Olympic Eventing - just to clarify a couple of things...

kerilli said:
Ali16, yes, she is... but I had it on very good authority some time ago that there was going to be a lot of influence/overseeing by a top xc designer, so don't panic. ;) ;) ;)
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Phew! ;) I just remember talking to a certain (rather outspoken..) Kiwi rider about it when it was first announced. Safe to say he isn't her biggest fan. It was all over H&H too.
 
I want to see another Olympics like this:

"On the day of the cross-country at the Los Angeles Olympics, Ginny and Priceless set off early I wanted a shot of them jumping the Crescent Oxer which I knew could be spectacular if - as Dot had told me - they took the direct route through the centre. If they had decided to choose the easy way round the side I would have missed my picture altogether. It was a gamble, especially as no one before them took the central route and a lot of the riders seemed to be making heavy weather of the course. The gloomy predictions that no one would clear seemed to have a ring of truth. Then Priceless and Ginny appeared, heading straight for the centre of the oxer. It was the most enormous fence, but they just sailed over it. As they carried on round the course, I could hear the commentator saying. "Clear, clear, clear." and it was as if a cloud had lifted." Kit Houghton, Equestrian Photographer
 
Suziq77 said:
I want to see another Olympics like this:

"On the day of the cross-country at the Los Angeles Olympics, Ginny and Priceless set off early I wanted a shot of them jumping the Crescent Oxer which I knew could be spectacular if - as Dot had told me - they took the direct route through the centre. If they had decided to choose the easy way round the side I would have missed my picture altogether. It was a gamble, especially as no one before them took the central route and a lot of the riders seemed to be making heavy weather of the course. The gloomy predictions that no one would clear seemed to have a ring of truth. Then Priceless and Ginny appeared, heading straight for the centre of the oxer. It was the most enormous fence, but they just sailed over it. As they carried on round the course, I could hear the commentator saying. "Clear, clear, clear." and it was as if a cloud had lifted." Kit Houghton, Equestrian Photographer
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Me too!! They were my complete and utter idols as a child growing up!
 
Suziq77, me too! I remember how HUGE that fence was, jeez it looked like jumping a house with the gappyness, gaping spread, and the enormous drop.
Also, the Barcelona Olympics, the direct route into the water was almost impossible but Matt Ryan did it, and got gold for his bravery!
I know everyone thinks the courses now are mega-difficult but honestly, some of the things they had to do then...
 
Suziq77 said:
I want to see another Olympics like this:

"On the day of the cross-country at the Los Angeles Olympics, Ginny and Priceless set off early I wanted a shot of them jumping the Crescent Oxer which I knew could be spectacular if - as Dot had told me - they took the direct route through the centre. If they had decided to choose the easy way round the side I would have missed my picture altogether. It was a gamble, especially as no one before them took the central route and a lot of the riders seemed to be making heavy weather of the course. The gloomy predictions that no one would clear seemed to have a ring of truth. Then Priceless and Ginny appeared, heading straight for the centre of the oxer. It was the most enormous fence, but they just sailed over it. As they carried on round the course, I could hear the commentator saying. "Clear, clear, clear." and it was as if a cloud had lifted." Kit Houghton, Equestrian Photographer
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I got goosebumps reading this - all the memories it brought back!

I have a (very) numpty question. I didn't get to see the Beijing Olympics cross-country - was the course there a three* type? Just someone said that TC had never been round a 4*, but she medalled there individually and on the team so I wondered?

Sorry about the stupid question - I have many other stupid questions, but will try not to bombard you all with them :o
 
No, not TC has never been round 4* (she has), Topper, one of Piggy French's named horses has never been round 4*.
 
I've followed eventing since 1969 and always like to give credit where credit is due.

Zara Philips has proven, most admirably, that she is a very accomplished competition rider. However, I am very, very surprised that she has been chosen for the 2012 Olympics eventing team.

My reaction is founded on concerns for her mount, High Kingdom. Whilst this horse has been consistent over the years, I would not call recent results 'top notch'. Anyone can check the record here:

http://www.britisheventing.com/asp-net/Events/Results.aspx?HorseId=75491

I am a fair-minded person, and if anyone here can reassure me that the horse is totally ready for the Olympic challenge, please do!

