To think that equestrian events are ridiculous

if the people in sailing use their own boat in competitions and how many bikes each the cyclists took?

Bikes are provided by British Cycling, depending on the discipline there will be at least one spare and plenty of parts for repairs by mechanics (also provided by BC).

Interesting thread.

I don’t know much about dressage but I’m (tangentially) professionally involved with horse racing. To say you can’t coerce a horse to do something is really stupid. Have you ever watched a jockey race? They have whips.

I dont enjoy it as much as some of the other sports and wouldnt choose to watch it but that's fairly irrelevant. I also think the skateboarding , fencing and shooting are pretty dull.
It surprised me how old the competitors were though (a few in their 50s and 60s) which is very unusual in most sports. We were speculating how much a horse like that was worth and how much it would cost to transport them (with groom etc)....although we basically had no idea!!! ....which then made me wonder if the people in sailing use their own boat in competitions and how many bikes each the cyclists took!

SmokeyDevil- I understand a lot of riders don’t own the horses and have sponsorship (just like any other sport), but how did they get started in the first place? Riding lessons are expensive as is horse ownership even at the most basic level. Presume they were involved in competition at pony club and junior level and worked their way up? How do they fund that without significant input from their parents financially?

As a pretty decent rider with several decades of experience at the time, I once had the honour of a ride on a friend's horse, who had retired from top level dressage and was living the life of Riley on her farm.. I couldn't get this beautiful creature to walk in a straight line. He was so sensitive to every tiny movement or weight shift in the saddle we were wavering around like drunks. Top dressage riders are incredibly fit and have amazing bonds with their horses. They don't perform "tricks" whilst the riders sit back and have a jolly old time.

Icelandic horses can never return to the country and are left behind after international competitions.

@LobotomisedIceSkatingFan my horse would jump out his field nearly every day. It's not an uncommon thing
If you ever see a horse canter round or play with others then they will do the movements in dressage, not as refined no but they will do extended trot, pirouettes etc etc

It is ridiculous. I saw something where the horse was dancing. It was mad, why on earth is this called sport? There's no way it should be in the Olympics. I felt sorry for the horse it might have been well cared for but it was like one of those chimpanzees in the PG tips adverts. Should be banned.

I think they're absurd, too. And that's at best - personally, my view is that it's Charro dancing in 'The Rutshire Chronicles' garb. Stick a horse in a field for ten years and it'll never occur to it to jump over a fence: 'not coerced' my left tit.

I do hope that she has been educated by this thread, but I wouldn't like to guarantee it.

As someone who has ridden for about 25 years, I'm fucking cringing at how arrogant some of the responses you've had from "horse people" are. No wonder people think it's a closed sport which is just for the privileged. Well done. You could have helped people understand this great sport instead you insult people who are asking questions. Maybe it's just because the "horse people" on here dont actually understand top level dressage either and can't explain it

People are entitled to have opinions on this, saying "Dont watch it then" is just pig ignorant.

Horse ride imho isn't a sport, neither is golf or sailing, why not have darts, snooker or black jack? they are all games of skill.

The olympics should be about athletic performance.

...and yes i do switch off/turn over - horse riding is cruel and manipulative.

No more stupid than people fighting in a ring, prancing about doing tumbles or jumping over high bars? They are all sports with fans, if you aren't keen don't watch. The horses are very well cared for, and the dressage ones are already back in the U.K. relaxing in fields

I love watching equestrian events. There’s lots I switch off as I have no interest in it (weight lifting and boxing being two). That’s what so great about the Olympics; there’s something for everyone.

The only thing that slightly irks me about equestrian events is the exclusivity of it. It’s almost impossible for someone from an average or under privileged background to get into (despite what the eventing team said during their interview). It’s a costly sport to learn even at the most basic level, let alone compete in. You need to come from a background of privilege to even get started.

If anyone in the North Beds area is interested I will take you on a course walk around a cross country course August Bank Holiday weekend. It won't be Olympic level obviously but it will give you an idea of the nerves of steel these riders have.

I read yesterday that the horses were flown over in special cargo planes with vets, grooms, special moist hay to stop dehydration and special air con to keep the temperature right for them. Apparently the planes had a longer landing and take off so the horses don't feel the acceleration and deceleration like we do.

[quote ElvenDreamer]@HandforthParishCouncilClerk thank you, that does make sense, in terms of direction I think I'd assumed that to an extent. What about the way they pick their feet up high and take tiny steps? How would you get them to do it the first time? So they then understand the future cues? I mean does a trainer literally pick their foot up to the required angle while someone else gives them what will become the cue? Or do horses naturally step like that when their head is at a certain angle anyway?[/quote]
No, they don't physically lift the horses leg up. You start with selecting the right horse. One that naturally moves with more power and expression in its paces. Explaining it is so hard though, as it involves technical terms, like self carriage, cadence, taking the weight behind, half halt sitting etc!!! I'd need to explain each of those terms too! You are gradually teaching the horse to turn forward power into upward power. They need to learn to carry more of their weight in their hind legs. This then allows them to lighten the weight at the front and let's them lift their legs higher. It takes a lot of strength and balance to do it and it's part of why it takes years. You can't just yank on the reins and get them to 'sit'. It's such a technical sport.

Totally agree. Dressage is the absolute worst of all, so unnatural. And transporting the animals that far for a foolish event like that is beyond me. I don’t think anything involving animals should make up part of the Olympics

@ElvenDreamer this video explains it better than me:

The movements all come from the seat and changing of weight distribution and tiny leg aids. If your horses head is held in by your hands then you are a bad rider and the horse will not have the impulsion to execute any of the moves (think of the horses rear as it's "engine"). The reins are there is guide and support the horse and contain the energy, many horses lean on them for support and balance when required. Although that is mainly at the lower levels when the horse can't really balance itself well enough. Most horses find comfort in a consistent rein contact and it's a way of constantly communicating with the horse, bit it basically can only move the head and not really in the way that is conducive (tilting etc).

It looks easy because the whole point is that you can't see what the rider does. That comes from when it was all about war moves and a large aid would give your next move away. Both the riders and horses have immense core strength.

Training wise, yes some people use cruel Training methods. Just like any sport, there are shits. Butvthat doesn't detract from the sport itself

@gerispringer the horse gets mentioned every single time they compete. The horses are being praised all over the horsey social media - they are probably talked about more than the riders, very much which one would you like in your stable.
And from a spectator point of view a lot of equestrian sport is very accessible. There is a top competion centre near me and, covid restrictions excepting, I could go along and watch top level competitors for free. Last month I could have watched the current eventing team and several other previous olympians compete for £0. I've stood queuing to buy a coffee and chatted to Olympian show jumpers. Again for £0. If I wanted to watch the local 20th rate football team I would have to pay. I think they did charge £10 to watch the international dressage comp.