Former racehorses in the Olympics at SHA TIN!!!

[FGFan]

You should love that MMSC!!!

2 former US racehorses and 1st time competeing for China an ex Hong Kong racehorse.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2008/August/05/Racehorses-to-compete-in-Olympics.aspx


http://useventing.com/competitions.php?id=1571

[Sightseek]

Here is the full television schedule:

The equestrian television coverage schedule is as follows:

Date: Program-Time (EST) on Channel
Aug. 9: Eventing: Dressage-2:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on USA
Aug. 11: Eventing: Cross- Country- 6:00pm-8:00pm OXYGEN
Aug. 12: Eventing: Jumping Team Gold Medal Final-6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on OXYGEN
Aug. 13: Dressage-6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on OXYGEN
Aug. 14: Dressage Team Gold Medal Final-6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on OXYGEN
Aug. 15: Show Jumping-6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on OXYGEN
Aug. 16: Dressage Individual - 5:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. MSNBC
Aug. 17: Show Jumping Team Gold Medal Final 1st Round-10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m on NBC
Aug. 18: Show Jumping Team Gold Medal Final Round- 6:00pm-8:00 p.m. OXYGEN
Aug. 19: Dressage Individual Gold Medal Final - 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on OXYGEN
Aug. 21: Show Jumping Individual Gold Medal Final- 10:00am- 1:00 pm on NBC

[Riot]

You can watch a good portion of the Olympics on your computer, on the NBC Olympics site - in fact, the dressage portion of three-day eventing starts in about half an hour, 6:30 eastern, tonight (before the opening ceremonies are even televised on NBC)

[my miss storm cat]

You should love that MMSC!!!

2 former US racehorses and 1st time competeing for China an ex Hong Kong racehorse.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2008/August/05/Racehorses-to-compete-in-Olympics.aspx


http://useventing.com/competitions.php?id=1571
Lucky horses!

Maybe I'll try to find a horsie costume and book a flight to HK and, and..... :D

[FGFan]

Well so far for the dressage Lucinda Fredricks of Australia is firmly holding onto the #1 spot.

Courageous Comet and Becky Holder for the USA is #5

Amy Tryon and Poggio ll are tied in 24th

and Alex Hua Tian with Chico the former Hong Kong racehorse are tied in 31st.

There is also a 67 year old man from Japan, Hiroshi Hoketsu, that will be competing but I can't even find what event he is to compete in. The NBC site is a bit hard to follow. He first competed in the 1964 olympics.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=1013/bio/index.html#age+dreams+achieved+japanese+rider

[ddthetide]

Well so far for the dressage Lucinda Fredricks of Australia is firmly holding onto the #1 spot.

Courageous Comet and Becky Holder for the USA is #5

Amy Tryon and Poggio ll are tied in 24th

and Alex Hua Tian with Chico the former Hong Kong racehorse are tied in 31st.

There is also a 67 year old man from Japan, Hiroshi Hoketsu, that will be competing but I can't even find what event he is to compete in. The NBC site is a bit hard to follow. He first competed in the 1964 olympics.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=1013/bio/index.html#age+dreams+achieved+japanese+rider
Poggio II hooked a leg and dumped Tryon mid-coarse. both seem to be ok.

[ddthetide]

Well so far for the dressage Lucinda Fredricks of Australia is firmly holding onto the #1 spot.

Holder for theCourageous Comet and Becky USA is #5

Amy Tryon and Poggio ll are tied in 24th

and Alex Hua Tian with Chico the former Hong Kong racehorse are tied in 31st.

There is also a 67 year old man from Japan, Hiroshi Hoketsu, that will be competing but I can't even find what event he is to compete in. The NBC site is a bit hard to follow. He first competed in the 1964 olympics.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=1013/bio/index.html#age+dreams+achieved+japanese+rider
Courageous Comet had a nice run and is ranked 20th.

[FGFan]

Poggio II hooked a leg and dumped Tryon mid-coarse. both seem to be ok.

I saw that what a shame and Comet had a refusal.
9 riders were off their horses yesterday and DQ'd, including Alex Hau Tian with Chico. Very tough day and tough course for all.

