Last night’s US short list selections are a distant memory after the EN chinchillas were emotionally scarred this morning by watching Jon Holling’s streaking video (hide yo’ kids, hide yo’ wife). Nonetheless, here are a few thoughts on the short list selection in a feeble attempt to restore some order to EN.
1. In many ways, I’d rather be in the position of announcing the 5 pair Olympic squad right now like the Canadian and British teams. The 9 riders on the US short list are all tough competitors and you can expect tension in the US barn right up until the team is named after Barbury. I wouldn’t put it past several short list members to try and get in the heads of their fellow short listers in an attempt for any possible edge at Barbury. In contrast, the Canadians and Brits can focus on supporting each of their teammates and getting their horses ready for the big show. Ultimately the US selectors had too many good options to be able to pick the 4th and 5th team spots and I think it was a good decision to stick with the plan of releasing a short list and selecting the team after Barbury.
2. The most surprising short list pick for me was Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister “Finn”, but the more I think about it the more sense it makes. They are the ultimate high risk, huge reward pair. Finn finished in 13th place at Saumur despite a stop. I could easily see them being the second placed US pair at Barbury behind Phillip and Mystery Whisper. Tiana has always been extremely mature in handling the ups and downs of riding such a talented horse at an early stage in her career and I’m rooting for them to prove the selectors right at Barbury.
3. I remain surprised that Andromaque wasn’t picked after a second in the Bromont CIC3*. I really wish we could have a chance to see “Missy” compete at Barbury and I think she could have done really well. Ultimately perhaps the selectors didn’t feel Missy had as much upside as some of the other short listed horses, but now we’ll never know what she would have done at the final selection trials.
4. Leaving Buck and Ballynoecastle off of the short list was slightly less of a surprise but no less of a disappointment. I spoke with Buck briefly and he was as classy as ever. He told me he was happy to have a sound, happy, and terrific horse and he wished the US short listers all of the best.
5. RF Rovano Rex didn’t finish at Rolex or Bromont, but he’ll get a chance to go to England and perform at Barbury. This horse has a ton of upside and ultimately the selectors must have felt confident that the horse can show jump well under Marilyn despite not getting to see him do so at the past couple of competitions.
6. In my opinion, 3 pairs are in prime position to make the squad as of today–Phillip and Mystery Whisper, Boyd and Neville, Sinead and Manoir De Carneville. I have discussed the merits of these three pairs extensively over the past few weeks, but to sum it all up: Phillip and Mystery Whisper have been unbeatable this year, Boyd and Neville have a superb and consistent international record, and Sinead and Tate secured an inside track with two dominant four-star performances last year and they haven’t relinquished their inside position this spring.
7. Of the remaining 6 short listed riders, I believe Karen has a slight edge with Mr. Medicott for the 4th team spot as of today. Mr. Medicott has already won an Olympic team gold with Germany and he finished in 4th at Rolex and won the observation event at Bromont. Karen is also a veteran to team competitions and she has ridden better and better this year as the pressure has increased. Of course, Karen and Mr. Medicott could drop out of favor with a bad performance at Barbury, but as of today I give them a slight advantage to make the team.
8. The remaining 5th and final team spot is completely up for grabs based on performance at Barbury. Twizzel, Loughan Glen, Arthur, Ringwood Magister, and RF Rovano Rex all strike me as pairs with some risk coupled with a very high potential reward.
As a complete aside, I spent a few minutes this morning speaking with Samantha for the Eventing Radio Show. I think seven times faster than I speak and I speak seven times faster than I think so I’m not sure how it will turn out, but I’m hoping for the best. The US pairs still in North America (everyone on the short list except Manoir De Carneville and Finn) fly out early Monday morning to find their fate in England. Go eventing.
