The Canadians have broken out their fermented maple syrup and party Tuques, and I have it on good authority that they are reading EN while they party. By ‘good authority’ I mean they keep texting me. About the most PC text so far from the Canadian victory party is:
“Dear Little John, the coaching has been amazing and David and his crew have been fantastic getting our team prepared in the best way possible, but it was the riders who were able to get it done under pressure. Love, the Canadians”
Fair enough, I should have given the Canadian horses and riders more credit in my SJ recap post, but I figured those big silver medals would be good enough for the riders tonight. It’s always seemed a little sad to me that only the riders get medals when so many people help win those medals.
Also, I think we might not hear from Chelan until Monday…
There are some more serious things that need to be said about the WEGs, but I have an invite to the Canadian party and I want to make it before all the maple syrup runs out. As an American through and through, I’m not happy tonight, but I don’t want that to stop me from missing Canada’s first WEG podium party since 1978. The only serious thing I will mention now is that while Becky’s jog was a debacle, Becky has a reputation as an excellent horsewoman and there are a lot more elements to the situation than Becky jogging a sore horse. It might have been more of a debacle when Woodburn passed with only a long conversation from the ground jury. Woodburn probably benefitted greatly from being the next to jog after Comet. But, there I go writing about serious stuff when I said I wouldn’t.
It was only a matter of time before Karen’s ride was put on Youtube. Courtesy of Pegasus4444
When I saw it live, my first reaction was that it was a miss and I still think that after watching the replay. Mandiba’s first three strides after the triple bar were uncharacteristically short which likely threw off the distance. That said, you’re supposed to keep jumping no matter what.
On a more positive note, here is Michael’s winning ride:
On a more interesting note, Lisa found Exponential’s dive at the HOTL:
Go eventing.
