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?

A bike vet is called a mechanic. Same idea but he probably charges less.

Most athletes at this level have huge support teams. Vets/doctors/nutritionists/trainers/grooms/people who scre the studs into their football boots.... Many competitors will have started at the bottom of that team and worked their way to the top!

I thought Fire meant she did all those things herself, all the nutrition planning and so on - and I wondered if that was the case.

I mean for anyone to do all that would be very hard work wouldn't it.

I know nothing about equestrian sports but even with my lack of knowledge I can see that a lot of work and effort goes into reaching the top as it does with any sport.

All sports require commitment, just because that commitment differs from sport to sport doesn't mean they are any less of a sports person.

You are right sencerreity

Zara doesnt ride except in the Olympics

She just turns up, gets on and that's it

She doesn't do any other competitions. Never looks at a horse the rest of the time

Jesus Christ........

You can "doubt" it as much as you like but it's a simple fact. And for information, she has "medalled" as both European and World Champion in the past as well as this year's Olympics. Something which none of the other riders have achieved so far, as it happens, so her place on the team was more than justified.

*'He has had a knee operation and is due for a back operation. It's not just about sitting on a trained animal, is it?'

He obviously couldn't even manage to do that!!*
one of the most inane comments on this thread

sirzy - good point

Nick Skelton maybe rich now but he didn't start out like that and not from a privileged background either.

Ok sancerreity, you are being silly now. Nick Skelton broke his neck in September 2000 which could have ended his show jumping career, to be able to get back on a horse at all is amazing. To then compete and represent your country is unbelievable.

I genuinely feel sad that so many people are being utterly blinkered here and not seeing past their own class prejudices.

There is so much more to horse riding than money. I wish some of you could understand how my horses have enriched my life more than I could ever imagine (I only ride one the other is a baby), but I imagine most of you would pigeon hole me into the 'toff' section before you even got to know me just because of my hobby. That is a bit sad really.

sancerreity your comments are truly fab. Best laugh I've had today. I love the school holidays

Zara spends most of her time mooching up and down Bond St. trying on dresses with her cousins, or baking cakes for her husband - the proper athlete.

I have pics of my horse on my profile - have just had to retire him due to navicular

Am very sad :(

Zara will have access to professional advice, as do all elite sportsmen who reach that level. But the rider, as the person who gets all the unspoken signals from the horse every time they ride it, will make the ultimate decision as to whether it would benefit from a change in feed, an additional nutritional supplement or a change of tack.

The horse isn't "tuned up" by someone else or a team of someone elses without any input from Zara. She will decide how best to get it fit, what bridle it will go best in etc. She will have grooms to help with the basic exercising but that will be under her precise instruction. Others in the support team may make suggestions but as the person risking her life (event riders have died taking part) getting on her horse, she will make the ultimate decisions.

When you consider that the original olympics, was a display of combat related disciplines , javelin, discus, wrestling, and Dressage is a combat based discipline, then realistically, it has MORE place in the olympics than cycling or windsurfing?

Did they have running away ?

Replace the rowing boats with a trireme-ramming contest maybe?

Id imangine that running was more about carrying messages, or transporting troops from one place to another than actual running away!

The sportsmen all competed naked at the ancient Olympics...

Oh Dolomite - I am so sorry for your loss :(

Heart breaking x

Dressage is a military-borne exercise to keep horses "battle fit" when the opportunity to exercise over large geographical areas is not possible.

Nancy Nobody wants to see half the equestrians naked... Mary (as beloved as she is) and Toddy are both the wrong side of 50!

Oh Dolomite I'm so sorry. I hope you can take comfort from knowing you did what was best for your lovely mare.

Unmumsnetty hugs

Maybe not the equestrians naked I could certainly think of some other sports which would be more enjoyable to watch that way ;)

so sorry for your loss dolomite xx

Sirzy I'm calling the men's gymnastics!

Thank you ladies, it was utterly shit but I know it was the best thing I could do for her. I think I'm going to start looking again after xmas but will probably put feelers out before then.

Thankfully though, being "elite", I don't need to save any money to buy another horse - I shall simply ask my butler to open another wad of 50's.

Dolomite, am so so sorry xxx

I think this may prove a point to those who think a horse is little more than a piece of sports 'equipment'.

Take care Dolomite, and more 'unmumsnetty' hugs from me xxx