I watched history today. There really is only one Michael Jung – literally, if you look on the FEIs database. To win Badminton, Rolex and Olympic gold all in one year PLUS back-to-back Olympic gold on the SAME horse. Truly a legend. I had hoped that Christopher Barton and Santano II would at least make it onto the podium, but I suppose all of this is a bit much to ask of a nine year-old. It was nice to see Astier Nicolas up there after his stellar clear cross-country round, at 27 years-old and previously ranked 17th (he’ll obviously get a boost from the silver) he’ll be fun to watch.
The team competition was also very exciting coming down to the very last rides. I thought the Aussies had it and then I thought the Kiwis would, but both teams had rails and didn’t have the benefit of a drop score so the French conquered them all.
It was also tremendously exciting to watch Rebecca and Riddle Master do so well, finishing 10th overall. The same pair had been eliminated after a fall on cross-country at the London Olympics so to come back so strong must have been particularly satisfying.
Team Canada finished 10th which isn’t stellar, but I take a little bit of solice that we managed to beat three other teams: Sweden, USA, and Russia. Sweden and Russia aren’t exactly eventing powerhouses, but I don’t think that the US would have thought they would be this far down the standings, or below us in particular. On the bright side, tenth is an improvement over dead last where we finished in London after a spate of falls on cross-country. The riders are working hard and unfailingly put on bright smiles, but I know the drama surrounding the Canadian Eventing Committee is wearing. The situation has gotten so bad that several Canadian riders have publicly discussed changing countries or ignoring the team all together until the powers that govern are changed. Lesley Grant-Law has detailed some of the issues quite aptly in this blog and some comments after further help illustrate the point. With all the issues laid bare AND the pronouncement from the judge presiding over Jessica Phoenix’s appeal stating that coach Clayton Fredericks was not fair in his evaluations, they may finally be forced to act or face further public ridicule and possibly desertion.
I leave you with my Top 11 List of Bum Art – I got an extra one at the last minute – THANK YOU CEALY – and couldn’t choose. My apologies to Japan as I’m told that “Japan” was stenciled on their butts and I missed it… probably some others as well, I apologize!
Stripes and zig-zags
The three crowns of Sweden.
Triangles and zig-zags
Puerto Rico proud!
Not the best pic, but the Olympic rings with the star over top was pretty cool.
The Chinese rider had the stars from the Chinese flag.
The Kiwis give a nod to the fern that didn’t get voted onto their flag.
Lucky Charm… not so lucky this time.
Forenza Italia!
Rio 2016
