Colleen Rutledge is awesome

[bornfreenowexpensive]

I was so happy for her. I have never understood why she was not put in lists or teams other than she is such an honest (and candid) person who doesn’t have a huge pocket book and doesn’t do kiss ass politics. She has produced another lovely horse who looks like he will be competitive on the international stage AND has other nice ones in the pipeline that are not imported but ones off the track and her own breeding program. This is the type of rider and trainer we should be supporting.

I too was very impressed with her riding and Elisa Wallace’s. And after her one blip at head of the lake Allie on the little Nio also rode spectacularly. I think the future looks good for some American riders.

[gardenie]

I cannot find Covert Rights on demand. Grrrrrr.

[gardenie]

XC. The dressage is there.

[OverandOnward]

[QUOTE=JER;8123385]
…
The US, meanwhile, has been unable to complete a team in international competition for years. They sent two horses to WEG in 2014 that even the selectors doubted would get around – and they didn’t.
…[/QUOTE]

As they did in Hong Kong. At least two horses on the HK team were no-hopers for that venue, as far as I was concerned.

And what is so, so frustrating is not just that better pairs were left at home, but that some truly brilliant U.S. star pairs that did go didn’t have the team around them that they needed.

I don’t know if it even matters who is the U.S. team coach. Apparently these selection decisions - especially the final team - are not under the coach’s control? Is that right?

This is a giant country with immense resources in athletes, equines and geography. The U.S. has horses. We have riders. For gods sake we have land and more land compared with our primary competitors. And there are clearly piles of money being invested in various elements of the sport, just not always in team-oriented ways.

What we do NOT have is the right organization to make our considerable resources the world-dominators as they could and should be. It’s not a coaching problem - it’s the organization.

[OverandOnward]

[QUOTE=bornfreenowexpensive;8123848]
… I think the future looks good for some American riders.[/QUOTE]

Agreed! The last few Rolex KY’s have shown a brighter future for U.S. 4* riding that it’s had for a very long time … perhaps ever, given how many there are.

As things have been going, though, I don’t have positive expectations for how the U.S. team organization will use these opportunities.

[goodmorning]

I honestly think being left off the lists has been absolutely beneficial for Colleen. She is a tough XC rider. She’s competed numerous 4*s with Shiraz ; would she have gotten that experience if she was ‘saving him’ for Team BS ? Only to be on a failing Team & missed opportunities at the height of his career ? I fear Sinead is missing out on winning the big events with her wonderful horse for Team stuff - it sounds like she is fine with that - but her round at Burghley was inspirational…keeping him at home for Team stuff is just holding her back from international competition and none of our riders can afford to eat that time in their careers. Individual results & experience translate to success elsewhere; Colleen is the perfect example.

Laine stated she had a tough time riding in the elements because she wasn’t used to it in her post XC interview; I mean, there’s really no excuse for this except for the US riders aren’t tough. We “save” our horses when really it’s doing anything but; it’s leading to inexperience & gaps that are unacceptable at the 4* level. Boyd & Philip are the outliers here a bit; but they weren’t born & bred in the US.

So keep on doing what you’re doing girl, because it’s how you become a top XC rider. Why Karen O’Connor said your horse was “One of the best XC horses in the world.” The Team is all about the 3* & XC last format & Olympics; you are better than all that. They want it easier so maybe they can win at that, but please, WFP / Jung , etc., they are going to whoop a$$ in that format too…

[brianhr]

I just have to say something. Shiraz is 17 not 14 they have been getting it wrong here all weekend. I think my wife is awesome also but always have

[pcwertb]

I commented on another article where they reversed Shiraz and CR in placings too.

[goodmorning]

[QUOTE=OverandOnward;8123883]

What we do NOT have is the right organization to make our considerable resources the world-dominators as they could and should be. It’s not a coaching problem - it’s the organization.[/QUOTE]
Have you looked into what DOC’s other job titles have included? The dude was/is the Org and has had his hand at the helm for many years. For starters:

2004-2012 President of USEF
2006-2012 International Technical Advisor Canadian Eventing Team
2013 - Chef d’Equipe US Eventing Team

[subk]

[QUOTE=brianhr;8123966]
I think my wife is awesome also but always have :)[/QUOTE]
You’re not too bad yourself, Brian. Thanks for keeping us updated!

[clint]

[QUOTE=judybigredpony;8123263]
Why she is riding my YEH s and our 2 RRP entries…makes her own horses that alone is huge, and currently lacking any deep pocketed support…Being on a “List” doesn t necessarily validate who you r but possibly more of a Political vote.
Shiraz and CR are just the tip of deep well of young talented horses she is developing and bringing to the game. The next few years are going to be exciting.[/QUOTE]

I watched most of the rides yesterday, and she was the clear standout of the US riders. I’m shocked she isn’t on any US list. I would be honored to have sit on my YEH.

[Toadie_s_mom]

Both of her horses looked fabulous yesterday. Can’t wait for stadium today!

Looking for Rolex cc video for Covert Rights. BFF has a Clyde/TB

[judybigredpony]

The story has only just begun…:yes:

[Winding_Down]

[QUOTE=judybigredpony;8124426]
The story has only just begun…:yes:[/QUOTE]

:yes:

[vineyridge]

There’s a good article by Wofford on the final results. He says nice things about Colleen Rutledge and Elisa Wallace.

http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/woffords-wisdoms-terminating-us-dreams-rolex-kentucky

[Mango20]

…AND she found time to ride in the “celebrity round” of the Prince Phillip Cup Pony Club mounted games!

[Duckz]

[QUOTE=brianhr;8123966]
I just have to say something. Shiraz is 17 not 14 they have been getting it wrong here all weekend. I think my wife is awesome also but always have :)[/QUOTE]

You’re awesome Brian! Love your facebook updates! If you have any single younger brothers please send one my way

[brianhr]

[QUOTE=Duckz;8126041]
You’re awesome Brian! Love your facebook updates! If you have any single younger brothers please send one my way ;)[/QUOTE]

Haha sorry I’m the youngest of the brothers and both of them are married. Thanks

[pologirl27]

I am really happy for her to have 2 awesome 4* horses, and so many more waiting in the wings. The whole family is really great, very generous people.

[Winding_Down]

[QUOTE=Winding Down;8123372]
I predict that she will be on the list with Covert Rights. He has proven that he can excell in all three phases - and Shiraz, who is a great xc horse, has not.[/QUOTE]

I take this back. Shiraz did do well in all three phases! I am curious about how she may be doing things differently in the dressage training now… ???

Colleen is one of my “heroes,” and especially so given that she has not gone over the Europe to acquire a string of horses. She bred CR and I am almost certain that Shiraz is American bred. She has also gotten consistently better and better with a string of horses.

Has anyone trained with her? Several years ago, I was in Wofford group lessons with Colleen and I loved the way she had her horses so correct.