by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 8, 2016
Everyone said Frenchman Pierre Michelet’s cross-country course would make a difference in the Olympic eventing standings and boy, did it, just as it had in the 2014 World Equestrian Games.
It was a real Olympic cross-country course for the first time since the 2000 Games in Sydney. There was nothing soft about it and plenty of thrills and lots of spills (but happily no serious injuries) along the winding route at the Deodoro equestrian center in Rio.
Favorites, both teams and individuals, fell by the wayside. The last water was highly influential, as many riders had trouble managing a straight enough line to take a second brush there, or on the way out to jump a narrow frog, which had yellow strips painted on it at the last minute so it would be more visible to horses.
The USA’s Clark Montgomery, who looked going into the Rio Games as if he had a shot at an individual medal with Loughan Glen, found himself on a horse who wasn’t interested in going cross-country today and retired after refusals that showed the horse’s mindset all too well.
Then his teammate Lauren Kieffer had a twisting jump at a vertical gate with Veronica, and both hit the ground. Neither was hurt, but for a second I flashed back to Veronica’s former rider, Karen O’Connor, who broke her back in an eventing career-ending fall with that mare.
That finished the U.S. for team medals, but pathfinder Boyd Martin had only 3.2 time penalties with the thoroughbred Blackfoot Mystery to hover in sixth place on 50.9 penalties, not too, too far from the podium. Then six-time Olympian Phllip Dutton rode brilliantly as anchor of a team that no longer was in play to bring Mighty Nice home with 3.2 time penalties as well for a score of 46.8 in fifth place. The most dramatic moment of his ride came when he lost his stirrup as “Happy” jumped sort of sideways over a brush. But Phillip persisted, got the stirrup back and nearly made the optimum time.
Australia leads with 150.3 penalties, little more than a show jumping rail ahead of New Zealand (154.8) while France is third with 161. But the Aussies and Kiwis have only three riders still in the game, so no drop score. Even more important, they are out as a team if one of their horses fails the Tuesday morning trot-up. France, third with 161, still has four riders participating.
Germany, favored to take the gold again, has only three riders with the elimination of former reserve rider Julia Krajewski after three refusals. They are on 172.8. Britain dropped to seventh with 252.1 penalties as overnight leader from dressage, William Fox-Pitt, dropped from first to 22d after a refusal with the stallion Chilli Morning. It was the end of a fairytale for William, who struggled back from what could have been a career-ending head injury and seemed in line to realize his dream of an Olympic individual medal.
Chris Burton of Australia, the leader in Rio eventing after cross-country with Santano II. (© Hippo Foto – Dirk Caremans)
Australia’s Christopher Burton moved into the lead with Santano II, adding nothing to his dressage score of 37.6. Ditto defending gold medalist Michael Jung of Germany, clean on his dressage score of 40.9 with Sam and 14 seconds under the optimum time to boot. France’s Nicholas Astier also was fault-free to stand third with Piaf de B’Neville.
New Zealand’s Mark Todd, the two-time Olympic individual gold medalist (1984 and 1988) had two time penalties for 46 total in fourth place. On paper, Phillip and Boyd don’t have an ideal shot at a podium spot, but with the horse inspection yet to come, and show jumping course by ace grand prix jumping designer Guilherme Jorge yet to come, never say never.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 7, 2016
The U.S., seventh after the first day of eventing dressage, moved up to a tie (137.5 penalties) for sixth with New Zealand today after the conclusion of the first phase at the Deodoro complex.
All is not lost, with a tough cross-country test slated for tomorrow, in which the riders must be as clever as French course designer Pierre Michelet. Expect a lot of glance-offs on tricky corners if they don’t deal properly with his signature style of distances.
So things could change, but perhaps more among the top four than below that. Germany leads the way as expected on 122 penalties, with 122.2 for second-place France (I told you to watch them in my Rio preview). Australia is third at 126.4, followed by Britain (127.7), whose William Fox Pitt held his first-day edge on Chilli Morning in the individual standings.
