How is ML so good at dressage ?

[2LaZ2race]

@Gestalt

ML reminds me of Anky. Winning despite ugly riding.

That’s what I mean. Is it her name at this point that’s glossing over what the test really looks like, or is the rest of the pack really that behind ?

[skydy]

Such a lovely mare. Is she difficult to control and that’s the reason for bitting up?

Do riders find that this format is at all detrimental to their horses? As a spectator I don’t find it a fun cross country phase to watch.

[enjoytheride]

@2LaZ2race

That’s what I mean. Is it her name at this point that’s glossing over what the test really looks like, or is the rest of the pack really that behind ?

It’s clear that you want and expect everyone to say that she’s an awful horrible terrible bad person and is buying points by bribing the judges. Nobody on this BB likes her or wants her to do well and clearly she has no idea how to ride and the horses just do all the work.

[LovieBird]

At what time is her ride on the livestream link?

[2LaZ2race]

@enjoytheride

It’s clear that you want and expect everyone to say that she’s an awful horrible terrible bad person and is buying points by bribing the judges. Nobody on this BB likes her or wants her to do well and clearly she has no idea how to ride and the horses just do all the work.

Yes, that is clearly what I’m saying.

[imbassetma]

1hr 39mins in on the livestream

[kmwines]

Were the corners numbered separately? How did she not get a 20 there for crossing her tracks?

[2LaZ2race]

I also feel like if I posted “why does Phillip Dutton ride x country so well” people would talk about how he grew up riding in Aus, his mentors , the signification horses and events he’s gone too … but I ask that about ML and I have to secretly hate her.

[Highflyer]

@charger75

I don’t mean to steer the thread off-topic, but why did so many riders withdraw either before SJ or before XC? Is it because it’s early in the season and they were just using the first and/or second phases as practice? (I think someone said the dressage was a five-star test, so a good chance to prep for Kentucky). In any case, it was good to see Powell and Foxwood High again.

Both the 5* test and overall atmosphere make it a good experience but it isn’t necessarily a good fit as a competition for everyone-- some need something softer/ harder/ longer etc. at this point in the season.

[Laurierace]

@kmwines

Were the corners numbered separately? How did she not get a 20 there for crossing her tracks?

All the jumps were numbered singly but I was the jump judge at that fence and gave her 20 points for a run out but was overruled as it was deemed she pulled the horse off so she never presented.

[kmwines]

@Laurierace

All the jumps were numbered singly but I was the jump judge at that fence and gave her 20 points for a run out but was overruled as it was deemed she pulled the horse off so she never presented.

Did you mark it for the second time she pulled her off? I definitely saw her do like a move up to it and then pull her off again. So I guess I totally agree with you. Lol.

[2LaZ2race]

@Laurierace

All the jumps were numbered singly but I was the jump judge at that fence and gave her 20 points for a run out but was overruled as it was deemed she pulled the horse off so she never presented.

That’s so cool that you were there !

[JER]

Getting back to the original point… (and yes, Laurierace, I agree with your assessment)

If someone scores well in dressage, one would think that they’d not let their horse get so (dangerously) strung out on XC.

[Laurierace]

@kmwines

Did you mark it for the second time she pulled her off? I definitely saw her do like a move up to it and then pull her off again. So I guess I totally agree with you. Lol.

I don’t even remember to be honest. I was judging 11 other jumps so after I marked It down I just mentally went on to the next fence. I was sitting next to the announcer who just finished calling Buck the winner so I guess we both figured out it wasn’t a run out at the same time. Definitely a distressing end to an otherwise nice showcase.

[Texarkana]

@JER

Getting back to the original point… (and yes, Laurierace, I agree with your assessment)

If someone scores well in dressage, one would think that they’d not let their horse get so (dangerously) strung out on XC.

This.

I’m not going to pretend to know more than people competing at a level I will never ride at. But you can’t aggressively ride your way into those kind of dressage scores, or at least I don’t see how one can. So why the dramatic difference between the phases?

[FitToBeTied]

Who was #19? That was a truly horrible ride.

Watching the replay there were several bad looking riders but I attribute a lot of that to the whole Showcase format which too is just bad.

[enjoytheride]

@2LaZ2race

I also feel like if I posted “why does Phillip Dutton ride x country so well” people would talk about how he grew up riding in Aus, his mentors , the signification horses and events he’s gone too … but I ask that about ML and I have to secretly hate her.

I feel like your questions were leading to get the answers you were wanting to get knowing this BBs feelings about ML. If you had asked about Phillip Dutton you would have expected, and gotten, completely different answers.

[Sticky_Situation]

All the jumps being numbered singly is weird and IMO dumb… there were many things on that course that were clearly combinations and would never have been numbered separately on a real cross country course at that level.

I guess maybe it’s a concession to safety in a format that otherwise doesn’t do much to encourage safe riding, but it’s a shame when you can circle in the middle of a 4-stride combination and still win just because your dressage was good.

[gottagrey]

And the hate-on continues

[add_leg]

@Texarkana

This.

I’m not going to pretend to know more than people competing at a level I will never ride at. But you can’t aggressively ride your way into those kind of dressage scores, or at least I don’t see how one can. So why the dramatic difference between the phases?

I’m no fan of ML for a multitude of things, but it’s something I’ve always been curious about too - and I’m not asking in any kind of leading way. I’ve only been eventing for 3-4 years so I find it interesting she seems to score so well in the dressage vs riders who have years more experience than her who I find to be better riders (Phillip, Boyd, Doug Payne, Leslie Law, etc.) Does she have horses who are naturally stronger in the dressage than they do, but aren’t as safe XC? Is it a riding style? Better coaching (which would seem odd to me as I would guess any of those other top riders could access that as well)? I’m genuinely curious how she scores so well in the dressage.