Todays which I believe will be on Oxygen at 5 CST is the finals.

Hinrich Romeike (http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=57635/bio/index.html) for Germany takes the gold on his spectacular mount Marius.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/mm/photo/sports/general/20/13/27/201327_m03.jpg

The US gets a silver with a surprise from Gina Miles and Kristina Cook of GRB gets the bronze..Germany won the team gold.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/equestrian/news/newsid=201332.html

[Sightseek]

I saw that what a shame and Comet had a refusal.
9 riders were off their horses yesterday and DQ'd, including Alex Hau Tian with Chico. Very tough day and tough course for all.

Todays which I believe will be on Oxygen at 5 CST is the finals.

Hinrich Romeike (http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=57635/bio/index.html) for Germany takes the gold on his spectacular mount Marius.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/mm/photo/sports/general/20/13/27/201327_m03.jpg

The US gets a silver with a surprise from Gina Miles and Kristina Cook of GRB gets the bronze..Germany won the team gold.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/equestrian/news/newsid=201332.html

:mad: I wasn't looking for the results until i watched it tonight. :p

My favorite mare in the eventing events was Headley Britannia, she got so tired at the end of the cross country but she is such a neat little jumper and was just awesome in the dressage.

http://www.efanational.com/image.asp?image=20301,20302,20303,20304,20305,2030 6,20307,20308,20309,20310,20311,20312&display=6

http://www.efanational.com/default.asp?Page=17756

[FGFan]

:mad: I wasn't looking for the results until i watched it tonight. :p

My favorite mare in the eventing events was Headley Britannia, she got so tired at the end of the cross country but she is such a neat little jumper and was just awesome in the dressage.

http://www.efanational.com/image.asp?image=20301,20302,20303,20304,20305,2030 6,20307,20308,20309,20310,20311,20312&display=6

http://www.efanational.com/default.asp?Page=17756

I'm sorry!!! But I won't be on later, the watching olympics addiction. We had to get chinese food the other nite....:p

I became entranced with Marius the other day. And yes Britania what a cool little horse, did you see her jump the sand at the very end yesterday? Almost ran one of the volunteers over.

[Sightseek]

I'm sorry!!! But I won't be on later, the watching olympics addiction. We had to get chinese food the other nite....:p

I became entranced with Marius the other day. And yes Britania what a cool little horse, did you see her jump the sand at the very end yesterday? Almost ran one of the volunteers over.

She had places to go! :D

I can't recall the name of the horse, but that one German horse was SO big he looked to be going really slow, but was in fact one of the stronger times.

Horsies rule! :tro:

[FGFan]

She had places to go! :D

I can't recall the name of the horse, but that one German horse was SO big he looked to be going really slow, but was in fact one of the stronger times.

Horsies rule! :tro:

ROR!!!!!!

Was it the gray one if so that is Marius, I meant to look up what he is.

It was a hard course.

OH yikes it's almost time....looking forward to tonight.

[Sightseek]

Gina was awesome!!!! I confess to wishing that Marius knocked a rail :o

Tina Cook's horse looked spectacular in the show jumping round. :{>:

[Sightseek]

ROR!!!!!!

Was it the gray one if so that is Marius, I meant to look up what he is.

It was a hard course.

OH yikes it's almost time....looking forward to tonight.

yeah I think it was him. He almost looks to have some draft in him when you look at his legs. :D Solid boy!

[Antitrust32]

I think Eventing is terrible... well not the jumping and dressage part but the cross country. On E-360 Last night (ESPN's show) they had a segment on eventing, 14 people have died during eventing (all in cross country and all by the horse pretty much flipping over the jump and landing right on the person) since 2006. I have no idea how that is allowed to happen without some major changes being made.

Supposedly, the Olympic Committee is the one who originally changed the cross country rules, making the courses much shorter but much more dangerous. The death toll is from since the rules were changed. I think its disgusting. But then again, whenever I watch a mother on tv having to talk about the death of her young daughter, I get outraged.

