KT - you're right. We're just a little place by comparison - but all our athletes have huge hearts
I understood what you meant re the Brazilian lad - it was just so delightful - like all his Christmases had come at once! So easy to be cynical about high level competition, but his face was a reminder of what they all do it for. Personal achievement yes, but also the pride in doing it for their country. Andy is a perfect example of that - a proud Brit.
My daughter showed me this last night and we had such a good laugh, so I hope it entertains you all too
Do you mean last competition or last Olympics? One of the commentators said she'd be at the London Horse Show at Olympia, but he didn't know if Valegro would make the next Olympics at the age of 18.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
This is sad, the coach of Germany's Olympic canoe slalom team has died from head injuries after his taxi crashed into a concrete barrier in Rio de Janeiro. He was only 35.
There will be a memorial service in the Olympic village today and the International Olympic Committee is to fly the German flag at half-mast at all venues.
Very sad Daisy - heard it on the news when it happened too. A reminder of that fragile thread we all hang by.
BL - I hope they retire Valegro now. It would be a shame to watch him deteriorate, although I doubt Carl would ever allow that. It would be a great high to go out on. The freedom and movement he has through his shoulders and front, especially in that extended trot, is sheer class.
I was going to say head and 'shoulders' above the others ...
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Absolutely agree Fairy - that's the great thing about dressage - some people think it looks unnatural, but a horse cannot perform the movements correctly unless he is fit and supple and in good condition. Valegro's extended trot brings tears to my eyes - it's sooooooooooooo beautiful
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
There's such a limited time a horse can be in the Olympics and it needs some years of training before they start. When a horse is 9 or 10 they call it young. Valegro is 14, but by the next Olympics it's old at 18. I don't really know much about Valegro but he seems such a nice natured horse too and he and Charlotte have a true partnership.
Dressage isn't really unnatural, my old Archie, who recently died aged 28, mostly Arab breed, didn't enjoy dressage - he loved going out exploring the countryside. But when he was playing in the paddock he could look like a dressage horse and do movements like passage for the sheer fun of it. He used to play hide and seek with my daughter around the trees. But my Hannah, a Lusitano, liked dressage and hated riding out, found it frightening. When she did ridden extended trot in the sand school she seemed so proud of herself, I could almost feel her smiling!
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
BL - you're right - nine or ten is young for a competition horse, in any of the disciplines, at that level. They don't just become Grand Prix/Olympic/World Champion standard in a couple of years. The sign of greatness is when they look like they're doing it on their own. You know someone has real class when riders from the other disciplines go to the arena to watch, which is what happened yesterday.
Watched Carl's test today as I missed it - really excellent. He's such a gifted horseman. Exceptional hands - which is why all his horses are so light in front. A sheer pleasure to watch. Hope you can catch some of those programmes he did - Fantastic Elastic was one. They're terrific.
Did anyone see the weightlifter with his little 'dance' after each lift? Brilliant!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I loved Carl's test too. I was so hoping he'd get a medal after all he's done for the GB team. I've now found I can get Horse and Country now that OH has a free card, funny that when he had a paying one I couldn't get it.
Disappointing about the Show Jumping results. John Whitaker getting 23 faults! I didn't see Nick Skelton's horse fault at the water even on replay. 3 riders eliminated for excessive use of spurs (not GB), disgraceful, you'd think they'd know better at this level. No GB in tomorrow's competition
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Posts
Totally brilliant FG. Thanks for sharing.
Do you mean last competition or last Olympics? One of the commentators said she'd be at the London Horse Show at Olympia, but he didn't know if Valegro would make the next Olympics at the age of 18.
This is sad, the coach of Germany's Olympic canoe slalom team has died from head injuries after his taxi crashed into a concrete barrier in Rio de Janeiro. He was only 35.
There will be a memorial service in the Olympic village today and the International Olympic Committee is to fly the German flag at half-mast at all venues.
Desperately sad
Very sad Daisy - heard it on the news when it happened too. A reminder of that fragile thread we all hang by.
BL - I hope they retire Valegro now. It would be a shame to watch him deteriorate, although I doubt Carl would ever allow that. It would be a great high to go out on. The freedom and movement he has through his shoulders and front, especially in that extended trot, is sheer class.
I was going to say head and 'shoulders' above the others ...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Absolutely agree Fairy - that's the great thing about dressage - some people think it looks unnatural, but a horse cannot perform the movements correctly unless he is fit and supple and in good condition. Valegro's extended trot brings tears to my eyes - it's sooooooooooooo beautiful
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
There's such a limited time a horse can be in the Olympics and it needs some years of training before they start. When a horse is 9 or 10 they call it young. Valegro is 14, but by the next Olympics it's old at 18. I don't really know much about Valegro but he seems such a nice natured horse too and he and Charlotte have a true partnership.
Dressage isn't really unnatural, my old Archie, who recently died aged 28, mostly Arab breed, didn't enjoy dressage - he loved going out exploring the countryside. But when he was playing in the paddock he could look like a dressage horse and do movements like passage for the sheer fun of it. He used to play hide and seek with my daughter around the trees. But my Hannah, a Lusitano, liked dressage and hated riding out, found it frightening. When she did ridden extended trot in the sand school she seemed so proud of herself, I could almost feel her smiling!
Oh to be able to move like the women gymnasts in tonight's final.
Superb and a Bronze for the 16 year old
BL - you're right - nine or ten is young for a competition horse, in any of the disciplines, at that level. They don't just become Grand Prix/Olympic/World Champion standard in a couple of years. The sign of greatness is when they look like they're doing it on their own. You know someone has real class when riders from the other disciplines go to the arena to watch, which is what happened yesterday.
Watched Carl's test today as I missed it - really excellent. He's such a gifted horseman. Exceptional hands - which is why all his horses are so light in front. A sheer pleasure to watch. Hope you can catch some of those programmes he did - Fantastic Elastic was one. They're terrific.
Did anyone see the weightlifter with his little 'dance' after each lift? Brilliant!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I loved Carl's test too. I was so hoping he'd get a medal after all he's done for the GB team. I've now found I can get Horse and Country now that OH has a free card, funny that when he had a paying one I couldn't get it.
Disappointing about the Show Jumping results. John Whitaker getting 23 faults! I didn't see Nick Skelton's horse fault at the water even on replay. 3 riders eliminated for excessive use of spurs (not GB), disgraceful, you'd think they'd know better at this level. No GB in tomorrow's competition