Like everyone else, I want Team GB to win EVENTING GOLD :)
 
The pic in the middle of this page is Ginny and Mr P jumping that infamous fence, iirc:
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?um=1...w=182&start=0&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0,i:97

Beijing... was twisty, undulating (built round a golf course iirc), tight, very tightly timed. The fences weren't humungous but there was lots to do. I'd say it was 3* although obv i didn't walk it! The penultimate combination was a double of very tightly angled hedge and ditches, which hardly anyone did. Andrew Nicholson was clear to that point and would have gone inside the time (only one of the day iirc) but had a fall at the second one when he tried it, horse just didn't react fast enough, was tired. At least the humidity shouldn't be a problem in Greenwich!
So, I think the Greenwich course will be v similar to the Beijing course in that respect. Accuracy, angles, tightness, turning, rather than humungous.

As for Zara's inclusion KingfisherBlue... I'm convoluted. She has very good form on that horse for last season and this, and is an ace rider under high pressure, and of course it's fantastic for the sport (and pressure was, allegedly, brought to bear in that dept), but there's no way he can be considered as experienced and secure xc as Buzz. Her inclusion doesn't surprise me as much as some others...
 
KingfisherBlue said:
I've followed eventing since 1969 and always like to give credit where credit is due.

Zara Philips has proven, most admirably, that she is a very accomplished competition rider. However, I am very, very surprised that she has been chosen for the 2012 Olympics eventing team.

My reaction is founded on concerns for her mount, High Kingdom. Whilst this horse has been consistent over the years, I would not call recent results 'top notch'. Anyone can check the record here:

http://www.britisheventing.com/asp-net/Events/Results.aspx?HorseId=75491

I am a fair-minded person, and if anyone here can reassure me that the horse is totally ready for the Olympic challenge, please do!

Like everyone else, I want Team GB to win EVENTING GOLD :)
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I'd be inclined to disagree with this. Theres not been a 4* in this country this year due to the cancellation of badminton. However, this year, HK has only had one pole down. In an Olympic year, i think that's what we need to see. A consistent horse. In fact, i'd say it's been consistent enough in the last 2 years. It put in a cracking performance at Burghley last year with Zara in it's first 4*. It's a super consistent horse looking back through it's results from when it first started out!
 
Ali16 said:
Holy Christ that's a fence and a half! Think we've all gone a bit soft ;)

Always admired her position too.. beautiful.
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I've just looked at that pic!:eek: Yikes!! I've also had a little trawl through some of the other older pics of Ginny, there's one of her walking the SJ course (of the 3DE) with Nick Skelton in a shellsuit!!!:eek::eek: Looking through the pics were such a blast from the past! I remember when Ginny was the Mystery Guest on A Question of Sport as well!!! I've always always always wanted to be a Mystery Guest on that show!!!!:rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
Go Ginny! Gave me goosebumps too!

I'm a bit :confused: by the team tbh. I think Zara deserves her place (pressure brought to bear or otherwise) but I am completely gutted for Nicola and surprised re: Tina getting the place. I agree they've gone for a s*** or bust team, I just hope it's not the latter.

Also surprised that WFP went for Lionheart in favour of PH - presume there must be some soundness issues with the latter, otherwise who would get off a double 4* winner in favour of the less experienced horse??

Whatever. Good luck to them all, I'll be screaming at the telly in support of anyone with a Union Jack saddlecloth, whoever they are. Decision made now - let's trust the selectors, who work very closely with the riders, get behind them and show them our full support.
 
Just seen this on Twitter;

Ollie Williams ‏@BBCSport_Ollie
Eventing: am told Nicola Wilson "will issue a press release today". Zara Phillips selected ahead of her in GB team but she could yet appeal.


Be interested to know how she could appeal?
 
Ali16 said:
Holy Christ that's a fence and a half! Think we've all gone a bit soft ;)

Always admired her position too.. beautiful.
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Not bad for a horse that "might make a nice riding club horse but that's about as far as he'll go" hmm? ;)

Ginny was my inspiration as a kid and I still read bits from her autobiography when I have wobbly 'I'm just not good enough' moments :D
 
brushingboots said:
Just seen this on Twitter;

Ollie Williams ‏@BBCSport_Ollie
Eventing: am told Nicola Wilson "will issue a press release today". Zara Phillips selected ahead of her in GB team but she could yet appeal.


Be interested to know how she could appeal?
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Not sure but there have been several other similar issues in other sports as the teams are announced, Triathlon and Tae Kwon Do that I know about, possibly others too.
 
