The thing I noticed about King Edward was that they seemed to have a halter handy by the ingate for just such an occurrence. I’ve been to just a couple of shows that follow that practice, but it demonstrated that it’s a good idea. Because… horses.
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When I say tougher, I should say more technical. McLain worded it better, saying he wished it had been “a more difficult track, that there was a little more separation, especially for this level.”
I think it can test the rider and result in the fewer clears (and therefore reward more fast 4 faulters) without being more of a scope or endurance test for horses that have already jumped 2 rounds.
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Have seen a few long legged riders drop rails with their feet when a horse is really stretching over really big, wide fences. Perhaps that combined with a huge release from upper body makes heels down impractical?
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They keep a halter/lead rope at the back gate at most shows. I tried to see if it’s an FEI rule just now because I’ve seen it so much, but to no avail. Smart practice 
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The “neutral heel” is encouraged in European showjumping. Deep heels are mostly an American thing. Neutral heels are softer for the horse, absorb shock better, and generally allow for quicker use of the aids when starting from a neutral position, rather than a locked in heels down position. At least, that’s how I’ve seen it explained and described.
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Biomechanically speaking I would agree with this. When we push our heels down it creates a tense leg, which limits the “on/off” switch for our leg aids. It also can exacerbate injuries as we often create tension in weak ligaments. For me, it’s my ankles, but for others it’s knees.
I try to remember “toes up” instead of “heels down” because it creates essentially the same “look” but with much less tension in my legs.
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100%! I have a super solid lower leg, but naturally tend more toward a neutral heel. I used to be mildly self-conscious about it in photos, because it’s not ‘eq perfect.’ Until I started reading about how the Europeans do/teach it. And now I feel mildly superior. 
Not really, but it did make me feel better about my position and effectiveness.
Edited to add: I’m pretty sure Karl did one of his “walking and talking” social media posts on the concept of the neutral heel. Or maybe it was an excerpt from his Noelle Floyd episode? Anyway, for all the haters (not necessarily in this thread, but around the internet) who think his social media presence is a bunch of egomaniacal hot air, he actually has some pretty interesting stuff to say.
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Late to the party but I just have to say that between the course design, jump design, weather, venue and results I think that was the best day of jumping on sand I’ve ever seen. Gonna have to quit now.
I am sad it was not the day for Henrik, Julien and Daniel Coyle, and I’m sorry we didn’t get to see Greya in action. I was curious about Checker’s provenance and come to find out he shares a mother, Pamina, with Hunter Holloway’s Pepita Con Spita. How fun is that.
Those gentlemen were lucky that Baloutinue had that last rail. That horse was SUBLIME yesterday and would have smoked them in the jump-off. I hope Laura & team are so, so proud.
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So here’s an interesting piece on the continuation of horses in Olympics sport. The writer does point out something intriguing: if there is no equestrian in the Olympics, will the industry/sport devolve into just something only the uber rich can partake in? https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/its-only-worth-it-if-the-horses-win-too/
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I am a strong supporter that our sports need to stay in the Olympics, mainly for the reason that she mentions, that I think it is one of the few places where we get public exposure to people outside of our usual sphere. Also, the optics of losing the Olympics would be a real publicity issue for all horse sports across the board. The general public would almost certainly see it as a statement condemning horse welfare in sport, and bringing in new participants would become hugely problematic.
The effect on showjumping as a whole, if it were dropped, would be, I think, less detrimental than that to eventing or dressage. There is just so much money to compete for now in so many venues for show jumpers that our market and sponsorship would probably hold. It’s not as cool or lucrative to ride for the team as it was in the past, except for that Olympic medal. But I’m not sure eventing or dressage can say the same, and I think any reduction in their disciplines would lead to more of a negative effect on ours.
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I have been asking this for quite awhile. There are not really good answers. But, if the welfare of the horses is of premium importance, they cannot move the cross country to the last thing. The last jog is critically important. I want us to stay in, but I think the current proposals are more designed to push us to say no, and presto! eventers are out. The show jumpers would be much easier to keep, if they have even ruined dressage. But as she says, there are plenty of big shows and lots of money for the show jumpers. I do think it is important to stay in for the visibility. I am not a big fan of Snoop, but he brought a lot of views that maybe wouldn’t be there, and if it brings interest, that can’t be bad.
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Neutral is fine but I was watching one of the riders yesterday whose lower leg was high up behind him and I was worried his spurs might leave blood, causing elimination. Fortunately in his case it did no harm but I would think it would cause concern riding with that kind of lower leg.
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I’m not a jumper rider and definitely not an Olympian but… one can have weight in their heel without “jamming” it down. Having flexible ankles and weight going down into my heel is what kept me in the saddle. I could sit a spin, buck, and a bolt with my legs secured by weight rather than grip. You can have weight in your heels and still have a mobile lower leg.
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Speaking of some horse history and the Olympics. This post is going around Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?id=100001946754046&story_fbid=26326815170300016
Screenshots for those who don’t do Facebook:
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More details:
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The fence after the water jump: it looks like the horse is trying to go the right and the rider is struggling to go straight. The next fence is jumped to the far right then the horse tries to turn left on the landing. Seems like weird communication issues. You might be right about the unconventional bridle.
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Anyone tuning into the pentathlon for the last time olympic riding? Such good horses.
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To be fair I don’t think it’s been totally terrible riding so far and nice to see most riders giving the horses a well deserved pat at the end of the round.
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I think Modern Pentathlon has been working very hard to improve it’s public image.
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