I definitely don’t think that JP is riding as well with Clayton as she did with David. And if he is that combative, I would think that it would really increase the tension,l which can’t help the riding. Clearly, no one gave him the memo on how Canadians do things!
It would be nice to know about all the WD’s.
As far as her going to Rio -she always gets the job done as a team member. She was the only one to finish in London. Twice a medalist in the PanAms.
Tucker was always very selective about who was allowed on his back, being fat, safe and happy is not the worst retirement.
[QUOTE=seriously?;8736538]
Tucker was always very selective about who was allowed on his back, being fat, safe and happy is not the worst retirement.[/QUOTE]
Yes best retirement for sure, which every horse deserves. I mean for the public. A ceremony for Tucker to say ‘hey you’re awesome, you deserve to retire fat and happy’. Not just disappear and the public just questioning what happened to him. There was no word on him, he just no longer was showing. Eddie had a lovely ceremony at Bromont. Just think it’s nice for the public to appreciate a horse of that caliber.
Obviously all is well, she recently posted a photo of him laying down and her with him.
[QUOTE=Synthesis;8734021]
Did anyone see this gem on the EC website? They claim they hadn’t finished with all the qualifying competitions on the 28th??
"Equine Canada Hi, Pamela,
Thank you for your interest in the Canadian Equestrian Team! We understand your frustration in not knowing who has made the Canadian team for Rio. We assure you it is not information we are withholding. While speculations have been made by media outlets as to the members of the CET, the team has not yet been finalized. In fact, there are still qualifying competitions to come, and an official selection process followed by EC and the Canadian Olympic Committee. Please rest assured that on July 14, the team list will be finalized and an announcement will be promoted far and wide on EC’s digital media platforms, including the website and social media channels.
If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at communications@equinecanada.ca.
Like · Reply · June 28 at 2:03pm"[/QUOTE]
I think, technically, this is true - at least for certain CET athletes. Karen Pavicic flew to Europe to get one last qualifying score last weekend, so it would be true that as of June 28, 2016, not all qualifying competitions were completed for all teams. Obviously, the eventing ones were over but her answer is broader than that.
There are so many issues currently with EC, and the CET. EC is doing a disservice to our athletes, and the sport. It is extremely difficult for fans, owners and riders to feel confident in the decisions being made by TPTB. Or even enjoy following the sport. The Great Meadows entry issue is yet another frustrating example.
As to the actual team, I think the selectors have done a fairly good job. There was a fairly long list of qualified pairs this year, but there were few stand outs. I could see the case to be made for/against many of the pairs.
If the reports are correct, the team is:
Rebecca Howard & Riddle Master
Experienced pair with excellent 4* results, including top 12 at Badminton and Burghley, if memory serves. There have been some issues here and there, but they are Canada’s most competitive pair. Has experience on Pierre Michelet courses.
Selena O'Hanlon & Foxwood High
Mixed results at the 4* level, but dressage scores are generally more competitive in the last few years and they have a fairly solid 3* record. Should be able to be at or close to the time on XC. Fairly good SJ’er. While they had a stop at WEG, they do not have some experience on Pierre Michelet courses and we are unlikely to see WEG-like conditions in Rio.
Colleen Loach & Qorry Blue d'Argouges
No 4* miles BUT very good (if short) 3* record. Canada is short on 4* horse, and of the 3* pairs, they are the stand out and have team experience.
Kathryn Robinson & Let It Bee
I’m less enthused about this pair. I can understand some of the logic here - 4* miles in high pressure environments. Good dressage, good show jumping and some good xc results BUT they don’t seem to be able to finish on a competitive score. Most of their 3* starts (CIC or CCI) have a finishing score above 70. Her best outing was at Luhmuhlen recently (58.2), but its not terribly logical to think that they will pull out a strong personal best at the Olympics. That said, she has jumped around Pau and Saumur - both Pierre Michelet courses if memory serves.
