Do all 4 riders ride each horse? I thought they draw rides and each horse goes once, unless theres a jump off?
I’m thinking if I had a really nice horse that I really liked, I’d aim to finish 5th in the qualifier.
Oh, I dunno… I think the switch of horses is fabulous. Truly. It IS admittedly hard on the horses, no doubt about that, but it sure tells you who can ride… and it’s great watching!
I’m THRILLED Eric is in… I couldn’t even watch his round I was so nervous! Would have loved to have seen McLain up there, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles, I guess. Gorgeous final day for Sapphire, though.
CANNOT WAIT until tomorrow night… should be quite the interesting rounds, given the horses involved!
Woohoo, it’s going to be nail-biting exciting 
Can’t wait (though I may close my eyes at times :lol:)! I loved watching it in 2006 when Jos Lansink won and Beezie Madden came in second. Yes, all four riders ride each horse. To those who think it isn’t fair: This is an old competiton that horses and riders have survived throughout the years. When I was little I read a story about the mare Halla and Hans Gunther Winkler winning it 
That was in 1954. Here’s a piece of trivia. Halla lived to the age of 34, pretty impressive for a horse 
I won’t say whom I’m cheering for, I don’t want to jinx it.
There are better ways to figure out who can really ride that are much more horse friendly. Random draw to do 1 full course on a different horse. Or, hey, how about the fact that they made it to the WEG and into the Final Four? That pretty much says they can ride to me. And as for this mentality:
To those who think it isn’t fair: This is an old competiton that horses and riders have survived throughout the years. When I was little I read a story about the mare Halla and Hans Gunther Winkler winning it That was in 1954. Here’s a piece of trivia. Halla lived to the age of 34, pretty impressive for a horse
The Omak Stampede Suicide Race is an old competition as well, but that doesn’t make it something I think should be continued because one of the horses that competed in it lived a long life. And FYI, the WEG started in 1990. Before that it was individual discipline championships hosted by the winning country from the previous years championships.
I agree with Wanderluster. Although apparently they can choose to NOT do the Final Four. Who knew??
I’m looking forward to tonight! Hope the horses can take all the rider changes “in stride”. I seem to remember watching a final four a few years back and one horse (I think in fact it was Shutterfly) just was totally freaking out at the last saddle change.
The announcers last night were somewhat gleefully anticipating other riders having to figure out Hickstead.:winkgrin:
I’m pulling for the Saudi kid. He won’t win of course but wouldn’t it be rather awesome if he did?? I only saw one of his rounds last night but it was lovely - tactful - sympathetic. It would make things so much more exciting if he did well tonight! We could use some fresh faces at the top of the game.
Eric Eric Eric!! Hickstead Hickstead Hickstead!! Can you tell I am from Canada:-)
I actually think the Saudi horse is going to be the toughest… She’s a temperamental thing and is an interesting ride for sure. I don’t know who I am rooting for… I guess the Phillipe because no one else on here seems to be LOL!
I don’t recall Shutterfly freaking out in 2006. I do recall the commentators wondering if the “girls” could handle Jos’ horse, and they did just fine :winkgrin:
Thanks. Last night in Denver, Universal Sports showed the 1st round, I waited through the jump adjustment time commercials, then they aired a year-old triathalon broadcast instead of the second round. Aarrrugh.
That thought has crossed my mind! Ditto for USET Finals. 
Does anyone know if they will set the jumps a little lower to conserve the horses?
Can someone explain how this works? I’ve never heard of this class before!! Thanks!
I agree with you completely, think the mare will be the most difficult ride and the format is not in the best interest of the horse. Have to admit though that I do enjoy watching them ride each other’s horses.
I am rooting for Philipe.
I believe Shutterfly DID freak out, in the saddling area and was difficult to mount etc. Apparently he was rearing and just in general a bit panicked about the whole thing with saddle changes and all the acitivity etc. That was the report at the time. Anyone who was there feel free to chime in.
I think it is a crowd pleaser (the swap) but I do think that 1-it is a lot more jumping for horses who have already done 5 greuling rounds and 2- equestrian sports are really about the partnership developed between horse and rider, so I think that 5 rounds with your own horse ought to do it.
Even Jos Lansink who won it last time made some comment about who the winner should have been after the fice initial rounds (think it was Beezie and Authentic), and I have a video from 1986 (?) where Conrad Holmfeld (current WEG course designer) and he expressed dislike for the format and called it a “cheap theatrical trick”.
I assume that it will not show in Canada (again) and that the YouTube videos will (again) be blocked, so if anyone can figure out how to tape it and post it … it would be very much appreciated north of the border!!
And of course, I am cheering for Eric…
[QUOTE=PONYPULR;5147467]
Can someone explain how this works? I’ve never heard of this class before!! Thanks![/QUOTE]
Everyone of the four riders jumps a round on each other’s horses. The rider with the lowest cumulative faults after the four rounds is the World Champion Showjumper. Riders get 3 minutes to warm up on the other horses. They can change saddle, but not the bridle.
It is catch riding at it’s finest.
[QUOTE=Plumcreek;5147446]
Thanks. Last night in Denver, Universal Sports showed the 1st round, I waited through the jump adjustment time commercials, then they aired a year-old triathalon broadcast instead of the second round. Aarrrugh.[/QUOTE]
I watched both rounds on the Universal Sports live stream. Sometimes logging back in after the break can be a bit dicey.
[QUOTE=buschkn;5147479]
I have a video from 1986 (?) where Conrad Holmfeld (current WEG course designer) and he expressed dislike for the format and called it a “cheap theatrical trick”. :)[/QUOTE]
LOL… Yeah, probably thought that 'cause he gotten beaten for the gold… by a girl… and a Cannuck girl at that :lol::lol:
They also give an award for Best Horse, although I don’t remember if it’s based on faults, or a subjective selection process. I think it’s the latter.
Does anyone know where to find a list of past winners?
I believe Gem Twist won it in his day, as well as Peter Wylde’s great mare Fein Cera.
