Boyd & Will’s backup horses + Sydney & QC Diamantaire travel to the training camp in France but won’t actually go to the games.
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Don’t quote me on this, but I think with the direct reserves they can sub in their 2nd horse right up until the start of the event. But I don’t think they can switch horses mid-competition.
If there isn’t enough stabling at the actual Olympic venue, I’m sure it’s easy to arrange something nearby for the direct reserve horses.
ETA: didn’t see @Benchmark’s response. Nevermind!
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I’m sure the direct reserves will stay on and do some other event. That’s the benefit of it being somewhere like France as opposed to like China.
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I am wondering if Pau is too far in the future? Maybe some 4* in the UK? I am not familiar in what is coming up except for Burghley, and I do not think he is ready for that at all.
Blenheim is mid September.
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Arville is running a nation’s cup mid August too–I think there are a few options depending on later fall goals.
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The packing video with his right hand barn person is pretty entertaining. It’s up on his Facebook page.
There’s also an article on the Practical Horseman Facebook page about his fitness routine, which sounds pretty intense. But obviously it’s working for him!
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it was interesting. I know how much I have to pack when taking one or two horses from VA to SC to hunt for a week. I do have one thing that makes me wonder. Since there is so much stuff that is brand new and in packaging, why not send it ahead to the training facility in France rather than try to take it with the horses? It would seem it would make life easier to send all those saddle pads, boots, etc. ahead.
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my just immediate thought would be to make sure it arrives with the horses. If it is shipped seperately, it might take a sightseeing trip through misdirection. Not intentionally, but excrement occurs.
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Ditto.
Arriving in Paris for the Olympics without your equipment sounds like a pretty big nightmare to be avoided at all costs.
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There was one time several years ago by now when a jumper rider had all his equipment packed up and ready to go from Florida at the end of the winter directly to the World Cup finals, and it all got stolen and had to be replaced in record time.
That sounds like way more stress than anybody needs even at a normal show, never mind the World Cup finals. Much less at the Olympics.
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This is an extremely entertaining podcast with Boyd Martin talking to Seth Meyers and his brother, who sound like they are both ready to be full on cheerleaders for the eventing team after talking to him for an hour. Lol.
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boy that is an amazing video! I watched every minute!
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So do we think Boyd calls Caroline “Pa-cuckoo” as a joke and just forgot its not actually her name when he said her name that way on the podcast? Because that made me laugh 
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Hard to say with him. He is absolutely hilarious, though. And really seems to be a genuinely nice guy as well.
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Having today read the very useful guide “How Is Eventing Scored In The Olympics?” published in Eventing Nation Jul 18, I think my main conclusion is that blind luck is going to be a big factor in winning a medal or not. That puts almost every nation into contention! Should prove to be interesting on the day.
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I read that, and was almost more confused after. It is a cluster if you ask me. I think the Olympic committee just wants to get rid of the eventers, period. Making a three person team sucks. As much money as they throw around and they cannot spare a couple of medals for a discard score? I am not as familiar with gymnastics, or figure skating, but does every score count? And with them wanting to move xc to the last day, which ruins the whole thing. Throw out the second jog, and the jog won’t be televised this time 
I am totally pissed. Maybe it would be better to drop it, but there is so much honor tied to ‘the Olympics’.
Maybe it is like the difference between an AKC Border Collie, and a working one, or an English Springer Spaniel show quality and working style. Ramp up things not included in the original, and just go for pretty.
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@Larksmom To be fair, the FEI Short format already puts xc last. Maybe the Olympics should just run on a One Day Event model (CCI S) since it is already acknowledged that a 5* 3 day (CCI L) competition is at a higher standard than the Olympics.
The desire for more nations to compete is at odds with the stated aim of Olympic excellence. No one fusses about the nationality of high board divers or cyclists (first ever African winner of two stages of the Tour De France this year!). Money makes the world go round.
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