It’s the only explanation. He keeps winning everything on a horse that, six months ago, most of us hadn’t even heard of, and you’ve seen him ride cross-country, right? I was observing his flawless rounds at Rolex and the thing that really struck me was the expression on his face–it never changes. It was like he was watching a nature documentary on coral reefs or something on his living room couch, not guiding an unpredictable animal over giant obstacles that had already taken out half the competition. So I’m just calling it like I see it: Phillip Dutton is a prototype rider-simulation robot commissioned by the USET and manufactured by Bit of Britain to eventually replace event actual human event riders. (Not all event riders–just the ones we need to not screw up in international competition.) Remember, Eventing Nation: You heard it here first. Photo: Abby Gibbon
The FEI has opened nominations for its 2012 awards and invites the international equestrian community to weigh in with their picks. Categories include “Reem Acra Best Athlete,” “HSBC Rising Star,” “Development,” “Against All Odds” and “Best Groom.” The FEI will inform the winners in September and invite them to the awards ceremony, which will take place in Istanbul on Nov. 8. [FEI Awards]
With prolonged rain wreaking havoc on the British eventing calendar, Bramham International Horse Trials (June 7-10) will host an extra 100 horses next month in order to give Olympic hopefuls a run before the London games. Britain’s team selection has been deferred until after the Horse Trials, which includes CIC** and CCI** divisions. Bramham Park’s course rests on limestone-rich soil that is actually in good condition after the heavy rain. The event build-up is on schedule and has not been affected by the weather. [Horse Talk]
EN Correction: We blogged about the four horses that were looked at by US Team vets on Monday morning after Jersey. Update: The vets also performed an abbreviated inspection on Pawlow on Sunday morning right after the CIC4* jog since Will Faudree was unable to stay in Jersey until Monday. [EN’s updated report]
Flora Lea Horse Trials is still accepting entries for their spring event on May 26 and 27. Saturday is Preliminary and Training, with the Preliminary being an entirely new course. Sunday is Novice and Beginner Novice. Post entries will be accepted through Friday, May 18. [US Eventing]
The USEF helped sponsor a “Salute To Champions” honoring local Olympians who have represented the country over the years at the Willowdale races in Kennett Square, PA. In attendance at the procession were Bruce Davidson, Donnnan Sharp Jones, Jane Sleeper, Jessica Ransehousen, Todd Flettrich and Michael Matz. They were paraded onto the course in a four-in-hand driven by Mike Gracie and later signed autographs. [Bruce Davidson Eventing]
Seen on Sport Horse Nation: Sugar is a 6-year-old, 17-hh TB mare owned by a reader who has a medical condition and is looking for a home for his horse quickly. [SHN]
Hot on Horse Nation: The Iroquois Steeplechase’s tragic ending; a two-star event rider goes barrel racing; adorable barn burglars caught red-handed; and the care and handling of gifted students. [HN]
Top of the Tweets: From Joanie Morris @USEquestrianHP, “Beezie, Boyd and Steffen meeting Mrs. Obama at the @USOlympic #mediasummit“
Best of the Blogs: From Kate Samuels, “Unfair Hill & A Disappointing Jersey Shore“
Video: Know what really bites? Doing something totally amazing… and then falling off. Like this video of Tim Stockdale, who’d just cleared the final fence in the Land Rover Six Bar class at the Windsor Horse Show when he lost his balance and topped off. Honorable mention in this category goes to Denis Lynch, who plummeted head-first into a decorative wheelbarrow during his victory lap at the La Baule Derby, fracturing ribs and requiring stitches in his head and elbow. [H&H]
