Who are these guys? Where do they train? Where’d they get these cute mares?
At least one of them trains in Germany, at least that’s what the British livestream commentator said.
I’m a fan, too, and before I heard that I, too, was wondering where they trained and I was thinking, let’s bring these guys to Unionville. We’ll spiff 'em up for the next Olympics and they’ll be dynamite.
It sounds as if Oiwa and at least one other Japanese team member trains with Dirk Schrade (GDR). I found this, too:
I was really rooting for them!
I had to tell my friend I was going to be late to lunch because I wanted to watch a “japanese man go cross country.” She had no idea what that meant, but then I was heartbroken over his fall and could barely eat anyway.
Love his mare. She is a saint.
i have to say i was impressed as well. it will be fun to watch them develop in the next few years!
I too was soooo impressed!!! They were going around like rockets and just amazing, until that fall 
I was sooo upset when they fell. I thought they really HAD IT!!!
Still so impressed and I see I’m not the only one! 
they’ve come a long way since representing their country at WEG. I’ve got some pretty funny blooper shots of one of them over fences from WEG
Me too !!!
I was so impressed! The falls in no way indicated the high quality of their riding. It seems they do not yet know how to ride a drop-bending line-skinny … bet it takes an afternoon to teach them that, then look out WEG 2014. 
I am remembering that last year the Japanese unexpectedly edged out the Australian team in the Olympic team qualifications. The Australians had to qualify their team members individually. Unexpectedly to the Australians - others had had a glimpse.
They are well-horses. All the horses are French?
It would be a good thing to see more teams up there amongst the usual suspects. Add to the suspense, you know.
These guys can ride. I look forward to seeing more of them! 
according to COTH;
Chippieh b. g. 10yo Ger bred Hol
Latine 43 b. m. 10 Ger bred Han
Marquis De Plescop ch g. 12 French bred SF
Noonday De Conde ch m. 11 French bred SF
Pretty Darling CD b.m. Ger Bred Rhinelander
Count me in their fan club too. So nice to see a different (and unexpected to most, including me) country show some flashes of brilliance. They’re going to be serious contenders in the near future. As wonderful as that chestnut mare was in the dressage, I absolutely loved the bay mare cross country. I believe she finished? Looking at NRB’s post, it’s either Pretty Darling or Latine. Looking forward to seeing her tomorrow, she looks very quick and clever and has a fantastic jump.
Pretty Darling had a mighty sweet round.
The Japanese have been making attempts at eventing since Seoul IIRC. It seems that they’ve had trouble getting enough sponsorship over a long enough time to build a critical mass, ie to be able to look past a single Olympics. Maybe now it will be clear they’re knocking on the door and they’ll be able to build some veterans out of these riders.
After watching Oiwa and Noonday in the dressage yesterday, I was looking forward to seeing them today. They were doing so well until Oiwa came off. What a disapointment for them.
As others have said, I look forward to seeing more of the entire Japanese team.
It was so much fun to watch them, apart from of course the upsetting fall :(. The BBC commentators were extremely complimentary of them, and keep saying how great it is that the sport is spreading so far and wide - which I think is so true! It was great to see a few Japanese supporters out in the crowds too.
I too loved watching them and loved their horses! I think they’ll be a team to watch in 2016.
[QUOTE=Anne FS;6466834]
At least one of them trains in Germany, at least that’s what the British livestream commentator said.
I’m a fan, too, and before I heard that I, too, was wondering where they trained and I was thinking, let’s bring these guys to Unionville. We’ll spiff 'em up for the next Olympics and they’ll be dynamite.[/QUOTE]
Not to offend our US event coaching, but I would not recommend leaving German instruction in favor of American. Nor would I think they would want to leave the myriad of European upper level events in favor for the few upper level that occur stateside.
It’s worth remembering that the Japanese have a legacy of Olympic success in equestrian sports. They beat us at individual SJ gold by 36 years. I give you the Wikipedia version for expediency:
Yoshi Oiwa finished just outside the top 10 at Badminton 2005, having gone in to the showjumping near the top of the leader board. Back then he was based with the Hoys and then moved on to Dirk Shrade, I think.
This is kind of a side note, but I remember when the Japanese became a major force in the surfing world. It seemed like they appeared out of nowhere, but they really got good at it fast! They were really enthusiastic about their surfing, and they did what it took to become good (ie. going to Hawaii in the winter, Australia, etc). Now Japan has a thriving surf culture. I just remember their enthusiasm and their drive so well…
I was rooting for them as well. I was SO disappointed with the 2 falls. The horses were going really well too!
This is a bit random, but I was wondering whether Kenki had the calmness advantage in the dressage what with being a Buddist monk? You would imagine he more than most would be able to calm his nerves.
