[Anne FS]

Medalled in all 3 Equestrian events, 2 Golds & 1 Silver, including a never-before achieved medal in Dressage.

With all the talk (prior) of how the Germans are always at the top and the Americans not so much, how did Great Britain manage to do so wonderfully well in all 3 disciplines?

Better horses?
Better training?
Better coaching?
That intangible ability of the human spirit that pushes to greatness, being inspired far above normal on their home field?

I thought it would be an interesting discussion, since there's so much talk about what the Germans do that puts them so consistently at the top, and what the British did this time that made them do so well.

No bashing of any country's teams, just I hope thoughts & ideas.

[Isabeau Z Solace]

They initiated a funding scheme with lottery proceeds some years ago. My friend in the UK credits their success in part to the additional resources made available to riders from the increased funding.

Also, I believe host countries traditionally do well at their games. And I'll bet it has something to do with governments/programs increasing their support in the years leading up to a host games. Everyone wants to do well when they are hosting, so that kind of makes sense to me.

For dressage, Carl made the good decision to have 2 horses from his barn aimed for these games. You have to imagine that if Steffen Peters had done something similar, then Legolas might also have been in the games... Carl has shown that 'teamwork' may mean putting someone else on a good horse.

[Equibrit]

They also benefited from a change in basic training/judging principals to a more "British" type of approach. Less of the sargeant major and more of the willing partnership thing.

[nutmeg]

The Brits have an ace secret weapon in David Broome, who helped secure Sanctos vh Gravenhof for Scott Brash when he saw all the other horses ushered out the door. Had that horse not shown up on time, things could have been vastly different in the team competition. Rob Hoekstra wasn't doing too well in keeping his string intact up till then. Unless Nick rode both Big Star and Carlo, which is probably frowned upon.

[Isabeau Z Solace]

[QUOTE=nutmeg;6488727Unless Nick rode both Big Star and Carlo, which is probably frowned upon.[/QUOTE]

So next they make Roman trick riding a part of it !! That solves the problem of top riders qualifying multiple horses.

http://knowledgeoman.com/en/wp-conte...fire-jump1.jpg

[Home Again Farm]

They also benefited from a change in basic training/judging principals to a more "British" type of approach. Less of the sargeant major and more of the willing partnership thing.

I concur and I also like the shift.

[Velvet]

The lottery is the thing that funded all these opportunities and changes. You need money to offer opportunities to those who are not well heeled.

[Weatherford]

I think all of them, however, also have gone a long way to developing LONG TERM PARNERSHIPS with their horses! Certainly the Dressage and Event people have - bought the horses young and brought them on. And, Scott Brash's horse is a HOMEBRED - so they, too, has a long term relationship!!

That is a GREAT thing!!

[snoopy]

Whilst lottery funding has helped, it is the not the end all be all of success. Good horses, good management, good training, and good planning. Above all else...HONESTY. You have to be honest in all these areas or it will never come together. If one of these is not working, it will bring the rest down.

[Fiction]

And, Scott Brash's horse is a HOMEBRED - so they, too, has a long term relationship!!

That is a GREAT thing!!

Ben Maher's horse (Tripple X) is the homebred. Scott's horse (Hello Sanctos) was purchased for him in December.

[betonbill]

And I'll bet they worked extra, extra hard to improve all of the things that needed improving so that they had top notch teams in all the disciplines.

[vineyridge]

The lottery seems to fund training opportunity at all levels in all horse sports in all regions of the UK.

[Equibrit]

The lottery seems to fund training opportunity at all levels in all horse sports in all regions of the UK.

That's how you keep the yungins coming.
(there was not a Whitaker in sight at the Olympics - nor a Massarella !)

[Edgewood]

Good horses, good management, good training, and good planning.

I agree that they changed their riding to be more unique to their style, more light and airy in the contact. Also, you have to note that the past 2 years, the Brits have also won in Verden WBFSH 5 and 6 year olds, with huge margins, with a homebred and Brittish trained mare named Farouche.

So they upped their game in 3 disciplines and in the young horse finals too. Pretty darn amazing considering that the Dutch, Americans, Danes, etc have been trying to knock the Germans off the podium for years (especially in dressage).

[Anne FS]

They also benefited from a change in basic training/judging principals to a more "British" type of approach. Less of the sargeant major and more of the willing partnership thing.

Interesting. Can you (or anyone) amplify on this with specifics?

[Anne FS]

So they upped their game in 3 disciplines and in the young horse finals too. Pretty darn amazing considering that the Dutch, Americans, Danes, etc have been trying to knock the Germans off the podium for years (especially in dressage).

Exactly.

HOW? (appreciate the responses and hope we can get to specifics).

And can we (the USA) do it? What would it take?

[stolensilver]

The lottery seems to fund training opportunity at all levels in all horse sports in all regions of the UK.

If only it did! It helps a little, providing a training session 4-6 times a year to chosen combinations. As in most countries most of the money and effort comes out of the pockets of the owner and the rider. But it is a lot better than nothing.

I don't know how much help the riders and horses who are shortlisted for the team get. The story may be different for the elite athletes.

[eks]

I think all of them, however, also have gone a long way to developing LONG TERM PARNERSHIPS with their horses! Certainly the Dressage and Event people have - bought the horses young and brought them on. And, Scott Brash's horse is a HOMEBRED - so they, too, has a long term relationship!!

That is a GREAT thing!!

I truly believe this is 100% the reason for their success!

[Mozart]

I have been thinking about this very thing all day. Especially in the case ofthe dressage team, they went from never winning an Olympic medal to team gold and individual gold and bronze. They didn't just substantially improve, they knocked it out of the damn park.

This can't be the result of steps taken only 4 years ago; the seeds for this must have been planted longer ago then that.

So Equibrit and Edgewood, are you suggesting they went from trying to ride like Germans back to a more "British" style? What about the influence of Dr. Bechtolsheimer? Given that he trained Laura and Carl and Carl trained Charlotte does that not suggest that he has had a very significant role in this result?

[snoopy]

I have been thinking about this very thing all day. Especially in the case ofthe dressage team, they went from never winning an Olympic medal to team gold and individual gold and bronze. They didn't just substantially improve, they knocked it out of the damn park.

This can't be the result of steps taken only 4 years ago; the seeds for this must have been planted longer ago then that.

So Equibrit and Edgewood, are you suggesting they went from trying to ride like Germans back to a more "British" style? What about the influence of Dr. Bechtolsheimer? Given that he trained Laura and Carl and Carl trained Charlotte does that not suggest that he has had a very significant role in this result?

Dr. B did, indeed, train Carl earlier in his career. Carl has also worked with Anky and Anne Van Olst amongst others. I do not think you can pin his training methods down to just one person.

Dr. B, obviously, has had a great impact on his daughter's riding but it should be noted that she too has received outside help. Currently from Klaus and, at one time, from Marcus Gribb.

I do not think you can say that the British riders are riding more "British" and less "German" as Dr. B, Klaus, and Marcus are all German.

The simple fact is that they have Lottery funding to help, they are either buying or breeding better quality horses, they are seeking better training, and they have invested heavily in better management and showing opportunities.

This success is a long time in the making and long may it continue.