Nice to see Ireland in fifth (135.6), as eventing is the only discipline in which that country has a team this time around. (You remember all the controversy over them not qualifying a squad for the show jumping).
A lot was expected of the U.S. team, being coached for the first time at the Olympics by 2000 Olympic individual gold medalist David O’Connor. But it wound up with pathfinder Boyd Martin on Blackfoot Mystery being the discard score (47.7) in 35th place out of 65 starters. Lauren Kieffer stands 33d on 47.3 penalties after a slightly tense Veronica bobbled in the flying change sequence and was marked with 4’s for the collected canter.
Temperatures were in the low 90s, with uncovered grandstands that looked to me to be 70 percent empty (and I’m being generous here.) Beach volleyball, I noticed, wasn’t a sell-out either. The dressage arena still has plenty of atmosphere, which has affected some of the horses.
Lots of breaks in the trot, some jigging in the walk and distracted flying changes. Hey, even defending champ Michael Jung of Germany on Sam had a flying change problem yesterday that moved him down today to fifth place (40.9). His teammate, Ingrid Klimke on Hale-Bob OLD slotted in ahead of him in fourth (39.5).
A lovely ride from France’s Mathieu Lemoine on Bart L earned two 8’s and a 7.5 for his final flying change and he wound up third with 39.2. Do you think the French know how to ride Pierre’s cross-country courses? I’ll bet they do.
U.S. anchor rider Phillip Dutton on Mighty Nice was doing mighty nicely, getting 7’s for his extended and medium walk, and then had a scrambled flying change. That put him at 43.6, good enough for 15th place to become the top American. Clark Montgomery, who had that honor yesterday, moved down to 24th with his score of 46.6 from yesterday.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 6, 2016
William Fox-Pitt took the lead in Rio for the first day of eventing dressage. (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Good on William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain for coming back from a devastating head injury that kept him off a horse for months last year. He had a lovely dressage test in Rio today with Chilli Morning to take the lead in the eventing with a score of 37 penalties.
“All along Rio has been my target, totally. It was unrealistic, but it was mine,” William said.
“I was in a coma for a couple of weeks and my sight was quite dodgy, I went from blind to seeing double, so when I started jumping, there were two jumps. It’s been a journey, but I’ve had so much support! Mentally I was very tired, I probably still am. I feel like I’m waking up, but slowly.”
With much respect, admiration and congratulations to William, I have to say that personally, I preferred the test of Australia’s Chris Burton, which earned a 37 on Santano II. I like the more flowing way that horse moves.
Everyone anticipated that defending Olympic champion Michael Jung of Germany would top William and Chris, but his score got a debit when Sam FBW anticipated a lead change and switched from the counter-canter in the serpentine, which earned him a lowly mark of 4 for that movement. He wound up with 40.9 penalties, good enough for third individually.
With half the riders on 12 teams gone (the rest ride Sunday), Germany as expected leads the way on 82.5 penalties. Australia is second (83.9), Britain third (84.2) and France fourth (85.4). The U.S. is seventh on 94.3. Boyd Martin earned 47.7 (17th place) with a competent ride on the thoroughbred Blackfoot Mystery, for whom dressage isn’t a strong point. The big anticipation was for today’s other U.S. rider, Clark Montgomery on Loughan Glen, touted by many (including me) as an individual medal possibility.
But Glen kept anticipating, breaking into the canter from the trot on the rail and in the half-pass, as well as switching off from the counter-canter to be marked at 46.6, good enough for 10th at this point.
Any hope of a comeback to medal territory for the U.S. will hinge on how tough the cross-country is and whether it can scramble the scores for those able to handle it. You probably can bet Michael Jung will finish on his dressage score, but what about the others?
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 6, 2016
It’s here, finally, the often-controversial but long-awaited Rio Olympics.
Saturday morning the eventers start off the equestrian competition with their dressage phase, so it’s time to offer my thoughts on who will win the medals.
