Dressage - Horse Ballet

First, you need a mount (any equine) with good conformation for ease of movement.

Second, you need an excellent instructor.

Third, you need to practice, practice, practice.

Fourth, any mistake is the rider's, not the horse.

Thank yous are always welcome.

Olympic Horses and Riders

Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz and Fuego truly impressed me this year

In 2008, I cringed when Czech Republic rider David Svoboda and his horse HunHun, from the Czech National Stud, crashed through a fence during the modern pentathlon.

This year, the Cross Country course at Greenwich Park became slippery as more horses competed

I will always hold dear in my memories that I was privileged to see Joe Fargis on Touch of Class (above), Conrad Homfeld on Abdullah, and Greg Best on Gem Twist.  Those were fantastic years.

Individual Dressage, Olympics Wrap-Up

The rides in the Grand Prix Individual Dressage that NBC aired yesterday morning were breath-taking.  I have to admit that I was watching sitting astride a kitchen chair, and trying to guide each horse with my legs and back.  I was exhausted by the time that Charlotte Dujardin made the last ride on Valegro, and took the Gold medal for Great Britain.  Adelinde Cornelissen on Parzival garnered the Silver medal for the Netherlands, and Laura Bechtolsheimer on Mistral Hojris took the Bronze - also for Great Britain.  I also totally enjoyed the rides of three others in particular:  Anky van Grunsven was riding the great Salinero, now 18 - they finished in 6th; Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz on Fuego, performed their Spanish dances and won 10th place; I was disappointed that Steffen Peters and Ravel were 17th out of 18 horse and rider pairs, but they gave their best for our country.  It was a truly magical morning, watching these fantastic horses and riders perform Grand Prix Freestyle to such wonderful music.
  The United States, for the first time since 1956 (when I was born), did not win a single equestrian medal; nor did Canada.  The final count was spread across five countries:  Great Britain had 5; Germany 4; the Netherlands 4; Switzerland 1; and Sweden 1.  Great Britain earned 3 Golds, 1 Silver, and 1 Bronze; Germany garnered 2 Golds, 1 Silver, and 1 Bronze; the Netherlands earned 3 Silvers and 1 Bronze; Switzerland got 1 Gold; and Sweden earned 1 Silver.
   The final competition using horses will be the Modern Pentathlon, with the Mens competition being Saturday, and the Womens test on Sunday.  The modern pentathlon consists of five disciplines (from Greek word pente) that will be contested on a single day in the following order:
1. Fencing: Epee (35 bouts)
2. Swimming: 200m freestyle
3. Equestrian: Show jumping (15 jumps)
4. Combined event: 3000m (1.82 miles) cross-country running + laser pistol (15 targets)
It should be an interesting event!
    Last night, the Broncos steam-rolled the Bears, winning 31 to 3...  Of course, it's the pre-season.  Of course, Peyton Manning did start for the Broncos.  Of course, Jay Cutler did not start for the Bears...  In any event, it was a fun game to watch.  I have found that the NFL Channel will be showing the Jets games tonight, so I can watch Tim Tebow (whenever he's allowed on the field)...
   My kits wanted lots of love this morning, but seem to be content at the moment.  Rosie and Remy had a great afternoon, evening, and night.  I was a little freaked out to arrive at the house yesterday afternoon and find the garden crew having a "war" in the street, using crab apples and gooseberries for ammunition.  The head gardener had called Nancy and told her that the plants were absolutely parched, so I gave them 4 times the usual amount of water this morning...  And I start caring for Shady and Cloudy today, also.
   I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Equestrian - Individual Jumping Finals

I was lucky to be able to see the last round of the Individual Jumping competition, as well as the Jump-off for the Silver and Bronze.  I had hoped that Nick Skelton would make a clear ride, so there would be a jump-off for the Gold, but his mount ticked the front, top rail of the final oxer - and Nick ended up out of the medals.  The Gold was won by Steve Guerdat - the first Swiss rider to win a gold medal in 88 years; Gerco Schroder, of the Netherlands, took the Silver, after  Cian O'Connor, of Ireland, took down a rail in the jump-off and was awarded the Bronze.  Rich Fellers finished 8th in the Individual for the US, and Ian Millar tied for 9th for Canada.  The Individual Dressage competition is underway on MSNBC this morning.
  Lovey is sitting on the corner of my desk, occasionally butting my chin with her head, while Nedi is out pestering the raven family in the back yard.  Rosie and Remy both slept with me last night, and I had some really strange dreams about my husband, Jeff, and I herding cattle in New York state - but it was through some steep and narrow pine-clad ravines, that seemed more like Washington state...  It was just weird.
   Tonight, I must admit that I won't be watching the Olympics, as I'll be watching Payton Manning quarterback the Broncos for at least one quarter against the Chicago Bears.  And if I can find coverage of the Jets game tomorrow evening, I'll be watching that as well, so I can see Tim Tebow (I hope).  I still think that the Broncos should have kept Tim Tebow, and allowed him to absorb the wisdom and game-reading skills of Manning - ah, what might have been!