Suziq77 said:
Not bad for a horse that "might make a nice riding club horse but that's about as far as he'll go" hmm? ;)

Ginny was my inspiration as a kid and I still read bits from her autobiography when I have wobbly 'I'm just not good enough' moments :D
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I had the Priceless biog, I may have to have a search for it at my folks house when I'm there next!
 
I am afraid knowing a bit of how BE and the selectors work ,Nicola would never be looked at again for selection if she appeals.The last thing we need is problems in the camp ,there were enough problems in Hong Kong on the team.
I really feel for Nicola ,but that is why we have selectors (well one ultimately)let it be on their heads. For three of the team I am certain this will be their last Olympics,and this may have been taken into account.
 
^^^ yes, i agree with this. creating ripples (or worse) is just not done... LW's outspokenness over Shabraak's omission a few years ago may well have made them disinclined to include her now...
as for it being the last Olympics for certain riders... hmm... but surely it's about taking the very best we have (and 2 of those 3 are, imho!) not being swayed by sentiment etc. The selectors have done that before for the Olympics and it backfired agonisingly... some of us have long memories!
 
Oooooo, thanks Kerilli for the photo - I've gone all gooey-eyed for the years you could tell exactly who everyone was by the colours they wore even from a mile away :-) And the explanation about Beijing, was feeling left out :o
 
JGC, check out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI4MvKzaWUk
(prob with sound off, there's no commentary anyway!). the double of hedges, which was the crucial penultimate fence, is shown right at the beginning... there's a lot of footage of Mary King's round.
also, the start of this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uH5FD7g51Y
again, irritating editing but you get the idea of the angles in the combinations etc etc.
 
Interesting thread - thanks TD.

Here's the US shortlist:

Phillip Dutton and Mystery Whisper
Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice
Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos
Boyd Martin and Otis Barbotiere
Sinead Halpin and Manoir De Carneville
Karen O'Connor and Mr. Medicott
Will Coleman and Twizzel
Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen
Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister
Allison Springer and Arthur
Marilyn Little-Meredith and RF Rovano Rex

and the Canadian:

Hawley Bennett and Gin N Juice
Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master
Jessica Phoenix and Exponential
Michele Mueller and Amistad
Peter Barry and Kilrodan Abbott
Shandiss Wewiora and Rockfield Grant Juan (Alternates)
 
Does anyone know WFP isn't using Parklane Hawk?

Am also gutted for NW! Though i think the thing is that team GB have nearly 10 combinations that are worthy of being in the team!
 
Alfami said:
Also surprised that WFP went for Lionheart in favour of PH - presume there must be some soundness issues with the latter, otherwise who would get off a double 4* winner in favour of the less experienced horse??
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Didn't anyone see CMP's comment in his H&H column about the debt of gratitude WFP owes to the GB Team farrier for getting PLH through the trot-up at Kentucky? Apparently he spent several hours working with him as he was very sore after xc - maybe the selectors don't want to run that risk?
 
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kerilli said:
JGC, check out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI4MvKzaWUk
(prob with sound off, there's no commentary anyway!). the double of hedges, which was the crucial penultimate fence, is shown right at the beginning... there's a lot of footage of Mary King's round.
also, the start of this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uH5FD7g51Y
again, irritating editing but you get the idea of the angles in the combinations etc etc.
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Great, thanks! Am now wondering about the wisdom of building a twisty, technical, but not humungous course that will tire horses out rather than a big bold rider-frightener, but I'll resist hijacking the thread anymore, poncey dressage rider that I am :D

All I would like to say is - I would not want to be a selector! Damned if you do ... As someone pointed out, perhaps there are soundness issues that we don't know about - knowing some people closely related to high-level dressage, I was surprised by some of the top horses (and some of the riders!) that have issues bubbling under the surface, which are not currently a problem, but which could be. I hope it isn't that though :(
 
kerilli said:
Yes, better not mention that SJ round, because of course all the omitted riders 'crack under pressure' but those chosen don't!!! ;) ;) ;) The fact is, that can happen to anyone though... Karen O'C did pretty much exactly the same thing at the Worlds.
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That's a bit unfair K! :eek:

Of course it can happen to anyone - I don't think there's a huge uprising arguing about selected (or non-selected) riders cracking under pressure is there?

Remember WFP at the last fence on the XC at Beijing? :eek:;)
 
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