i am quite interested to hear who you lot on the other side of the pond think is going to feature in the medals and why. i am looking for objective comment rather than gung ho patriotism. thanks 
by the way i am in englnd if you are wondering!
I would be surprised if Phillip Dutton is not in the medals. I think that he and Connaught are at the top of their game right now.
Well … hmm… there are several riders who I don’t really know anything about going, and then several campaigners.
It is really hard to forecast without knowing whether the XC is going to be up to snuff or not. If it is a soft XC, then i would be thinking more about the dressage specialists as medal contenders (Germany).
If XC is a true Olympic, four star course, then I would say NZ, England, and the Ozzies for team medals, and for individuals, Toddy, Phil, and Nicholas.
It’s just really hard for me to have an opinion without knowing whether the XC is going to factor in or not.
For team placings, unless the xc is a real 4 star, I think the team medals will be Germany, UK and France. Sorry US but I just don’t think it is likely we will do it but who knws? I do think there might be an individual US medal- either Philip or Amy would be the ones I think most likely (Poggio’s dressage at Rolex last year was not even recognizable from what it was 4 years ago and we know the horse can jump).
From what I understand and have always understood, the olympics is NEVER a true 4*. 3* at best.
Love Parkmore ED…such a cool horse.
Miner’s Frolic & Tina Cook…a favorite pair of mine.
Team Fredericks…both of those horses and riders and just wonderful.
Nicolas Touzaint (sp)…beautiful rider.
Ingrid Klimke is amazing.
My VVVVVERY favorite though…Becky Holder & Comet!!!
what ever happened to Nicolas Touzaint and that amazing Gray? Galan de Sa…
I know he was unsound at the finish of the last Olympics. And then I found a bit on the web with Nic saying “I knew Galan would recover and come back” But then I haven’t seen or heard anything of him since then…?
Amy is going to do very well with Poggio.
If Becky has a good go, it’ll be great. They are either great, or not great. lol.
thanks for all replies so far, anyway i think the xc though it will not technically be a four star will be draining enough with the heat and humidity and the going may well be exceedingly wet.
as for Nicholas Touzaint and his fabulous grey, well they have been seen out to goood effect earlier in the season but if it is not right then Nico has another couple to choose from!
Personally…I so want Becky and Comet to win. Sharon Hunt and Tankers Town are another pair that I love.
However, the individual favorites, as I see them, are the Frederickses, Touzaint, and Dutton. Fox-Pitt, Tryon, Holder, and Todd are real threats.
But of course we don’t know what the courses will be like, so…
the Olympics has never been a 4 star, more a 3 star
My pick is Headly Brittanica.
(Partly because I’m trying to get my mare in foal to Jumbo!)
Gee, I think you are underrating our own US team, one knows not to be too “cocky” (thats an Aussie expression perhaps) but h*ll pound for pound I think the US team is right there in the team medals.
Amy & Heidi could surprise a lot of people I think and well Phillip is icing on the cake.!!
We have a great great team.!:yes:
[QUOTE=ponyjumper4;3367869]
the Olympics has never been a 4 star, more a 3 star[/QUOTE]
Athens aside…and the "individual " course in sidney…WHICH Olympics do you feel was not a true four star!!!
It was my understanding that in order to “allow” as many countries to compete as possible, that the course was always designed more as a 3* instead of 4*. Which was one of the “explanations” as to why the Olympics is NOT the pinnacle of the sport.
[QUOTE=tle;3368121]
It was my understanding that in order to “allow” as many countries to compete as possible, that the course was always designed more as a 3* instead of 4*. Which was one of the “explanations” as to why the Olympics is NOT the pinnacle of the sport.[/QUOTE]
This was PART of the thought process when the “individual” competition was added…and in part because the Olympic commitee did not want to award TWO medals for ONE competition. This encouraged nations who did not have teams but individual riders who “qualified” to compete but did not have the numbers to make a team. The Individual courses were less testing for that purpose. Before then the Olympic courses were 4 star and asked four star questions. When the foramt was altered and they did away with the two seperate courses in 2004…the challenge then became of one course, testing the best, but allowing “lesser” nations a chance to complete. Athens did NOT reflect this…the CD chose to dumb down the course. This could have been a way to cut costs as there was very little need to build in “options/easier” routes as the designed course was deemed within the ability to accomodate the different levels of those competing.
I am thinking that we may just be surprised at the course in HK…that is if they build a true four star AND build options…that is always a possibility. But to convince yourself that the Olympics is an easy three star is foolish as the specs allowed for course design do infact inclulde four star questions, if the CD chooses to do so.
BEFORE Athens…the courses were rated four star by the FEI (still are I believe) but more importantly they were infact rated four star by even the most of experienced riders.
Miner’s Frolic, Miner’s Frolic, Miner’s Frolic!!!
That’s my hope…
Logic argues to me, however, that you need only look at the Barbury top tens to find the top finishers and teams–it’s gonna be all about excellent dressage and four-fault-or-fewer stadium. Those with top dressage scores will have one more more rails in hand…
[QUOTE=tle;3368121]
It was my understanding that in order to “allow” as many countries to compete as possible, that the course was always designed more as a 3* instead of 4*. Which was one of the “explanations” as to why the Olympics is NOT the pinnacle of the sport.[/QUOTE]
Did you quote that from wickapedia???
[QUOTE=ponyjumper4;3367869]
the Olympics has never been a 4 star, more a 3 star[/QUOTE]
The word “never” concerns me. This would suggest that you are not old enough to look past the last Olympics or have not been to enough Olympics and four stars to make this judgement.
I would ask those who have competed at the Olympics, athens excluded, if they agree with this statement.
[QUOTE=snoopy;3368160]
Did you quote that from wickapedia???[/QUOTE]
Why would you say that? I said “to my knowledge” and that’s what I mean. Been around the sport long enough to not have to look at wickapedia for every thought I post.
Back to the original topic –
I’d be thrilled to see a gold medal go to either Mary King or Lucinda Fredericks. Both, if possible!
And Mark Todd on the podium again would be a treat.
