Olympics 2024

I have a feeling they all had to be prepared for that subject to come up, since it was pretty much inevitable under the circumstances. She did do a good job with it, though.

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Oh, definitely, I would expect everyone related to horse sports to have at least a basic idea of the questions that they may face, even if they’re not going to go out of their way to mention the issues during broadcasts. I still think Melanie handled it better than any of us, with no broadcast experience, would have handled it.

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Thank you! McLain is always such a class act, and Karl deserved every word of praise given to him in that article. Karl was one of only FOUR riders who went double clear in the team competition - that is incredible for anyone, but especially for someone riding in his first Olympics, who wasn’t expecting to ride at all, and had just two hours to process that he was, in fact, going to represent his country after all. Congratulations to the entire team!

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I wish Jessica Kurten was doing it but I’m not sure if she still announces

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I’ve only just seen the replay of Karl’s ride. I caught McLain’s and a replay of Laura’s earlier this morning.

Well done all.

Cook rose to the occasion and certainly is a good enough rider to have finessed how to ride this mare after really messing up, but coming back in the Pan Am Games. He seems like a quick study and is a smart horseman who learned from his mistakes.

Glad, since he apparently has a large social media presence (that I don’t see) that he didn’t let the criticisms from the peons on COTH (thankfully few) or other areas of the internet get him down. He showed guts and skill for an Olympic newbie as well as a capability to take instructions, at least most people thought so, including his team members and the Chef d’Equipe. :wink:

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I have watched Badminton, and there is a woman, (Pammy?) who does some commentating, maybe just for the dressage, and she is hysterical. But I don’t think she is around for any of the jumping. The Olympics probably want someone around for all three phases.

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Maybe Pammy Hutton. She’s a H&H dressage commentator and trainer.

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Anybody got a link to the team jumping medal ceremony?
Peacock cut off the end, and they don’t seem to have clips I can find.
Thanks

Karl posted a photo of Cara getting front shoes today ahead of the individual final. I would assume that means he’s getting his shot even though he hasn’t been posted in the order. I am very happy for him! He has 100% proven himself.

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yep that’s the one! She is great!

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It looks like Tiffany Foster is getting to compete as well. I haven’t seen an announcement but I’m guessing to replace Amy Millar.

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I think it is time to stop mentioning the Pan Am games every time Karl’s name is mentioned. It is time to call him an Olympic Silver Medal winner with no buts.

@skydy - not picking on you, your post was the easiest one to quote.

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I don’t think it’s wrong to mention how far he’s come with this mare, but agree that the rough spots shouldn’t be front and center.

I hope he gets a shot at the individual, I think he will. His mare is so quick. He had two good rounds and his Grand Prix of Rome win was spectacular.

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Ooooh I love Tiffany! A real class act. I frequent showing at Thunderbird and it’s always so nice to see her smiling face (and incredible riding) in person!

She also seems to be friends with everyone at tbird…I’ve gone to get food and spotted her back in the kitchen chatting it up with people :joy:

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I’m not sure if it’s still true but her sister was running the food place at T-bird so maybe that’s why she was chatting in the kitchen.

She also rode for T-bird for years (Brent and Laura)

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Just listened to a Dutch podcast in which their coach Jos Lansink said he was going to watch the Sunday warm-ups before he selected his 3 individuals. I am quite surprised the entries can be made that late. Their reserve Kim Emmen was a stylish double clear so I can’t see him denying her.
Also it looks like Nayel Nassar has withdrawn as Coronado was not 100%. That’s no fun.
My secret wish is for Naxcel V to jump well for Austria as his fabulous grandmother Maroline used to carry the family, the guests and the help through the lanes and fields of both Coker and Heritage (NY) between appearances in the big classes from Southampton to Calgary. She was a treasure and it is a joy to see her grandbabies in the 5-stars.

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I haven’t seen a video. There are photos here;https://www.worldofshowjumping.com/Olympic-Games/Felicitations-The-American-and-French-Olympic-medal-celebrations-in-images.html

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I was one of the people to worry about Karl after the PanAms. It wasn’t out of doubt for his riding ability or the mare, we all know she’s exceptional. It was more so a question of how he handles team pressure. Which is totally different and I think the biggest downside of the lack of drop score is it limits how many younger riders can get that hyper specific team experience.

Look I’m a complete nobody jumping the 1.20s and I was shocked how nervous I got for zone jumper championships being on a team… with people I didn’t know at all. None of them jumped clear, so the stakes literally could not have been lower. I don’t usually get nervous showing but something about having people look to you to jump clear made a big difference. The Olympics just felt like the biggest of all stages especially riding a high profile French mare that was the former ride of one of the hometown heroes.

I’m so impressed with Karl’s riding, his mental game for this Olympics, his adapting to this mare. It’s remarkable and exciting for the long term outlook of the US team. I’m happy to eat my words! I’m so happy for the team he has behind him, like his fabulous vet who’s there too, and it’s a wonderful achievement I’m sure for Eric Navet. After so many years of working with him through harder times, I know this is a happy moment for him as well.

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I’m late to the party because my barn friends and I waited to watch together but holy crap did McLain give everyone a lesson! So happy to see that after Devon.

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