Many moments stick out as highlights for 2012, such as Michael Jung and Sam winning individual and team gold for Germany.
With 2013 right around the corner, it’s time to take a look back on the year’s most influential days in eventing. While there are many ways to track and analyze what qualifies as a “big day” in our sport, my method entailed looking at Eventing Nation’s Google Analytics to see which days garnered the most page views throughout the year. Considering this was an Olympic year and Rolex played heavily into who was selected for Team USA, it’s no surprise that these top 10 days are all about Rolex and the Olympics. I hope you enjoy the walk down memory lane, as I’ve also included the top posts from each day. The prevalance of Rolex and Olympic posts in the top 10 also show that you value Eventing Nation as your go-to source for live event coverage. We appreciate the support and vow to continue bettering and expanding our live coverage in the coming years. Go 2012.
1. Olympic Cross-Country Day — Monday, July 30
Not only was cross-country day in London the most-attended Olympic event at the Games, but it also garnered the most EN page views for the year. And it’s really no surprise, as cross country led to some major shakeups on the leader board and ultimately sank Team USA’s chances at a medal. If you look at EN’s Monday Cross-Country Open Thread presented by SmartPak, you’ll also quickly remember many of the other heartbreaking scenarios that took place on Olympic cross-country day. After an incredible showing at the 2010 WEG, the entire eventing community mourned with Canada as a bit of bad luck quickly turned into a lot of bad luck. I’ll also never forgot yelling at my laptop screen as I tried to will Yoshiaki Oiwa, the overnight dressage leader, to stay in the saddle after his horse jostled him loose down that blasted drop fence. In typical cross-country fashion, it was a day of thrills and spills.
Ingrid Klimke and Sara Algotsson-Ostholt are Tied for the Olympic Lead
Amistad Withdrawn from Olympics and Retired Due to Tendon Tear
Michael Pollard: Olympic Cross-Country in London
2. Olympic Show Jumping and Medals — Tuesday, July 31
Show jumping day might as well have been dubbed “The Michael Jung Show.” Sara Algotsson-Ostholt and Wega pulled a heartbreaking rail on the last jump to give Michael and Sam the individual gold medal, making Ze Terminator the first rider to simultaneously hold the Olympic, World and European titles. Show jumping also led to some other major shakeups. Mark Todd and Campino and Mary King and Imperial Cavalier were favorites to medal, but multiple rails for both kept them off the podium. Show jumping day was not a bright spot for Team USA, but a new year means new chances and new outlooks. If David O’Connor and the USEF have anything to say about it, Team USA will be on the podium in Rio.
Michael Jung and Sam Win Individual and Team Gold
Video: Mark Todd and the Kiwis are Teaching London How to Party Tonight
Michael Jung and Sam Just Made History in Every Way Imaginable
Team Show Jumping Round: Germany 1st, Team GB 2nd, Kiwis 3rd
Olympic Final Jog Report: Boyd Martin Withdraws Otis
Yoshiaki Oiwa and Noonday de Conde moved into first after Day 2 of dressage.
3. Olympic Dressage Day 2 — Sunday, July 29
The weather factored heavily into Day 2 of dressage at London, with ominous storm clouds and strong winds rolling in throughout the afternoon. The skies finally opened up during Tina Cook’s test aboard Miners Frolic, which led to the officials calling a 10-minute rain delay just as Niklas Lindback and Andrew Nicholson were preparing to start their tests. Andrew was furious about the rain delay, and he publicly lambasted the Olympic officials for their decision. At the end of Day 2 of dressage, Japanese rider Yoshiaki Oiwa led the Olympics, and John discovered that Yoshi likes to sprinkle salt over himself and his horse before he rides. This revelation led to eventers clearing out the salt shelves at their local supermarkets.
Yoshiaki Oiwa of Japan is Winning the Olympics After Dressage
Nicholson isn’t Afraid to Tell the Ground Jury Where to Put Their Rain Delay
Dressage Leader Yoshiaki Oiwa, as Portrayed By His Olympic Bio
4. Wednesday Jogs at Rolex — Wednesday, April 25
I found it interesting that jogs and not cross country or another competition day at Rolex had so many page views. I imagine it’s because you highly educated and intelligent readers understand the paramount importance of Wednesday jogs at a big four-star. It’s the day that makes or breaks the rest of the event for the horses and riders, as getting spun is always a possibility. Or you were just so out-of-your-minds excited about Rolex that you couldn’t stand it anymore and felt compelled to read our excellent pre-event coverage? Either way, thanks for the clicks.
First Horse Inspection: 58 Pairs Move on to the Rolex Dressage
Your Rolex 2012 Cross-Country Course Preview
Wednesday Morning at Rolex Rolex and its Olympic Implications
Ingrid Klimke and Butts Abraxxas led the Olympics after Day 1 of dressage.
