Mark Todd to make a Comeback??

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What would really impress me would be if he wnet in the jumping as well

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Hmmmm...buying a horse capable of going round an olympic eventing track when you yourself know the sport is extreme enough....but just buying a horse capable of sj'ing at the olympics...well, you can add a zero to the cost of the eventer....and then add in the fact that he's never competed at that level in that discipline.

Let's not forget, John Whitaker is a legend in his lifetime too...and it's taken him two years with Peppermill to get anywhere near being ready for another olympics...and sj'ing is his 'thing'
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I can't see Toddy doing the olympic sj'ing....
 
When he rode in both the eventing and Show jumping he never sat on Double Take at all apart from at shows. The horse was prepared by someone else and she would take it to the AIT for him, he would get on jump his round and then leg it back to whatever BE Event he was taking part in.

Do you think now that people know that he wants to do it he might get given some very good horses to ride.
 
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Hmmmm...buying a horse capable of going round an olympic eventing track when you yourself know the sport is extreme enough...and then add in the fact that he's never competed at that level in that discipline.

I can't see Toddy doing the olympic sj'ing....

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Oh dear do keep up Rambo! Toddy SJ'd for NZ in 1988 and 1992 (I think) at the Olympics, can't remember the horses names but he was sponsored by Kleenex? I think at the time! He was jumping at the RIHS at Hickstead in '92/'93.
 
Horse was called Double Take for '92. He jumped AITs on the circuit as that was the only thing he could get to as he had to keep on eventing in the UK. People were getting annoyed as the horse would turn up at the show, he would jump on it in time to do a couple of fences and then win the class and drive away back to the event.
 
Ahh but he wasn't a 'proper' show jumper don't forget - beating the pro's and all that and he wasn't even riding the horse between shows.
 
Quite right Kiwi. I'll never forget him winning Badminton in 1994 on Horton Point (aged 16) having only sat on him once before commencing the competition. He is an all time great and I'd love to see him show us all how its done again.
 
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Hmmmm...buying a horse capable of going round an olympic eventing track when you yourself know the sport is extreme enough...and then add in the fact that he's never competed at that level in that discipline.

I can't see Toddy doing the olympic sj'ing....

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Oh dear do keep up Rambo! Toddy SJ'd for NZ in 1988 and 1992 (I think) at the Olympics, can't remember the horses names but he was sponsored by Kleenex? I think at the time! He was jumping at the RIHS at Hickstead in '92/'93.

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LOL!

Did I mention I quit horses in 1987 ! Just checked and you're right...he did SJ at Seoul and Barcelona
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What's more impressive is he also won Individual Eventing Gold in 1988 as well ! Might as well make the long journey to Korea worth while I guess
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You could ask the question of course...who else from NZ was there to put in an olympic SJ'ng team...but that would be rude
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I stand by my original statement though that I don' think he will be there at HK for the SJ'ing...and i'd doubt if he has enough time to make it in the eventing team either personally
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Still an amazing horseman with an amazing track record
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'Re: Take your balls in one hand and say what the ......................!'



Completly off topic I know but Where did that come from?!
 
i think that he only needs to do a three star to requalify himself, i cant remember exactly cos at one point once you hd ridden at a level you were qualified for ever. If the horse has done 3***'s in NZ it is also technically qualified so i suppose coming to badminton would just be to prove a point for the selectors? he has got plenty of time to practice anyway as we mustnt forget it is eventing season to an extent down under sohe would probably get a few rides in before coming here. very exciting though to be able to see him in action again!
 
I seem to recall that once you have completed a 4* as a rider you are qualified for life? Is there more to it than that? Maybe results based? Or number of runs or some such? I can't remember, but I was browsing the rule book the other day and spotted some similar thing?

Lets face it, all qualifications are at the federation's decision aren't they? Who is going to tell MT he can't do badminton?!

I think the most interesting thing will be if the horse has enough points not to get ballotted out of badders - didn't they ballot on 57 Advanced points last year? I know a lot of qualified combinations didn't get in because of the ballot criteria.
 
This just in:
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He is not the first top-level sportsman to retire and then later make a comeback, and he probably won't be the last, but despite that New Zealand equestrian Mark Todd has been overwhelmed by the response to his comeback.

When news of his aim of making this year's Olympics broke, interest from the media and the public - not just in New Zealand - was huge.

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http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2008/01/126.shtml
 
Just read the detailed report in H&H this evening. Seems his 'comeback' didn't go too well as he 'only' finished second in a Novice event.....after being unseated in the SJ'ing phase
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I also note that NZ haven't actually qualified a team for the HK olympic eventing...and will only be able to field a team based on their FEI ranking and previous performance record. Seems all is not well down under in the world of eventing
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Could this all be one big publicity stunt
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I seem to recall that once you have completed a 4* as a rider you are qualified for life? Is there more to it than that? Maybe results based? Or number of runs or some such? I can't remember, but I was browsing the rule book the other day and spotted some similar thing?