Of course, if the XC track is closer to a 4* than a 3*, having a horse who has jumped some 4* tracks successfully (if slowly) has some appeal to help us finish a team. Rachel McDonough/Irish Rhythm and Jessie Phoenix/Pavarotti are the only other pairs that have done so. Both have the same issues as Kathryn Robinson in terms of finishing scores - Irish Rhythm has only recently broken into the high 50s as a final score and the same goes for Pavarotti.
Like many, I think Jessie Phoenix is an outstanding rider and has historically been a very reliable team member. She gets the job done. This year, however, has not placed her in the best position in terms of selection.
[QUOTE=LadyB;8736549]
Yes best retirement for sure, which every horse deserves. I mean for the public. A ceremony for Tucker to say ‘hey you’re awesome, you deserve to retire fat and happy’. Not just disappear and the public just questioning what happened to him. There was no word on him, he just no longer was showing. Eddie had a lovely ceremony at Bromont. Just think it’s nice for the public to appreciate a horse of that caliber.
Obviously all is well, she recently posted a photo of him laying down and her with him.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, and I wasn’t asking because I thought he should be out showing, I was curious because he seemed to be on the ball then just disappeared. I heard he had an injury but you never know what is true. It’s great he is retired. He was an absolute favourite of mine.
I am happy with this team selection of this is the case. Lots of new faces and some good experienced horses. Only concern is the British horse with the heat down in Rio. Hopefully the horse is already on this continent adjusting. Again, unlike the US, Canadians are never kept in the loop with what’s happening to our team horses. That is one thing I enjoy about the American associations…always sharing journeys on FB and social media.
Hell even the TBs share their journeys on the way to the Kentucky Derby.
http://www.horse-canada.com/horse-news/canadians-set-to-contest-inaugural-fei-nations-cup-eventing/
Was this discussed and I missed it? Team for Great Meadows differs from Olympic selection team? Obvious for Rebecca H. and Kathryn, not coming over from UK, but I just wondered . . .
Why would they run Colleen and Selena before Rio?
Why not make a team of other riders, like Rachel, Jess, Waylon and someone else. They said they had a long list.
Wait, so Ozzie is traveling to Green Meadows? What exactly does he do to support the team?
This is from his website The blending of an exceptional knowledge in data methodologies, trend analysis and systems design, combined with an extensive knowledge of sport at the technical and strategic level in Canada and internationally has created an area of expertise unique in sport and the business of sport that sets Ozzie apart in offering world leading sport solutions.
What does that actually look like in the real world?
Also this: international consulting services focused on planning, performance and leadership in sport and recreation.
Leadership?? Not seeing it.
Have you ever worked within a faltering organization? You’d be amazed at how much it can negatively affect one’s ability to do one’s job, stay organized, keep focused, and achieve.
[QUOTE=devvie;8737003]
Have you ever worked within a faltering organization? You’d be amazed at how much it can negatively affect one’s ability to do one’s job, stay organized, keep focused, and achieve.[/QUOTE]
Exactly.
Remember that Brazil is going into their winter in August, so it won’t be as hot as it is here. Average is in the lower 20’s C, according to the Rio 2016 weather report (that’s if I read through the long explanation they provided) :winkgrin:
[QUOTE=Jealoushe;8736775]
Only concern is the British horse with the heat down in Rio. Hopefully the horse is already on this continent adjusting.
.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=canuckeventer;8737531]
Remember that Brazil is going into their winter in August, so it won’t be as hot as it is here. Average is in the lower 20’s C, according to the Rio 2016 weather report (that’s if I read through the long explanation they provided) :winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
Oh thank you for that info, I didn’t realize!
The Canadians (both dressage and eventers) never seem to like who is appointed coach. They are notorious for running them out of dodge. Been doing it since before many of you became involved in the sport.
And to choose Clayton??? Well…
[QUOTE=snoopy;8737739]
The Canadians (both dressage and eventers) never seem to like who is appointed coach. They are notorious for running them out of dodge. Been doing it since before many of you became involved in the sport.