Photos: 2012 Equestrian Olympics

Ian Millar and Star Power, of Canada, compete in the Grand Prix Jumping competition

Jan Ebeling, riding Ann Romney's Rafalca (USET), today

Tina Konyot riding Calecto V (USET) today

Steffen Peters on Ravel (USET) today

Goodbye to a Fantastic Pianist

I can't quite grasp the fact that Marvin Hamlisch is no longer with us.  His music will, I'm sure, live on for ever - but the man who created such wonderful music is gone.  He died yesterday after a brief illness, according to his family.  He wrote the scores of many movies, and a large number of plays - and was awarded with three Academy Awards, four Emmys, one Tony, and three Golden Globe Awards.  He was 68 years old.  It doesn't seem possible that this great fountain of music will create no more.
  In the Equestrian Olympic Games, there was a jump-off yesterday to break the tie for first place in the Team Jumping competition;  Great Britain got the gold, the Netherlands took home the silver, and Saudi Arabia took the bronze.  Canada finished fifth, and the US ended in sixth place.  The Individual Jumping rounds will take place tomorrow -  Nick Skelton on Big Star (Great Britain), Maikel van der Vleuten on Verdi, and Marc Houtzager on Tamino, both from the Netherlands, qualified without any faults; Rich Fellers and Flexible (US) and Ian Millar on Star Power (Canada) are tied in 11th place with 8 faults each.
  The Team Dressage competition has ended, with Grat Britain taking the gold, Germany the silver, and the Netherlands got the bronze.  The Grand Prix Freestyle dressage rides will decide the Individual medalists on Thursday.  Charlotte Dujardin on Valegro is currently in first place, with the Netherlands in second, and another English rider in third.  Steffen Peters on Ravel is the only USA rider to proceed to the finals - they are currently tied in 7th place with a score of 76.254.
  And, a Longmont man who crashed into nine cars after taking pain medication and smoking marijuana pleaded guilty this morning to two counts of vehicular assault causing serious bodily injury.  Sean Marino, 43, entered the plea in Boulder District Court before Judge Thomas Mulvahill. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped misdemeanor charges of DUI, reckless driving and 11 counts of careless driving.  Marino was arrested in March after police say he was driving at a "very high rate of speed" on 19th Street and collided with a car at Cedar Avenue with three people in it. Marino then hit a parked car before slamming into four other cars stopped at a red light at Iris Avenue, police said. The impact pushed one of the cars into the intersection, causing it to collide with other cars.
   Ten people were sent to the hospital as a result of the crash -- including Marino himself. Marino told police he had taken Percocet, a narcotic pain medication that contains oxycodone, for stomach pain before the accident. He also was taking anti-seizure medication and smoked marijuana before the crash, though both were prescribed, according to prosecutors. He also did not have valid insurance.  He is out on bond and will be sentenced on October 5, 2012.  I think that this man should never be allowed to drive any vehicle, even a lawn mower, for the rest of his life.

Oh Me, Oh My

After the finish of the first day's Dressage Test, the American rider with the highest score was Jan Ebeling riding Anne Romney's Rafalo; today, after another 25 horses have competed, the US leading rider is Steffen Peters on Ravel in 6th place.  Tina Konyat, on Calecto V, is in 27th, and Ebeling has fallen to 30th.  Adrienne Lyle and Wizard did not qualify for the Special or Freestyle.   Great Britain is leading Germany and the Netherlands in Team competition; Denmark is fourth, and the US is fifth.  And, unfortunately, there is an alleged abuse report against Patrik Kittel, of the Swedidh team, of using rollkur on his mount, Scandic.  (Rollkur is defined as "flexion of the horse's neck achieved through aggressive force" and banned by equestrian's world governing body. Fans have alleged Kittel has continued to use the method since the ban.)
  I have had a blast watching Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte swim, I've been cheering on Missy Franklin (a local girl), and Taylor Phinney.  I've thoroughly enjoyed the cycling, beach volleyball, and synchronized diving competitions.  So far, the high point for me was seeing Gabby Douglas (aka "the Flying Squirrel") take the Gold in All-Round Gymnastics.  That 16-year-old is a superb example to girls every where! - And so are her team-mates!
  I am home, other than walking doggies, until Wednesday.  It will be nice to settle in with Lovey and Nedi and relax with them.  I hope that all of you have a wonderful weekend!

2012 Three-Day Event Results

No one riding on the US Team, nor as a US individual, earned a medal in the Eventing tests.  Team results were: Gold - Germany, Silver - Great Britain, Bronze - New Zealand.  The Queen of England's granddaughter, Zara Phillips, helped earn the Silver Team medal for Great Britain.  Both of Zara's parents, Princess Anne and Mark Phillips, rode in the Olympics themselves. The US Team finished in seventh position.
 As individuals, Michael Jung (riding Sam) won the Gold for Germany; Sara Algotsson Osthost (mounted on Wega) won the Silver medal for Sweden; and Sandra Auffarth (working with Opgun Louvo) won the Bronze for Germany.  Zara Phillips (on High Kingdom) finished 8th as an individual, and Karen O'Connor (on Mr. Medicott) was the highest-placed US rider at 9th position. If you'd like to look at spills and falls from the Cross-Country phase, they may be viewed at:
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/equestrian/highlights-crashes-in-cross-country-eventing.html
   Grand Prix Dressage competition begins tomorrow.

