[QUOTE=SaddleFitterVA;4034779]
Of course, my personal laugh is that the USA won with a German immigrant in Dressage, and the Germans won with an American immigrant in Jumping.[/QUOTE]
I know I thought that was great:)
[QUOTE=ridgeback;4034782]
:lol::lol::lol: I hardly say the quote that has been posted from her is poor sportsmanship or a hormonal teenager. If the top does not speak out and show some of those that might not be in the “know” what is going on the politics will never stop. We all know Anky and Sjef have no problem with it when they feel the judges are screwing her.[/QUOTE]
There you go. The politics will never stop. No matter how hard Isi , Anky ,Sven or whoever screams. Judges have the final word. In other words “suck it up”. 
[QUOTE=dutchmike;4034802]
There you go. The politics will never stop. No matter how hard Isi , Anky ,Sven or whoever screams. Judges have the final word. In other words “suck it up”. ;)[/QUOTE]
Disagree I think it can get better the more the LIGHT is shined on it. Although it probably won’t get better at the lower levels but it could at the top level. Of course this is just my opinion.
I love it that isabel says what she thinks (apparently) rather than what she thinks people want to hear.
In the end it doesn’t matter what they say. It matters how they ride and train and I don’t think Isabel has anything to worry about there. I am not in the anti-anky crowd but can see that she is much better than Isabel at PR and saying the right thing (sjef, not so much:lol:)
I think controversy is healthy. If Steffen had placed third, some of you would have something else to whine about. Remember all the Hoo Ha about Brentina. WE WAS ROBBED!!:lol:
Interesting times for those of us who enjoy watching these talented horses and riders.
I have to disagree with you on this. After watching Satchmo, my opinion is that he appears heavy in front and has trailing hocks. I’m not sure if it is an illusion from his back being a touch long, but those are two things that are absolutely distracting to me while watching that horse. I do give Isabell a lot of credit for riding that huge step of his…obviously not an easy step to sit 
The only circus tricks I saw were the few steps of Spanish Walk performed by the Friesian presenting the American flag Saturday night. Steffen’s ride on Ravel was fantastic and electric. Ravel was loose and happy through the test, unlike a tense Painted Black whose ears were actually pinned several times during the test, and Satchmo, whose hindquarters seem to not quite catch up at various times.
Regardless of everyone’s personal opinions on the technical merits, artistic merits, riding styles, etc, this WC was GREAT! It was so exciting to be there for the entire Thomas & Mack center explode…especially Thursday afternoon in the final moments of Ravel’s GP. Was that something or what? Awesome!
