Well it looks like success is a high probability! I can’t wait to see this pair on a Championship track.
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I doubt it will ever happen because of fears of riders being open to both just and unjust criticism regarding bits, but it would certainly be both helpful and educational. Though some riders may make tack/boot choices based upon who is sponsoring them rather than what they truly prefer.
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Well, I decided to look up Oliver Townend’s FEI yellow card/warning history. And, for anyone who is interested, after his very public warnings (not yellow cards) at Badminton 2018 for excessive use of whip, he then went on to receive another warning for excessive use of whip in August of 2018. To me, that is NOT someone who took the earlier warnings to heart.
Furthermore, his first recorded sanction for abuse of horse due to excessive use of whip is in 2014. This is a pattern.
| Event | Location | Start date | Person Responsible (PR) | Horse | Yellow Card / Verbal Warning / 25 penalties / Written Warning / Fine | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIC3* | Blair Castle | 23.08.2018 | Townend Oliver | Tregilder | Verbal warning | Abuse of horse / excessive use of whip |
| CCI4* | Badminton | 02.05.2018 | Townend Oliver | Cooley SRS and Ballaghmore Class | Verbal warning | Abuse of horse / excessive use of whip |
| CCI4* | Badminton | 02.05.2018 | Townend Oliver | Cooley SRS and Ballaghmore Class | Verbal warning | Abuse of horse / excessive use of whip |
| Floors Castle | 2017-05-12 | Townend Oliver | Verbal warning | Abuse of horse / inappropriate use of whip | ||
| Osberton | 03-10-14 | Townend Oliver | Verbal warning + fine | Incorrect behaviour towards a Steward | ||
| CCI3* | Ratoath Tattersalls | 27-05-14 | Townend Oliver | Sandiman III | Verbal warning | Dangerous riding / careless riding after finish |
| CCI4* | Badminton | 08-05-14 | Townend Oliver | Armada | Verbal warning | Abuse of horse /use of whip and spurs |
| CCI3* | Bramham (GBR) | 2008-06-05 | Townend Oliver | Flint Curtis | Verbal warning | Finished on very tired horse |
| CCI3* | Bramham (GBR) | 2008-06-05 | Townend Oliver | Golden Hue | Verbal warning | Finished on very tired horse |
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I know 
but hear me out —
I saw this photo by Wendy Wooley on FB. What brand are those stirrups? I love them! And also very curious about that bridle, with the noseband configuration.
(Photo credit: EquiSports Wooley/Wendy Wooley)
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It looks like a Tota noseband: https://thedressageconnection.com/collections/snaffle-bridles/products/tota-comfort-system-freeport-snaffle-bridle
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Hawley and JollyBo. anyone know why she withdrew?
I haven’t asked a stupid question in a while, but I’m feeling inspired. I thought that I read that the Olympics, and certainly the Pan Ams were more like three star courses rather than 4. Now I know they’ve moved the numbers around, but that would mean that those two competitions would be akin to 4 star courses at best. My understanding was that this was so countries with (…um…) developing teams would be able to finish safely.
Has there been a decision to make the courses at those competitions more like a 4 1/2 or 5 star?
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Pan Ams have been at new-money 3* for quite a while, to encourage other nations than Canada and the US.
The Olympics are now 4* XC and 5* dressage and SJ.
Many nations underestimated the XC at Rio thinking it was “just” a 4* and they brought their big gun dressage stars. But it was a tough XC with its fair share of scalps.
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Lorenzinis, I ride in those and they are the only thing I can ride in since breaking my leg lol
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She’s going to Jersey. I think she saw the course and weather and said - hard pass.
Anyone know what happened with Lynn’s fall?
Such a shame, though her XC record is still better than most at the upper levels, yes thanks in part to Donner, but I think she is a tremendous xc rider… I was hoping for the best for her and Coolio. She is reliable and cool under pressure and in my opinion, would be an asset to any team.
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Those were the old days when riders could be switched by Jack LeGoff & the owners went along. Can you imagine pulling Tamie Smith’s ride because our Chef thought Boyd or Big Phil could ride it better?!? Never gonna happen these days! Allison surely would have lost Arthur to KOC. Not saying it’s not a better place for “the team” but a whole different world now days! The team results & future were more important than individual glory/standings. The business model is just different now.
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Bold Minstrel’s story was just so incredible. From winning conformation hunter to 3 Pan Ams and one Olympics in 2 different sports for absolute legends (Mike Plumb and Billy Steinkraus), to winning many GPs and the puissance at 7’3 at Madison Square Garden, to retiring sound at 18 to go hunting with his longtime owner…not sure there has ever been or will ever be such a horse again. Wish we could clone that one!
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Good idea. I went and looked up the data also just now, and did a quick cursory search on about 15 high profile riders around the world. Many have no infractions at all, and the ones that did were 1 or 2 total since 2008. OT is not as kind to his horses as some on this thread are convinced he is…
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My thoughts always go to “what happens at home” when such public abuse cant be contained. It cant be pretty.
Horses dont have to jump around because they like their rider. Again, Andrew Kocher…
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Is there a rule on how many MRs a rider can have in a specific time frame?
I don’t understand this stigma with buying made horses. Have those who are against it ever done that? You can’t be a up down rider and buy Vermiculus and 6 months later you’re going to Kentucky.
I also don’t think we’d have a sport if we forced upper level riders to select their horse off the track and then ride it all the way up the levels. Horses get injured or aren’t suitable or a variety of other reasons, it’s just something silly to complain about.
As for the bits? My hands aren’t good enough for them, and I’m not riding something that on the muscle so it’s none of my business!
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Nope - Jollybo came up with an abscess - she said that on her Instagram and FB page - and she was bummed about not riding and had rerouted to Jersey.
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Not entirely sure other than what she posted on FB about coming off at the last element of the last combination on course. I was so bummed for her, I agree she is a fantastic rider/trainer and an asset to the US. Someone needs to buy her a whole lot more horses!!!
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Super! Hope she has a great ride!
