Maclay Finals

I missed the second round, and it’s not up yet… ahh hurry up Eq Sports Net!

Monday morning note. I just saw on Facebook that Tanner had never sat on that horse in his life until Thursday. Props to him! And to Missy Clark for matching up yet another good horse with a good rider for the finals. She’s been doing that for many, many years. :slight_smile:

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Another Monday morning refelection. I’m thinking of George’s comment yesterday regarding finals: “If it’s your day, it’s your day. If it’s not your day, it’s not your day.” I’ve heard that sentiment expressed many times over the years, and it really applied to many in the second round on Sunday. There were so many good riders over the weekend, and in that very top group, any of them could have won.

That George. He knows a few things. :slight_smile:

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Most boring commentators. George and Anne are old as Mold. How about some new and exciting insight. Anne and George aren’t up to modern advances in horses and riding style. You cant expect to learn on Hermes saddles and thoroughbred horses and not be antiquated.

If George and Anne were still relevant they would be judges and course designers for the Maclay, Or how about even having a student in the Maclay. I find every year, its impossible to learn without turning the sound down. There are so many other relevant trainers out there or even riders that could commentate better

I believe Anne judged the Maclay finals within the last year or two. As well as the USET. And George has probably judged the various finals more than anyone else over the years. The people with students in the class are, you know, otherwise occupied. With their students.

But thanks for chiming in with your opinion. And welcome to the BB.

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Huh, I bought a subscription specifically so I could listen to the commentary on all of the rides.

Must be cool to look at Anne Kursinski and George Morris and say “I have nothing to learn from these fools”. In fact, they IMPEDE your learning!! That must be why all their clinics are empty of riders and auditors :smiley: :smiley:

I know you’re a troll but I couldn’t help myself - you’re so cute.

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I prefer my sports commentators to be informative former competitors and current coaches instead of entertaining, know I’m in the minority on that these days…,because I’m old and irrelevant.

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Right? How many Olympic medals do they have between them? Probably not even a dozen. Pffft! :lol:

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I did have to giggle when they talked during one of the rides… something about how thoroughbreds are different from warmbloods when it comes to some of those spooky trappy fences. I appreciate that sediment about the gameness of a good thoroughbred so much but at the same time - my thoroughbred would have melted into a furry pile of sad if he stepped into that ring :smiley: :smiley: He did the hunters for a reason :smiley:

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I actually laughed out loud when George said Annabel Revers had “enviable confirmation” :lol: I guess that’s his politically correct way of saying he likes them tall and skinny in the eq. ring

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Last year’s winner, Hunter Holloway, also participated in the commentating.

I love listening to George & Anne. They make me laugh, I learn, and I’m entertained by it.

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Yes, it’s great that they’ve included the previous winner in the commentary for the last few years. That really adds a lot of insight to it. And I have to give those kids credit. They’ve all done a very good job, even though that seems like it could be a challenge to sit with George and Anne and talk about their peers. Good for them for rising to the occasion. :slight_smile:

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I didn’t follow the whole class, so I am sorry if I am being repetitive… how did the young lady from the West Coast that was raising money to get her horse to finals do? I believe her barn mate posts on here but I can’t seem to find the thread talking about her fundraising journey. The last I remember she exceeded her dollar amount goals and her horse was going to be able to have an adequate layover time and come to the game well rested. I hope she had a great experience!

I responded a bit upthread but Sophie was fantastic for her first time in that kind of environment! A few inconsistent distances and she fell into some old habits with her position but she got around well. We’re all very proud of her and she’s really happy with her performance. We put a cell phone video of the round on the Facebook page we made for her, along with lots of posts about our experience! https://m.facebook.com/sblroad2maclay

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I wonder if people are confusing Annabel (who had a fine distance by the horse didn’t fully jump the jump) with Paige Matthies who completely pop chipped and took out the last jump. I had Annabel as definitely moving up given the issues in the top 10. Now… I had Coco Fath as part of those issues which 100% should have knocked her out of the ribbons. I don’t see how the judges could legitimately use her when she didn’t execute the course! In my mind that’s as bad as not trotting the trot jump.

That being said, some judges take subjectively to a level which occasionally blows my mind… Once at a AA show a girl in my barn was sixth out of 20+ in a hunter class with a rail. My trainer mentioned to the judge that she thought it was a mistake because of the rail. Nope, the judge had the right horse, but because it was windy that day he decided to “not blame some of the horses for their rails.” We weren’t going to officially protest our own kid getting a ribbon or anything, but I’m not sure that was a call within the judge’s discretion…

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George Morris is so old that he died, but people were afraid to tell him

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He did go on to say twiggy is what he likes on a horse !!!

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I think it doesn’t add much because they are afraid to criticize their friends. They know these people and have to go show against them the next day and know they’re going to watch the replay. Bad enough to have George “noping” about your ride but then your friend or someone you look up to? Ouch.

I like it when judges from previous years commentate. Of course it’s difficult - whoever is commentating can’t be riding or training instead, and most of the judges are active riders and trainers.

oh Barney…