via @NBCOlympics.
I’ve seen the Arctic Monkeys four times in recent history and pilgrimaged to Riddle and McGonagall’s Greyfriar graves; all my life I’ve been “Abby, like The Road,” though I used to wonder whether Lucy wasn’t superior. So I am not unbiased…
But to the many social media Olympic Opening Ceremony detractors I sanguinely say YOU’RE WRONG, and to Danny Boyle I say MASSIVE CHEERS for your visionary show, your troops of Sergeant Peppers, your Queen’s corgis, your David Beckham-captained torch boat, all of which have made me even more excited (if that were possible) to watch Boyd and Otis trailblaze the centerline at 5am ET today.
Tune in early & often for our Dressage Day 1 coverage, beginning shortly.
North American Dressage Times Today:
Boyd Martin & Otis Barbotiere (USA) — 10:00am local (5am ET)
Michelle Mueller & Amistad (CAN) — 10:40am local (5:40am ET)
Karen O’Connor & Mr. Medicott (USA) — 12:08pm local (7:08am ET)
Hawley Bennett-Awad & Gin & Juice (CAN) — 1:02pm local (8:02am ET)
Tiana Coudray & Ringwood Magister (USA) — 3:18pm local (10:18am ET)
Peter Barry & Kilrodan Abbott (CAN) — 4:12pm local (11:12am ET)
Tomorrow:
Will Coleman & Twizzel (USA) — 11:20am local (6:20am ET)
Jessica Phoenix & Exponential (CAN) — 12:00pm local (7:00am ET)
Phillip Dutton & Mystery Whisper (USA) — 2:38pm (9:38am ET)
Rebecca Howard & Riddle Master (CAN) — 15:18pm local (10:18am ET)
US Weekend Events:
FEI’s examination of Olympic viewing options around the world. [FEI]
At yesterday’s first horse inspection, four initially held horses passed upon reinspection; all 85 horses move on to dressage. Photos & Recaps: [COTH] [NBC]
Zara Phillips’ mount High Kingdom, “renowned for looking unenthusiastic” during inspections, was accepted after an additional, immediate re-jog. [Telegraph]
From reserves to GB Olympic pathfinders: Nicola Wilson & Opposition Buzz. [Horse & Country]
FEI’s Louise Parkes on Greenwich cross-country: “By the time horses reach the 1.45m high and almost 2.00m wide Royal Herb Garden hedge oxer at fence four they will be on the gallop, and the questions come up at a relentless rate all the way around the track. One of the most spectacular obstacles is The Moon, built at the top of a steep downhill run with a sensational view across the London skyline.” [FEI]
COTH’s cross-country course walk gallery, including decorative details and crazy Moon and Planet jumps, with insight from designer Sue Benson. [Photos]
USEF High Performance Communications Director Joanie Morris’ London blog: “It is really cool to wander around the Village, there are athletes everywhere and they are truly in all shapes and sizes. The British Jumping riders were kicking around there as tourists. Steffen, Jan, Tina and Adrienne are spending the night in the village after Opening Ceremonies and then will head to the Main Press Center tomorrow at 9 AM for a pre-competition press conference.” [USEF Blog]
From the New Yorker archives, a 1984 Olympic-origin investigation: “Eight hippic events are known, though one of them, the mule-cart race, was quickly dropped. The hippic events were popular and, when their fields were large, could clog the schedule of the Games. Callias, an Athenian pancratist, during one of the frequent alterations in the schedule of events, complained bitterly that numerous heats in the hippodrome had forced him to fight by moonlight—a poor setting, he contended, for a display of his talents.” [New Yorker]
Top of the Tweets: Nina Ligon: Off to the Opening Ceremony! http://instagr.am/p/Nl30WmrqIn/
Best of the Blogs: The Davidsons are busy competing, coaching, breeding the next crop of Olympic event horses… [Bruce Davidson Eventing]
The swanky SmartPak Greenwich abode (they’ve also been getting to know the locals):
