La Biosthetique-Sam FBW has been removed from rider Michael Jung’s barn just five weeks after winning the individual gold medal at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (Ky.), according to European equestrian website www.sms-pferdenews.de.
Our columnist believes U.S. eventing will have to combat complacency on multiple fronts to have any chance at a team medal in two years.
As I sat on a plane coming home from Lexington, Ky., I thought about how everyone that I talked to had something to say about the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. They loved it, they thought it was too expensive, they were proud of their U.S. athletes. And yes, after the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team failed to medal, some were disappointed with us.
Lexington, Ky.—Oct. 3
There were scarcely any words to describe German rider Michael Jung’s individual gold-medal performance with La Biosthetique-Sam FBW. He finished just as he started the weekend—in first place on a 33.0.
But William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain, who finished 9 points behind Jung for silver, said it best: “It was Michael Jung: 1, and the rest: nowhere.”
Irish rider Patricia Ryan’s horse Fernhill Clover Mist, who was eliminated by officials after bolting uncontrollably during cross-country at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games yesterday, Oct. 2, sustained a major hock injury according William Micklem.
Lexington, Ky.—Sept. 30
There’s a lot of yellow, red and black near the top of the standings after Day 1 of eventing dressage at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. German riders took three of the top four placings, with only William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain sneaking into the pack of leaders.
The problem is that there is just too much to do.
A rider at a major championships often has too many people to please, too many demands on their time and too many thoughts in their heads. All of which can divert them from performing at their best.
Thursday
Test Ride: Rocket David O'Connor (USA) 08:30
1. Opposition Buzz Nicola Wilson (GBR*) 09:00
2. Hop and Skip Kenki Sato (JPN*) 09:08
3. Kings Courier Douglas Welsh (RSA*) 09:16
4. Our Vintage Constantin van Rijckevorsel (BEL*) 09:24
5. Ritz Carlton Guto de Faria (BRA*) 09:32
6. Stand By Me Linda Algotsson (SWE*) 09:40
7. Inonothing Paul Tapner (AUS*) 09:48
B R E A K
8. Gandalf The Grey Marco Biasia (ITA*) 10:08
9. Minos de Petra Pascal Leroy (FRA*) 10:16
Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team member Boyd Martin took time to sit down with us and analyze this year's course, which he'll be taking on as the lead-off U.S. rider on Saturday morning.
All in all, my first impression when I walked the course was something in between being frightened and little bit sick in my stomach. In 15 years of eventing, this will be the biggest course in dimension that I’ve attempted—but maybe not the most technical and tricky.
In Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Willie Wonka said it all: “The suspense is terrible... I hope it'll last.”
Tomorrow the four days of eventing competition start at the World Equestrian Games. For all of us—riders, back-up crews, supporters and owners—there is huge suspense and anticipation as probably the best quality field in the history of the sport unleash their talents in front of the judges.
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