Bernhard Maier: "I know it was a disturbing round, still we're making progress in our training."

The Austrian show jumping rider, Bernhard Maier's has caused some disturbance on social media with his ride Paddys Darco (read here). In a statement to Eqwo Maier states it is a personal attack on his person. Paddys Darco was bought by two sponsors of the Austrian show jumping rider. According to Maier the horse has a big potential for the high level classes. "Paddy was the best show jumping horse in Ireland as a five-year-old and eventually was sold to the USA. There the horse lost his confidence," states Maier. The show jumping rider states the horse was bought for his daughter Johanna Sixt. "We knew Paddys Darco was to difficult for her to ride, therefor I initially took over the reins," states Maier. "I want to give the horse's confidence back. Bring it back on an international level." "Although the video shows our disturbing round in Wiener Neustadt, I am convinced the work and training is developing positively," explains Maier. "It feels like this is a personal vendetta against my person," concludes the Austrian rider. READ FULL STATEMENT HERE