The least-predictable of the equestrian disciplines is eventing, because cross-country can throw a wrench into the efforts of the most accomplished horse/rider pairing. And while sometimes the Olympic cross-country is considered a touch soft (the better for those from less-advanced eventing countries to get around without major disasters) the fact that Frenchman Pierre Michelet is laying out the route means this course should be quite decisive.
Pierre was the designer for the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, where his technical track and the hilly terrain took their toll. Deodoro, home of the equestrian competition in Rio, also has hills, and as in Normandy, a good number of riders doubtless will find they don’t know the answers to some of the designer’s questions.
The man with all the answers, however, should be defending individual titleist Michael Jung of Germany, a former world champion who will be aboard his most experienced mount, Sam FBW.
Will Michael Jung and Sam repeat their 2012 Olympic success in Rio? (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
Michael is going for double individual gold. If he achieves it, that will be the first time it’s been done in the sport since 1988, when Mark Todd of New Zealand achieved it on Charisma.
At the same time, Michael is expected to lead the German team to gold. He will be backed up by current world champion Sandra Auffarth on Opgun Louvo and veteran Ingrid Klimke (her father was individual and team dressage gold medalist at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and brought medals home from a bunch of other Games as well.) She will be on Hale-Bob Old.
Andreas Ostholt, the fourth member of the team, was replaced in the wake of So Is Et losing a shoe. Even though Andreas’ horse passed the jog, team officials didn’t want to take a chance. Julia Krajewski was chosen to take his spot with Samourai du Thot. But remember, only three scores count.
Even so, anything can happen, and there are other teams that have a good shot at the medals. Australia, New Zealand, fast-rising France and perhaps even Brazil, with the home country wind at this squad’s back.
Britain looks to be weaker than usual, though you can’t count out any squad that has William Fox-Pitt. Will he be the same William he was before a devastating accident last fall took him out of the game for months? We’ll see.
The U.S. has Olympic experience in Boyd Martin (Blackfoot Mystery) and especially Phillip Dutton (Mighty Nice), who earned Olympic team gold twice with the squad from his native Australia before becoming an American. Games newbies Lauren Kieffer (Veronica) and Clark Montgomery (Loughan Glen) should be well up to the task. Experts consider Clark the best chance the U.S. has for an individual medal, and the team shouldn’t be counted out of the medal race. But figure that after Germany, France and New Zealand have shorter odds to stand on the podium.
Dressage, in contrast to eventing, is the most predictable of the equestrian disciplines. As U.S. coach Robert Dover puts it, “regardless of whether it’s Germany, Rio or London, we’re still basically in a sandbox that’s exactly like the sandbox in Wellington or Aachen.”
Germany is incredibly strong, with numbers 1, 2 and 3 on the international ranking list offering an air of invincibility for its squad. Kristina Broring-Sprehe (Desperados FRH); Isabell Werth (Weiheigold OLD) and Dorothee Schneider (Showtime FRH) are unlikely to be nudged off the top step of the podium, even with a British team anchored by Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, the record holders for the Grand Prix, the Special and the Freestyle. Charlotte’s mentor and 2012 gold medal teammate, Carl Hester, will be right in there with Nip Tuck, and the two other members of that squad should support the stars admirably for silver.
Could Valegro end his competitive career with another individual gold for 2012 star Charlotte Dujardin? (Photo by Nancy Jaffer)
The Dutch could be contenders for the bronze, but if there is a weak link among the potential team medalists, they’re it. And the U.S. has been working hard for a chance to ascend that podium with an impressive squad of Steffen Peters (Legolas), the only Olympic veteran; Laura Graves (Verdades), Allison Brock (Rosevelt) and Kasey Perry-Glass (Goerklintgaard’s Dublet). Sweden would seem most likely to be fifth.
Individually, Charlotte looks as if she will claim her second Olympic individual gold in what likely is Valegro’s last competition. Pick two of the Germans for the other individual placings.
