IRISH show jumper Kevin Thornton is to set up a support group for riders who find themselves in emergency situations where they require mental help, legal advice and veterinary support.

The 28-year-old Dundalk rider, whose mount Flogas Sunset Cruise (Finbar) died suddenly at the GPA Jump Festival in Cagnes-sur-Mer, France, says the move was prompted by his experience of what he described as a “witch hunt”.

The rider – and those close to him - were subjected to death threats via social media and mail to his home including threats that he would be burned alive, have his fingers removed and be beaten, he revealed.

“Social media can ruin your life, your business, your future and your sanity,” he wrote in a Facebook post this morning. “So I urge people that the next time to think about the facts before making accusations, commenting or sharing, you never know the damage you can do.”

Social media can ruin your life, your business, your future and your sanity

Thornton wrote: “Monday the 10th October 2016 is a day that I will never forget, and will haunt me for the rest of my life. I lost on this day a horse, a friend, a team mate but, if all this was not hard enough to digest alone, it was accompanied with a personal onslaught on social media and other medias alike ignited by lies and inaccuracies. Upon my departure from the competition of which I remain adamant was my own decision, I experienced every emotion known to mankind.

BURNED ALIVE

“Threats on my life, on my wellbeing and on those close to me were issued. I received mail to my home, messages on Facebook and other means endangering my life, threats that I would be burned alive, have my fingers removed and beaten to within an inch of my life. Verbal assault describing me as a murderer, assassin and animal abuser.”

He outlined the mental stress of the period following the death of Flogas Sunset Cruise, who is owned by Vinnie Duffy from Ballina and who came out in support of the rider.

Threats that I would be burned alive, have my fingers removed and beaten to within an inch of my life

“After the death of Finbar (Flogas Sunset Cruise) I have had nothing but a frenzy of emotions resulting in paranoia, sleepless nights, fear, sadness, disappointment, gratitude, thankfulness, nausea, stress, fatigue, disgust, sorrow, despair, anxiety and kindness.

This emotional frenzy was a result of all the negativity that was directed towards me but also the positivity I received from my friends close and far, family and peers who supported me through my darkest hours to make them a little brighter,” he wrote.

Thornton also highlighted the support he received from family, friends and fellow riders.

KIND WORDS

“The kind words and support from these people I will never forget and it’s at moments in life like this one when you realise who has got your back, and for that I am forever indebted.”

Every time I leave my home and people look at you, I ask myself ‘Did they recognise me?’, ‘Which article did they read, was it the truth or the social medias initial story which was hounded by inaccuracies?’. Every time people make eye contact, the paranoia sets in. I don’t know when this will stop!”

Thornton wrote that the tragedy that had reached an incredible number of people all across the globe proved to everybody the power of social media, and the negative effect it can have on society.

I am going to make it my business to try to ensure that this does not happen to anybody again

“I am going to make it my business to try to ensure that this does not happen to anybody again,” he vowed.

“The current awareness of mental health of people of all ages is a major theme, I am lucky enough to have such great number of people around me that helped me through this difficult time and I realise the cloud has not yet lifted but the light is starting to come through.

“Social media can ruin your life, your business, your future and your sanity. So I urge people that the next time to think about the facts before making accusations, commenting or sharing, you never know the damage you can do.”

LOST

The Swiss-based rider said he was lost, didn’t know which way to look and what to do as the events unfolded at Cagnes-sur-Mer and after his horse died.

“I would like to take this opportunity to create a ‘go-to’ association for riders of all ages, and levels starting with a base branch in Ireland, that in the event of a difficult situation such as mine or any other situation that can arise surrounding our sport, that there is a person to go to for advise in any emergency with contacts for legal help, mental help, veterinary advice etc,” he explained.

This foundation could help to give a support branch to those in the darkest hours of distress

“I hope this idea would be welcomed by the equestrian community as the stresses in our life grow forever greater due to the investment of time, effort and money in an attempt to achieve our dreams. This foundation could help to give a support branch to those in the darkest hours of distress.”

AUTOPSY RESULT

Yesterday the provisional results of an autopsy carried out on Flogas Sunset Cruise found no evidence of whip or spur marks, and no sweat or sweating consequences such as encrusted areas or changes to the skin surface.

However there was no clear conclusive cause of death such as a heart attack or a brain haemorrhage uncovered on Friday and so further tests, including blood and tissue analysis, are now under way. These may take some time to complete.

Dr Peter Cronau, a German veterinary expert attended the postmortem in Lyon on behalf of Kevin Thornton, as a witness to the autopsy.

No official results of the FEI investigation have yet been released but a statement, based on Dr Cronau's observations, was released yesterday.

READ about the provisional autopsy result and statement from Kevin Thornton here