The idea is to give them a light run so they’re sharp & to practice the new test in a more populated environment. They’re not real comps.
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I would like to know if the germans, brits, aussies and the other top teams are doing these final prep faux competitions effectively just a few weeks before the real competition.
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The Brits just got to ride the Olympic test at Windsor, but not sure if they’re doing a xc or sj component too.
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I see the Brits are going gallops in fleece neck rugs. I don’t see the Canadians doing that but maybe they might want to consider doing that too.
I watched the post cross country trot up on Major League Eventing on FB and Dinero Z looked quite off. Are we taking a chance sending a not quite right horse to Tokyo? Team changes?
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Well, more horses and riders are going to Aachen than are going to Tokyo so if the PTB decide Deniro Z is not good to go, I think Tamie Smith and Mai Baum will be happy to slot into that spot. Tamie’s social media during the prep event has had a vibe that seems to simultaneously accept their position right now while making it pretty clear that they think they should be on the team.
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This is one of the moments where you go “actually, on second thought, I think I do prefer bebopping around the smaller sticks”. Of course they have very good reason for doing so, but I am not the least bit envious. That sounds terrible.
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They did dressage at Windsor in front of an audience, which provided a buzzy atmosphere. There haven’t been many big events running this year and the horses aren’t used to crowds and noise. SJ and XC weren’t part of the show.
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I was talking to some friends who also event and we agreed the USEA missed a good PR opportunity by not letting fans in to watch the practice competition.
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Agreed! 
Tokyo Equestrian schedule. https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/en/schedule/equestrian-schedule
GB dressage team has left already.
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They got their fingers burnt the last time they picked an inexperienced rider.
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Who are you referring to? I wouldn’t call her inexperienced imo. Maybe at the Olympics, but not inexperienced.
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I think the relative experience comparison with Tamie would not put those two on the same footing. Tamie is far more seasoned in every respect.
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Disagree. No hate to Tamie as I think she’s incredible, but she did get put on a team and not deliver, twice. At a level below than what the horse was competing at. Liz has competed (and won) at many big events in Europe and in the US. She earned that spot over Tamie based on previous results.
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Except Tamie and Mai Baum would be slotting into Doug and Vandiver’s alternate slot, not Deniro Z’s team slot. But I’m sure they would be happy to do that too! I really hate the idea of the new 3-horse format. Anyone who had a case to make and came that close would feel the same way - has to be tough to take to be so close but not on the team, particularly with a gorgeous horse like Mai Baum who on a good day has a chance to be competitive.
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But then if you were Tammie, would you stay in Germany and do Aachen, or go on for the slim chance of participating in Olympics?
Tamie only didn’t deliver once and was put on a team once. Right after that she went to Boekelo for the Nations Cup and delivered against the best in the world. Definitely made a mistake not being prepared for the Pan Ams, but that will never happen again. She is the only one who can go up against the Germans and help us bring home a medal instead of being in the middle of the pack. Liz was on fire last year, but now we are a year later, different story, and Z was lame in the jog up last week before stadium.
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too bad you aren’t a selector
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Tough call, but I guess I question whether you really, genuinely have the option to say “no I’d rather do Aachen” if you want to be in contention for future teams. I suspect if you are offered the spot, even as the alternate, you are expected to step up and say yes.
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