US Olympic Team and alternates named

[bornfreenowexpensive]

There is VERY little support in this country for developing young horses. It costs a breeder or owner a huge amount of money. I had one that showed much potential as young as 3 year old…and certainly by 4/5 when we were jumping him. I can remember even Boyd saying he thought he was a big time horse at age 4 when he was riding him (but of course you always have to take that with a grain of salt ). However, I couldn’t find anyone that would cut me a break on training costs or take a gamble on him that way. Happy to ride him if I paid full price though (and I’m not just talking about BNTs who have more than enough horses but even lesser known who do not have a string of quality horses). It’s a hard balance as “pros” need to earn a living here in the US…but then the costs fall on the owners and breeders…and it is very very expensive. As a rider myself…I wasn’t going to pay that.

So in the end…the only “rider” that took a chance on him (and work out a business deal that was good for BOTH the rider and me as the owner) was not American…and now He and that same horse are likely to be representing their country in Rio…

[NCRider]

JER,
I’ll stand by what I said that German professionals are across the board better at SJ than our riders. Maybe “naturally” was the wrong word because I don’t mean they popped out of the womb that way, but I do mean that the average skill base of someone who has taken 2 years of lessons at a riding school will be better suited for SJ or dressage in Germany than here in the US. And you then go from there. Hunters and modern equitation do no one here in the US any favors when it comes to being prepared to train a horse to the upper levels of eventing.

[LR4]

Doesn’t Play Fair out, Donner in

http://www.usefnetwork.com/news/14144/2016/7/12/usef_substitutes_traveling_reserve.aspx

I mean, could they be any more vague?

[Jealoushe]

Interesting, I love Donner though so will enjoy seeing him in action.

I think the thing North American pros are missing are the long partnerships. Richard Spooner just won a class at Spruce on a horse he has ridden for 10 years. Tiff Foster was 2nd or 3rd on a horse she did YR with. MJ has his horses for their entire career for the most part.

Yet the North Americans can’t keep horses sound, and are having made horses bought for them left right and centre yet can’t seem to be competitive. I’m shocked as eventers we are not more aware of the lack of horsemanship and bond that is required to win at the top level. I mean this is THE basis for most of our passion of horses… the connection, trust, knowing each other etc. There’s a reason Mark Todd won back to back Gold on Charisma and it wasn’t just their raw talent. They were partners for many many years.

[Madison]

Wow very interesting development, sorry that it appears Doesn’t Play Fair has an injury since it mentions a return in 2017

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has made a substitution to the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team Traveling Reserve. Maya Black has withdrawn Dawn and Jonathan Dofelmier’s Doesn’t Play Fair due to veterinary concerns. The gelding is expected to make a full recovery and Black looks forward to a return in the 2017 season.

The following combination will now serve as the traveling reserve:
Lynn Symansky (Middleburg, Va.) and The Donner Syndicate, LLC’s Donner, a 2003 Thoroughbred gelding

[Madison]

From Maya Black’s FB page:

It is with a heavy heart that I am withdrawing Cody from his position as traveling reserve for the US Olympic team. Unfortunately, he has sustained an acute minor injury. Being named as the traveling reserve has been the greatest achievement and honor of my career to date, and I couldn’t have asked for a more special partner then Cody to share this journey with for the past 5 years. I hope to one day be back in a position for team consideration again, and in the meantime he will get some much deserved rest after a stellar spring season. I want to thank so many people and horses for getting me to this place. To even be considered for the Olympics is a dream come true- I’m so incredibly grateful. Thank you to the Dofelmier’s for bringing him into my life, to all our family, friends, coaches, sponsors, supporters, and many fans for helping us to make it this far. And last but definitely not least, thanks to Caitlin for putting up with Cody and I over the last few years through the thick and thin. I love Cody so much-this amazingly talented munchkin horse will be back to fight again another day.

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

[QUOTE=LR4;8744016]
http://www.usefnetwork.com/news/14144/2016/7/12/usef_substitutes_traveling_reserve.aspx

I mean, could they be any more vague?[/QUOTE]

More vague than “acute minor injury”? How about “minor injury”?

There have been a few discussions here before about this - as when a horse withdraws just before or during a big event, and there is no more info provided. As much as we common folks would like to know more details, many times it is not in the best interest of the horse or competitor to share specifics.

[vineyridge]

Probably a new minor injury to a tendon or ligament.

[blackwly]

[QUOTE=vineyridge;8744081]
Probably a new minor injury to a tendon or ligament.[/QUOTE]

Or it is essentially nothing (some minor ultrasound finding) that they are using to replace him for a horse with better current form. The bottom line: you aren’t on the team until you’re jogging down the strip. And you’re not the traveling alternate until you’re on the plane. All of these horses are going to have little imperfections…it’s a matter of how hard you look.

My theory for the day: BFM won’t go. Donner is a good replacement for him as XC trailblazer.

