By the way, did he at least give Saphire a pat? He never used to give his horses a pat as they finished their round & left the ring. That really disturbed me.
If you watch, a LOT of the Olympic competitors did not give obvious pats to their horses. You don’t know, he may do so once he leaves the ring. Sapphire is certainly a very happy horse and goes the extra mile for McClain, so I’m sure he shows her appreciation. Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.
Check out the photos and story about Sapphire and her groom on the NBC site - the horse has a great life and is well loved. Not many international riders at McClain’s level turn their multi-million dollar horses out in a field so they “can be a horse for awhile.”
My initial reaction was that he forgot, was just caught up in the entire moment - at one point, he looked choked up, biting his lip.
I loved that the girls left their helmets on - I would have! Imagine the terrible helmet head, then tons of photos of taken that way, yuck!
My grandfather, stepfather, uncle, and father had far better things to worry about - still do (did, in the case of the dearly departed) - than whether or not someone put their hand over their heart during the anthem, which I was not taught growing up, and I’ve never seen anyone in my family practice.
Have to agree with you here - my family has long military history. My dad told me it was a military salute for the country he served and he never “instructed” us kids to put our hands over our hearts during the anthem.
Y’all are getting way too political.
Let’s face it, that’s not a “guy thing” 
