Liz really impressed this time. but then, she usually does.
5 Likes
A 20 on XC could be the horse saving both your lives.
Part of me thinks they made the substitution penalty so low so that people aren’t tempted to force a horse less than 100% through the third day. But the unintended consequence of that low substitution penalty is that you can go break neck out on XC and use up your horse, knowing someone else can jump in its place the next day. 
8 Likes
I just really dislike the way the IOC has contorted eventing. Because you don’t have this crap for World championships.
17 Likes
That’s why it should be higher than 20, but not so high that people won’t use it. I do think 20 after dressage is fair. Maybe 30-40 after cross country?
2 Likes
Thanks!
1 Like
In this case, Japan did present the withdrawn horse (who had gone clear xc) for inspection this morning, but the horse was held and then withdrawn from the box.
1 Like
I’ve found the E! channel and USA channel far superior to the regular NBC coverage. They show a ton more of the events and competitors than the NBC channel does.
They’re rerunning the event jumping tonight on USA network at 8 pm central time.
Tomorrow starts Dressage, fortunately the broacast is at 10 am central on E!.
4 Likes
do we have a start order for today?
I don’t think this is a fair criticism. In the past, they would have had a drop score. If you take away the drop score, you need to leave room for welfare decisions. The 20 penalties more than makes up for the “freshness” of the horse that didn’t do xc - few horses that went xc will go on to add 5 rails, and the new horse still has to jump the course itself on top of that. I think it is fair. The Japanese were, quite literally, FLAWLESS today. Those riders have sacrificed so much for so many years to be here, have never complained, and rode beautifully all weekend in every phase. That medal is historic and so, so deserved.
Now, you want to talk unfair. Kevin McNab pulled up four from home because the horse had gone off and that incurred the full 200 penalties for non-completion of cross-country. There should be a difference between falling off and pulling up for welfare reasons, IMO.
You don’t have to qualify for WEG. Top 6 at WEG qualify for the next Olympics, but top 6 at the Olympics is nothing but bragging rights. We haven’t lost anything. Not to mention, as @FrittSkritt says, the US will not have to qualify for LA regardless.
I had the exact same question.
11 Likes
You raise some really good points. The Japanese are extremely well mounted, and I don’t doubt that they have worked really hard but sitting on that kind of horseflesh helps 
I agree about horse welfare being important - the 200 penalties is tough in that situation. I think the further we get from the traditional scoring model for the Olympics and other team championship events the weirder it gets. There is definite prestige to being an Olympian, however I don’t feel it’s really seen as the pinnacle of eventing anymore.
9 Likes
Great for the Japanese team. if they hadn’t needed to sub the reserve horse in they would have finished with Silver 
1 Like
I am not complaining about the Japanese being so high up on the leaderboard, but it helps a lot to be able to buy top horses. Obviously, you have to be able to ride well, but I have never seen them bring a horse along.
5 Likes
Thanks for clarifying. Avant!
1 Like
Why on earth did I schedule myself for a 9:30 meeting that I am going to have to run so I won’t be able to watch the last half of the individual final?
4 Likes
Boyd said on the Seth Meyer’s interview he was bringing Nox to Paris. But he posted a photo of his mom and sister, and Nox wasn’t in it, so did he leave him at home?
I agree there would be the drop score and you have to leave room for welfare decisions.
I agree Japan rose to the occasion and earned their spot… except I will still maintain they didn’t complete a team, which isnt a fault on them, it’s a problem with the rule change. In the days of drop scores, all 4 horses would have competed in all 3 phases. That doesn’t mean I’m not happy for Japan or that I wasn’t impressed by them. They weren’t trying to work they system.
I don’t agree 20 penalties more than makes up for a fresh horse.
Reiterating, I have no problem with the ability for substitution. I just think 20 is too low. Subbing in a fresh horse is different than having a drop score.
7 Likes
Small steps ! First prove that you are able, then secure funding, then grow the sport, then grow the industry.
10 Likes
No, he is there with Silva
2 Likes
start at the lower levels, and work your way up, instead of starting at the top.
There was a video with who I assume was Nox that I also assume was in Paris.