The team has all the right in the world to keep shuffling until the last minute to get the best combos there at the moment it counts. My theory is that this is what happens and what the public hears is very carefully crafted. But just a theory.

[Sticky_Situation]

While I’d be interested to know what the injury is because I really like that little horse and would like to see him back in action, I can totally understand why they would be intentionally vague. I’m sure how we’ve all seen the speculation and judgy-pants comments and armchair quarterbacking that goes on with social media these days.

[Jealoushe]

I would love to see Donner on the team too especially if the course is not quite 3*, I think he could really rock it.

[overhorsed]

Interesting that they chose Donner over Sinead and Tate, who placed higher at GMI and had a faster XC time…

[Jealoushe]

And Tate can do amazing dressage, I think he should be on the team but I am guessing they are worried about his breathing? Which sucks since she seems to have it managed.

[SnicklefritzG]

[QUOTE=overhorsed;8744178]
Interesting that they chose Donner over Sinead and Tate, who placed higher at GMI and had a faster XC time…[/QUOTE]

I wouldn’t be surprised if there were a lot of politics involved. How many times has Sinead been passed over but then has gone on to do well in other things?

[NCRider]

Tate’s dressage has not been up to par lately and he’s had his own physical issues. Who knows how he vets these days. Also, FWIW, Lynn has been an alternate before, I believe, and seems to have the temperament to step in at the last minute.

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

Tate was also 10th at KY with Donner 17th after the unfortunate tongue over the bit incident in dressage. Both had two rails in SJ, and both clean over the jumps on XC where Donner had fewer time penalties.

[overhorsed]

I was at GMI and saw them both go, both days. Tate’s dressage was not as sparkly as I expected it to be, surprisingly. They were both looking awesome on XC however, Tate especially was flying, I was at the first water when he came through. I saw Donner over the big log near the end and the coffin. Still plenty of run.

Other impressions- Welcome Shadow looked far more impressive than Blackfoot Mystery did, in all three phases. Clark and Glen have an incredible partnership, his dressage was truly lovely, not one point given away, except that little bobble at X ( which was kinda hilarious to watch ).

[bornfreenowexpensive]

[QUOTE=blackwly;8744101]
Or it is essentially nothing (some minor ultrasound finding) that they are using to replace him for a horse with better current form. The bottom line: you aren’t on the team until you’re jogging down the strip. And you’re not the traveling alternate until you’re on the plane. All of these horses are going to have little imperfections…it’s a matter of how hard you look.

My theory for the day: BFM won’t go. Donner is a good replacement for him as XC trailblazer.

The team has all the right in the world to keep shuffling until the last minute to get the best combos there at the moment it counts. My theory is that this is what happens and what the public hears is very carefully crafted. But just a theory.[/QUOTE]

Theory doesn’t work…if BFM doesn’t go…then the replacement is Boyd’s other horse Welcome Shadow not Donner. That said…I’d love to see Donner as I do really think they would do very well.

[blackwly]

[QUOTE=bornfreenowexpensive;8744250]
Theory doesn’t work…if BFM doesn’t go…then the replacement is Boyd’s other horse Welcome Shadow not Donner. That said…I’d love to see Donner as I do really think they would do very well.[/QUOTE]

Not if they are already down in Rio when the substitution is made. And they can pass over a direct reserve just as easily as they can rename the traveling reserve. All possible nominated substitutions remain until the event deadline, in my thinking.

[JP60]

[QUOTE=Jealoushe;8744031]
Interesting, I love Donner though so will enjoy seeing him in action.

I think the thing North American pros are missing are the long partnerships. Richard Spooner just won a class at Spruce on a horse he has ridden for 10 years. Tiff Foster was 2nd or 3rd on a horse she did YR with. MJ has his horses for their entire career for the most part.

Yet the North Americans can’t keep horses sound, and are having made horses bought for them left right and centre yet can’t seem to be competitive. I’m shocked as eventers we are not more aware of the lack of horsemanship and bond that is required to win at the top level. I mean this is THE basis for most of our passion of horses… the connection, trust, knowing each other etc. There’s a reason Mark Todd won back to back Gold on Charisma and it wasn’t just their raw talent. They were partners for many many years.[/QUOTE]
This!

As I had come to understand in this sport, it is not enough that one can throw a leg over and just ride any horse, it is that what we are asking of them at the top level requires more than just a skill for at some point, the heavy bits, the spurs and whips will only do so much, it is the heart and trust established over time that wins the day.

Otherwise, what are we but adrenaline junkies using a horse to get our fix, jockeys looking for the next ride if this one don’t work out. That extra piece is what use to make Eventing special.

Anywho, it is hard to imagine a “minor injury” would need such secrecy since by now people in the know would be aware of the buzz that would occur. Perhaps Maya, smartly decided she didn’t want this horse to go to Rio (how safe is it) and discovered a “limp” that needs attention. Not that knowing matters either, but as this sport gets more in the public view, it is harder to pull the curtains and say to the masses, not your concern. It is if you want their attention.