Your Olympic, European & World Champion, photo by Erin Gilmore
Well, my friends, another Olympics has come and gone for us Eventers, and what a show it was. I’m so confused about the time of day and the day of the week, I actually had to look up the date to make sure it was Tuesday. I’m fairly certain that the majority of the EN writers will be entering a state of semi-hibernation pretty soon, working on shifts to make sure somebody stays awake to run the site. Thank you all for making EN a part of your Olympic experience, and an especially big thanks to those of you who helped make the Live Feed some of the most fun I’ve ever had.
In the past four days, I’ve experienced a roller coaster of emotions, as I’m sure you all have. The Olympics is wonderful for spectators precisely because it shows us the highest of highs and the lowest of lows for all sporting events. With so much at stake, you can’t help but feel empathy for each and every athlete who suffers at the hands of fate, or let your heart soar along with those who triumph at the end. The victories are so great, and the losses so devastating, it’s very easy to feel like you have a gigantic emotional hangover after the Games (I know I do).
I cannot do any justice with words to the performance of all the horses and riders these past few days, and I can only try to imagine what it feels like from their perspective. All I can say is that it was a wild ride, and the best that I can hope is that it was a constructive and educational experience for all that were involved, and that we all came out the other end a little better.
Also, I don’t think anybody needs to buy birthday presents for Michael Jung, because I’m pretty sure two gold medals is enough.
Missed the live stream? Heres the replay.
Day 4 Olympic Links:
Updated Update on Otis from Boyd’s Blog
Update on Camilla Speirs & Portersize Just a Jiff after their fall on XC
Hawley is getting out of the hospital, recovering well
Horse & Hound covers both Show Jumping rounds
Excellent photos from Show Jumping
New Zealand medal draught broken with a Bronze in 2012
Phenomenal photos from ALL weekend
A thorough Kiwi perspective on 2012 Olympics
29 Prettiest Horses in the 2012 Eventing Competition (I apologize in advance, I don’t know who created this “journalism”)
“Like a music-festival for horse lovers” Greenwich Eventing Makeover
A close call, but the Brits take Silver (BE Blog)
Meet your 2012 Silver Medal British Team
Obviously, we already have a short XC Thrills ‘N Spills reel
I have to include this (even though it’s not Olympic Eventing…) Stephen Colbert Dressage Training Pt 1
http://youtu.be/-Et1SvjBDJM