And to choose Clayton??? Well…[/QUOTE]
I was under the impression that David was well-liked?? And this case seems less a case of picky Canadians, and more a case of unethical/conflict-of-interest coaching…
[QUOTE=starfish;8736610]
Rachel McDonough/Irish Rhythm and Jessie Phoenix/Pavarotti are the only other pairs that have done so. Both have the same issues as Kathryn Robinson in terms of finishing scores - Irish Rhythm has only recently broken into the high 50s as a final score and the same goes for Pavarotti.
Like many, I think Jessie Phoenix is an outstanding rider and has historically been a very reliable team member. She gets the job done. This year, however, has not placed her in the best position in terms of selection.[/QUOTE]
It seems like Rotti has never been pushed, outside of the WEG, to his utmost capacity. He always seems to be run quite slowly, and I’ve heard some hint at soundness issues and others say he’s strong. Either way, I thought Kyle had an interesting point about him being a “delicate flower” and being held back to the 2* level for the Pan Ams last year. I absolutely love him and would so enjoy seeing him at the highest levels of the sport.
As for Jessie not having a good year - I do wonder how much is due to the fact that she seems completely focused on qualifying horses for the Olympics in a context where the “leadership” is completely draconian. All the WDs seem to be (failed?) strategic moves. Maybe she’s thinking long-term about her horses, or maybe she WD’d at Bromont because she didn’t want to jeopardize her horses’ records. Either way, a little bit of transparency would probably go a long way in building her fan base (which leads to sponsorship, opportunities, etc…). Again, she’s my favourite rider and her optimism is inspiring, but we all love getting inside peaks at our top athletes’ programs. It keeps the sport healthy, alive, and family-like.
[QUOTE=snoopy;8737739]
The Canadians (both dressage and eventers) never seem to like who is appointed coach. They are notorious for running them out of dodge. Been doing it since before many of you became involved in the sport.
And to choose Clayton??? Well…[/QUOTE]
It seems to be run different then show jumping…I believe the show jumpers have no coach and just a chef d’equipe who picks the team. I’ve heard complaints about politics maybe but never not knowing the qualifying criteria. And the eventing/dressage team have a committee that picks?
SJ team has no coach? Really? Wow I had no clue. Interesting.
As for David, he was well liked, from my experience. I went to many team training camps as a groom and he definitely was well accepted. I’m sure someone didn’t like him, but the amount that can’t stand Clayton is more than a handful. There was a lot of protest in the fall, I remember that, but not entirely sure if it was about Clayton becoming a selector or because riders no longer wanted him. I know riders stepped down from being rider reps in the fall because of the politics.
Its a shit show.
[QUOTE=LadyB;8737928]
SJ team has no coach? Really? Wow I had no clue. Interesting.
.[/QUOTE]
I mean we have a chef d’equipe who picks the teams. And he’s definitely very familiar with, and in conversation with people on the teams or close to being on teams. I wonder if the coach is given more say over the program? Mark Laskin coaches (He runs a business with Brian Morton) but I don’t think he really sits in the warm up ring and coaches people that aren’t clients.
Brazil for example had George Morris as a coach, but had a different chef d’equipe. Maybe this takes away some of the inherent conflict of interest? Or maybe the chef model developed because show jumping has a long standing Nation’s Cup model where they are frequently picking teams vs Dressage/Eventing who only recently started holding Nation’s Cups?
[QUOTE=brindille;8737772]
I was under the impression that David was well-liked?? And this case seems less a case of picky Canadians, and more a case of unethical/conflict-of-interest coaching…[/QUOTE]
I should have prefaced that David was an exception. Those before him, not so much.
[QUOTE=snoopy;8738854]
I should have prefaced that David was an exception. Those before him, not so much.[/QUOTE]
What about Jimmy Wofford?
So JP is in the lead on both her horses so far at Great Meadows. Should be an interesting weekend…
