Olympic Showjumping

    • Gold Top Dog

    spiritdogs

    aerial1313

    Isn't it the best when an accomplished and respected horseman compliments your horse?!!  Many years ago, I took a clinic with Michael Plumb.  There were 4 riders in my class, including myself and my really good friend.  The other two girls were people we knew, but didn't really get along with (snobby riders...you guys know the type!).  Anyway, at the beginning of the class, he asked us to tell him a little about each of our horses, and one of the snobby girls was tauting her horse, "Oh, he's been to Rolex!" like she was trying to impress Mr. Plumb.  He looked the horse over and flatly said, "Well, I've never seen him there."  Hehe...gotcha!!  Then he got onto the other girl for using a gag in the flat portion of our class and made her change bridles before we could start the class (seriously, what was she thinking?!).  At the end of the class, he was doing a final talk to us, and he came over to me, patted Aerial on the neck, looked her over, and said, "She's really nice, I really like her."  I seriously almost fell off right then and there!  My horse that bought for $2000 and trained myself, and Mike Plumb gave her a compliment...I'll never forget that day.  Oh, and he liked my friend, too.  He told the clinic organizer that she was a spitfire and he really liked that kind of rider.  We were both over the moon!

    Beezie lives in Cazenovia, NY now, right?  My BF's dad lives there!  Small world!

     

    This really reminded me of the time when I found myself at a Lendon Gray clinic with my little 15hh Appy mare.  All the big warmbloods were there, and me with my tiny girl that I bought at a local sale barn for $1500.  She was not "nice", she had slightly cow hocks, but a heart of gold, and more guts than ability.  But, Lendon complimented her attitude and the way we worked as a team, and I do believe that she went better that day in that clinic than any other time in her life.  During those days, I worked as a groom for a rider at our barn who went to all the big events (met people like Bruce Davidson, Karen Stives, Tad Coffin, and Mike).  I remember that we arrived at the Red Fox in Middleburg, VA one morning when they were closed, and were dying for coffee.  Mike Plumb arrived a few minutes later and they opened the door for him - he turned and motioned us in and we got our coffee!  Nice guy.

     

    Isn't it nice to have good experiences with people you "looked up" to! I think "a lot" (not all) of top riders remember where they came from. It is hard work, sure money can buy the horse but you have to earn the ride. Most I think want to give back to the industry.

    Ok someone keep me posted today with the individual performances. I finally last night watched the "warm up" class. Yes I am behind. I am rooting for the riders!

    I must say Ian Millar's horse (name escapes me) has the most GORGEOUS head and neck! Just bee - you - tea - full.

     

    • Gold Top Dog

    Maxs Mom
    I must say Ian Millar's horse (name escapes me) has the most GORGEOUS head and neck! Just bee - you - tea - full.

     

    In Style.

    I just finished watching the first round, 10 double clears, 10 with 4 faults (20 going through).  Too many names to keep straight, am trying to find a list of who's going through, for you, or I'll update when coverage starts for the next round. 

    • Gold Top Dog

     Found it.  Beezie Madden jumped clear and Q'd, Mclain Ward got 4 faults and also Q'd.  Tim Stockdale and Ben Maher both jumped clear for GB.  Ian Millar did not go through, but Eric Lamaze and Jill Henselwood did.

    Any other specific riders you want news on, let me know!

    • Gold Top Dog

     I slept in the morning and missed the first of the rounds, oops... what happened with Millar's round?

    Also, did you guys hear about the 4 horses that were dropped for doping? Chupa Chup from Brazil, one from Norway, and I forget the others... I can look it up. Nobody I was wildly familiar with, but that's not saying much. Stick out tongue 

    • Gold Top Dog

    Cita
    what happened with Millar's round?

     

    In Style just didn't look as comfy as in previous rounds, didn't pick his feet up enough a couple of times.  IIRC he's still relatively young, and those jumps are HUGE.   Lots and lots of riders were having problems, there were a few jumps in particular that were causing difficulties. 

    Cita
    Also, did you guys hear about the 4 horses that were dropped for doping? Chupa Chup from Brazil, one from Norway, and I forget the others... I can look it up. Nobody I was wildly familiar with, but that's not saying much. Stick out tongue

     

    It might actually affect the medal standings, since Norway won team bronze.   That's gotten a lot of coverage today, here. 

    • Gold Top Dog

    Both the Beerbaums with a clear second round!!! 

    • Gold Top Dog

     Mclain Ward, too. :)

    • Gold Top Dog

     I was supposed to go in for a chiropractor appointment this morning, but I started watching and couldn't tear myself away... they're pretty lax on scheduling, hopefully they won't mind if I just show up after all the rounds are done!!! :-p

    I wasn't paying attention during Jill Henselwood's round - did anyone see? Rumors of her horse maybe injuring himself after a refusal or something - is he okay? 

    • Gold Top Dog

    Oh I love the commentary! I also like the dog term "Q" LOL

    Thanks ladies. I hope US wins (sorry Kate) Hey what about John Whitaker, will he be jumping individual? I liked his horse in the round I saw. I like so many of the riders (from all over the world) you are doing great with the updates.

     

     

    • Gold Top Dog

     Haha Q'd sorry I was feeling lazy lol.

    John Whitaker won't be jumping, he had to rest his horse before a round of the team event because it was stiff - organisers then decided that he couldn't compete in any subsequent rounds, so he's out.

    We shall now pause, because the ditch has sprung a leak...

    • Gold Top Dog

     Holy jeepers, everyone with 4 faults!!!! Beezie took a rail down, but otherwise had a good round - right now there are 7 riders tied for first with a total of 4 faults, including the Beerbaums, the 2 Americans who've gone - Beezie and McLain, and Pessoa.

    Whitaker won't be going in the individual round, just Maher, Skelton, and Stockdale (16 faults second round). 

    • Gold Top Dog

     Looks like Sweden are going to take the gold, Bengtsson jumped clear.  Think I got some wrong info from commentators about doubles-clears earlier which was good because I thought I'd missed a round...but I didn't....Bengtsson has produced the first double clear, Eric Lamaze now. 

    • Gold Top Dog

     Bengtsonn (Sweden) and Ninja just had the fist double-clear! If Lamaze goes clear, too, they'll tie for gold! Either way, there will definitely be a jump-off for either bronze or silver and bronze! Ahhh, the suspense!

    • Gold Top Dog

     Waha!  Go Eric, jumpoff for the gold!

    • Gold Top Dog

     And Lamaze goes clear!!!!!!!!!!!