Show jumping also may go to the Germans to make it an equestrian clean sweep for that nation (Christian Ahlmann is the world’s number one at the moment), but this actually is the USA’s chance for gold. Kent Farrington (Voyeur) and McLain Ward (HH Azur) are fourth and fifth in the world rankings, behind France’s Simon Delestre and Penelope Leprevost. Also on the U.S. team — the same one that took bronze at the 2014 WEG, with the exception of HH Azur — is Beezie Madden (Cortes C), individual bronze medalist at the WEG, and Lucy Davis, who has turned in fault-free round after fault-free round on Barron in the selection observation events.
The French, obviously, are a real threat, but the British–who took gold in London four years ago–have only one returning rider/horse combination, Nick Skelton on Big Star. The Dutch, world champions, can medal if they ride up to their 2014 level.
Teams less likely to figure, but still in with a chance are Sweden, Qatar, Ukraine and maybe Brazil, with former U.S. chef d’equipe George Morris coaching.
The 2012 individual gold medalist Steve Guerdat of Switzerland (also the 2015 World Cup champion) is trying for his double on Nino des Buissonnets.
Perhaps 2012 individual show jumping gold medalist Steve Guerdat of Switzerland will have a repeat on Nino des Buissonets. (Photo copyright by Nancy Jaffer)
What are the odds of all three individual gold medalists repeating their 2012 London success in Rio, with the same horses, yet. It’s an interesting and exciting possibility.
But the USA could have a show jumping spoiler in McLain, who’s ready for the biggest moment of his career.
If you saw the opening ceremonies, you’re geared up for the Games. Whether it’s via computer, tablet, phone or TV, be sure to follow the equestrians and cheer them on.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 3, 2016
Marilyn Payne, president of the eventing ground jury at the Olympics, will be reporting on her experience at the Games at Beval Saddlery in Gladstone Aug. 20.
The occasion is a fundraiser for her daughter, Holly Payne Caravella, who is heading to the Burghley, England 4-star in September with Never Outfoxed. Tickets are $50 in advance and $75 at the door. Other attractions are wine and beer, a buffet and hors d’oeuvres, as well as 20 percent off on shopping and a silent auction.
Holly got a grant that will help get her and Fox to Burghley, but she needs another $25,000 to make the trip.
Holly Payne and Never Outoxed completed cross-country in the rain at the Rolex Kentucky 4-star this year.
Tickets for the event, which runs from 5-8 p.m., may be bought in advance at Beval’s, the Gladstone Tavern, Somerset Grain in Benardsville, Applewood Farm in Tewksbury, the Oldwick General Store and Old Fox Farm in Chester. They also are available through facebook.com/foxsyndicate or https://www.gofundme.com/2fq3ey2s.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 1, 2016
The chatter at this weekend’s International Bromont show in Canada was that the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games might find a home in Eastern Europe. Word was, though totally unconfirmed, of course, that the Samorin Equestrian Center in Slovakia could be under consideration.
And today, Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Tryon Equestrian Partners, announced the Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina is in play for the WEG in an effort to have it stay in North America after Bromont bowed out for financial reasons.
Bromont couldn’t get support from the Canadian government for its effort, but Tryon already has the governors of North and South Carolina on its side. Tryon also is working with United States Equestrian Federation to keep the WEG on this side of the Atlantic. It’s a lot less expensive for USEF to send horses and riders to North Carolina than to Eastern Europe.
Are there other contenders for the 2018 WEG? The FEI will only say at this point, “We are looking at all options and will make an announcement shortly.”
Samorin will be hosting the endurance world championships in September. Meg Sleeper of Frenchtown has been named to the U.S. team with Shyrocco Rimbaud, a 10-year-old Anglo-Arab gelding.
There’s more going on at Samorin than endurance, however. It just wrapped up a 3-star show where the U.S. developing jumper riders were competing. It is located near the country’s capital of Bratislava.
The center, which is two years old, has 640 stalls and six arenas, three grass and three sand. There are two indoor arenas, and the complex is surrounded by a racetrack.
