Jim Wolf, who expertly directs the USEF’s sport horse programs, opened the US Olympic Eventing Team review session by introducing the team members in attendance–former coach Mark Phillips, Karen O’Connor, Will Coleman, Phillip Dutton, and stable manager Dougie Hanum. Jim Wolf started by saying that we all know the Games didn’t go as planned for the US Team, but that the Olympics were a tremendous success nonetheless. He described the achievement of hosting the equestrian events at Greenwich Park, the great effort by the London community, the transportation success, and the positive publicity that our sport received as a result of the equestrian events going so flawlessly. Jim said the XC day was the most spectated event at the Games. He said that he believes the success of equestrianism at the Games has secured our sport’s spot in the Olympics for the future.
Mark Phillips then addressed the preparation for the Games. He said that the focus leading up to the Games was to give the riders the opportunity to prepare their horses as they best saw fit. He said the mandatory outing at Barbury featured fantastic footing. He praised Eddie Stibbe’s training facility used by the team before the Games. He said that Phillip proclaimed the trip one of the best organized the team has ever had.
Mark said that, despite quality preparation, the Games just didn’t go as planned. “We just had one of those events where nothing quite went right over all three days…and we came away disappointed.” Mark said the team hoped for a bronze or better but it just didn’t come through. In an emotional moment at the end of his short speech, Mark thanked the team that hired and supported him over the years. He finished by saying “thank you everyone” and the crowd rose in a standing ovation.
Jim Wolf then opened the floor to questions.
Marilyn Payne asked Phillip and Karen to speak to what riding the Greenwich cross-country course was like compared to Hong Kong. Phillip responded by saying the Olympics courses have been geared down to accomodate all nations. Phillip said the courses have become not all that fun to ride and not that great for the horses. He said that Sue Benson did a good job with what she had to work with. Phillip then said that his result was disappointing and took full responsibility by saying “it all comes back to me.” He thanked all of the supporters and fans and staff who made the event possible. “It’s a big event and there’s no room for error.” Phillip is the best in the business because he fully owns mistakes he makes, as few and far between as they are.
Karen said that she thinks Olympic courses of the future will be much like Greenwich because land is becoming more and more a premium at the Games. She said that if she had one regret it would be not getting to stay in the Olympic village (the US equestrians stayed closer to the venue). Karen also said she regretted not getting to attend the Olympic opening ceremonies.
Will Coleman was then asked what his first Olympic experience was like. Will said that the Olympic experience itself was incredible. He thanked his support staff, Twizzel’s owner Jim Wildasin, and his fellow team mates. Regarding the moment Twizzel refused to go down that bank, Wills said it will “haunt me for life.” He said that fortunately the journey isn’t over for him and the experience has put a thorn in his side to do much better for the future. Like Phillip, Will completely owned the mistake and I wouldn’t have expected less from such a quality competitor.
The meeting concluded with a few fun stories, including how Dougie scared the London security by climbing onto the rider house roof with a long flag pole that looked like a rifle. Will told the hilarious story of how he and Mark were looking for a party, scaled what they thought was the 5 foot wall surrounding the party because the gate was locked, jumped in, and found themselves stuck in a poor Londoner’s yard since the landing side was a few feet lower than the takeoff, making the wall out about 9 feet. The gate out was locked, and the gentleman had to come down to let them out.
The session ended with a standing ovation for the entire team. Today’s meeting put an at times emotional and at all times congenial bow on the Mark Phillips era. Go eventing.
