by Susan Stafford-Pooley My first live Olympic show jumping experience was today, watching the first individual qualifier. I walked the course this morning and thought that if this as supposed to be the “Welcome” class, it sure wasn’t very

by Susan Stafford Pooley My mental health day yesterday was fabulous – I went to the main transportation hub (mind-boggling number of buses), visited the Main Press Centre to get my cool Olympic swag, walked around Olympic Park for a while, then ho

It’s a down day at the equestrian venue in Deodoro, Rio de Janeiro. The jumpers had their training day, 90 seconds in the ring to do what they liked. There was a short course set up that they could jump if they wanted, with many opting to simpl

                      by Susan Stafford-Pooley The Dressage Team event wrapped up today following the Grand Prix Special. The Germans, who own some of the most talented horseflesh in the world th

I got schooled today! The inimitable Christilot Boylen joined me in the media seats today after Anton was finished and back in the barn. The six-time Olympian, who has trained Belinda for 23 years and Megan for the last 2 ½, gave a master class on d

Finally, the entire day’s focus is on the athletes and not bullets! My mood has improved from a combination of great competition, the cease fire, and the beer stand I’ve found that isn’t busy during the break. Belinda was awesome!! She was fu

by Susan Stafford-Pooley Day 2 of Olympic Grand Prix dressage featured some real superstars in that exclusive club. They were a joy to watch, even for a hard-core eventing/jumping fan like me. I love the live scoring; you can rate each movement in yo

It was an exciting start to the day when I got a text asking if I had heard anything about a media bus being shot at! Nothing like the news of more bullets flying to get the adrenaline pumping first thing. I pulled out my computer and a colleague had

by Susan Stafford-Pooley Early this morning I was thinking I wouldn’t have a whole lot to write about today, as it was only the first day of dressage and we only had one rider going. Boy, was I wrong! First of all, Megan Lane and Caravella had

by Susan Stafford-Pooley As many of you know, this is my first Olympic Games. I have been to more jumper shows and three-day events than I care to remember, and I am a bit of a tough old bird by nature, but I have to say that watching Michael Jung wi