Behind the Bit

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Darren Chiacchia's interview: It's a messy business... Posted: 18 Mar 2010 01:35 PM PDT Darren, a former Olympian eventer, lived through one of the worst falls I have ever seen captured on video. He was in a coma for a week but made a miraculous recovery and is back competing at a high level. He's been a magnet for controversy before and after this horrific incident, and the latest buzz is well, kind of a messy business. I'm sharing this video because I'm a closet psychologist. What makes people tick? And in this case, what on earth was he thinking? The video includes footage of Chiacchia's fall. The good news is, the horse was fine, and ultimately Darren recovered. But it is a nasty, awful fall. Consider yourself forewarned. My own little anecdote  Last year, at Rolex, there were two celebrity signings going on at once one morning. I walked past David O'Connor's signing. He was being photographed with his arms around two starstruck teens, smiling broadly while the girls appeared to be transported to heaven. About 10 booths down was Darren. He sat behind a table, grimly signing autographs without looking up. I don't think he made eye contact with any of the fans. I'm not a schmoozer myself, but I think I would have given it the old college try, or else I would not have agreed to the signing.  So much drama, so many story lines, and it's not a soap opera -- it's just one person!  Do you have an inquiring mind that wants to know? Here are some sources to get you started. RESOURCES  Not guilty plea by Chiacchia to HIV Charge,   from Horsetalk New Zealand (2010) Olympic Equestrian Darren Chiacchia Speaks For First Time About Arrest, WGRZ TV (2010) Chiacchia arrested: Mug shot and police report, from Eventingnation.com (2010) Darren Chiacchia earns first win since major injury, from Eventing Radio (March 2009) Chronicle forums posting about Chiacchia recovery, (March 2009) Chronicle forums posting about Chiacchia competing, (February 2009) Inside look at Darren Chiacchia's injury, from WCTV (March 2009) WCTV continues exclusive look at Darren Chiacchia's recovery, (March 2009) Equestrian Chiacchia's recovery serves as a reminder, (NYT, February, 2009) Equestrian Darren Chiacchia continues comeback, (King Sentinel, Sept. 2008) Chronicle forums posting "Darren is back," (July 2008) Darren Chiacchia making "super-human" progress (Horsetalk New Zealand April 2008) Injured equestrian Chiacchia heading home, (The Horse  April 2008) Olympic rider Darren Chiacchia in critical condition after fall, (March 2008) Olympics worth the wait for Chiacchia Buffalo News, (August 2004)

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