XC thread.

[SecondInCommand]

[QUOTE=OverandOnward;6467107]
Does anyone know how Hawley Bennett-Awad is, direct from good sources? I doubt the media has the latest information at this point. All I found is that she is in the hospital.[/QUOTE]

Here is a link: http://www.globalnews.ca/canadian+eventing+rider+bennett-awad+injured/6442688395/story.html

I’m not sure if you can access it in the US or not, but the jist is that she has a concussion and a stable sacral fracture. The concussion is “improving significantly”, and Hawley is expected to be released from the hospital tomorrow.

Jingles to Hawley and everyone else who dismounted involuntarily today.

[Bravestrom]

only one canadian left - Michele retired Amistad - so just Jessica Phoenix to go tomorrow

[voltaire51147]

[QUOTE=Larksmom;6467339]
Age of riders [and horse!] It IS sad, to think that as a gymnist, you think your life is over once you hit 18 or so, gosh the youngest rider today was Nina wasn’t it, and she was 20!You are barely getting started in eventing at 20. [/QUOTE]

Good way to get experience for a rider without giving up a Team placement. When could she legally ride for the US internationally? I know you can’t switch countries like underwear.

Maybe, we should have a Young Riders abroad who have ties to countries who could care diddly about eventing Program.

[Renn_aissance]

I realize I’m going back to a conversation that is sooooo 10 pages ago- but I haven’t seen an update on the Japanese horse that was lame in the LF. Anyone know?

[OverandOnward]

Thanks for the update on Hawley. Nice to know she will be out of the hospital tomorrow.

So …

Any updates on horses that won’t be at the jog-up tomorrow morning? Are all looking sound back at the barn? Dunno if COTH has spies there …

[jenm]

[QUOTE=Renn/aissance;6467444]
I realize I’m going back to a conversation that is sooooo 10 pages ago- but I haven’t seen an update on the Japanese horse that was lame in the LF. Anyone know?[/QUOTE]

According to the AP, "there were no serious injuries reported among the other fallen riders or horses."

However, a Canadian horse has now been pulled from the competition and retired.

http://eventingnation.com/home/amistad-withdrawn-from-the-olympics-and-retired-due-to-tendon-tear.html

[I]The bad news continues for Team Canada this evening with word that Michelle Mueller’s horse Amistad has been withdrawn for the Olympics and will be retired from competing. Michelle Mueller has released the following statement on her website:

“After conferring with the Canadian Team Vet, Amistad will be withdrawn from the Olympic competition due to a torn tendon and will be retired from competing.”[/I]

[subk]

[QUOTE=voltaire51147;6467428]
Good way to get experience for a rider without giving up a Team placement. When could she legally ride for the US internationally? I know you can’t switch countries like underwear.[/QUOTE]
I beleive her plans are to quit riding and go to college. There has never been a sense thatshe has a long term committment to the sport.

[Equibrit]

According to a press release from the Canadian Olympic Committee, Bennett-Awad suffered a concussion and a stable sacral fracture – a common injury to the vertebrae just above the tailbone.

She was transported from the event at Greenwich Park to hospital by ambulance and was admitted for observation and pain management. The COC said that her concussion is improving significantly.

Equine Canada said that they expect she will be released from hospital tomorrow.

The Langley, B.C., rider was riding the thoroughbred Gin & Juice, who briefly ran away after the fall.

Teammate Peter Barry of Dunham, Quebec, also fell from his horse during the event and failed to finish. He was unhurt.

[wanderlust]

@subk;6467574

I beleive her plans are to quit riding and go to college. There has never been a sense thatshe has a long term committment to the sport.

I’d just like to point out that quitting high-level competition to concentrate on college doesn’t mean she won’t ride again after the 4 years. Isn’t that what people on this board generally encourage the youngsters to do? Focus on college and not on riding?

[wildfox]

[QUOTE=subk;6467574]
I beleive her plans are to quit riding and go to college. There has never been a sense thatshe has a long term committment to the sport.[/QUOTE]

Her parents gave her the option to postpone going to university in order to focus on making it to the Olympics, and in exchange they would completely support her goal. I’ve never once gotten the sense from her that she’ll quit altogether, just that she will no longer be trying to be in the upper echelon of competition. Who knows what she’ll do 4 years from now.

[alicen]

@Guin;6467112

That says he is the commentor for the BBC, not NBC online. Unless the NBC live online feed is using his commentary? Can that be confirmed?

