If you were a Team selector ....

[vineyridge]

We have only a couple of days before the official Team announcement.

If you were a selector, knowing what you know now, who would you have on YOUR Eventing Olympic Team?

Mine:
Phillip Dutton and Connaught
Kim Severson and Paddy
Becky Holder and Courageous Comet
Gina Miles and McKinleigh

Yours?

[Foxygrl516]

I'll play :) Naturally this is totally my opinion. Not necessarily my favorites (and not necessarily my least favs either!) but this is just what I sort of expect... Like that counts for anything! haha

And don't forget, I'm sure they pick 5 teams to compete.

In my unimportant smurf-like opinion, there are 3 pairs that I expect to be "shoo-ins" for the team and they are:

Phillip and Connaught (would've been The Foreman were he sound)
Amy and Poggio (proven team horse that will always deliver)
Stephen and Josh? (Joshua was a sure thing until his 'undisclosed injury' but I still think he's in)


The other 2 I feel are pretty up in the air. I would LOVE to see Karen and Mandiba in one of those spots. And I also wouldn't be suprised to see Gina and Mac in the other.

And I can't not mention that I wouldn't be suprised at all to see Jennifer and Pooh and/or Becky and Comet somewhere in there if all goes their way this weekend.

[yellowbritches]

Philip and Connaught
Amy and Poggio
Becky and Comet
Stephen and Josh (I'm partial :yes:)
Fifth rider is hard. I guess Karen and Mandiba, but he's so green. But if anyone would get a good result of an internationally green horse, it would be Karen. And she's a proven, strong team rider.

I have no real use for Gina and while I think McKinleigh is a reliable horse, he is FAR too heavy for the heat and humidity of HK. Three of my 4 are full TB (I can't remember if Connaught is or not. Mandiba's probably pretty darn close). And, as much as I love Kim and want to see her on another team, I worry that Paddy's too heavy, as well. But if Karen didn't go, I'd want Kim to go.

[TripleC]

When you think about final teams, dont forget they are looking for horses & riders with most International Experience. We are going to win, not put extra mileage on green horses.

[PhoenixFarm]

When you think about final teams, dont forget they are looking for horses & riders with most International Experience. We are going to win, not put extra mileage on green horses.

I don't disagree, BUT the weather (and it's relation to soundess to compete) will I think ultimately be the number one factor for selectors. Buck, who has actually competed at the venue, has stressed time and again that th weather is something that no one here is truly prepared for.

As a result, I won't be shocked if, say, Buck makes the team, since that horse has proven he can get the job done in that weather, even though he is admitedly the green bean of the group. I also think Jennifer Wooten and The Good Witch could, and should, be right there--that mare only will get better in the heat, LOL, and she's has competed extensively overseas.

I think Amy and Poggio and Phillip with either horse (Connaught as first choice) are shoe-ins assuming current soundness. I think Steven and Josh have a strong chance, though lets be honest, it's not that horse's first challenge with soundness, minor or otherwise--but if he's sound, he'll go. I expect Becky and Comet to get their shot.

On a personal/emotional level I desperately want Bonnie to make it, and I suspect she's at the head of the "other" line, but I think they'll have to be some bad jogs today and tomorrow for her to get there. I adore Gina an Kim and their horses (especially Kim's), but I don't think they're the right choice for these Games, in this weather. Same for Antigua--19 in that weather, as great as he looks, doesn't seem like the best idea.

We'll all just have to wait and see though, and as usual there will be at least one choice that makes everyone scratch their head.:winkgrin::lol: But you know, i have to say, this is the first time in a long time that virtually everyone on the list is someone that I respect and would be happy for them to go. So it's nice to feel that way in this of all years.

[Foxygrl516]

Now that I've just read the SJ wrap-up from the FORK on coth, I'll have to say Becky and Comet DESERVE to go! Hands down! Sounds like Will knows Brad is done. His comments almost brought tears to my eyes.

So I"m rooting for Phillip, Stephen (if josh is ok), Amy, Karen and Becky.

Sounds like everyone did pretty well though

[yellowbritches]

I forgot about Buck. I'd put him in over Karen. And I like the Good Witch. That would be huge for Jennifer. And the little mare has a bit of experience out of the US (right? didn't I just read that?), so that's a big plus some of the others DON'T have.

[pegasusmom]

I'll play, as I watched dressage and XC yesterday.

Phillip and Connaught.
Becky and Courageus Comet
Kim and Paddy
Amy and Poggio

Fifth spot? The Good Witch caught my eye.