Lets face it, all qualifications are at the federation's decision aren't they? Who is going to tell MT he can't do badminton?!

I think the most interesting thing will be if the horse has enough points not to get ballotted out of badders - didn't they ballot on 57 Advanced points last year? I know a lot of qualified combinations didn't get in because of the ballot criteria.

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The horse won't get balloted out, would you scupper Toody's chances of an Olympic comeback - can you imagine the public outcry? Badminton has to be on full charm offensive after last years fiasco.
 
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Just read the detailed report in H&H this evening. Seems his 'comeback' didn't go too well as he 'only' finished second in a Novice event.....after being unseated in the SJ'ing phase
tongue.gif


I also note that NZ haven't actually qualified a team for the HK olympic eventing...and will only be able to field a team based on their FEI ranking and previous performance record. Seems all is not well down under in the world of eventing
crazy.gif
Could this all be one big publicity stunt
shocked.gif


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No - that 2nd place at the Wakatipu PC ODE was not the comeback - it was an invitational competition with other top riders and horses ... all on borrowed horses. Tinks Pottinger, Shane Rose, and Matthew Grayling were also in it. I think it is a bit of fun for the locals.

True, NZ eventing has not had the great results that it once did - some have put that down to the change in format not favouring the NZ type of horse so much any more ...

Publicity stunt - I don't know. There are some good NZ riders and horses around at the moment, the NZ based ones seem to have a tougher job getting selected. (FYI for those of you in the northern hemisphere - it costs a lot of money to take a horse to the NH ... and campaign there....)
The selectors do have the "discretion" to consider anyone else they like. And just imagine if Ian Thorpe decided he wanted to make a comeback and swim in the Olympics - if he was not allowed to try there would be an outcry!
 
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Does anyone else know who would be on the NZ list to go to the olympics?! Can only think of a few on proven form.....

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There are 8 listed in H&H...4 europe based and 4 NZ based. Can't remember all their names though...
 
It is hard to qualify when the qualifying event is cancelled ...!

http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2008/01/046.shtml

Eight riders including four home-based eventers have been shortlisted by Eventing New Zealand for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

British-based riders Andrew Nicholson, Caroline Powell, Joe Meyer and Annabel Wigley have been named, as well as Matthew Grayling (Taranaki), Bryce Newman (Bulls), Emily Butcher (Christchurch) and Heelan Tompkins (Taranaki) who are currently training in New Zealand.

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The Eventing team has not yet confirmed a position in the Olympics after its qualifying event - due to be held in Britain last year - was cancelled. As a result, a New Zealand team will need to qualify by having a minimum of five riders in the top 25 on the FEI Olympic Rider Rankings by the April 30. Currently 10 New Zealand riders are featured in the top 25 on the FEI Olympic Rider Rankings.
 
Although it is great for the sport, I think it would be a shame if someone else lost their well deserved place and opportunity because of it. I'm sure I'll get slated but, Toddy, as great as he is, has had his chances. Is it not someone elses turn now?
 
Surely it's not about 'having your turn', it's about selecting the best people for the job??!

If he proves himself to be better than someone else, then he does deserve the place IMO.
 
Agreed Sal_E. If it was a case of someone letting him on the team just because he's Mark Todd, then it woulsn't be fair, but if he can qualify and earn his place on the team, then fair play to him.
 
I'm in NZ at the moment and it sounds like he's been winding down his racehorse training side of things somewhat, so I guess has a little time on his hands...

What I do know is that he found training pretty tough going inspite of winning the Wellington Cup last year and moved to the South Island recently which was a funny move as Cambridge, where he was and grew up, is thought to be the centre of NZ racing.
 
He does still have to qualify, and is planning to do that this season here in NZ - at advanced HTs and then with I believe two rides at Puhinui 3* for a start. If all goes well then he will go to the UK again. But, if not then he will stay here and forget about the olympics. Thats what is being reported here anyway.

if you read the article posted from the horsetalk.co.nz website, he is not putting any pressure on himself, but it would be great for him to go. If he craps out then there is no way the selectors will send him over a better performed combinationl. but, I presume that if he and a younger combination are on equal footing, then mark will go over the youonger one??

NZ eventing is down the drain and we have no funding. Without results its going to be a dead sport here. The up and coming riders are good, but not yet at the level of the old boys - andrew, blyth, mark, vaughn etc

We kinda need an injection like mark coming back in order to keep the sport alive for nz.
 
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I'm in NZ at the moment and it sounds like he's been winding down his racehorse training side of things somewhat, so I guess has a little time on his hands...

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OMG Hello Stranger! How are things with you in New Zealand - I want to hear all about it.
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