I am SO humbled and inspired!

[pintopiaffe]

I could not watch any of the dressage until tonight.

I began reading the ‘now on’ thread when it started, but stopped, really disappointed and saddened after the first couple of pages.

I have just sat, positively ENTHRALLED with the first half.

The Chinese rider whom everyone ripped apart was one of the softest, most lovely rides. I was very moved. To be the first from your country to ride in a sport… what an honor. What a LOVELY horse. I thought it was the most supple in the jaw/poll of any of them.

All of the rides were so amazing. Of course some were better than others, that’s the nature of competition.

Emma Hindle was inspiring. Did her horse ever touch earth? I’m SO in love with Relampago. I don’t know why the Italian rider didn’t score higher.

I just think every blessed one of them is SO inspiring! The obedience and trust in that atmosphere! The composure of the riders.

Just wow.

THANK YOU NBCOLYMPICS.COM for the video. HOW AMAZING!

[Kenike]

Thank YOU, PP, for bringing it back down to earth. :yes:

[Sabine]

Agreed…

let’s all ride by the mirror in the arena tomorrow and compare…humility will open your heart and you will grow!! As a rider and person!!

Go Olympics and Bejing- against all the bad stuff written about it- looks so far to be OUTSTANDING! Love the grounds and the competition arenas- of course- I am not there but it looks very neat and pristine…

[Calvincrowe]

I’ve had the same reaction to the “On now…” threads, beginning with eventing. I am just so excited to see these magnificent riders and horses, on the world stage, where others can see them. It is saddening and disheartening to read some of the responses posted here, such nastiness makes me want to never open some people’s threads, to be sure.

Good job to everyone who made it to the Olympics. Thank you for inspiring us ammy riders. I remember as a child, sitting on my little western saddle slung over two bar stools, riding along with the horses and riders on TV, dreaming little girl impossible dreams.

I especially enjoy seeing riders from the less “horsey” nations-- China’s and Japan’s jumping rounds were fun to see.

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

I can’t remember the rider’s name but she rode for Mexico on the second day, she qualified, she got a score of 69. I thought she rode a lovely test.

I have to say… you know… they made it there, many from countries not known for horse activities, let alone dressage. I admire the riders who had the discipline and the horse to get them there. Some are certainly better than others, some horses are certainly better than others but they should ALL be respected. I’d give anything to be there and riding myself. They have inspired me too, they have inspired patience (I am not the most patient person), discipline, and the hunger I have to train my own horse up the levels, even if it takes us a little longer.

[pintopiaffe]

I got 2 hours into day two…

I was very touched by the rider on the big grey (not sure if it was Spain or Portugal?) who retired. Had to be a tough choice on the one hand, this is IT, do you try to ride your test? But on the other hand, an easy choice if your horse comes first. :sadsmile: I’ve no idea if that’s “how it’s done” anyway, but I thought it was SO classy to salute the judges the way he did.

I just get goosebumps. The little girl in me remembers watching Lendon Gray ride Seldom Seen in an exhibition after the ‘alternate games’. I remember dreaming… you know? and heck, I’ve still got almost 30 years to get there.

[Reynard_Ridge]

@pintopiaffe;3447555

I was very touched by the rider on the big grey (not sure if it was Spain or Portugal?) who retired. Had to be a tough choice on the one hand, this is IT, do you try to ride your test? But on the other hand, an easy choice if your horse comes first. :sadsmile:

Actually an incredibly difficult decision in a team competition. In his case the Portuguese team was not in the running for medals. But imagine it happened to a rider from the US? If you retire because your horse is fried under the current rules, your team is O-U-T. I for one would love to see a return to four horses per team with a drop score.

That said, I’m not riding right now, but I am already dreaming and scheming of finding an excellent dressage instructor and beginning a year of lunge lessons! I do find the Olympics inspiring in that way. Seeing really great riders makes me want to improve my riding. :yes:

[belambi]

I too find the Australian horse Relempago inspirational!!

[RunningwaterWBs]

Bugs, it’s Bernadette Pujals who rides for Mexico. She’s very inspiring to me too. She gave up everything for her horse, Vincent, whom she almost lost in her divorce. It seems her husband was quite bitter and almost managed to have the horse sold! She gave up everything to get Vincent back.

You can read the story here:
http://horsesdaily.com/weg/2006/dressage/08-25-pujals1.html

[maple_brook]

@Bugs-n-Frodo;3447518

I can’t remember the rider’s name but she rode for Mexico on the second day, she qualified, she got a score of 69. I thought she rode a lovely test.

The lady from Mexico rides a hanoverian stallion named Vincent (by Weltmeyer). Really a very nice team. I watched them compete last year in Verden…always a beautiful performance.

I’m so thrilled with the on-line coverage from NBC…THANK YOU! And thank you to verizon for finally getting FIOS out to my farm so I can handle the bandwidth. :yes:

[dressagetraks]

I, too, was greatly impressed with the rider who retired.

I mentioned it on the other thread, but another great moment for me watching the rewind was after Isabell’s test, when she didn’t dismount (medal ceremony coming right up), but she did take Satchmo back to the warmup ring and was doing the stretchy trot with him. Seeing the Olympic medalist using (correctly) a movement that I have worked on a lot to improve myself was just a neat moment. Dressage really does all build on everything that has come below it in the tests.

Kudos to all of them there.

[RunningwaterWBs]

And you know, it’s no small thing, but I don’t think it’s been mentioned. Hong Kong had a typhoon only days before the Olympics began and yet the footing seems just phenomenal!