That other equestrian sport: modern pentathlon!

[Anonymoose]

[QUOTE=FatDinah;8808716]
I am all for tradition and equestrian sports in the Olympics. But I think it might be best to recognize the different world today (rather than when Olympics was a amateur only event, then riding was a skill that “gentlemen” would have). How about substituting a cycling event for the horse riding portion? Fairer for athletes from poorer Third World countries where horses are only for the very elite, less costly for organziers and surely better for the horses.[/QUOTE]

I was thinking almost exactly the same thing. Take jumping out of this sport and replace the horses with bicycles. I cheered that poor horse whose rider came off, held onto the reins then lost hold, then ran!?!?? over to the horse after others had caught him, and the horse turned like he wanted to kick the idgit. I’d have felt the same way!

[Hollywood87]

And a final note…Jimmy Fallon joked about the riding element of this event last night (8/22/16) and showed 3 of the mens’ refusals. His point was how the riders are given a horse they’ve never rode before and the spectacular crashes are the result…he would have watched if he had known about it. Sigh…