If I ever have a daughter and she wants to get involved in horse sports, I will say NO way Jose to everything except trail rides and dressage (eventhough I know accidents can happen then also). I have a friend who was a top Show Jumper and she was paralyzed from her waste down.. so I will not allow my future children to do that also!

[Sightseek]

I rode cross country so the eventing is my favorite....

Uncly Trust, I understand your objection to this event, but if you can't watch eventing how can you watch racing?

[Antitrust32]

I rode cross country so the eventing is my favorite....

Uncly Trust, I understand your objection to this event, but if you can't watch eventing how can you watch racing?


What I dont understand, is if they know the shorter more challenging courses are providing his huge dangers to the horse and riders, why dont they change back to the old way of doing things??

I didnt really have a problem with eventing (granted I didnt know too much about it) til I watched that show last night. I had heard a couple eventers died here in Ocala a little while back, but I didnt realize how many people were dying.

The thing that bothered me was that some parents said their child's trainers would recommend moving up to these top levels and buying these big $$ horses, when the kid probably wasnt really ready for it. Then something happens and the kid is gone.

Also, some good suggestions were made, like changing the jumps on the the Xcountry course so they explode if a horse hits it (like made out of paper mache (SP?) ) so that horses cant flip over the jumps and kill the riders. At least made the jumps have those pins on it so the rails fall off like Show Jumping. If those ideas will save peoples lives I have no idea why they are not implemented. From the report last night.. it seems like the "top" guys in Eventing would be totally against these changes. That makes no sense to me.

I guess for horse racing, for my personal opinion, its grown men who know the risks (I mean its obvious that if you become a jockey to expect to break every bone at least once and have the risk of fatal injuries). These guys are doing this for $$ and they understand the sports risks.

I really dont know enough about eventing, but when young kids are dying that just makes me really upset. When you started Eventing, did you and your parents realize that you could die any weekend doing the sport? How much safer was it when the courses were longer and the jumps were more spaced out?

Now that they realize the risks these short, difficult courses are putting on the horses and riders, its time for them to make a safety change, whether it is making the courses long again and/ or changing the jumps so they give with the horse.

[FGFan]

yeah I think it was him. He almost looks to have some draft in him when you look at his legs. :D Solid boy!

I looked him up he is a Holstein. I kinda wanted him to make a mistake too, but only because Gina would have gotten gold. If she wasn't in medal position I wanted Marius to win.

Trusty, I understand your position, but am kinda surprised. And this course only 9 riders fell off, no person or horse was injured.
Where was this ESPN? It's kinda like ESPN is becoming the mouth piece for the animal activists...hmmmmmm.


MY BIGGEST OBJECTION IS:

Why don't the horseys get a medal, only the rider gets one. How cool would that be for your horse to have it's own medal.

[Antitrust32]

Just at the Rolex event this year alone, two horses had to be put down and that Chimichanga guy was critically injured...

I love horses, dont get me wrong (and not in a sumitis type of way LOL), but when a person dies it affects me 100 times more than when a horse has to be put down. Just hearing 14 people died since these rule changes went into play really got under my skin.

The fact that nobodys doing anything to change that (how hard could it be to make the jumps safer - so they either explode when a horse hits it or fall off like show jumping) is what really pisses me off.

Now I realize why my company charges eventers a much higher insurance rate than other show horses...

[Scav]

Just at the Rolex event this year alone, two horses had to be put down and that Chimichanga guy was critically injured...

I love horses, dont get me wrong (and not in a sumitis type of way LOL), but when a person dies it affects me 100 times more than when a horse has to be put down. Just hearing 14 people died since these rule changes went into play really got under my skin.

The fact that nobodys doing anything to change that (how hard could it be to make the jumps safer - so they either explode when a horse hits it or fall off like show jumping) is what really pisses me off.

Now I realize why my company charges eventers a much higher insurance rate than other show horses...

Oh, who was watching E60??

[Antitrust32]

Oh, who was watching E60??



me :D :D

My TV is usually only on sports channels... unless there is a good movie on!

What do you think Scav, we'd make a good couple?

