Olympic Equestrians - is their a change ?

[Ifmpw]

I watched the Cross Country with some trepidation, especially following the yellow card given to Carlos Parro - Brazil for hyper flexing Safira, watching the x country though today, I honestly I saw a shift, where a tired horse would normally have been given a smack, it was arm throwing and legs. Horses finishing with something left in the tank, and those that were not completly comfortable were allowed the time penalties.

Is this me being hopeful or do with think the eventers have read the room and are doing their best to show that they can get greatness without brutality ?

 

[Equi]

Some did. Some did not. I’m glad one rider was pulled up by the ground judges because he was riding like a twat.

 

[Jenko109]

I imagine lots of eyes are on the equestrian world right now. I'm sure they are all very aware of that.

 

[little_critter]

I did wonder if this would be a very ‘careful’ olympics.
It will be interesting to see if the dressage is a little less flashy and a little more ‘tame’

 

[94lunagem]

Some did. Some did not. I’m glad one rider was pulled up by the ground judges because he was riding like a twat.

One of the commentators had been particularly unimpressed with his riding from the start.

He also seemed to ignore the first steward who tried to pull him up, I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt that he didn’t see or hear them, but I don’t see how that could have been possible

 

[Ifmpw]

One of the commentators had been particularly unimpressed with his riding from the start.

He also seemed to ignore the first steward who tried to pull him up, I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt that he didn’t see or hear them, but I don’t see how that could have been possible

I missed this one, which country ?

 

[Snow Falcon]

The Czech chap

 

[FieldOrnaments]

Some did. Some did not. I’m glad one rider was pulled up by the ground judges because he was riding like a twat.

who?

(Is the only place to watch it discovery+?)

 

[Tiddlypom]

One of the commentators had been particularly unimpressed with his riding from the start.

He also seemed to ignore the first steward who tried to pull him up, I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt that he didn’t see or hear them, but I don’t see how that could have been possible

Whilst it was correct to pull him up, the FJ at the fence seemed to get the message late and was running alongside him waving their arms, rather than taking a position well ahead and waving a red flag in his path as should be done.

 

[Annagain]

I didn’t see every minute but I thought it was a very fair course - the straight routes were challenging enough for the medal contenders but there were plenty of long options for those whose main aim is to get round. I’m sure the fact that the world was watching after the modern pentathlon debacle in Tokyo (I know it’s not a proper equestrian sport but the rest of the world doesn’t) was a consideration in the course design. I think conditions (other than the slippery turn in the woods) were pretty decent too and it was quite a flat course so that helped a lot of horses get home without being too tired. One or two even seemed to have trouble pulling up! The faults were quite well spread out, which is also a sign of a well designed course.

I saw a couple of horses get a smack early on, when there wasn’t much need, which made me wince a bit but they were definitely not doing that towards the end. Very few needed nursing home to be fair.

 

[southerncomfort]

Their was an awful lot more patting and praise than you would normally see! Also, a lot of riders pointing at the horse and making much of them as they crossed the finish line.

One GB rider did not, and was rather pleased with herself (sorry...but she was!) and the Discovery + commentator was quick to say ' Don't forget to thank the horse!'.

Was very impressed with the Japanese rider, he rode really nicely and was thrilled with his horse at the end.

Thought the crowd did a great job of cheering every single horse and rider at the finish.

 

[eahotson]

I did wonder if this would be a very ‘careful’ olympics.
It will be interesting to see if the dressage is a little less flashy and a little more ‘tame’

Yes the dressage will be very interesting.

 

[sunnyone]

As I'm not in the UK I can't get Discovery+. We have had some ads for HBO Max Streaming €6.99 for the month , but a time consuming search gave me Eurosport. On Canal+ each sport has its own Eurosport channel with equestrianism on 259 with a commentary in English, and at NO additional charge. Catch up video is also on the Eurosport site.

 

[equinerebel]

NT for France rode a very laboured horse over the finish line, so it definitely wasn't all great. But I agree, there was certainly less smacking and shouting going on.

 

[CarlungM]

I really felt for that French horse. Was not impressed with the rider at all.

I have enjoyed watching the Japanese riders and would love to see them get a medal.

 

[equinerebel]

Not to be biased, because I went into this Team Japan, but I agree. They have ridden very well on the whole and it's really nice to see another country up there.

 

[MagicMelon]

I dont think they've "read the room", I believe they've all been taken aside by the FEI and their team to grill into them that they HAVE to behave more than ever before. As a British team, I would have expected the team selectors to have specifically chosen members based on their behaviour. Although perhaps not since they originally chose a particular person who then pulled out...

 

[Junebug44]

I liked the course and thought there was some super riding and it did all seem more "relaxed" - perhaps this was consciously done, then. I didn't see the rider who was pulled up. There was a grey that looked tired at the end - was this the French combo?

 

[Annagain]

I liked the course and thought there was some super riding and it did all seem more "relaxed" - perhaps this was consciously done, then. I didn't see the rider who was pulled up. There was a grey that looked tired at the end - was this the French combo?

Yes, they had 2 down today but the horse looked very perky so obviously recovered well.