To think horses do not belong in the Olympics

[StunningCunt]

They've got this horse prancing sideways with a toff in a top hat on the top, and they are devoting hours of TV coverage because we might get a gold medal in this nonsense?

Why don't they just have a dog show there and be done with it?

Competitive sheep herding?

Motor racing?

Theo - the point of mentioning Jordan was to point out that just having money and wanting to be great at dressage does not mean you can be great at dressage - which some posters seem to think. It was being asserted that there was little skill involved and anyone with money and access to good horses and trainers could do what the olympic team does. Jordan rather disproves this point

Other were saying only "toffs" do dressage. As Jordan is a) not a toff and b) does dressage, again she is a good example of how this is untrue

You are the only person who mentioned the fact the had been a topless model.

You rather seem to have missed the point

No I haven't missed the point thanks, again, her name is Katie Price.

You have missed the point.

Her name is irrelevant. You still know who I mean.

HTH

But why is it unfair? The olympic teams are the top of their disciplines. You cant buy talent. you can throw all the money you want at someone, and they will still either have the talent, or not!

A very experienced dressage judge once also told me that you can train a donkey up to Prelim/Elementary level if you are a good enough rider.

Ok fair enough I'm not talking GP level, and he could be wrong, but I think it also rather disproves the theory that the horse can do dressage standing on its head if it is expensive enough, and the rider sits there with little or no input...

I'd just like to raise a point....

If it's not about about human fitness, why are all the riders in such good shape?

I mean, those jackets and jodhpurs are hiding nothing. And there's not a spare inch on any of them. Have a look at this:

www.london2012.com/photos/galleryid=1308898/index.html#kimberly-rhode-wins-women-skeet-shooting-gold

and this:

www.horseandhound.co.uk/olympics2012/7631/313673.html

All four of the the athletes in those links are Olympic Gold medalists from the games.

If the requirement for entry into the games is the amount of physical fitness needed, then shooting should go now. Because the riders are clearly fitter.

Try this: sit on a chair backwards with your knees apart and only the balls of your feet on the floor.

Now, without putting your weight or balance on your hands at all, and keeping your back completely straight, push up, straight up, till you are standing straddling the chair.

Sit back down again - sit, don't drop. Control it. Land gently.

Do it again. 100 times.

That's a rising trot. And that's about one of the easiest and most basic things you'll ever learn to do on a horse. Can you do it?

What I am saying is that rich and well connected people have more opportunities and are more likely to succeed than those without.

In any area of life, basically. I don't think that's a 'half baked opinion', I think it's indisputable.

But it doesnt apply more to dressage than any other sport

But emilie, that's life. Shouldn't really come as a big shock. Communism didn't work out too well either.

What a big back of shite Emilie. What if perchance your "rich and well connected" family and friends are actually the media luvvies of London and your parents spend their evenings in art galleries. Not so many poniez eh?

Use your loaf.

Emilie if you read the thread, some of your points are addressed and explained. As for the "aristocracy/wealthy classes" stereotype:

Scott Brash (showjumping gold medal) - builders son from Peebles

Mary King (eventing silver medal) - middle-class verger's daughter who worked as a cleaner & butcher's delivery woman to pay for her first horses

Zara Phillips's previous top horse Toytown (World & European champion) cost £1,500. Victoria Pendleton's racing bike cost £20,000.

Things are never as black and white as people think they are.

Dolomite, I don't really understand your point, all I can see is someone being incredibly rude.

And no, it is no great surprise. And I'm not saying communism would work better.

Emilie You don't appear to understand your own points either, let that be a lesson. :)

That's unnecessary and untrue.

just because she had royal riding lessons, doesn't mean she was necessarily any good! I've met plenty of people who have pots of money, who can't ride for peanuts! good point saggy, all the royal family ride don't they? doesn't mean they are going to the Olympics, or even want to do more than hack about, like so many other riders of all backgrounds.

ha ha - this thread is hilarious. Why are people getting so uppity. Even the horsey folk are fighting amongs themselves now.

Not read thread just wanted to say I thought the dressage looked ridiculous.

That is not a sport. It is a slightly strange circus trick.

Incredible how ignorant some people are

Also seems a bit mean. I bet the horse would rather be doing something else. Luke running or jumping or eating apples.

Oh dear god

puff, similarly I think grown men riding in circles on stupid bikes look pathetic and should grow some balls and do something interesting. Each to his own.

Why get the horses involved at all? Can't the riders just do it themselves?

oh right yes! on wooden hobby horses! brilliant!

Puffpants has a point imo. Sorry. It is reminiscent of Crufts. Nothing anyone has said on here has made me think otherwise.
No offence.