Is it too soon to JibJab the freshly-named U.S. Olympic squad? Nah.
While we were busy freaking out over the naming of the U.S. team, here’s what was going on in the rest of the world:
The man behind the Greenwich curtain: Can you imagine being handed the task of organizing the eventing portion of the Olympics? But Alec Lochore, eventing manager for the 2012 London Olympic games, seems to have everything in hand. With just 60 days to go before Opening Ceremony, Lochore reports on his many, many plates in the air, including facility construction, cross-country course design and how he narrowly escaped the doghouse by securing his wife a last-minute Olympic cross-country day ticket. [EQ Life]
News from New Zealand: Pippa Cuckson, equestrian correspondent for The Telegraph, says New Zealand “could be the dark horses of eventing” at the Olympics. She points to Andrew Nicholson’s smackdown at Barbury and suggests that Mark Todd and Jonathan Paget’s blunders (Todd was eliminated for forgetting a x-c fence; Paget for a parting of ways in the water) will only make them more determined not to screw up in London. “A stung Kiwi,” she says, “is a very dangerous beast.” [Telegraph] On an unfortunate note, Clarke Johnstone’s Olympic ambitions ground to a standstill after his horse Orient Express (Blue) sustained a leg injury after a good run at Barbury. It was the third of Johnstone’s Olympic qualified horses to succumb to injury this year. Johnstone wrote on his Facebook page, “Was really on a high after he went so well XC at Barbury yesterday but it was not to be.” [Stuff.co.nz] By the time you read this, the NZ team will have been named as the announcement was set for 8 p.m. NZT Monday evening, which equates to 3 a.m. (Update: 4 a.m.) Tuesday ET.
Britain reshuffles its team: Britain’s Piggy French is out of Olympic contention as her horse, DHI Topper, is injured. French was initially named for the team with two horses; the other, Jakarta,was also ruled out due to injury two weeks ago. “What can I say, I am devastated,” French told Horse & Hound. “My dreams are shattered, but most of all I feel so sorry for my support team that have been such a vital part of my success and also for my family and joint owners, the Underwoods. I wish the team all the best for the Games and look forward to being back on the team in the future.” Her spot has been filled by Nicola Wilson and Opposition Buzz. [H&H]
Colorado’s horses need your help: Hundreds of horses have been displaced by wildfires in Colorado and rescue and relief efforts are strained. The USEF encourages donations to its Equine Disaster Relief Fund, earmarked for devastating circumstances such as these. [USEF] In “An Action Plan and a Bottle of Rain,” SmartPak employee Kassidy Burnett recounts the story of being 14 years old and watching helplessly as the Cerro Grande Fire crept toward her family’s home and animals. [SmartPak Blog]
Get your Olympic info here: The FEI has launched a new online hub, fei.org/olympic ,dedicated to all things Olympic and Paralympic. The site contains Olympic history as well as technical information regarding the upcoming games, including links to schedules, results, news and a photo gallery. The hub will soon be expanded to include biographies for athlete and officials at the London 2012 games, as well as a history of equestrian events at the Paralympic Games. [USEF]
Found on Facebook: “Having been through the Olympic selection process, I don’t think anyone can comprehend, how tough that last meeting is… What a high, if you hear you and your horses name.. And the shallow feeling, if you don’t. But, if you got to that point, especially now, look up and keep moving forward… YOU ARE THE FUTURE!” —Jill Henneberg (U.S. Olympic event team, 1996)
Hot on Horse Nation: Cast your ballot for the most patriotic equestrian in the One K USA Helmet Giveaway; and another one bites the dust to the tune of Bette Midler. [HN]
Video: USA! You can-can do it! [If the video doesn’t show up in your browser, here’s a link.]
