Still a great photo
From Chelan:
So-What a DAY!!!! John pretty much covered the key points–the Germans are bummed (stops at the second last, last fence and two stops at a ditch?!?!), the poor Aussies are bummed, the Americans pulled up their socks today, and the Canadians were fantastic. More later on my impressive countrymen, but first a few little housekeeping items.
I was on my soapbox yesterday about the tongue biting resulting in a French horse’s elimination. I spouted off about the FEI needing to use common sense and discretion in such a case. Someone responded in the comments with an excerpt from the FEI rule which seemed to indicate that the FEI judges DO have discretion in such cases. I can’t actually find the rule tonight. However, at the press conference Friday night Marilyn Payne stated that once they saw blood they had not choice but to eliminate the rider. I am going to scour the rules and try to get a straight answer.
Regardless, today I saw three horses bleeding from their stifles to such and extent that there was blood on the white birch rails. FEI stewards washed the blood off. In addition, there was a horse with its mouth bleeding. So, my question is if the horse is eliminated for biting its tongue in dressage, but not for stifles bleeding cross country, there is a problem. These are not pretty pictures for our sport.
‘Willy’ FP and Stuart Tinney gave a clinic on masterful XC riding, as did Phillip and Andrew Nicholson. Karen Donkers, Mary King and Karen O’Connor are not spring chickens either and showed us that like a fine wine, cross country riders often get better with age. What a pleasure to watch so much skill and equine artistry. Will the Karen doubters please clam up after today’s ride?
I do wonder where the Japanese get their horses! Although the scoreboard told the tale of a sketchy day for that Nation, I saw several glimpses of really class horses. Let’s watch and see what happens there in two years. As well the Italians had flashes of brilliance today. But the question BEGS to be asked… what the bleep is up with the arm bands on the legs? Is this Pony Club Rally? Honest to God, polish your boots, put on a hair net and put the arm band on your arm!
Scoring–the WEG web site is appalling! One results sheet posted the rider individual results in order of closest to optimum time! It took me awhile to figure that one out. I think this is a not so gentle reminder that our penalty points system beginning with giving riders a good mark score out of 10, then converting that into penalties with the winner having the least points, is confusing at best.
Video–my video camera DIED before the day began. I had planned a video montage a-la Rebecca Farm, but it was not to be. Instead I spent the day frantically sweating for the riders, watching the jumbo-tron, and eating a hot dog. I probably eat one or two hot dogs a year. Today my stomach reminded me why that is the case. I’m certain that the $9 raspberry vodka lemonade helped though.
About the cross country course, I figured the head of the lake would prove more influential than it did. Two things prevented this from happening-first, the stuff BEFORE fence 17 sorted out the wheat from the chaff. Many people didn’t even get that far. Second, Mike E-S had the slant of that bounce rail at 18 A/B just right. There were a considerable number of combinations that caused Mother’s to gasp there, but the horses and riders got away with a multitude of sins. Normally I am like the ‘gasp-police’. For example, if there is a dodgy moment XC, and someone gasps, I am the first one to shut that down in a hurry. I have to confess to an audible peep or two from yours truly at those damn rails at the bounce bank. I nearly had a heart attack on more than one occasion. We all thought this course would cause a great deal of problems and it did. Mike E-S can sleep well tonight. He got it right, that is for sure.
The other thing I went on about yesterday was that our Canucks were going to wipe the floor with that course, and that is exactly what happened. Allow me a moment of bragging that is uncharacteristic for myself personally and our country as a whole. Case in point, few of us had FLAGS out there. No self respecting patriotic American would go to something like this without a bunch of giant flags. We were amazing and I am so excited. In my heady unabashed boasting, may I also point out that three of the riders are from the West coast. Go BC… I am going to take it upon myself to research when I get home and determine if history was made today by the Canadians, with SIX for SIX riders going clear cross country. I have been involved in the sport at the team level since 1988, and I do not actually recall that happening before. I think it may be a first, but don’t quote me. If someone else knows for sure, speak up, Otherwise, I am going to find out. The Canadians raced around the course like they were on FIRE.
The only big scary moment for us was when Jessie Phoenix thought for a moment that she was competing at the World Diving Championships. I’m no diving expert, but it is my understanding that as little splash as possible is the desired scenario. That was not the case when Jessica clung to the saddle for all she was worth, while frantically trying to keep Tucker’s head above water. High marks for stickability, crappy diving score due to excessive splash. Jess, stick to eventing-please! John already posted a link to a video of the impressive save.
Today for my country was not an accident, nor a coincidence. Our entire management team, and our coach David O’Connor have been preparing for this day for over 5 years. We all know that tomorrow is another day, etc. I always like to say, ‘it’s horses, what could possibly go wrong?’ For today though we celebrate hard work, determination, and a vision of success shaped by our fearless leader. Thanks guys. Whatever they are paying David, it is not enough. To be in the company of the Brits and the US and ahead of the Kiwis at a Major Games is a warm fuzzy feeling. Let’s hope the sound horse Gods are with us, and that the cups are sticky tomorrow.
I have discovered this weekend that I am a terrible spectator. Watching is far more stressful than riding-somebody get me a horse, STAT!! Tomorrow will be a nail biter, from the jog to the very last show jump round.
Go eventing, Go Canada!
