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?

Charlotte and Allegro were FANTASTIC. It made me cry, and the music was wonderful.

It's Valegro actually, but yes they were fantastic! I was crying all the way through from Laura's test onwards, but not when the dutch woman was riding, she was dreadful :(

The Horse & Hound piece was from July.

Wow - ok, my doubts have disappeared - that was amazing.

I dont know why humans should get medals for horses doing something at all.

LMAO Vegans - bless your heart! I think the horses would much rather just have a carrot than a gold medal, but don't worry, i think they get a nice rosette for their bridle

no wonder it seemed a quick piece of work

My childhood pony ate my one and only red rosette at the gymkhana, he seemed to enjoy it

I think the dressage was wonderful combining beauty,precision and skill.
Not one poster here could do what those riders did even if they were on the best trained horses in the world.
I bet the horses had plenty of fuss and treats afterwards.

well I'm afraid me and my kids watched the disco dancing horses in disbelieving mirth.

A horse cannot pirouette FGS

By all means make them do something they're built for, and it will make me cheer, but this was so, so silly.

Making a horse dance. What for? Someone did that with a dog on BGT, and at least it was in time to the music.

Which most of this lot wasn't, remotely. That's because horses can't dance.

Don't really get it, I am more into feats done by the human body, it seems to me to be mainly based on the ability of the horse.

That's because, as you say, you don't get it

You have no comprhension of the subject andno understanding of what's involved

I find, when that is the case, it is best not to comment

You just end up making yourself look very foolish otherwise

ROTFL at emile and rumble - do you guys actually WANT to appear totally ignorant???

Maybe you two could have gone and made those horeses perform!

Emile, the horses are not dancing, don't be so ridiculous, it is about performing a series of "steps" the music is added to make it less boring for those who don't "get" it. They are not judged on their dancing ability.

Dancing horsees - snort - am thinking if Simon Cowel is watching this though, he is probably thinking "strictly dressage..........£££££££"

Please put me out of my misery. Is the bit in the horses mouth during dressage painful. Those horses needed a drink and what was the guy doing ti the horses mouths after the show?

Dont think I said anything foolish at all, neither did I say I can do it. Or am I wrong in saying that the horse ability is crucial?

of course the horses ability is crucial, but without the top level riders on them, they just will not perform. It is far more the riders ability that is being judged than the horse. These horses are highly trained and very able, but it actually means, which does go against intuition, that the rider has to be top notch as the horses are so sensitvie to the subtle signals that they are sent and any mistakes WILL show, the horse will not compensate.

Coming late to this (had to do some work! What's that all about?) but I had tears in my eyes when Charlotte's music changed to Land of Hope and Glory and then Big Ben chiming. Absolutely perfect and so appropriate, and a beautiful expressive test.

So pleased for them but so sad that Uthopia and Valegro are to be sold .

watch Jennifer Saunders Back In The Saddle and then tell us that's not a posho sport... it's Piggy Triple-Barrel-Name here and mahossive stables owned by mum and dad there....

SoleSource No, the bit sits in a natural gap in the horse's mouth, just on top of the tongue. The amount of pressure and release and/or vibrations on the tongue and roof of the mouth which travel down the reins give the horse some of the signals (in conjunction with the rider's legs and weight) to tell it where to go next and how fast or slow.

There is a huge variety of bits available, literally dozens and dozens if not hundreds, so to make the competition more of a level playing field, the governing body issues a list of bits which are permitted. The bit was checked after the test to ensure it is 'dressage-legal' and also to ensure the horse isn't in any discomfort - they can bite their tongues sometimes, just like you or I.

You may have noticed a lot of the horses looked as though they were 'foaming at the mouth'. This is a sign that they are accepting the bit and producing lots of saliva which is healthy and desirable. This naturally lubricates the bit, helping to keep it comfortable. A stressed horse can often become dry-mouthed so checking the mouth is also a way of checking possible stress levels in the horse.

No, QOD, I'm not being deliberately ignorant. Nor am I a cunt, thanks.

The whole thing just baffles me.

Well maybe calling you a cunt WAS a bit harsh, but you seem to be deliberately trying to "not get it" i would expect that from my DD tbh.

Not deliberate? A natural talent then.