Photos courtesy of Calina R.
Hello Eventing Nation, and a very happy Friday to you! Last Sunday, Kyle Carter added himself to the long list of men who have attempted to kiss David O’Connor. As far as I know, only Jim Wolf has succeeded. That’s ok Kyle, there’s always next year. I just have one short video today to get you 17 seconds closer to the end of work, but it is worth watching at least three times and I have lots and lots of reading. For once, I am not going to start on a positive note, so let’s jump right in:
—The USA has been really disappointing in all of the three Olympic sports so far at the WEGs. 9 team and 9 individual medals have been awarded for Olympic sports and the USA has only won two of those medals–bronzes for Ravel in the dressage individuals. The show jumping team had a major meltdown on Wednesday dropping from bronze medal position to finish dead last, but the US does still have a chance to pick up an individual medal in the show jumping on Saturday. Sports like reining, combined driving, para-equestrian, and vaulting are supporting the USA’s medal count right now.
–I’m sure that I am not the only one who keeps checking Peter Atkins’ Youtube page five times a day for the WEG Run Henny Run helmet cam video. After a couple of sticky moments on course, including jumping through a ditch and brush, I expect this to be the best helmet cam video ever.
—The Fair Hill Entries have been posted. Can you believe it is time for Fair Hill again? Phillip only has two entered in the CCI3*, Karen has the incredible Quintus 54 entered in the CCI3*, but there are a lot of talented younger riders entered this year who could step up and win with a fast XC ride.
–A Saudi rider was leading after the first couple of days in the show jumping, and it reminded that Middle Eastern countries are starting to really get into Olympic sport horse disciplines. When the ruling elite from oil-rich countries such as Saudi Arabia and Dubai started liking horse racing, they poured money into it and now they own many of the dominant racing programs. The same trend is beginning in show jumping and I would expect Saudi Arabia and the UAE to be dominant forces in the sport by the next World Equestrian Games. It remains to be seen if the Middle East has as much interest in eventing, but I, for one, would welcome any diversity and increased funding to our sport.
As promised, check out improved video of Jessica’s dive into the HOTL–an instant EN classic, courtesy of SK
–I finally had a chance to scour the FEI rule book and I learned two things from my interpretation of the rules. First, bleeding in the mouth “will result in disqualification” without exception during the dressage test. There was mention in the EN comment section last Friday, that possible discretion by the ground jury, but this discretion is allowed at times “except during a test.” Also, the FEI rules say that changes to definite entries can be made no later than two days before the start of the competition. Check out the FEI’s rules for eventing if you are ever having a good day and would like to ruin it with a migraine.
–If you think eventing one horse is expensive, multiply that by 4 and buy a carriage that costs more than a car and that’s what combined driving costs. Almost anyone in combined driving has some serious money behind them, out of necessity.
—USA Today noticed that Britain won 6 individual and one team gold in para-equestrian
–Some WEG vendors are threatening to sue because they say WEG spectator traffic is not what they were promised when they purchased expensive trade show locations. One high-end riding apparel company owner is quoted as saying “we can’t wait to leave Kentucky,” which makes me wish he had said that within earshot of a Kentucky native.
—Rebecca Howard has an excellent WEG recap. I got to know Rebecca more over the WEGs and I continue to be really impressed. She seemed focused even after the competition was over. You should have been there when David talked about Rebecca’s future as a rider–from what I heard that girl is the real deal.
–I know Boyd’s WEG recap has made some waves, but I thought it made good points on several topics. First, competing internationally costs team riders money, at least in the short run. All of the US riders passed up on a month’s worth of income to train for and then attend the WEGs. The expenses are much higher for international riders who traveled to the Games. Would I trade a month’s pay to compete at the WEGs? Of course, and obviously so would Boyd, but it’s something to be considered. Secondly, Boyd mentioned that he was back riding 14 horses on Tuesday and the same story goes for all of the team riders. There are no luxurious vacations or off-seasons in eventing, especially with Fair Hill just a week away.
Go eventing.
