The thread of all Olympic Threads

[Kadastorm]

Oops mistake by the Dutch rider. I don’t like this as much as Becky’s because the horse has very noisy breathing and it doesn’t look harmonious. He is a gorgeous horse though.

 

[clinkerbuilt]

the breathing is really putting me off

 

[piebaldproblems]

Oops mistake by the Dutch rider. I don’t like this as much as Becky’s because the horse has very noisy breathing and it doesn’t look harmonious. He is a gorgeous horse though.

Ears are quite nice though and mouth and tail are much quieter than in his previous test.

 

[Kadastorm]

Oooh that was a yank on the reins

 

[Kadastorm]

not the test she would have wanted, but I guess an improvement from the last. He is a strong boy.

 

[Pebble101]

Oops mistake by the Dutch rider. I don’t like this as much as Becky’s because the horse has very noisy breathing and it doesn’t look harmonious. He is a gorgeous horse though.

Agree, the breathing sounds awful.

 

[JennBags]

He looked perfectly happy to me, just fighting to take over I'd have said.

 

[Kadastorm]

Let’s hope Fame keeps it contained today we know he can be reactive too eeek

 

[LadyGascoyne]

That test felt very busy to watch. The breathing noise, the more obvious aids, the inconsistency in movement. It wasn’t restful to watch. I suspect individually, those components might be less of an issue but there was a lot going on.

 

[piebaldproblems]

I should have left for work ten minutes ago but how can I miss Carl's test...

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Oh Fame, please keep it together

 

[daffy44]

It was interesting that Nicky commented that this test suits the bigger moving horses. Goes to show that you can't blame the riders or even the breeders, it's the the institution and the test scoring.

I would respectfully disagree, of course its not for a horse with limited movement, its the Special, the pinnacle, its not for every horse. I havent ridden the Special in competition, only the GP, but I have trained the Special at home and with my trainer. The test is relentless in the transitions, so what it really needs is a horse in beautiful balance far more then a ginormous mover, the really big movers find transitions more difficult naturally, so take more training and help to achieve that consistent balance. For example a horse with a naturally massive walk will usually find it difficult to make a neat, active collected walk that can easily transition to piaffe, also the bigger the passage the harder it is to make good transitions in and out of passage, obviously there are some extraordinary horses who can do everything and be a giant mover, but as a general rule its more balance that is needed for the Special.

 

[piebaldproblems]

What was Carl's mistake? I missed it.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I would respectfully disagree, of course its not for a horse with limited movement, its the Special, the pinnacle, its not for every horse. I havent ridden the Special in competition, only the GP, but I have trained the Special at home and with my trainer. The test is relentless in the transitions, so what it really needs is a horse in beautiful balance far more then a ginormous mover, the really big movers find transitions more difficult naturally, so take more training and help to achieve that consistent balance. For example a horse with a naturally massive walk will usually find it difficult to make a neat, active collected walk that can easily transition to piaffe, also the bigger the passage the harder it is to make good transitions in and out of passage, obviously there are some extraordinary horses who can do everything and be a giant mover, but as a general rule its more balance that is needed for the Special.

Really interesting, thank you for sharing.

 

[daffy44]

Really interesting, thank you for sharing.

My pleasure, I'm nervous of talking too much dressage on here, especially now! I promise I dont, and never have beaten my horses.

 

[Kadastorm]

@piebaldproblems he had a few canter strides when he should have been trotting I believe but otherwise, he went really well.

 

[JennBags]

Phew, that was stressful, that looked to be a difficult ride but I knew Carl would keep it together!

 

[piebaldproblems]

@piebaldproblems he had a few canter strides when he should have been trotting I believe but otherwise, he went really well.

And he's in the lead in spite of that? Credit to his skill.

 

[piebaldproblems]

My pleasure, I'm nervous of talking too much dressage on here, especially now! I promise I dont, and never have beaten my horses.

Please do talk dressage. It's lovely having someone who actually knows what they're talking about contributing.

 

[jenbleep]

OK so I'm a little out of the horsey world, especially high level dressage, but I was really proud to watch Carl's test! That mistake could have boiled over but Carl rides so sympathetically. Flames neck did look pretty tight at times though, but overall looked harmonious imo

 

[94lunagem]

My pleasure, I'm nervous of talking too much dressage on here, especially now! I promise I dont, and never have beaten my horses.

Your post was a really interesting insight, thank you

 

[LadyGascoyne]

My pleasure, I'm nervous of talking too much dressage on here, especially now! I promise I dont, and never have beaten my horses.

I can understand that but there are those of us who are very grateful when you do. Thanks so much for the insight.

 

[blodwyn1]

so Carl scored more than Becky is that right?

 

[Zoeypxo]

Those one time changes .. just incredible.
So pleased

 

[JennBags]

Unless this pair start making some mistakes, they're going to absolutely trounce us.

 

[Zoeypxo]

so Carl scored more than Becky is that right?

Yes , only by a small amount

 

[LadyGascoyne]

so Carl scored more than Becky is that right?

Yes. As far as personal taste, I preferred Becky’s test but they were both amazing, and Carl is such an expert to be able to ride a horse like Fame.

 

[Kat]

Oh Carl

 

[JennBags]

Deleted

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Unless this pair start making some mistakes, they're going to absolutely trounce us.

It is very polished.