[QUOTE=RiderWriter;6478009]
Ok, thanks to Ssacky’s link, I just figured out that the photo I saw was from another competition, not the Olympics. It’s a completely different setup; today, it looks like he put a full-cheek on with the gag, along with a figure-8. In the other photo, it’s the weird skinny bit and a regular noseband. Either way, I guess it takes two bits to control the horse. I’ve just never seen that done before!
(And I have to add, I prefer the look of that full-cheek to the other bit, which looked extremely severe.)[/QUOTE]
I’m guessing this is the contraption you were referring to
no idea what’s going on there beside the gag snaffle, but I see that thin metal thing too. From some angles it seems that it may actually be connected inside the mouth.
[QUOTE=Rel6;6477934]
So USA is going 11th/15th which is better than I thought. Order for USA is McLain, Beezie, Reed, then Rich. Does GM get to decide the order? I know he did for the first round, can he change it for each round?
Interesting change up, not with Beezie second, Reed third, and Rich as the anchor. Makes sense though.[/QUOTE]
USA only carried 1 fault in deciding the order for tomorrow (beezie was a drop score). Any teams tied went in the same order as today.
The Chef decides the rider order for round 1. Riders stay in the same order for round 2, but the team order changes to reflect worst going first, best last.
[QUOTE=RiderWriter;6477759]
Have a question: I just saw a close-up photo of Eric and his GOOD mare. It looks she was wearing an extra bit, something skinny and high up in her mouth. I’m pretty certain this was an extra bit, and not just a part of the main (gag) snaffle, because I see a cheek piece going up from it. The whole thing - bit and hanger - is really, really, thin. The way it’s situated it actually reminds me of a Standardbred’s over- check, used in harness racing. Can anyone explain???
(Someone posted the photo in FB, unfortunately I don’t know where she found it)[/QUOTE]
It’s a “W” used to avoid getting the tongue over the bit. It’s thin, placed over the bit, has no steering or rein function and just has a longer, upwards mouthpiece inside to make sure if the mare curls her tongue up, she can’t place it over the bit. Not harsh since it’s not a bit and has no reins attached. Just sits there to avoid the tongue gimmick. Have one and have used it at times. It’s one of the best solutions for horses that fool around with their tongue.
[QUOTE=rwh;6478136]
Aha! That’s it! Thank you! Why would you use it on a show jumper?[/QUOTE]
To help keep the saddle in place if tightening the girth doesn’t do it. Also as added insurance against equipment breakage. Back in the days of weight pads, everyone who carried weight used them.
The Chef decides the rider order for round 1. Riders stay in the same order for round 2, but the team order changes to reflect worst going first, best last.[/QUOTE]
Except on NBC the listed order of go for tomorrow is different than the one today. Or is tomorrow Round 1 of team competition?
no idea what’s going on there beside the gag snaffle, but I see that thin metal thing too. From some angles it seems that it may actually be connected inside the mouth.[/QUOTE]
I posted a thread about another horse in something like that and COTH figured out what it was…let me see if I can find the thread.
[QUOTE=BigEqRls;6477570]
I am not at all impressed with the last German rider, Christian Ahlmann. He was casual, and missed at the last combo, his horse was reaching so badly over the first oxer(A) that he almost swam, and then, after the horse stops for self-preservation at B, he hits him well after he’d turned around…poor horsemanship annoys me.[/QUOTE]
Glad I’m not the only one who was bothered by this. It was disgusting to me. He completely missed this distance… pushed the horse to a distance that was NOT there… and leaned WAY up the neck, which I got to see on NBC sports in slow mo. Then proceeded immediately to spurring, kicking, scowling and whipping his horse. What he needed to do, was get going and circle back to the combination, getting his horse to the oxer at a distance that was reasonable. Fix your mistake… you’re germany’s #1 rider… and you are AT THE OLYMPICS! If you want to act like an child at home and punish your horses when YOU screw up, fine… but at the Olympics? Really?
