Correct on Skylar W. She trains with her mom and Lisa also owns the horse. Pretty sure she does all her own grooming.
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Well, sheâs the hand gallop champion in my book today!
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Okay but why would we drop her to her bottom of the testing order for this when we are willing to overlook the lack of a hand gallop for others? By that logic, several riders, including Dominic, should have been dropped from the top spots in the second round.
congratulations to Dominic. The test, especially the trot jumps, were beautiful.
Well, thatâs okay, you had support from the internet :lol:
I still think Hot Pants was the best horse today.
Yes - damn the swap, FULL SPEED AHEAD!
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Wilson Dennehy trophy (most points in Medal & Maclay finals in a single year) goes to Taylor.
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For me at least, she failed to execute a part of the test by not showing a measurable change in pace. Sophee and Gigi executed the specified components but did so imperfectly. I thought Dominic attempted the hand gallop in the second round but it was insufficient, and I downgraded the hand gallop in the same way as I downgraded components of Taylorâs that I thought she did not execute as well.
I also think Dominic won it on the trot fences- of the top 4, his track to each one had the best shape and straightness.
Congratulations to everyone- a tough year for a multitude of reasons, but a solid top 10 and some excellent riding across the field today. I thought the course design was brilliant.
And now the question of the hour⊠Iâve been here all day and never made it to the grocery store, so whoâs got a good idea for dinner? :lol:
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Always so fun to watch, as well as read the commentary.
I feel like judges will ask for the hand gallop but then overlook it if itâs not done well more so than they may be willing to overlook something like a trot or counter canter jump. So long as its âgood enoughâÂâŠ
My butt is on fire but dang it I enjoyed that!!!
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Well, folks, it has been another enjoyable finals season of sitting on the couch and talking with all of you. 
I used to have a tradition where a few friends would come over and weâd eat pancakes and watch Maclay Finals all day, but theyâve made social distancing very easy by moving out of state, so I appreciate having watching buddies here. And, as I did last year, I do intend to throw some rails on the ground tomorrow and ride the counter canter short turns both ways to put my money where my mouth is, and when I stop being able to do it credibly Iâll shut up about the counter canter short turns.
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He has a judgeâs card. And according to the USEF website, he has judged three USEF horse shows in his life prior to this one.
Cayman rides in my barn an showed my mare in the junior jumpers for a few years. She is so incredibly talented and works harder than anyone I know. Virtually her entire show career is all catch rides. If she was given the chance to ride some of these amazing horses these other kids are on I think she would have been in the top every year the last 2-3 years.
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Colorado is Proud!!
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Is there a way to go back and watch the first round rides somewhere? I wasnât able to catch it live.
USEF Network has On Demand replays.:yes:
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Yes. USEF Network.
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Oh honey, wine and cheese! Ă°ĆžËâ
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I enjoyed watching. But last I checked, itâs the ASPCA Maclay. Whereâs the horsemanship? I always am left wishing they had to demonstrate actual knowledge of horses beyond riding one. Yes, these kids can ride their asses off. Thatâs no question. But itâs literally called a horsemanship championship by definition, not a riding championship. - Crusty Curmudeon
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3 horse shows in his life? I still donât get how heâs qualified to judge this class. 
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You can go to the National Horse Show site and watch them labeled by name. Interesting on watching this morning since I didnât get to watch yesterday, Taylorâs horse swapped our behind for 2 strides in the first round - that should have kept her from moving on but Iâm thinking it was a âwe were marking our cardsâ moment.
Congratulations to all the riders, especially Dominic! Great class and some really great riding.
