This is literally what I think of whenever anyone mentions the 2004 Olympic Games. (video updated)
So we’re down to single digits my friends! Last time, we looked back at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, where the difficult cross-country course claimed many victims, both individually and in the team competition. In Athens, ummmm not so much. The course was designed to be horse and rider friendly, maybe a little too horse and rider friendly. The lack of difficult, technical tests led many to get around safely, albeit outside the optimum time, which was the biggest challenge for riders.
In 2000 it was a dressage round I remember best, in 2004, it was a cross country round. Literally that of John Williams and Carrick. Carrick, who loped his way around this course with one ear flopping, John Williams hovering over his neck, barely sitting in front of the fences. It was like they had jumped this course every day of their lives.
for John Williams and Carrick’s round, start at 2:42
However, it was Kim Severson and Windsom Adante that were the USA’s superstars. They put in a stellar dressage test, were one of 14 pairs to go double clear on cross country, and pulled one rail to finish in silver medal position behind Leslie Law and Shear L’Eau.
The biggest story in 2004 was the situation with Bettina Hoy and Ringwood Cockatoo. Bettina was in silver medal position going into the stadium; however, she made two circles to start her round, which were later penalized, then appealed by Germany, then appealed again by France, and the Germans were stripped of their gold medals. This gave France the gold, Great Britain the silver, and the United States the bronze. Sooo, thanks Bettina Hoy for the bronze medal!
Athens were the first Olympic Games to feature the modified event format, which x-nayed the roads and tracks and steeplechase, and only included the cross-country. Also for the first time was the individual format we are familiar with today, in which the individual riders jump two stadium rounds, one for the team, and one for the individual competition.
–
Show Jumping
The United States hit back after a disappointing finish at Sydney with a performance few could find fault with in Athens. The team, which consisted of Chris Kappler (Royal Kaliber), Peter Wylde (Fein Cera), McLain Ward (Sapphire), and Beezie Madden (Authentic) took team gold for the first time in 16 years. Chris Kappler won individual silver, behind Rodrigo Pessoa and Baloubet de Rouet. Unfortunately Royal Kaliber suffered a severe suspensory injury in the final round and was unable to finish; his prior performance was still good enough to earn a medal.
Oh but that’s not the whole story. The entire games were plagued with positive drug tests from horses across all three disciplines. Cian O’Connor, the original gold medal winner, had his horse test positive for a human anti-psychotic. Whatever that means. After a drawn out period, which included drama in the form of stolen documents, O’Connor was stripped of his medal the Irish were moved down to last place, allowing Kappler to move up from individual bronze to silver. Germany, the original team gold medal winners, had Ludger Beerbaum’s horse Goldfever 3 disqualified because he tested positive for an illegal anti-inflammatory. This was why the USA had their gold medals awarded in 2005 in Palm Beach, Fla. Whew. Did you follow that? I confused too.
Watch Chris’ ride on Royal Kaliber. The last Olympic Games without GPA Air helmets blinding my eyes.
–
Dressage
Typical, typical. Anky wins gold, this time with Salinero, and Germany wins team gold. What else is there to say? Oh, well team USA won bronze for the fourth consecutive Olympic Games, this time with the great mare Brentina on the team. Other members included Lisa Wilcox (Relevant), Guenter Seidel (Aragon), and Robert Dover (Kennedy).
Robert Dover competed in his SIXTH consecutive Olympic Games. However, to me I will always remember best seeing him at Dressage at Devon wearing some truly awesome dirty wash jeans. His best individual finish came in Sydney in 2000, where he placed sixth.
Instead of leaving you with Anky’s beautiful round, or Ulla’s silver medal freestyle, instead I leave you with Beatriz Ferrer-Sallat and her 17-year-old Beauvalais. Why? Because I love old horses (I have one) and the name Beatriz is just freaking awesome. Enjoy.
–
2004 Facts and Figures
-Four horses between disciplines tested positive for illegal medications
-Germany won its 11th team Dressage gold medal. To put that into perspective, only 17 team gold medals have been given out in Dressage since its conception as an Olympic sport.
-Jumping footing in Athens was later deemed “acceptable,” but “not up to Olympic standards.” The footing was blamed for three injured showjumpers, including Royal Kaliber (who later died of colic while recovering from his torn suspensory).
-A disastrous round by individual eventing leader Nicholas Touzaint (FRA) saw his 19 penalty round drop him from first to 19th. Ouch.
-Equestrian Team USA won a total of 5 gold medals in 2004, one more than Great Britain
-Showing their love of strikes, Greek workers began a series of one-day strikes before the start of the Olympics over wage disputes
-2004 was the first year the Olympics were broadcast over the internet
-The annual cost to maintain Olympic facilities since the Olympics is an estimated 500 million euro. Yikes.