5. Olympic Dressage Day 1 — Saturday, July 28
Many of you joined us in the EN live blog to follow along on Day 1 of dressage, during which we offered commentary on the tests and observations about the riders. Russian rider Andrei Korshunov is fondly remembered as having the best ‘stache ever. We also observed that white padded leather seemed to be making a comeback as an equine fashion trend. Ingrid Klimke and Butts Abraxxas led at the conclusion of Day 1 on a 39.3. Three riders would ultimately pass them on Day 2 of dressage, including Mark Todd, which delighted eventing fans around the world.
Ingrid Klimke Leads the Olympics After Dressage Day 1
This Soulja Boyd (Martin) Olympic Video will Blow Your Mind
Forgot Dressage, Check Out This Great Olympic Cross-Country Video
6. Sunday at Rolex — Sunday, April 29
While many stories developed out of Rolex, one of the biggest, in my humble opinion, has to be Allison Springer’s incredible achievement with Arthur. Although he was a horse that no one really believed in, Allison never gave up on him. She was rewarded with second place at Rolex, and while she didn’t make the Olympic team, a top-10 finish at Burghley later in the year is nothing to sneeze at. Of course, William Fox-Pitt’s win on Parklane Hawk — and his overall awesomeness in general — meant many of us expected to see him on the individual medal podium in London. William ultimately finished the Olympics in 27th aboard Lionheart, which just goes to show you that anything can happen in this sport.
Jog Report: 27 Horses Move on to Show Jumping at Rolex
William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk Win the Next Stage of the Rolex Triple Crown
It was never in doubt that Phillip Dutton and Mystery Whisper would be named to the Olympic team. While they didn't perform as expected in London, their nearly flawless spring campaign should be remembered as an excellent effort.
7. Olympic Team Announced — Monday, July 2
The lead-up to naming Team USA had to be one of the most dramatic and suspenseful announcements in recent years. With so many talented riders and horses on the short list, it seemed like a nearly impossible task for the selectors to decide who would make the cut. John speculated the morning of the announcement that the team would be Phillip Dutton and Mystery Whisper, Boyd Martin and Otis Barbotiere, Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville, Karen O’Connor and Mr. Medicott, and Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister. He noted that Tiana was only the tiniest bit ahead of Will Coleman and Twizzel in his book. The EN picks were oh so close, and the eventing community was especially surprised — and outraged, in some cases — that Sinead and Tate were left off the list. But the two showed grace and determination in the aftermath, placing 2nd at Burghley and most recently being the only pair named to the USEF’s Global Spring Training List.
London Selection Predictions: Too Many Good Options for Team USA
Team USA Pending USEF Executive Committee Approval
Team USA: The Social Media Reception
8. Tragedy Strikes Pollard Eventing — Sunday, May 27 — 42,876 views
It’s difficult to put into words how heartbroken the eventing community was after the tragic trailer accident that claimed the lives of three Pollard Eventing horses, including upper-level superstars Jude’s Law and Icarus. While I hesitated to include such a sad story in this year-end recap, I chose to do so because the high number of page views — and subsequent outpouring of love and support to Michael and Nathalie — shows how much the eventing community cares about each of its members, both human and equine. Michael has since launched Road to Recovery, a trailering safety campaign that seeks to raise awareness for equine welfare on the road. Best wishes for a brighter 2013, Michael. You deserve it.
Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister weren't among our predictions for the Olympic short list, but we ultimately correctly guessed that they would be named to Team USA.
9. Olympic Short List Announced — Monday, June 11
Just like with the team announcement, John made his top 10 predictions for the Olympic Short List: Mystery Whisper, Mighty Nice, Manoir De Carneville, Neville Bardos, Otis Barbotierre, Mr. Medicott, Andromaque, Twizzel, Loughan Glen and Arthur. Will Faudree and Andromaque ultimately didn’t make the list, while Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister and Marilyn Little and RF Rovano Rex were named. In addition to all the excitement about the U.S. short list, this day was also influential in the eventing world because Great Britain and Canada named their Olympics eventing teams.
Are Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister in the Race for the Short List?
U.S. Olympic Short List Preview and Predictions
Team USA’s Short List Announced!
British Eventing Team Announced for London Games
10. Rolex Cross-Country Day — Saturday, April 28
I’m surprised to see Rolex cross-country day in 10th place, mostly because it was such a whirlwind day. If you remember, the course claimed quite a few riders very early on, including the first three out: four-star veterans Andrew Nicholson, Karen O’Connor and Becky Holder. Marilyn Little, a four-star rookie, ended up being the first rider to complete the course. Only seven horses completed the course double clear, including Otis Barbotierre with Boyd Martin aboard. Otis wasn’t really on the map as a major international competitor until then, as Rolex was his first four-star. Otis’ spectacular performance at Rolex — he finished third — put him on the Olympic selectors’ radar and ultimately led to him being named to the team over Neville Bardos, Boyd’s anticipated mount for London.
Morning Update: Saturday Morning Withdrawals From Rolex
Saturday Morning: Rolex XC Causes Mayhem, William Makes it Look Easy
Rolex XC Recap: William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk Take the Lead
