Nic
Well-Known Member
Following on from an extremely patronising letter in my local paper the following has just been fired in their direction:
Mr G Dunlop clearly has no understanding of eventing what so ever. If only it was as easy as, he so patronisingly put it, "jumping around on a horse".
I doubt Mr Dunlop could grasp the amount of hard work put in by event riders not to mention the blood sweat & tears that go into a sport that has little, if any, financial reward.
Eventers can't take to the gym when temperatures drop to sub zero. And if they want a holiday or a long lie tough! The horses welfare comes first, in all weathers, from long before dawn til long after dusk. It goes beyond complete and utter dedication, it is a way of life that requires serious sacrifices.
Eventing requires not only the best from riders, but also that they are able to work in complete harmony with their horses. Zara has brought Toytown through the ranks from the lowest level to where they are today, an achievement that no one should belittle.
Eventing is one of the most dangerous sports in Britain (yes, more so than boxing Mr Dunlop!) and when Sherelle Duke, a friend of Phillips, died after a fall at horse trials in Brockenhurst, Zara wanted to attend her funeral, but promised Duke's family and boyfriend that she would win the gold medal as a tribute to the Northern Ireland rider - and kept her word.
If that does not qualify her for Sports Personality Of the Year then what does?
Clearly he would not approve of anyone other than a boxer winning anyway.
To reach the top in eventing requires complete trust between horse and rider, the confidence and grace to take part in dressage, accuracy and control in showjumping and the nerves & stamina to hurtle yourself at solid obsticles or off huge drops at 35 mph at Cross Country, not something achievable by just "jumping on a horse"
So would Mr Dunlop have the guts to try eventing? If so please let me know, but I won't hold my breath.
Oh and incase he hasn't guessed - I voted for her!
Zara Phillips, European and World Champion at the age of 25, need I say more.
They better print it after that!!!!
Mr G Dunlop clearly has no understanding of eventing what so ever. If only it was as easy as, he so patronisingly put it, "jumping around on a horse".
I doubt Mr Dunlop could grasp the amount of hard work put in by event riders not to mention the blood sweat & tears that go into a sport that has little, if any, financial reward.
Eventers can't take to the gym when temperatures drop to sub zero. And if they want a holiday or a long lie tough! The horses welfare comes first, in all weathers, from long before dawn til long after dusk. It goes beyond complete and utter dedication, it is a way of life that requires serious sacrifices.
Eventing requires not only the best from riders, but also that they are able to work in complete harmony with their horses. Zara has brought Toytown through the ranks from the lowest level to where they are today, an achievement that no one should belittle.
Eventing is one of the most dangerous sports in Britain (yes, more so than boxing Mr Dunlop!) and when Sherelle Duke, a friend of Phillips, died after a fall at horse trials in Brockenhurst, Zara wanted to attend her funeral, but promised Duke's family and boyfriend that she would win the gold medal as a tribute to the Northern Ireland rider - and kept her word.
If that does not qualify her for Sports Personality Of the Year then what does?
Clearly he would not approve of anyone other than a boxer winning anyway.
To reach the top in eventing requires complete trust between horse and rider, the confidence and grace to take part in dressage, accuracy and control in showjumping and the nerves & stamina to hurtle yourself at solid obsticles or off huge drops at 35 mph at Cross Country, not something achievable by just "jumping on a horse"
So would Mr Dunlop have the guts to try eventing? If so please let me know, but I won't hold my breath.
Oh and incase he hasn't guessed - I voted for her!
Zara Phillips, European and World Champion at the age of 25, need I say more.
They better print it after that!!!!