[Riot]

The fact that nobodys doing anything to change that (how hard could it be to make the jumps safer - so they either explode when a horse hits it or fall off like show jumping) is what really pisses me off.

Whoa - that's totally false :(

There have been massive changes in eventing over the last 20 years that have made the sport and jumps remarkably safer.

That includes eliminating and changing many of the types of jumps that induce rotational falls, adding frangable pins to the jumps, veterinary checks, course design, etc.

In fact, the eventing community just met in here Lexington the beginning of June to further discuss safety and make more changes.

Do you know what one of the biggest problems is compared to 20-30 years ago? Relatively inexperienced riders. Riders that have not grown up riding ponies bareback at a gallop with a halter in a field, riding to hounds as children or teenagers, riding cross-county (hacking and jumping for fun) as a kid and young adult for years, learning how to fall, learning how to ride at speed over terrain over solid fences.

Riders today ride in rings.

And horses that are being bought up to upper levels without years of experience at solid fences and riding cross-country (same thing - foxhunting, bashing around for fun over ditches and hedge fences and through fields, etc) behind them.

Or, horses simply not really having the scope to be at a level (most injuries and falls are happening at LOWER levels)

Look at the biographies: look at the ages of the riders, look at the horses and their experiences - NOT what it was 20-30 years ago.

The best eventers used to take years - years - to bring a horse up to Olympic capability. They would talk of a promising horse "maybe" being ready 6-8 years from now. And they would NOT put them there if they were indeed limited as to being a lower level horse.

Now anyone with enough money buys a horse, and a trainer, and goes for it.

The sport is trying to get more qualifications written into the rules (regarding advancing through levels) so people cannot readily put themselves and their horses at risk, but of course those very people are fighting it.

There's really alot going on, and has been. It's quite unfair and untrue to say, "nobody's doing anything to change that".

[Cajungator26]

Whoa - that's totally false :(

There have been massive changes in eventing over the last 20 years that have made the sport and jumps remarkably safer.

That includes eliminating and changing many of the types of jumps that induce rotational falls, adding frangable pins to the jumps, veterinary checks, course design, etc.

In fact, the eventing community just met in here Lexington the beginning of June to further discuss safety and make more changes.

Do you know what one of the biggest problems is compared to 20-30 years ago? Relatively inexperienced riders. Riders that have not grown up riding ponies bareback at a gallop with a halter in a field, riding to hounds as children or teenagers, riding cross-county (hacking and jumping for fun) as a kid and young adult for years, learning how to fall, learning how to ride at speed over terrain over solid fences.

Riders today ride in rings.

And horses that are being bought up to upper levels without years of experience at solid fences and riding cross-country (same thing - foxhunting, bashing around for fun over ditches and hedge fences and through fields, etc) behind them.

Or, horses simply not really having the scope to be at a level (most injuries and falls are happening at LOWER levels)

Look at the biographies: look at the ages of the riders, look at the horses and their experiences - NOT what it was 20-30 years ago.

The best eventers used to take years - years - to bring a horse up to Olympic capability. They would talk of a promising horse "maybe" being ready 6-8 years from now. And they would NOT put them there if they were indeed limited as to being a lower level horse.

Now anyone with enough money buys a horse, and a trainer, and goes for it.

The sport is trying to get more qualifications written into the rules (regarding advancing through levels) so people cannot readily put themselves and their horses at risk, but of course those very people are fighting it.

There's really alot going on, and has been. It's quite unfair and untrue to say, "nobody's doing anything to change that".

Great post, Riot.

[Antitrust32]

The special on ESPN portreyed eventing in a totally different way. Its not like the deaths and injuries are not happening at the top level. This years Rolex was horrific. Ya'll can say whatever you want, I'm just saying, if I ever have a daughter.. the only way she'd get involved in Eventing is over my dead body.

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/135159.html

http://hitsusa.com/blog/330/horse-jumping-death/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1021994/Olympic-hopeful-12-died-falling-horse-cross-country-event.html


these are just some of the top articles that come up when you search for "horse eventing death" on Google. All considered very good event riders.. I didnt keep clicking too depressing.


I could go on and on with the articles. **** that ****.

