Olympics

After a recent resolution to discuss and research the current Fédération Equestre Internationale’s hypersensitivity protocol, Equine Canada has announced plans to develop a Hypersensitivity Protocol Task Force.

“We made a commitment to our athletes and our members that we would undertake a review,” said Equine Canada President Mike Gallagher in a statement. “We are honoring that commitment.”

August 9 — London.

Before this Olympic Games in London, Great Britain had never won a medal in dressage of any color. Now that nation can count not only team gold but also individual thanks to a stupendous performance from Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro in the freestyle today.

August 8 — London.

Thirty-seven riders began the first round of the Olympic individual show jumping competition with clean slates. Once they qualified, it didn’t matter how their horses had gone previously.

And Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat took full advantage of that fresh start with Nino des Buissonnets. He was the only rider to go clean and within the time over both of Bob Ellis’ enormous tracks, earning him Switzerland’s first gold medal in equestrian in 88 years.

August 7—London.

Eric Lamaze, the anchor of Canada’s show jumping team and reigning Olympic individual gold medalist, has vowed not to compete on any teams until his national federation steps up its public support of rider Tiffany Foster.

Foster’s horse Victor was disqualified from the Olympic show jumping competition on Aug. 6 under the Federation Equestre Internationale’s hypersensitivity protocol.

August 7 — London.

Last night the British show jumpers celebrated after taking their first team gold medal in sixty years, but tonight the dressage riders one upped that victory by doing something no British team has ever done before: winning team gold.

In fact, the Brits have never won a dressage medal of any color, either in the team or the individual competition.