Michael Jung on Sam in the Dressage phase - German team

Sara Algotsson Osthost on Wega going Cross-Counrty - Swedish team

Sandra Auffarth on Opgun Louvo in Stadium Jumping - German team

Zara Phillips and High Kingdom going Cross-Country - Great Britain's team

Karen O'Connor and Mr. Medicott going Cross-Country - Team USA

Olympic Opening Ceremonies (& More Horses!)

I am still riding high, wide, and beautiful from the wonderful 87th Annual Chincoteague Pony Penning.  I am in good spirits, and my kits have been having a blast with me at home.  I started house-sitting this morning for Rosie and Remy; and tomorrow evening will move in with Brandi for a week; and I'll be caring for Peach tomorrow and Sunday, so I'll be running about like a maniac for two days (and missing Lovey and Nedi terribly). 
  I am looking forward to seeing the Olympics Opening Ceremonies tonight - they start at 6:30 p.m. MDT on the local NBC station.  And, of course, I'll be most interested in the Equestrian competitions taking place at Greenwich Park.  (The Park venue is being guarded by a British Navy warship in the Thames.)  Hopefully, the planned scheduling of the horse-related events will happen as scheduled - even though most of it takes place in the early morning in the U. S.  If you'd like more information on the United States Equestrian Team, on the competitions that will occur, or just to check the times of viewing in your area, please visit:  http://www.nbcolympics.com/equestrian/index.html
I'm interested in all of the phases and stages of the equestrian tests - the Dressage, the Stadium Jumping (Grand Prix Jumping), the Three Day Eventing, and the Pentathlon. 
  Horses used for Eventing always amaze me - they are usually playful, but calm, in the barn - but talk about being energized!  These horses seem to almost jump out of their own skins once a saddle and rider is upon their backs.  Eventing used to be the way that Army Cavalry horses were chosen - they had to be well-trained enough to perform a dressage test, had to have the power and endurance to jump the Cross-Country course, and then had to be tractable enough to perform the stadium jumping, where the slightest touch will bring down an obstacle.  It's grueling for both horses and riders - and I salute each and every horse and rider - from each and every country they represent - because I am aware of how much training and intensive work must be put into each and every mount.  Blessings to all of the horses and riders!

Art vs. Tricks

It's a silly thing to get peeved about.... The TV news announcer had no knowledge of horses, or about the training of horses. She was interviewing a man whose Friesian horse performs dressage and tricks while in driving reins. Tonight and tomorrow night at the National Western Stock Show, An Evening of Dancing Horses will be presented; a show "packed full of formal dressage, freestyle reining, drill elements and plenty more equestrian disciplines. Plus, it's all choreographed to the music of the Denver Brass." The trainer told the interviewer that his horse would do the piaffe, a dressage movement, and would also rear on command, a trick. The Friesian, Saber, reared on command, and then was asked to piaffe; he did both and the interviewer, as well as the folks back at the station, enthused over how easily a horse performs "tricks." - That is what set me off. -
You can teach most creatures to do a trick. Make sure the critter understands what you're asking it to do, teach a command word or movement, practice, practice, practice, and give treats and praise for correct responses. That works well for a rear from a horse, a bow (taking a knee), or teaching a horse to nod or shake it's head.
Dressage, on the other hand, is an art form. It actually came about from the act of war, in which horses had to be extremely responsive to their riders to save their riders and themselves. Most high school dressage, or haute ecole, was taken directly from war training for the old-type destreriers, the horses that were trained for battle and to act as a battle weapon themselves. A top-level dressage horse has, literally, spent thousands of hours training to learn the precise movements that are required for his/her role. The rider has spent the same amount of time, or more, working with other horses, viewing film, reviewing their own work, etc. Dressage riding and training are not for the usual weekend cowboys who want to just saddle up and get away from it all on horseback. - And every horse that is well-trained has a large amount of dressage in it's learning background. - Any good horse will round it's neck and back for a trained rider. A well-trained and sound horse will move sinuously between the rider's hands and legs, looking as if the pair of them are a single entity. Watching the Lippizaners at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna is the ultimate in high school dressage. The horses parade, dance, and perform their "Airs Above the Ground" - the classic war movements. It is breath taking. And, having spent 20+ years riding dressage, practicing and working hard to perfect things that are imperceptible to the untrained eye, I guess that hearing an unknowing announcer call a dressage movement a "trick" just hit me the wrong way this morning. It's silly, I know. But there is a difference!