[QUOTE=Dutch Girl;3439071]
I am glad someone else thought her back was long. I thought Sunrise looked like two different horses out there. How could the judges put her ahead of Courtney with the tail swishing and tongue flapping…:no:[/QUOTE]
How could they put Courtney behind Heike Kemmer and Bonaparte ?
Theo
All I can think of is that perhaps King was just a little too conservative … Sunrise was very expressive … I am not saying that’s right.
I thought she looked like a pissy mare to ride, but you have to admit, collecting a horse with that long of a loin connection has got to take some talent.
My $.02 is that the judges will choose the more expressive horse over the more technically correct, conservative ride every time. For example Salinero vs. Brentina… I think the more expressive horse gets high marks in overall impression, marks which tend to make up for specific problems within the test.
Still and all, I’m quite smitten with Sunrise and would happily add her to my broodmare band!
Totally agree that Courtney should have scored higher than Imke. Her test was conservative, but overall the level of throughness and engagement was better than Sunrise. I do think the judges were correct to put Bonaparte first though. Heike was really the only rider to take risks and ride boldly forward.
The only things I commented on to myself during Courtney’s test was that Myth triangulates in the piaffe and barely lifts his hind legs, and that the canter zigzags looked a little hectic.
Sunrise is a bit more expressive mover.
But I’m reaching here–I thought Courtney’s ride was nicer to watch overall.
I think Sunrise/Imke were underscored.
Yes, tongue came out during zig-zag.
BUT the mare stayed working through her body, had the best piaffe I’ve seen her do, stayed in really good balance and expression, did better half-pass work than, say, Mythilus and was not as tight in the neck or body.
So far, Im a little shocked at the judging.
Did anyone else think the Frenchy’s, Boblet, piafes were the bomb? Haven’t seen anyone else as fluid or light. I liked his test a lot.
[QUOTE=Eclectic Horseman;3439108]
I thought Courtney’s ride was nicer to watch overall.[/QUOTE]
Me too. I much preferred it to Imke’s. From a distance, Courtney and Myth resemble Anky and Salinero…same type of elegance and presence.
Also…having the live stream is WONDERFUL.
Thanks, NBC !
[QUOTE=canyonoak;3439110]
I think Sunrise/Imke were underscored.
Yes, tongue came out during zig-zag.
BUT the mare stayed working through her body, had the best piaffe I’ve seen her do, stayed in really good balance and expression, did better half-pass work than, say, Mythilus and was not as tight in the neck or body.
So far, Im a little shocked at the judging.[/QUOTE]
Hmm, and I thought she was really struggling with the mare at times and going btv to hold her back, with lots of neck tension. Didn’t think King had neck tension.
I agree about the zigzags, EH. Also, the extended canter was not very extended, and it took half the ring to get to the extended trot. But Courtney’s ride was a pleasure to watch and I was expecting her to get a better score than Bonaparte, who was fine but lackluster. Of course, you automatically get three % points for being German, so perhaps the numbers were accurate.
The Spanish bred horses just don’t do anything for me.
Nice to hear that Courtney trained that horse from nothing to GP. 
It was a beautiful ride.
Too bad about Leslie. I missed it, but that’s a shame.
canyonoak: I thought Imke was underscored
I thought she was over scored, LOL.
Novatel was wonderful. What a busy little horse, and what a neck!
[QUOTE=Eyemadonkee;3439138]
The Spanish bred horses just don’t do anything for me.[/QUOTE]
I am the opposite, the 12 year old in me loves the Iberian horses, they are princess horses! Too bad it was a mediocre test.
We mentioned this before but it has to be wicked hot out there, I am starting to feel sorry for the horses and riders, they seriously look like they are suffering.
Hey you guys…
where are you finding the individual judges’ scores ?
Anyone else notice how China’s Lina Lui on Pirouska sits crooked in the saddle to the left? Not a very impressive test. I was also surprised at how flat the horse moves. No suspension. No much jump at the canter.
It will be interesting to see what score the home town girl gets.
On the NBC equestrian homepage, there’s a thing just above the central picture, right next to “watch live” that says “real time results.” It updates itself constantly. Marks from all judges are there.
Nice for those of us who can’t watch the livestream. Keep the comments coming, please!
http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/EQ/C73DB/EQX001900.shtml#EQX001901
Click on resutls at top left, then results on right and it brings up latest scores
Liked the Chinese rider. Thought the horse was mediocre but that she rode with grace and tact. When the horse stalled before the piafes, she didn’t take her calf off and jab with the spurs but kept it on and encouraged - didn’t to the piafe wiggle dance either!
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