[Antitrust32]

And the reason they met over "safety concerns" in June is because of all these deaths.. and many event riders were seriously pissed that the courses have become much more DIFFICULT, not safer. There is a 0% chance this sport is "safer" now than 3 years ago. Its much more dangerous. They are expected to go over the same amount of jumps, with half as much course. No F-in way it is safer.

[Riot]

The special on ESPN portreyed eventing in a totally different way. Its not like the deaths and injuries are not happening at the top level. This years Rolex was horrific. Ya'll can say whatever you want, I'm just saying, if I ever have a daughter.. the only way she'd get involved in Eventing is over my dead body.

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/135159.html

http://hitsusa.com/blog/330/horse-jumping-death/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1021994/Olympic-hopeful-12-died-falling-horse-cross-country-event.html


these are just some of the top articles that come up when you search for "horse eventing death" on Google. All considered very good event riders.. I didnt keep clicking too depressing.


I could go on and on with the articles. **** that ****.


You sound exactly like the people that have no direct contact with horse racing, but read articles and have thus determined that TB horse racing is a horribly abusive bloodbath industry that exploits and kills horses for money every day.

[Antitrust32]

14 people dying is 14 people dying no matter how you look at it.

My good friend in Ireland grew up around horses, loved fox hunting. she broke her back a couple years back.

Like I said before, my friend from college was a top show jump rider, she's paralyzed from the waist down.

I know it sounds horribly insensitive, but if it was 14 horse deaths it really wouldn't bother me. But 14 people is a different story for me.

I'm not calling for this sport to end by no means. I just think it would be insanely irresponsible for a parent to let their child get involved in eventing.

[Riot]

14 people dying is 14 people dying no matter how you look at it.

I'm not calling for this sport to end by no means. I just think it would be insanely irresponsible for a parent to let their child get involved in eventing.

Or serious Little League baseball as a pitcher? Football? Gymnastics? Swimming? Skateboarding? Skiing? Motocross? Let a 12-year-old drive an ATV? (which I think is a national sport in Kentucky)

Obviously some sports have markedly more physical danger than others, riding horses certainly is one of them.

But - many parents haven't got a clue what's going on. Susie is 10, and this week after watching equestrian on TV, tells Mom and Dad she loves horses, and wants to, "grow up to be an Olympic rider".

Dad has lots of money, so next week Susie is at her first riding lesson, two months from now Susie owns a horse, and three years from now Susie is competing with two very fancy new horses at a level that she really has been rushed to.

If her first trainer was sensible and old school - and doesn't let Susie ride over her head or her horses abilities - the parents yank the kid from that trainer, complain they've wasted $500,000, and go to another trainer willing to say, "No problem! We'll put you on the national scene and Susie will win!"

That's an accident certainly waiting to happen. No letting Susie's natural "talent" and years of practice as a rider dictate if she's top caliber - you can buy your way into it.

It's not just the essential inherent nature of the sport, to which yes, danger is a concern - it's also the people participating, and perhaps to a far greater extent, as they control the rules of the sport. What happened to roads and tracks? Steeplechase? Why won't they pass more restrictive qualifying initiatives?

Because people want it now, and they feel they "deserve" to compete at certain levels, whether they or their horse are fully prepared for it or not. Not earn it by ability and years of work. And no matter how many safety initiatives happen in the sport (helmets, vests, vet checks, changing jumps, etc) humans will still be there.

[Sightseek]

Good posts Riot.


I didn't see the pre-qual and Oxygen only showed part of the Individuals yesterday, but did anyone else fall in love with Ravel? :{>: What a beauty! I wish I got a chance to see more of the dressage, but Show Jumping is tonight! :tro:

[Antitrust32]

Or serious Little League baseball as a pitcher? Football? Gymnastics? Swimming? Skateboarding? Skiing? Motocross? Let a 12-year-old drive an ATV? (which I think is a national sport in Kentucky)

Obviously some sports have markedly more physical danger than others, riding horses certainly is one of them.

But - many parents haven't got a clue what's going on. Susie is 10, and this week after watching equestrian on TV, tells Mom and Dad she loves horses, and wants to, "grow up to be an Olympic rider".

