[via Olympic.org]
Right about now we should be writing about the awesomeness of Badminton 2012, but ye good ole British weather had something to say about that. Fortunately we have a great weekend of eventing here in the United States to write about including our very own three-day, the beginner novice, novice, and training three-day at Southern 8ths farm [Scores]. But, before we move completely into the weekend I want to take one quick look back at Rolex, specifically the Monday morning horse inspections conducted by the US team vets.
On Sundays after big three and four star events the US Eventing Team will ask certain pairs to stay for Monday morning team vet inspections. The goal is to evaluate how the horses are feeling, thus gaining insight into how they will handle the following fitness work and stress of the upcoming team competition. For us fans, the list gives us insight into who has caught the team’s proverbial eye for Olympic selection. But remember it doesn’t necessarily mean anything other than team vets looked at certain horses Monday morning at the Kentucky Horse Park and some pairs who had a tough weekend at Rolex will get a shot to redeem themselves at Bromont. This year’s lucky few to be held after Rolex:
Will Coleman and Twizzle
Phillip Dutton with Mighty Nice and Fernhill Eagle
Boyd Martin with Remington and Otis Barbotiere
Becky Holder with Can’t Fire Me
Allison Springer with Arthur
Karen O’Connor with Mr. Medicott
Marilyn Little-Meredith with RF Demeter
A few thoughts…
–This year the formula was simple–the top 8 US horses placed at Rolex plus Can’t Fire Me.
—Thank goodness the team chose to look at Can’t Fire Me, and I give them a lot of credit for doing so. Can’t Fire Me was pulled up by cross-country control at the second to last fence with a visible cut on his knee. After inspection by a competition vet he retired just two fences from home. The decision was clearly made in the interest of horse welfare, which is the standard by which all decisions should be judged. That being said, it was a tough break for Becky and Can’t Fire Me since they were so close to competing that tough course with a great round. The word around the barns Sunday morning was that Can’t Fire Me would have been OK to jog, which was great news for the future but it also magnified the heartbreak. The decision to look at Can’t Fire Me shows a lot of intelligence and discretion by the selectors and it shows that they are doing a good job of not putting too much emphasis on the final score board.
–I was harsh on Mark last night, but there is no doubt that the US Eventing Team is performing great right now. This has to do with a variety of factors but if we’re going to criticize the coach when the team isn’t doing well, we should give him credit when they are riding well. To see just how far the US Team has come, compare the Monday jog list with what our team looked like 7 months ago. Twiz and Arthur were effectively out of the picture after tough 2011 seasons, Mr. Medicott and Demeter belonged to other nations, and Marilyn was still very much a show jumper trying to become an eventer. Can’t Fire Me, Mighty Nice, and Fernhill Eagle were talented young horses with a long way to go before their first four-stars. After watching those 9 horses jump so well around such a tough Rolex course, you could send the five of them to London and I’d have a lot of confidence that we would finish with a very solid team score.
–Remember that some of our best horses including Neville, Manior de Carneville, Buck’s string, and Mystery Whisper didn’t even compete at Rolex.
–Taking a broader look back at Rolex, 2012 will be one of those years that we look back on and say “wow, do you remember that 2012 course?” Completing Derek di Grazia’s 2012 course is something that those horses and riders will be proud of for the rest of their lives. Simply getting to a four-star is a tremendous achievement, but completing Rolex 2012 is a badge of honor.
–I’m told Phillip won the planking.
Last, but not least, I want to wish a very happy wedding to our very own Leslie Wylie, who is getting married on Saturday. Hearts are breaking all over the world this weekend. That’s all for now Eventing Nation. Stay tuned to EN throughout the weekend for all of your eventing news, results, and ridiculousness. Go eventing.
