[flutie1]

Stepping back and looking at the overall picture, I think Colleen benefitted from her exclusion from the Team activities. She obviously has the key to the wildly talented, but quirky Luke, and the Team coaches on the other hand seem to want to change things from the system in which the horse has been successful.

Colleen wisely trains with two people, Jimmy and Linda, who understand the importance of maintaining the attachment they have for each other. I doubt if there is anyone else who could do what these two do together.

Go Colleen and Luke!

[eventingART]

Some photos from Luhmuhlen on my website

http://eventing-art.com/luhmuhlen-2012/

[Eventguy]

Some photos from Luhmuhlen on my website

http://eventing-art.com/luhmuhlen-2012/

Anyone else find it ironic that Jeep sponsors an event in Germany and Land Rover sponsors one in the US?

[vineyridge]

I don't read German, but is one of the photo sections on eventingART's site a retirement ceremony for Marius? What great event horse he was, and well worth a special moment in the 2012 spotlight.

[Judysmom]

Congrats to Colleen and Luke!

There are a few pictures of them in the 4* section on eventingART's site.

[RacetrackReject]

Well done, Colleen!

(I suspect that when all the team dust settles, she'll feel some satisfaction in not having been associated with them.)

See, even I can agree with JER on something. =)

Well done Colleen! I loved that little horse since the first time I saw him go.

[Gnep]

I don't read German, but is one of the photo sections on eventingART's site a retirement ceremony for Marius? What great event horse he was, and well worth a special moment in the 2012 spotlight.

Yes he was officially retired at Event

[PonyGal08]

Jimmy posted some fabulous commentary on his FaceBook Page. He really is such an entertaining writer!

https://www.facebook.com/notes/fox-c...06517626058902https://www.facebook.com/notes/fox-c...06517626058902

Anyone else find it ironic that Jeep sponsors an event in Germany and Land Rover sponsors one in the US?

Jeep also sponsors WFP. In his interview with Samantha Clark, he said Jeep shipped a vehicle down from Detroit for him to use while at Rolex.

[fooler]

Check out Jimmy's blog for extended commentary on Colleen and Luhmuhlen in general.

I can only dream to command the english language half as good as he.

[eventingART]

I don't read German, but is one of the photo sections on eventingART's site a retirement ceremony for Marius? What great event horse he was, and well worth a special moment in the 2012 spotlight.

Of course I've also made photos of Marius' impressive retirement ceremony:
http://eventing-art.com/nggallery/po...15/gallery-46/

[flutie1]

Check out Jimmy's blog for extended commentary on Colleen and Luhmuhlen in general.

I can only dream to command the english language half as good as he.

When I bought my iPad, I told Jimmy I had ordered the Wofford App for it. Still waiting!

[fooler]

When I bought my iPad, I told Jimmy I had ordered the Wofford App for it. Still waiting!

LOL - You must tell me where to place my order.

[vineyridge]

Your very own Pocket Trainer!

[flutie1]

Your very own Pocket Trainer!

And brilliant writer - the best in our sport by a country mile!

[Gnep]

The young lady just ahs to keep it up for 1 a year or so.
Changing of the guard is in the books.

She is a superb rider no question, but she has to get into the very low 40, to make the top 5 in real international competition.
50 is not cutting it any more, maybe for teams, but individual ?

London will be won under 40, mid 30s

[kerilli]

Lucinda Fredericks just jumped a clear round with the TALLEST hind boots I've ever seen on the horse! They went all the way up to the bottom of the hock. Anyone know about anything like this? And why you'd do it? I know there is a maximum weight for hinds, I never thought about a maximum height for them.

Increases proprioception, I think, and might make the horse lift the hind legs higher. Especially if fitted quite snug (or more!)
They were very tall, and iirc looked as if they had white tape banded around them, not sure though.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

The young lady just ahs to keep it up for 1 a year or so.
Changing of the guard is in the books.

She is a superb rider no question, but she has to get into the very low 40, to make the top 5 in real international competition.
50 is not cutting it any more, maybe for teams, but individual ?

London will be won under 40, mid 30s

I agree about individual...but to me, this is the type you want on the team. You need the horses that will jump and finish on or close to their dressage score. No way we can compete if the Germans finish all their riders. MJ can have a stop xc and still beat most...and he rarely has one of those. But the US is more inconsistent in finishing all of its riders with no jump penalties....and even with her dressage, she will still have a good shot at being in the top 25--especially if xc is tough. That will help most teams. Also, this horse's dressage isn't that far off the mark...and I'd much rather put the resources into improving his (and her) dressage than roll the dice trying to get dressage horses to jump around a 4*.

[Lori B]

What BFNE said!

[Gnep]

I agree about individual...but to me, this is the type you want on the team. You need the horses that will jump and finish on or close to their dressage score. No way we can compete if the Germans finish all their riders. MJ can have a stop xc and still beat most...and he rarely has one of those. But the US is more inconsistent in finishing all of its riders with no jump penalties....and even with her dressage, she will still have a good shot at being in the top 25--especially if xc is tough. That will help most teams. Also, this horse's dressage isn't that far off the mark...and I'd much rather put the resources into improving his (and her) dressage than roll the dice trying to get dressage horses to jump around a 4*.

Absolutly correct, for team you need a closer and she might be it, or could be it.
Concerning the US, they have very badly fallen behind in horse flesh and naturally in their dressage. If you look at what is happening across the pond, they pump out superb dressages and than go double clear in X-C and maybe have 1 or 2 rails in stadium and they do that over and over again.

Horse, I am always stunned if I see results over there, how many top horses the riders have, 2 or 3 3 or 4 star world class horses and the pipeline of the next generation full.
They have found a way, through sponsorship, organisation etc. to place good horses into good hands. Its not just the top 5 riders or so, but the top 20 or 30.

I think that is the biggest problem for the US, riders we have over here, but only the top 10 have the proper supply concerning horses and those are just a step or two below world class, far to often very good next generation riders are a 1 horse wonder.

A very good example is Dibo, sells his 4 Star winner, gets on the next 4 star horse, it gets lame, bruised bone, and gets on the next one places 3rd.
Or MJ, leaves his top horse at home, gets on number 2, wins the 4 star by a mile, on number 3 blows away the 3star
Klimke, call it a medium ride on number 1 and a great one on number2.

Same for the Brits, Aussies and Kiwis.

The depth of real world classes horse all those riders have is just mind boggling and that depth goes down to the 2 or 3 or 4 choise riders.
If one looks at the last US medal winners, lets say since Athens, they are all one horse wonders.

[Blugal]

Heck - as someone pointed out, Britain's reserve list has two 4* winning horses on it...