Blair Europeans on TV now

[Rafie]

Sandra Auffarth managed that hold really well - kept the horse loose and focused and ready to go . . .

P

Why was she held? Must of missed it!

 

[Honey08]

What's happening?? What happened to our guys? I'm in America and can't watch...

 

[PolarSkye]

I love this little horse - he's neat and elegant and athletic and does everything in a lovely, easy rhythm.

P

P.S. Sandra's horse . . .

 

[MagicMelon]

Anyone know why sandra was stopped, thought I heard mention of a rotational on background commentary?

 

[amage]

Repair to a frangible was reason for hold but Camille Guyot was eliminated so would guess that was the fall that caused the damage.

 

[PolarSkye]

The fence with the kilts - what's that about? I know it's supposed to "be" something, but I can't work out what? Anyone?

P

 

[teapot]

From the front, it's five pairs of legs in kilts

 

[PolarSkye]

From the front, it's five pairs of legs in kilts

Are they dancing? They just look a bit odd (but perhaps that's just me being dense) . . .

P

 

[teapot]

Yup they're crossed celidh style! (the white bits being the socks obviously).

I really want a wooden haggis

 

[PolarSkye]

Go on Wills (Oakden) - fly the Saltire!

P

 

[PolarSkye]

That was a very stylish round by Wills Oakden . . . well done that young man. More from him to come, I think.

P

 

[PolarSkye]

I've always loved Easy Target - he's a compact little horse and a real trier . . . but he is looking a little tired, bless him . . .

P

 

[madmav]

Nice to see Nicholas Tousaint back at the top level. Remember him in tears after winning Badminton. Love a man that gets emosh!

 

[teapot]

Damn turnips and a long old way round the course. Poor Francis, waited so long for the call up

 

[PolarSkye]

Damn turnips and a long old way round the course. Poor Francis, waited so long for the call up

Yeah - it's a shame. But you could see it happening . . . Easy Target just didn't have enough petrol in the tank .

P

 

[madmav]

And love Tina and Harry gently correcting all of Mike Tucker's commentating fluffs. He is Alan Partidge's wingman!

 

[Custard Cream]

Very pleased for Wills - great round.

Loving also listening to Harry (he's Brand Ambassador for our company so have met him a couple of times - he is as lovely as he sounds!), looking forward to seeing him compete at Blenheim next weekend.

 

[PolarSkye]

Austin O'Connor - lovely through the water - bold, attacking and kept the rhythm .

P

 

[teapot]

and Tina's just as lovely as she sounds too. They're a fab commentary team. I find Tucker much better actually AT events, rather than on tv.

WFP next out!

 

[Copperpot]

Come on WFP! I can go get some work done then!

 

[madmav]

Oh no. WFP, what a shame.
All of the Germans are on fire, though. Making it look so easy.

 

[Polonaise]

Wasn't there an alternative there he could have gone to or did he forget where it was again?!?

 

[hollyandivy123]

two refusals or run outs so he made the best choice, there was no chance with those points, the course was riding more and more damp. save the horse for another day, a good decision

 

[Tiddlypom]

two refusals or run outs so he made the best choice, there was no chance with those points, the course was riding more and more damp. save the horse for another day, a good decision

Fair choice for an individual, but not for a team member. Unless he thought the horse was distressed or unsound. Rather disappointing.

 

[teapot]

Fair choice for an individual, but not for a team member. Unless he thought the horse was distressed or unsound. Rather disappointing.

You can win a medal with three riders, who were all home, with only one refusal. After two run outs on that ground, why risk having more issues/possible injury?

Obviously if one of the three fails the trot up tomorrow then chances are gone but that's the risk you take.

 

[Polonaise]

According to the h&h course photos there was an alternative on flatter ground, why re-attempt the skinny with a missing flag? Should always try and finish in a team competition unless the horse's welfare is at risk. Is there something wrong with WFP at the moment, forgetting the course last weekend then appearing to give up this weekend doesn't seem quite right.

 

[Mooseontheloose]

And if any of the team horses that finished today fail vet tomorrow they may have needed his score.

 

[Supertrooper]

Chuffed to bits that Pip & Sandman went clear

 

[Honey08]

Can anyone give me a summary of what has happened to the British riders (I've seen the leaderboard)? I'm abroad and can't watch.

Ps

Edited to add, I can't imagine WFP dropping a team round unless there was a very good reason. He's always struggled on and come home in the past.

 

[teapot]

Well all reports suggest the horse wasn't quite right in the dressage so maybe he felt something.

Tricky decision to make as he could have finished, been the discard score and still fail the trot up tomorrow morning. They're not chasing the Rio qualification and unless the Germans fall over, it won't be a Gold medal so... damned if you do, damned if you don't. Though if someone's spun tomorrow, it's all over anyway.


Honey:

Nicola got round with one run out (now 28th) Kitty (currently 5th), and Pippa (currently 10th) both round outside of time, WFP retired, so team is in Silver over night, a long way off the Germans in Gold.

Individual wise - Francis retired after grinding to a halt, Gemma T clear inside the time, Izzy T clear inside time (now 3rd), Ollie had a run out, but got home, (now 19th), Wills Oakden got round, Sarah B and Heidi W both had problems at fence 4 but got home. Laura C got round (now 9th),