Dad has lots of money, so next week Susie is at her first riding lesson, two months from now Susie owns a horse, and three years from now Susie is competing with two very fancy new horses at a level that she really has been rushed to.

If her first trainer was sensible and old school - and doesn't let Susie ride over her head or her horses abilities - the parents yank the kid from that trainer, complain they've wasted $500,000, and go to another trainer willing to say, "No problem! We'll put you on the national scene and Susie will win!"

That's an accident certainly waiting to happen. No letting Susie's natural "talent" and years of practice as a rider dictate if she's top caliber - you can buy your way into it.

It's not just the essential inherent nature of the sport, to which yes, danger is a concern - it's also the people participating, and perhaps to a far greater extent, as they control the rules of the sport. What happened to roads and tracks? Steeplechase? Why won't they pass more restrictive qualifying initiatives?

Because people want it now, and they feel they "deserve" to compete at certain levels, whether they or their horse are fully prepared for it or not. Not earn it by ability and years of work. And no matter how many safety initiatives happen in the sport (helmets, vests, vet checks, changing jumps, etc) humans will still be there.


good post can't argue that! You would think a parent would want to be well informed especially when dealing with a sport where one error could end your life (obviously worst case scenerio).

I just know I'm going to be really protective of my babies LOL.. Heck NO to the ATVs or motorcross... no dirt bikes or motorcycles! That is way more dangerous than horses.... know a few friends that lost younger brothers to 4 wheel accidents.

But I also feel that it should be illegal for people with children (especially young children) to ride motorcycles... so many people die from those accidents... your chance of survival is so small and even if you are a real careful driver... anything can happen. You cant risk not being there for your children! And I also think women who smoke cig's or drink when they are pregnant should go to jail. So I have some extreme views when it comes to some things! Just protective I guess!

[Sightseek]

I think Uncly is going to wrap her kids in pillows before sending them outdoors. :p

[Antitrust32]

No drivers license till 18 also!! LOL... You should see how worried I get just about my dog, Bugsy, right now... I'm scared to see how I'll be as a parent!

[FGFan]

Good posts Riot.


I didn't see the pre-qual and Oxygen only showed part of the Individuals yesterday, but did anyone else fall in love with Ravel? :{>: What a beauty! I wish I got a chance to see more of the dressage, but Show Jumping is tonight! :tro:

Yes...ohhhh, ahhhh, Ravel was beautiful and did so well for his first time big int'l competition. I didn't catch all of it either. I wish oxygen would put them on first like they did in the beginning.

Trusty....I feel for you....are you going to let your kids out of the house at all????? :D
What about public school...yikes!!!

I see your points, but mostly agree with Riot. Geez, you can just let your kid out to play and something bad might happen. But as always in sports changes do need to be made to protect both the animal and the human.
Did you see the guy that broke his arm weightlifting...gross!!

Now the 4 wheelers...yup got to get these kids off of them. I call the sheriff dept about once a week to come get these kids recklessly FLYING up and down the road and tearing up people's private property. The odd thing is the parents are the ones that let them do it and think I'm a bi-otch for complaing, although I am a bi-otch...
But then again the parents I speak of well...their family tree is really just a stump in the ground..living by rednecks don't ya know...:p

[Sightseek]

Cedric was awesome!!!

USA Team Gold in Jumping. :tro:

[Antitrust32]

Cedric was awesome!!!

USA Team Gold in Jumping. :tro:

Amen! I love Laura Kraut... and have almost all of her horses as well as some of Beeze Maddens! (I think Cedric is the one I dont have LOL)

[Sightseek]

Amen! I love Laura Kraut... and have almost all of her horses as well as some of Beeze Maddens! (I think Cedric is the one I dont have LOL)

That is so awesome!

I don't know if this is a stupid question or not, but will any of the results affect their policies?

[Antitrust32]

That is so awesome!

I don't know if this is a stupid question or not, but will any of the results affect their policies?


I'm sure, with an Olympic Gold, the horses value could increase if the Insured requested.