US Olympic Team and alternates named

[bornfreenowexpensive]

[QUOTE=FitToBeTied;8712885]
Here is a question that came to mind. Considering the problems of the zika virus, would you, if you were Maya Black, take the chance with your own health and your horse’s health to go to Rio knowing that you probably won’t even compete?[/QUOTE]

I’m struggling as an owner whether I go…as far as Zika…yes, it is a risk. But it will be winter and less of a one than during peak season. If I was pregnant or planning to become pregnant…than no. But otherwise, I think the risk of Zika is more manageable.

Honestly, security/crime is a much more likely risk…and the one that I’m more concerned about.

[Backstage]

@Madison;8712880

I think that’s really the issue - those teams are so dominant that it is unlikely we would challenge them this year, so they picked a team that they think will finish. Lauren can pull a good dressage score if Veronica’s on, but Clark is probably the only one who can potentially throw down a test that would put them in the hunt for a strong individual finish, and then he’d have to make sure he didn’t have time penalties on XC.

Sort of. The Germans are absolutely dominant. A team with 3 horses who could realistically finish on scores on the 30s should be terrifying to all competitive nations.

The Brits and Kiwis are not as dominant, though, and with a little luck…the US could make a bid. Of course, they will be in the fight with the French and some other countries who will be ready to try and take advantage of anyone not being quite on form.

[LisaB]

I think to medal, it hinges on Clark because he’s been the only one to get a low enough score. The others are really strong and will finish but not with the scores to get close to the Germans - darn you Jung!

[wanderlust]

[QUOTE=bornfreenowexpensive;8712951]
I’m struggling as an owner whether I go… [/QUOTE] Whoa! Which horse!!! So exciting, congrats!

[riderboy]

So happy for those picked, particularly Lauren. What a thrill for her and her parents and very, very well deserved.

[cindywilson]

Well I’m pretty pumped. Blackfoot Mystery came from our Thoroughbred Rehab Center out here in southern California. Those of us associated with TBRC are going to be cheering mighty loudly as you mignt imagine.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

[QUOTE=wanderlust;8713309]
Whoa! Which horse?!?!! So exciting, congrats![/QUOTE]

Muggle. He’s got a good shot with the Brazillian team. Fingers crossed he and his rider stay sound and healthy.

[Winding_Down]

[QUOTE=LadyB;8712942]
Interesting, I thought Marilyn would’ve been aiming for the Olympic team.[/QUOTE]

@spencergbennett;8712949

She and Demi have had a pretty abysmal record lately. She’s been having a lot of success in the jumpers lately, but I think the shifted focus has taken a toll on her success as an eventer.

Who’s Marilyn? I don’t remember anyone named Marilyn…

[JER]

Interesting to see the comments here on the zika virus. I know a number of athletes, coaches, and support staff going to Rio – and not one of them is concerned about it.

(And yes, we’ve been receiving info about it from our NOCs for months, so this isn’t about ignorance.)

[brindille]

I feel kind of sad for Sinnead - she’s obviously been saving Tate for the Olympics, but I guess this just goes to show that you have to live for today with event horses. Interestingly, Boyd also seemed to be saving Shamwari. He seems to get these horses for these big championships, and they surface once and then disappear…

[Fred]

[QUOTE=cindywilson;8713350]
Well I’m pretty pumped. Blackfoot Mystery came from our Thoroughbred Rehab Center out here in southern California. Those of us associated with TBRC are going to be cheering mighty loudly as you mignt imagine.[/QUOTE]

I am cheering for you too!

[Fred]

[QUOTE=riderboy;8713317]
So happy for those picked, particularly Lauren. What a thrill for her and her parents and very, very well deserved.[/QUOTE]

I am happy for her, and for her whole team too.

[Fred]

[QUOTE=riderboy;8713317]
So happy for those picked, particularly Lauren. What a thrill for her and her parents and very, very well deserved.[/QUOTE]

I am happy for her, and for her whole team too.

[Belmont]

[QUOTE=Larksmom;8712938]
Didn’t Boyd and Shadow win or come second at Jersey this year? He has come in the medals at Luhmuelen before as well[/QUOTE]

Welcome Shadow was second this year at Jersey. He was fourth with Steady Eddie in Bromont.

At Fair Hill in October, he had three horses in the top ten. He has also had numerous top then and top five horses in CSI3* and CSI4*.

I guess I don’t understand when people are confused as to why he is on the team… He places, he finishes, and he is a great team player with nice horses. That is why he is on the team. The only person consistently winning in this sport is one German rider. I’m newer to the sport of eventing, but I am quickly finding out that no two people are constantly winning for the US, unlike the show jumping bretherin. I find the number of top five and top ten wins for Boyd really telling that he absolutely deserves a spot.

[goodmorning]

I am sad for Sinead & Lynn. To have Lauren with a direct reserve of Meadowbroom Scarlet, Boyd & Welcome Shadow, and Phillip with three Clark & Lauren & Veronica have had a great spring but I can’t give any of the direct reserves a spot over Sinead or Lynn.

However, I think it’s a blessing in disguise, I can’t support these Olympic Games in Brazil. Dangerous, diseased, disgusting - sums up my thoughts. Water is a big question, horses have to drink it & people will be handling it. Zika virus obviously a huge problem; I honestly cannot believe the WHO is allowing the games to continue. It’s an STD, there will lots of spreading pretty wretched. Rio is a state of emergency. Violence, gangs, etc. Anyways an all around disaster.

[LadyB]

[QUOTE=spencergbennett;8712949]
She and Demi have had a pretty abysmal record lately. She’s been having a lot of success in the jumpers lately, but I think the shifted focus has taken a toll on her success as an eventer.[/QUOTE]

I know she’s barely been out, and Rolex was a bad outing for her, and I’m really not a fan of her, but I still thought she would be aiming for it. She would’ve had a good shot to be on the team… unfortunately. I hate to admit it, but she did have success.

[Madison]

[QUOTE=brindille;8713456]
Interestingly, Boyd also seemed to be saving Shamwari. He seems to get these horses for these big championships, and they surface once and then disappear…[/QUOTE]

Some of Boyd’s comments this spring mentioned an injury after WEG, although I never saw anything clarifying what it was. So, not sure he was saving Shamwari as much as trying to get him physically back to his pre-WEG form, which didn’t seem to happen. Really hate that for them, such a nice horse and would have made a big difference for the team if he was on form because that would be one more that could pull a competitive dressage score.

[OverandOnward]

Good team selection. I also might have looked at the alternates a bit differently.

No question Phillip and Boyd are outstanding as anchors based on their riding ability. But historical facts show that the strength of the rider alone is not a justification for putting a weaker mount on the team, not for the US team, anyway. Sometimes those combinations haven’t even completed.

Have the British made their team selection, btw?

[Bastile]

[QUOTE=Blugal;8712892]
If you ever wanted to be considered for a future team… yes. Otherwise expect to be blacklisted forever. (Might be a convenient time for horse to come up with a severe stone bruise or other minor ailment preventing travel…)[/QUOTE]

Absolutely true…and riders and owners have to sign contracts which basically they will do what the selectors want…at least they used to. But you are either a team player or you’re not when it comes to this.

[Divine_Comedy]

At the USEA Convention in December, they said they were going to hopefully give a grant to the travelling alternate to go to Europe to compete if they aren’t called up for the team in Rio. While it sounds like a lot of travel, apparently the quarantine in Miami to get the horses back into the States directly from Rio is a bit of a horsemanship nightmare, so they are basically using the trip to Europe for the alternate (now officially Maya) as a carrot and a way to avoid the horrible quarantine coming back.