Nancy Jaffer
EQUESTRIAN SPORTS
NEWS AND FEATURES
FROM NEW JERSEY AND BEYOND
An Olympic medal now up to U.S. show jumpers: UPDATE
It was disappointment on top of heartbreak for U.S. dressage during the final day of Grand Prix competition Wednesday, as six-time Olympian Steffen Peters put in a test that didn't come close to breaking 70 percent, uncharacteristically finishing on a lackluster...
So what else happened in Olympic dressage?
While the elimination of Marcus Orlob's ride, Jane, for a tiny cut on her fetlock was the biggest news as the Olympic dressage competition got under way in Paris (click here to read the story), the big picture of the discipline there was quite compelling. In his...
Ben Maher swaps Olympic mounts
The defending Olympic show jumping individual gold medalist, Ben Maher of Great Britain, is switching rides to defend his title in the competition that begins Thursday in Paris. Point Break, the horse he was scheduled to compete, is "down to form, post-travel."...
U.S. dressage team member Orlob in shock elimination at Olympics
The Cinderella story of dressage did not have a happy ending, as the USA’s Marcus Orlob and Jane were eliminated in their Olympic debut partway through their Grand Prix test after a judge spotted a nick on the mare's right hind leg. Although it was small, it showed up...
An Olympic cross-country course to remember at Versailles: UPDATE
After the first few competitors finished the beautiful Paris Olympics cross-country course on Sunday, from an armchair perspective it may have seemed almost too easy, like a trail ride with challenges. Britain’s pathfinder, Tom McEwen, completed within the 9-minute,...
Eventing dressage produces two Olympic records in Paris
The Phantom of the Opera, a funky fashion show, that mechanical horse with a silver-clad rider galloping down the Seine, where boats full of jubilant athletes celebrated the glory of being Olympians. A rare performance by ailing Celine Dion, a tortured torch relay...
A big change in the U.S. Olympic eventing team
Reserve rider Liz Halliday and Nutcracker are replacing Will Coleman and Diabolo on the U.S. eventing squad after Will's horse--a replacement for his original mount, Off the Record--started experiencing discomfort. The switch was made just before the first horse...
Who will win in Paris? Predictions for all three disciplines: UPDATED July 26
There is no such thing as a sure thing. Remember that when you and your friends are guessing—even doing educated guessing—about who will win the equestrian medals at the Olympics. As the Games get under way this week in Paris, there are, of course, clear favorites....
U.S. Olympic eventing team horse replaced and other subs
Will Coleman will be riding his back-up mount, Diabolo, rather than the more experienced Off the Record with the U.S. eventing team in the Olympics, where competition begins Saturday. No reason was given for the substitution announced Wednesday. Diabolo was a direct...
Horse welfare will be in focus at the Olympics
With social license to operate looming large over horse sports, special attention is being paid to equine welfare on equestrian's biggest stage. The "Be a Guardian" initiative was announced just before the Olympics, as the FEI (international equestrian federation)...