[shea'smom]

Philip and Connaught
Comet
Poggio
Northern Spy
Brandenburg's Joshua
I would love to see Karen there, love the Good witch and Buck would be a solid performer.

[BlueRidgeEventer]

I'll play ...

Phillip and Connaught
Bonnie and Merloch
Becky and Comet
Jennifer and The Good Witch
Amy and Poggio

Can't wait to see who gets to go.

[Shrapnel]

Fingers crossed for these riders!!! :yes:

Phillip and Connaught
Becky and Comet
Heidi and Northern Spy
Amy and Poggio
Bonnie and Merloch

I would have added Stephen and Josh as the 5th team member -- however he did get a foot abscess on Thursday, so I was hesitant to add him. :(

Kim and Paddy 1st reserve
Buck and Ballynoe Castle RM 2nd reserve
Gina and McKinlaigh 3rd reserve
Karen and Mandiba 4th reserve

[LexInVA]

If I was a team selector, we'd be ******. :lol:

[retreadeventer]

I'll play, as I watched dressage and XC yesterday.

Phillip and Connaught.
Becky and Courageus Comet
Kim and Paddy
Amy and Poggio

Fifth spot? The Good Witch caught my eye.

I respect Pegasusmom's opinion. I think that's the team, but hard to tell what they (the selectors) are thinking. It would be nice if Buck could be named as an assistant chef or something, if not named as a rider, since his experience and ability could be counted on to really help the rest of the team, JMO.

[Smufy3DE]

All i know is I will be super happy if Bonnie gets to go.

[eks]

I want Bonnie to go too...she has been knocking at the door for so many years and it was so sad what happened to her before the Pan Ams..

[3dazey]

Phillip & Connaught
Becky & Comet
Heidi & Northern Spy
Amy & Poggio
Gina & McKinlaigh

I have no idea about soundness of these horses and don't know if Mac is up to the heat/humidity...if not, Buck should go. That horse has proven he can handle it and Buck's got ice water in his veins!!!

And may I say, thank God I'm NOT a selector. :eek::eek::eek:

[BigRuss1996]

Phillip and Connaught
Amy and Poggio
Buck and "Reggie"
Becky and Comet

Karen and Mandiba (Alternate)

[tuppysmom]

I'm think that BigRuss has them in the right order. We'll see how the vet checks go today.

[LessonLearned]

I can't remember if this was asked/answered on other olympic threads, but can people still go as individuals outside of team competition?

[vineyridge]

If we send AT to the Games, it will be a PR disaster-- at least in the English speaking world.

[bosox]

Viney---I am so with you.

People have short memories. Don't worry--I know your gonna say--"she got her judgement, let her move on" and your entitled to think that way. However, I really disagree that she should be on the Olympic team as a representive of the US.

[highlandgreen]

I like Shrapnels team. I want to see Heidi and Northern Spy go. They have had some consistent results at big competitions save Rolex XC this spring. This will be Farleys last comp according to her and he is a great horse!!!

[KBG Eventer]

Phillip and Connaught
Gina and McKinlaigh
Becky and Courageous Comet
Stephen and Brandenburg's Joshua
Jennifer and The Good Witch

[slickteam12brs]

Amy and Poggio
Phillip and Connaught
Becky and Comet
Jen and The Witch

Bonnie and Merloch (alternative)

Jen has been training at Copper Meadows and I have witnessed her effort. She want's this sooooo bad. It doesn't show in the interviews, but making the team has been her life's purpose. I would hate to see the selectors pass her by. Pooh is one of those once in a lifetime horses, and she has the disadvantage at the selections of being the smallest horse (and the only mare) but small size could save her in the heat of Hong Kong.

[Shrapnel]

I can't remember if this was asked/answered on other olympic threads, but can people still go as individuals outside of team competition?

No. There are 5 horse/rider combos on a team now. NO INDIVIDUALS.

[PhoenixFarm]

No. There are 5 horse/rider combos on a team now. NO INDIVIDUALS.

And they do that dumb@ss thing with the two show jumping rounds to determine the individual medals.

Honestly, I don't even know why they bother to call it eventing . . . :no::rolleyes::confused::rolleyes:

[BigRuss1996]

Phillip
Amy
Gina
Becky
Heidi

and Buck as Alternate .....

[Eventrgrl]

Phillip
Amy
Gina
Becky
Heidi

and Buck as Alternate .....

Wow, that was fast. All around quite a solid team!!