have "sympathy'' for the USHS and said they had worked with the organisation in the run-up to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

Equestrians had "concerns'' then that the Olympics were being held in the heat of the North American summer and the camps worked to make the event safer.

Mr. Cherry added: "They were quite happy with the results. The only thing is that paragraph (on the website detailing the course) is inaccurate.''