Do you mean the before lunch group averaged a 4 point lower score than after lunch?
well, one thing is for sure, the best riders have always been in the later groups. Riding as anchors, they will hopefully give the best score and usually they do. It is also percieved but there may or may not be a fact, that the first day, or in this case, first half, score lower. Sometimes it might not be deserved, for example Blake. Could judges still be favoring certain riders? Or are they just that much better? The top 5 or so, were absolutely spectacular. I think when a score is determined by human beings, there is a possibility of bias. Maybe also today the judges felt rushed. Those scores were flying out. I am not accusing anyone of anything, but scores are usually lower in the beginning.
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Seems like it would be the resposibility of the national federation to know what’s what and correctly exclude prefixes/suffixes as appropriate when submitting entry paperwork. Maybe initials are ok but words are not? Isn’t Castle Howard a breeder designation? There’s one of those in the field.
I couldn’t get back to sleep last night, so just happened to turn on the equestrian dressage. I was thrilled to see Shane Rose riding so well after his recent injuries. I only could hold on for four rides but I was happy to see those.
Eventing Dressage on E! at 3:30 p.m. Central
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Super interesting EN article about how creative they had to get to fit everything in given the time limit! Thanks for sharing! I’ve never seen an FEI eventing test without a first halt on centerline (not sure if that was also the case in the previous Olympic test). Picking up the counter canter from walk gave me equitation test vibes haha. Definitely did not expect a zig zag either.
I’m trying to find Laura’s ride in the replays. Lucinda’s commentary is wonderful as usual.
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CC start list can be downloaded here;
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/reports/equestrian/eventing-team
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I’m watching the first 20 odd rides I missed by tuning in late this morning and notice the dark patch on Dublin’s hind quarters. Does anyone know what this is?
I wondered about that too.
I loved Tom McEwen. I loved Collett’s test. That was fantastic.
It’s so sad to see the story of Annie Goodwin and Bruno, and Bruno going on with Boyd. What did I just see? Still a good effort.
I love Ros Canter and Walter, he sounds like a real character.
Nicole Brown mentioned that corporate sponsors are not allowed, I wonder if the prefix/suffix usage is based on taxation.
Dublin’s mark is likely a birthmark.
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But aren’t Hutchinson Sport Horses and Cooley Farm basically identical business models? Sourcing prospects and adding their prefix…
I really don’t care, but it is interesting to me that teams have to drop prefixes like Cooley and “Ride for Thais” but can keep letters of corporate origins.
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It might be a birthmark of sorts, my mare has one on her hind quarters, she’s a chestnut but has a black square of hair about the size of my palm.
Does the French Team have a similar Annie/Bruno situation? I keep seeing graphics of a rider above watching over the white horse on the team from heaven.
Disregard this. Got it.
I thought I had found live dressage on Peacock just now, but is just a slate that says coverage to resume shortly. Am I in the right place?
Yes, that’s Ride for Thais.
I had to look it up this morning.
Not only will they be a formidable threat to all the rest of us, and not only will Stephane set himself up as a known name globally in the sport, and not only will they put themselves firmly on the pathway to Paris — they’ll also, and perhaps most importantly, honour the memory of the gelding’s former rider. Thaïs Meheust died tragically at the age of 22 while competing Chaman Dumontceau in the French Young Horse championships at Haras du Pin — the site of this summer’s European Championships — at just the second fence on course, and her death prompted new pushes for safety in the sport via the Ride for Thaïs Foundation , which continues to raise vital funds for safety devices in eventing.
As much as I’ve grown to adore eventing, it did give me pause to realize two riders gained the ride on their Olympic mounts because their original riders lost their lives on them.
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That struck me as well. JL Dublin also not exactly a happy story.
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Thank you for doing the leg work!
It does strike me as well. Also must be a lot of added pressure for the riders that so many people are looking for the perfect story and happy ending at such sad tragedies.
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I don’t know that story… ?
He was Nicola Wilson’s. She had a terrible fall (and SCI) on him at Badminton in 2022. Ended her eventing career.
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I had forgotten that. 
Thank you for filling me in.
I was kind of wondering why there wasn’t more press on Boyd and Bruno’s story… but when you frame it with the others it goes from Cinderella story to horror story.
But I’m not trying to turn this thread to the negative. It’s just a stark reminder of how much is at stake!
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I found a starting order for cross country.
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/results/equestrian/eventing/xc--000100--
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