Dressage Olympic Medals

[Harry]

I learnt to ride horses when I was a youngster, not particularly well or for too long, a close family friend was an instructor, more interest for my sister who continued and owned her own horse for a while.
Anyway I was given the opportunity to ride in the Zimbabwe Bush 23 years ago. All was fine until nearly back to the lodge, and my ride wanted to get back quicker than I did. At that point had no control what so ever and was thrown off. Never riden again!

The horses suss out the learner riders. I have had very similar experiences. I made a tactical decision to jump off a galloping horse when I couldn’t stop it. The last ride I went on (wine tasting), I couldn’t even get the thing to trot! Note that the wine tasting lured me back into the saddle.

 

[zagatoes30]

I have a simple rule horse and me is fine as long as there is a fence in between, preferably a big fence.

It is amazing what they can do but it just doesn't look natural for either horse or rider

 

[BennyD]

I've ridden evil handling and poweful motorcycles round the Mountain Course on Mad Sunday but have only been scared when an Horse hit 4th gear on a beach in Australia....you realise that you have no brakes (not under the right foot or hand!)

That’s why cowboys carry pistols, it’s their handbrake.

 

[Felonious Crud]

 

[GeoffCapes]

I learnt to ride horses when I was a youngster, not particularly well or for too long, a close family friend was an instructor, more interest for my sister who continued and owned her own horse for a while.
Anyway I was given the opportunity to ride in the Zimbabwe Bush 23 years ago. All was fine until nearly back to the lodge, and my ride wanted to get back quicker than I did. At that point had no control what so ever and was thrown off. Never riden again!

A few years back I went horse riding for the first time ever in Crete. My wife has had horses since she was a child so is a competent rider.
I was quite happy with the gentle walk (trot I think it's called) we were doing for the half day.
However, on the way back to the stables, they decided that we should go a bit faster.

Long story short, I was in agony when we got back to the stables, how I didn't fall off I will never know.
I couldn't sit down properly for about 2 months and my coccyx was black and blue.

Never ever, ever, ever, ever again!

 

[CatmanV2]

I have a simple rule horse and me is fine as long as there is a fence in between, preferably a big fence.

You are aware they can jump?

C

 

[dgmx5]

You are aware they can jump?

C

Exactly. Daleks couldn't climb stairs, then they had a propulsion levitation upgrade installed.

 

[CatmanV2]

Exactly. Daleks couldn't climb stairs, then they had a propulsion levitation upgrade installed.

Actually there was very early </geek>

C

 

[dgmx5]

Actually there was very early </geek>

C

Remembrance of the Daleks?

Given a better script and budget, McCoy would have been a superb doctor.

 

[CatmanV2]

Remembrance of the Daleks?

Given a better script and budget, McCoy would have been a superb doctor.

Was never my type. Turns out Davidson was actually OK on later watching.

Anyway, no. The Daleks could fly in Invasion Earth, and that was 1966....
...although geeks everywhere will argue for days as to whether it's canon or not.....

C

 

[zagatoes30]

You are aware they can jump?

C

Feck that's a point, maybe I need to add BIG to my rule

 

[BennyD]

Was never my type. Turns out Davidson was actually OK on later watching.

Anyway, no. The Daleks could fly in Invasion Earth, and that was 1966....
...although geeks everywhere will argue for days as to whether it's canon or not....

……and those found doing so should be beaten (even more) senseless.

 

[Oneball]

 

[ScaldedCat]

I think the dressage is just amazing, two brains in perfect harmony!
Chucking 500hp race cars around is one thing, but sitting on the back of a 1000kg intelligent animal as RSM mentions, and do what they do, now that's on another planet!

Dave

You're right about the harmony. The partnership between the horse and rider becomes almost telepathic as horses are very sensitive to what you are thinking. The horses are just like athletes and need to be fit and supple to be able to compete at this level.
The movements that the rider asks the horse to make are a more controlled version of natural display traits that they use to show off to others in their herd, so it's not forced - just managed and enhanced. The riders part of the job is to ask, by making small signals with hands and legs, for each change of pace, direction etc at set points around the arena and it's the horses part to 'listen' and make the right movement . When there is a miscommunication, or the horse anticipates a movement and goes away from the set test, then points are deducted. If you repeat the same test, say when training, too many times the horse will learn it, anticipate each part and start each movement/change of pace before the markers, so you have to mix things up a bit to stop this.
It's a great thing to watch when all the years of work and training come together to produce what you see on the screen.

 

[dgmx5]

Was never my type. Turns out Davidson was actually OK on later watching.

Anyway, no. The Daleks could fly in Invasion Earth, and that was 1966....
...although geeks everywhere will argue for days as to whether it's canon or not.....

C

Cushing, Castle & Cribbins (not the only actor to play multiple Whovian characters I believe). Not seen that film in years but very enjoyable.

 

[CatmanV2]

Cushing, Castle & Cribbins (not the only actor to play multiple Whovian characters I believe). Not seen that film in years but very enjoyable.

Indeed and almost certainly not. Cribbins was in it comparatively recently

C

 

[alfatwo]

Yes he was, topping up the pension money!

Dave

 

[jemgee]

How on earth did skate boarding and surfboarding become an olympic sport?

 

[MarkMas]

How on earth did skate boarding and surfboarding become an olympic sport?

How can a sport be included in the Olympic Games programme

Official home of the IOC. Find the latest news and featured stories, the Tokyo 2020 playbooks, plus Olympic prinicples, values and legacy.

olympics.com

"First of all, a sport must be governed by an International Federation which undertakes to follow the rules of the Olympic Charter, a basic condition for recognition by the IOC. It must also be practised widely across the world and meet various criteria. After that, the IOC ‘s Executive Board may recommend that a recognised sport be added to the Games programme, if the IOC Session approves it."

 

[Harry]

I’m watching the Olympic closing ceremony and I can hear why the country of Japan doesn’t have a history of pop classics.