AHHHHHHHH!!!! Can you believe it Eventing Nation?! The Olympics are upon us! I’ll try to wrap up the last several months in this Friday N&N post, but hopefully you took the day off to relax and enjoy the coverage. (And, if you’re ever in need of quick links, they’re in the top right corner of EN). Let’s catch you up!
But, before we do that, here are the Events this week on US turf:
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The Opening Ceremony kicks off at 9 p.m. London time (4 p.m ET) today, and will be broadcast on NBC at 7:30 p.m. ET. If you’re weird facts, stats, and figures people like us, here’s a breakdown of the $42 million Opening Ceremony from Reuters. [Check yo facts] Tune in to see Daniel Craig James Bond and the Queen! Sadly, the US Team will not be attending, and it sounds as if Team GBR may not either as the ceremony runs so late into the night. We’ll keep you updated as we know more.
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But, waaaay before that, events are already underway as the jogs start at 11 am London, 6 am ET time. This is also known as “Day 0” for those of you keeping score at home. As per the official schedule, here’s the breakdown. So reschedule you meetings, luncheons, and dinner engagements.
July 27: First horse inspection, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. local (6:00 a.m. EST start)
July 28: Team and individual dressage, 10:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
July 29: Team and individual dressage, 10:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
July 30: Cross-country, 12:30 p.m.-5:40 p.m.
July 31: Second horse inspection, 8:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Team final jumping: 10:30 a.m.-1:10 p.m.
Individual final jumping: 2:30 p.m.-3:35 p.m.
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Now that we know when the events are taking place in London, let’s find out when we can watch them! Super thanks to John for putting this little diddy together to help a Nation out!
Online Streaming
(all events, stream starts 5 minutes prior)
NBC Online Stream Schedule
NBC Equestrian Homepage
Network TV Schedules
For the U.S.
NBC Olympic Schedule
For Canada
For England
Other Links
Full International Broadcast List by Country
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Don’t forget about the Draw order! USA is second, Canada’s 9th, GB’s 17th, and last, but certainly not least, Thailand. Reasons the Draw matters? Let me count the ways.. footing, feedback from riders finishing (or not), lighting, strength of crowds, time of day, judging bias, the list goes on. [Order matters]
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You can read, listen, and watch in this well put together story on Phillip and True Prospect Farm. This is Phillip’s fifth Olympics as we know, and attends on good ol’ Mystery Whisper. Evie defends Phillip, and equestrians in general, as being athletes themselves as well as their horses. Phillip rides 8 a day, runs, and keeps a healthy diet. A healthy dose of amazing talent doesn’t hurt either. They talk about why Chester County, PA is a great place to ride and train for top-level horse sport. [Phillip’s riding in the “Super Bowl”]
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Now, any communication from riders, grooms, team officials is tremendously appreciated from here on out. The pressure is most definitely on, and between scheduled ring schooling times to press conferences to other obligations, writing a blog is most certainly at the bottom of the list. Here, we thank Team GBR and Will for giving us some thoughts from Thursday. They’re incredibly impressed with the platforms the rings are held on, and we have to agree, it’s “a massive engineering feat.” There’s some great pictures showing the different rings and ring construction. At the end, they thank the Lottery system for funding their training efforts leading up to the Games. This funding has paid for clothing, vet support, tickets, accommodations, physiotherapy, and more. [Team GBR is looking good]
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As it is FLAIR Olympic Friday, don’t forget to check out Team Fredericks’ blog for your chance to win some FLAIR strips! Just scroll down the left side for an easy win. [Flair + Fredericks‘]
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Not all of this information is correct, but the book is on sale. Read The Fire Horse, authored by Elizabeth Mitchell. While we know Neville didn’t make the US Team and is the last reserve in Boyd’s string for the Games, it doesn’t make Neville any less of an amazing horse. [We all know the story by now, and it’s a good one]
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We’re gettin’ our amateur photog on here, EN! Horsetalk has started a series of Photography 101, with the first installment about horse headshots. Why are we interested? We need to make sure the photo we take of Smoky is quality enough to photoshop in our Olympic medals! Well, probably not in a head shot, but these are good tips to keep in mind. [Horsetalk]
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Lauren Sprieser wonders how any beer can be lower quality than Natty Light. And, my alma mater being the home to the frat party featured in Borat, I’m inclined to agree. I digress, it’s all about keeping cool, hydrated, and alive in the summer heat. Lauren’s horse, Fender, gets that delicious beverage to keep him sweating through the summer. Lauren admits she doesn’t need help in that department, and offers advice on how to stay cool in a light n’ breezy entertaining way. [COTH blog]
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Plantation Field is accepting Vendor Application forms now for their September CIC and HT. Per their FB page: “wanna SELL YOUR STUFF ???? sign up to be a vendor at the PF Trade Fair Vendor Village for sept 21,22,23- rates are beyond reasonable and it will be well worth your while! application and info here!” [Form]
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Go-go Olympic eventing!
