[QUOTE=Party Rose;3467442]
Funny though that there is so much track and field aired (even more than soccer), that not many Americans run T&F and it’s a sport that most people seem to watch when the Olympics come around. Go figure![/QUOTE]
Track and field sends lots and lots of athletes. That’s lots and lots of hometown crowds waiting for their favorites, which attracts TV coverage.
[QUOTE=Party Rose;3467442]
Gotta’ disagree. Last I heard (and these old ears could be deaf by now) that stadium jumping was the number two specator sport in the world, only second to soccer. It’s a USA thang’ and my guess is that the networks get much more money in advertising from the sports that they already air. [/QUOTE]
I really doubt that and am sure flat racing is the most watched equestrian sport. Show jumping isn’t nearly as universal as many other sports since it’s more of a Westernized cultures thing. Not a huge spectator sport (or even a well-known one) in much of Asia/Africa. I don’t think there’s an official world ranking of most-watched spectator sports, but I’ve heard that the next most popular ones after football/soccer are cricket, rugby, baseball, auto racing, tennis, hockey, golf (not necess in that order).
Originally posted by Reiter:
… equestrian events in Europe are shown on prime time TV like Baseball and Basketball over here!
On prime time TV? Oh, what a wondeful world, where such things are! If only that were the case here, I would probably watch prime time TV!
Is it true that Chris Kappler gave his medal back after Royal Kaliber was put down? If that is true, I think that is the realest example of sportsmanship ever.
I don’t think you would ever see an athlete in another Olympic sport giving his or her medal back if a teammate died.
Kris Kappler gave back his medal? Why? To protest the footing?
Didn’t hear that. What good would that do?
Just a brief note re the beatles. paul and Linda McCartney are/were HUGE appaloosa fans.They rode with us when they came over many years ago.One of the most amazing stories I read was here
http://www.texhorseman.com/pamgrace.htm
[QUOTE=Party Rose;3467442]
Gotta’ disagree. Last I heard (and these old ears could be deaf by now) that stadium jumping was the number two specator sport in the world, only second to soccer. [/QUOTE]
Showjumping is #2 to professional football (soccer) in England, but I don’t think it is #2 worldwide.
[QUOTE=belambi;3498583]
Just a brief note re the beatles. paul and Linda McCartney are/were HUGE appaloosa fans.[/QUOTE]
Yes. And as Linda was an outspoken animal rights activist and PETA supporter, she (and Paul)) received some well justified criticism after a photo appearing in a national magazine caught them riding their horses tacked up in leather saddles and bridles. I forget how they talked their way out of that one. 
LOL… I didnt know that…They certainly used leather gear at my place.
A million years ago, a friend stopped by the tent at a major horse show and asked if her friends could come by with their kids and see the " big horse " ( her words ).
We said sure and when her friends came by it was Paul McCartney and Family. We all said hi, " ignored the who he was " part and even gave his kids bareback ride on the horse.
When it was all over, he walked over and thanked us for doing something special for his family. He was very happy that his family had done this and no one had made a fuss.
What some people miss is that horse shows is a pay to play sport. As such, the so-called famous can go show their horses can enjoy the competition & time at the shows without being mobbed, in fact they are ignored for the most part, except to comgratulate them when they do well in a class. The horses, for the most part are safe, and everyone can do their own thing.
I, for one, would not enjoy showing with the press racing around lots of fans. In another life I have done that and it is not fun.
If only they did, Reiter, if only they did!!
[QUOTE=YankeeLawyer;3499581]
Showjumping is #2 to professional football (soccer) in England, but I don’t think it is #2 worldwide.[/QUOTE]
I was in England during the last half of the Olympics and actually got to watch the Showjumping team finals at a pub. Walked in there to grab a beer, turned around and saw horses on the TV, and there were people in there actually watching it too. We got to drink beers and watch showjumping. It was so cool.
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