Sorry for my rant, but this just made me a little annoyed.
[QUOTE=Rel6;6478153]
I posted a thread about another horse in something like that and COTH figured out what it was…let me see if I can find the thread.
Excellent, thank you so much! Thank you, too, Faraway. Most helpful to see what the thing actually looks like (follow link in other thread). What an interesting gadget, and I’m glad to know it’s not harsh. Weird, yes, but I see the purpose. Now if I could just figure out the “hackabit” arrangement (as someone on other thread called it) many show jumpers use… :lol:
I’m now up to almost the 2-hr mark in the replay, and wanted to make a couple comments. So far I am really favorably impressed with the quality of the horses and riders! I’ve only seem one horse that didn’t seem up to the task, a bit flat and tired, and really no rider whose Eq scared me. The Saudis have really stepped up to match the quality of the horses they’ve been buying, no? Of course, McLain is still a standout in that dept. Man’s leg is just NAILED down, and so quiet and soft. LOVE ANTARES, too! Also love Cylana. BOY, is that mare careful. Haven’t even seen Flexi go yet but I think if our team doesn’t do well here, it’s certainly not from a lack of quality horseflesh or riding ability. We look pretty damn good.
Wouldn’t mind the Dutch horse Tamino, the one you guys mentioned who went around like a Hunter (even non-horsey son said he looked “smooth”), or the nice grey the attractive young French gal rode. But most of them really have been lovely so far. Not sure what freaked out the Swedish grey so badly from the get-go, but I hope they’re both ok!
Another note - remember the “bad old days,” when virtually no show jumpers wore approved helmets, except for Anne Kursinski? Thank goodness THAT has changed!
[QUOTE=Rel6;6478151]
Except on NBC the listed order of go for tomorrow is different than the one today. Or is tomorrow Round 1 of team competition?[/QUOTE]
I was referring to Round 1 of the Team Competition, ie tomorrow. The chef sets that order for the riders, but cannot change it for Round 2 (Monday in this case).
[QUOTE=RiderWriter;6478009]
Ok, thanks to Ssacky’s link, I just figured out that the photo I saw was from another competition, not the Olympics. It’s a completely different setup; today, it looks like he put a full-cheek on with the gag, along with a figure-8. In the other photo, it’s the weird skinny bit and a regular noseband. Either way, I guess it takes two bits to control the horse. I’ve just never seen that done before!
(And I have to add, I prefer the look of that full-cheek to the other bit, which looked extremely severe.)[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=RiderWriter;6478382]
I agree - when I saw them go I realized it wasn’t anything separate. Thanks for digging up the photo, it’s interesting to know what’s out there![/QUOTE]
Yep, and I’m always fascinated to see how different horses’ equipment varies. So many options and combinations!
[QUOTE=lauriep;6478149]
To help keep the saddle in place if tightening the girth doesn’t do it. Also as added insurance against equipment breakage. Back in the days of weight pads, everyone who carried weight used them.[/QUOTE]
Onichenko was a disaster and that japanese girl who kept seeing distances that wasn´t there (think the horse was called Ari) otherwise as you say the middle east guys have stepped it up a notch.
Agree totally, what a horse Antares is! I was really looking forward to see Reed but fell asleep (!) after doing a dressagelesson at 7 this morning…
The grey is Mylord Carthago and the gal Penelope Leprevost, she´s a class act, always riding very smoothly!
The swedish grey Matrix was apparantly afraid of the lions (!!), he is okay though. Funny what can set off a horse, this one has been to a few very full and noisy arenas, WC in Gothenburg for example. Lisen walked around like a 100 yo yesterday evening according to tweeting husband but is reported to be able to ride today.
Our star Rolf-Goran Bengtsson got a question yesterday from a journalist if his horse Casall was afraid of the lions. He sort of smiled sideways and said “No, not as long as they don´t start to move!” :lol::lol: Typical RGB humour …
