WEG Team SJ

[SJFAN]

Less than 3 fences cover the first 14 teams going into tomorrow's class. The Dutch lead on 6.01 with GB 11th on 14.90. Only the first ten teams after tomorrow will qualify to contest the final team leg on Thursday evening. Full scores and tomorrow's starting order are on the WEG website now.

 

[madgirl]

ooooo SJFAN you are a star thanx !!!

 

[Helena88]

im going today and tomorrow to watch

 

[burtie]

Very confused, the results of today's round seem to be up already?

Surely they can't have all jumped by 11.20am???

What is going on!?

Ok ,just looked at the main site and the jumping does not start until noon or 11am our time so must be a mistake!!

 

[Lobelia_Overhill]

they take a break halfway through the class...

 

[dieseldog]

Can someone (SJFAN) please post the link for the results?

TVM

 

[The Voice]

This is the results link http://results.aachen2006.de/default_e.htm

GB through to the last 10 coming 8th and Ireland are through being in 10th. All our riders had 1 time fault each which could prove costly in the long run.

 

[tigers_eye]

Still, they all did ok, no disasters. Who would have bet on the Ukraine lying in 2nd at this stage?!

 

[The Voice]

They were all very good solid rounds. I think they played safe, but if they had done the time then they would have been in 5th, so I think they are hoping a few of teams have bad rounds (like the French today) and we hold form. Most of the Ukraine team have 'changed' nationality ie a couple are German.

 

[tigers_eye]

Jean Claude VanGeenbeghe and Gregory Wathelet are Belgian-born. JC has been around for ages, I'm pretty sure he jumped in Barcelona, but GW is my age and I think was fed up of the same names always being picked (although I see Judy-Ann Melchior hasn't wasted time getting on the team, but having a stable like that to pick from can't hurt!). I think they changed nationality last year.

 

[BBs]

Actually was discussing this the other day, re changing nationality - many of the brit eventers have done it - and had I ever been in contention with a good horse but knowing that Team GB is strong I could have done the same. I have Irish and Spanish roots

 

[The Voice]

I also beleive they are being paid an incentive to ride for them, which also helps (for at least a few years until there is no more money).
yes strange Judy Ann is in the team, but good luck to her as Mr Melchior has done so much for the sport. Great round by Jos Lansink to get them into the top 10, and Clinton one minute briliant the next!!!!!!!

 

[SJFAN]

While I'd certainly not have put money on Ukraine being ahead of Germany at this point, I'm not too surprised to see them produce good results. Katharina Offel was very impressive in last year's European Championship riding Nike that is now on the Brazilian team, and when hearing that first the very talented GW and then JCV had been recruited in the latter half of last year, it was obvious that they could become a force to be reckoned with. Bjorn Nagel has only just switched from German nationality and of course none of the quartet live in Ukraine. I wonder how many Ukrainians know that they have possible WEG medallists!
If Luciana Diniz had not recently decided to represent Portugal she could have been on the Brazilian team (with Baloubet out of action) and Brazil would currently have been in 2nd place!

 

[tigers_eye]

I was just going to ask where Rodrigo was. What a shame as Baloubet must be nearer the end rather than the beginning of his career. Does he have no other top class horse? What happened to Lianos - I hardly heard of him after Rodrigo winning the world championships on him?

 

[SJFAN]

Here's the link to what Rodrigo had to say: http://www.rodrigopessoa.com.br/noticias_ler_eng.php?not_id=52

Lianos continued to win some GPs until his last season (2003) though I think he was quite sparingly competed, and was retired at the age of 16.

 

[MagicMelon]

Oh dear, doubt GB are going to win gold now....... not looking good is it? Just hope Germany dont win - sorry but they've won EVERYTHING!

 

[Rambo]

Well, the individual 3DE they most certainly didn't win. I don't know about the dressage, but I suspect that Anky might have something to say about that...the SJ'ing, well, they are in a league of their own in terms of strength in depth, so yes, probably they will win that...and deservedly so imo

The rest.......well......we've covered the 3 main disciplines

 

[The Voice]

I think the main aim now is a top 5 spot for an automatic place for the Olympics which is possible....with a bit of luck. This could be very close competition tomorrow as there are only a couple of fences between the teams.

 

[Weezy]

Agreed - there is nothing sweeter than watching the Germans SJ - just my opinion

Watching Eurosport today - Marcus Ehning doesnt even move his hands over a fence because he doesnt need to - I was really in awe

 

[Rambo]

[ QUOTE ]
Agreed - there is nothing sweeter than watching the Germans SJ - just my opinion

Watching Eurosport today - Marcus Ehning doesnt even move his hands over a fence because he doesnt need to - I was really in awe

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't make me jealous

My video is set for 13:45 on sunday (BBC2)...can't / won't pay for Sky so have to make do

 

[Weezy]

LOL believe me I was absolutely gobsmacked my Eurosport worked - it doesnt usually, in fact Sky doesnt work in the summer here - why - (so British) there are too many leaves on the trees around here *sigh* I'll tell you something tho, I didnt get to see any Brits jump (it froze) and it for sure will not work again now it is getting interesting!

 

[SJFAN]

I've been watching for via the WEG website video stream. Far from ideal but I'm grateful for it!

Anky won the Freestyle dressage but Germany took the Team and Individual GP Special Golds. No doubting their strength in depth - it's a big country, riding is very popular and they have a superb training & sport structure. But now for the Team SJ they need the Dutch to falter tomorrow night and have at least 3 down AND produce 3 clears themselves in order to win. So far from 8 rounds, the Dutch have had only one fence down but the Germans have produced only 2 clears (both from Ludger Beerbaum). I think it may just be a little like the 1992 Olympics when the Dutch won it. That time it was Austria who were the unexpected winners of Silver and Germany ended 11th - obviously they will be better placed than that! More likelihood of one or more of the Germans making up ground over the 3 rounds that will determine the 4 Individual Finalists. One of the major surprises for me has been the performance of Spain - 2 in the top 17 inidividually so far.

 

[Weezy]

Spain doesnt suprise me, I was bursting with pride today watching people I know ride - all at last is coming to fruition and I so hope they have a medal at the end of it

 

[SJFAN]

It's lovely when you see people you know and like do well. As Spain's not been in the Samsung League for several years and are not much in evidence on the World Cup circuit, most of us haven't seen much of them. Takes some doing to step up to this level successfully.

 

[Weezy]

The team training system in Spain is as strong as ever and they have been concentrating on nurturing the talent within for a long while - I know this because I was lucky enough to be on a training prog years ago! I have never really understood why the Samsung League has not been a target but they took a decision to take a step away from that direction (really should find out why) and no, other than Luis Cervera they have not been known on the world circuit as such

Knowing as I do all the "back room" staff, the ways and means and the comaraderie involved, I cannot help but be chuffed (if a little envious) that at last they are shining though

 

[SJFAN]

That's good to know. There didn't seem to be much progress when David Broome was their team trainer in the 1990s.

 

[Weezy]

Less said about that the better LOL!

 

[SJFAN]

Well apart from any "politics" in that situation, I think an instinctively brilliant rider does not necessarily make a good trainer as he/she is less likely to be able to appreciate and help those with less natural ability.

 

[Helena88]

just to let you know - jumping comences at 6.20pm (german time) today... (we rang up and asked after there was some confusion!)

 

[SJFAN]

Thanks - I'd noticed and was going to post. Just printing my starting list. Hope you have a great time - first WEG I've not been to but at least I'm not getting wet!