Actually, I’m going to correct myself. The voice and accent sounds more like Ian Stark. From a Brit tv listing about the olympics: “With commentary by Michael Tucker and Ian Stark. Coverage continues on BBC2.” Here’s Ian Stark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab8EkCzn64c

[subk]

[QUOTE=wanderlust;6467584]
I’d just like to point out that quitting high-level competition to concentrate on college doesn’t mean she won’t ride again after the 4 years. Isn’t that what people on this board generally encourage the youngsters to do? Focus on college and not on riding?[/QUOTE]
Absolutely, she gets no criticism from me for that! But I do beleive I read an interview that was very noncomittal as to whether she would continuing riding at some point after college. I’ve certainly not seen it publically expressed as a desire or goal. It would also go against the typical pattern of young riders for her to come back, so I’m hopeful just not expectant.

I like Nina a lot and wish nothing but the best for her…I’m just hoping Kim will get the ride on all those nice horses for the next few years!

@alicen;6467674

The voice and accent sounds more like Ian Stark. From a Brit tv listing about the olympics: “With commentary by Michael Tucker and Ian Stark. Coverage continues on BBC2.” Here’s Ian Stark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab8EkCzn64c

Don’t think it’s Ian. The accent is wrong. It was also pretty obvious that the commentator was highly experieced at the job. Not some rider picking up a gig.

Here’s Mike Tucker. I think he sounds right.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyZCjP0Ziro&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL86F280BE4C1094D4

[867-5309]

I asked this way earlier this AM on page 3 and haven’t had time to go thru all 40 pages, is there way excessive tree ducking than normal or is it just me? Helmet covers getting yanked off? Did they design the course that way on purpose?? Struck me as unplanned, who wants to lose an eye?

[archieflies]

Looks like a number of riders left the box with helmet covers and came home without them! What a souvenir that would be to catch a helmet cover lost by a member of the royal family while competing in the Olympics!

[Blugal]

Re: tree ducking

The riders had the option of riding wider lines… I know a course designer who would leave strategic branches. He said it’s all part of the game… and more natural than much of today’s decorations/designs which are meant to influence riders.

[archieflies]

[QUOTE=Blugal;6467699]
and more natural than much of today’s decorations/designs which are meant to influence riders.[/QUOTE]

You mean like those ridiculous things (what were they?) between the walls at 3? Had they not been there, Bouckaert may have recovered… silly, useless, and unfair. There were enough challenges in that line without having non-jump crap there for horses to trip over if they’re not perfect.

[prudence]

I vote Mike Tucker!!

[Divine_Comedy]

[QUOTE=archieflies;6467707]
You mean like those ridiculous things (what were they?) between the walls at 3? Had they not been there, Bouckaert may have recovered… silly, useless, and unfair. There were enough challenges in that line without having non-jump crap there for horses to trip over if they’re not perfect.[/QUOTE]

I’m sure those plants were placed there with the express purpose of making the line harder. Course designers do that kind of thing all the time at the upper levels. I disagree with the statement that it’s unfair. Although the angles must have been pretty sharp, that’s a pretty common question at this level, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect the riders’ lines to be perfect. If you know your horse doesn’t quite hold his line, particularly early in the course, take the extra few seconds and commit to the long route in the first place, particularly as the long route was very quick.

[dogontired]

SNOOPY

[QUOTE=snoopy;6465488]
HERE WE GO…[/QUOTE]

Post #1 quoted above. One more thought at the end of the day… Snoopy, THANK YOU!!! This thread was wonderful and it was a privilege to follow along (and participate) in the thread.

[yellowbritches]

[QUOTE=Divine Comedy;6467754]
I’m sure those plants were placed there with the express purpose of making the line harder. Course designers do that kind of thing all the time at the upper levels. I disagree with the statement that it’s unfair. Although the angles must have been pretty sharp, that’s a pretty common question at this level, and I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect the riders’ lines to be perfect. If you know your horse doesn’t quite hold his line, particularly early in the course, take the extra few seconds and commit to the long route in the first place, particularly as the long route was very quick.[/QUOTE]

I call them strategically placed shrubbery and I think it is VERY fair. Forces riders to choose their line wisely. Fence 3 would have been a prelim question without those strategically placed shrubbery (maybe not…but it probably wouldn’t have caused nearly so much grief!).