- 11 Aug 08, 11:05 AM
''This is not a dressage competition.''
Those words, said to me on Monday by Team GB's William Fox-Pitt were ringing in my ears all morning as I reported from the cross country phase of the Olympic eventing competition.
Not only did Fox-Pitt greatly improve his own individual standing after a superb round, but many others who'd struggled in the dressage also found themselves rising up the order as several big names came to grief.
The course proved an excellent test of horsemanship and with so many fences on such a short course, it was a really entertaining watch.
During one of our broadcasts Mark Pougatch asked over the Radio 5 airwaves ''what's cross country all about then?''
Unfortunately I wasn't available to answer him. But if I had been I would have said that it's what the sport of eventing is all about.
It's simply the best bit for me. No event rider goes eventing for the dressage or show-jumping. They all love the thrill of galloping and jumping across country.
It does mean it can be a bit of a muddy sport though and this was no different. The weather was pretty grim all day. It rained heavily and that was not good news for us as there was no roof to our commentary position.
One of the Swedish radio journalist's kit got so wet it broke down. Luckily ours somehow kept working but I was mightily relieved I was doing radio and not my usual TV.
By the end I looked absolutely awful. My white jeans (yes I know that was stupid) were brown and white spotted. My feet were black with some fairly rotten smelling mud attached to them and I still hadn't got round to putting any make-up on!
So to Team GB's performance... well they all did a brilliant job didn't they? Now in third position in the team competition and still in with a serious shout at gold.
Which - apart from being fab news for any British fans reading this - also means the small wager I have with my fellow eventing commentator, John Murray, is looking a good bet. Roll on Tuesday's show-jumping...
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Comments
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Lizzie, and how right William is. My 12 yr old daughter has started doing some One day events this year, and time after time we see the people with the great dressage ponies winning, while those of us with ponies who enjoy their jumping more, flounder in the bottom of the results tables.
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Whilst cross country is undoubtedly the most important part of a three day event (not to mention the most exciting to both compete in and watch) as riders and horses get better and better at this stage, the dressage and showjumping are increasingly becoming the real deciding factors. It takes a pairing that are consistent across all three phases to now really excel.
This is particularly poignant at Olympic level where the cross country challenge may not be quite as great as that seen at Badminton, Burghly or the WEG as less experienced equestrian nations need a course that will be safe for them and their horses as well as the experts.
To the person above - the 'dressage ponies' that are winning, are obviously just as good at going clear at the XC and SJ too!
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I agree, dressage is only one element of eventing, but it does show that although the horse is fit and eager to go there is control and understanding between horse and rider.
written as onr who loved cross country and failed badly at dressage !!
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Lizzie G-H here. I didn't mean dressage isn't important. It's obviously the best way of demonstrating perfect, precise control of your horse. However I still believe there's noone who events at the top level who genuiney preffers dressage to XC, if they did they would surely do pure dressage instead? I obviously was rubbish at dressage. Not great at jumping either but I did enjoy it. Big thanks to the Cattistock pony club!
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I have been rather disappointed by Lizzie's comments - the comments afterwards are often more enlightening! And who cares what her jeans look like or whether she is wearing makeup! We want to know about the horses and riders!
Eventing is the ultimate challenge for horse and rider: You have your horse trained up and fit and active and raring to go for the XC, BUT you first have to do dressage, which is all about control, obedience to the smallest aid and discipline: it's terribly difficult to get a balance so you don't have a horse "losing it" in the dressage phase, because he is pumped up for XC - which he has to be! And then the show jumping - horse and rider are tired after the cross country phase, but still have to be super-alert, responsive, controlled and careful. Amazingly complex sport, done by amazing people!
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I quite agree about Lizzie's jeans and make-up - or lack of it - being of no interest but can anyone please tell me where I can find the results ?
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What a fantastic x-country but a v special WOW for Mary King. Couldn't believe my eyes at that 2nd pagoda! An absolute thrill to watch.
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Lizzie G-H here before I retire after a very long day. FYI, my blog is supposed to be a personal diary about my time as a BBC Radio Reporter here in Hong Kong. There is a full Olympics results service on the BBC Sport website in the 'Equestrian' section. If you take a look there you'll also find news pieces, video clips from Clare Balding's TV interviews plus a link to the Tean GBR website where you'll also find a personal blog by Team Manager Will Connell. Enjoy.
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As a Brit living in the USA I'm utterly frustrated that none of the video media on the BBC website will play in this zone. Why? Why? Why? It's like DVD regions apparently.
So I have to rely entirely on the written word and can't see any action even on the BBC website, and the USA TV coverage isn't exactly 'hot' for eventing, after all, the USA aren't winning, and the TV here really only shows sports the USA win at (lots of beach volleyball coverage and wall to wall Michael Phelps.) So I tend to agree that the state of Lizzie's jeans is of little interest to me.
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Desktop Cynic - I think it's due to the fact it's only meant to be available to license payers which, is I think, why it is limited to UK audiences.
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Desktop Cynic - as with most sports events, the rights are sold separately for different countries. Naturally the BBC only bid for the UK rights, and are thus restricted to showing video in this country only.
To bid for the US TV rights would cost more than $1bn, I believe - so a few expats who don't pay anything towards the BBC can access the video streams?
As with many of these restrictions, the average IT geek can bypass them pretty easily though.
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It struck me that the time was the most influential factor in this cross country competition. While every element of the 3DE is crucial, some riders are out there under team orders - take Lucinda Fredericks - she sacrificed personal glory and a potential individual medal for the sake of her team. That is the true spirit of the Olympics and this competition.
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I have complained I have wined, but really all I want to do is hear how Mary (King) is doing. She has pulled up from 9th to 5th= in the individual competition and is only 6 points behind the leader. The Team is now in Bronze position and I am so excited. I realise that I could stay up and see her sometime between 1.30am and 5am in the morning, but I work and so I will try checking the website first thing in the morning. I start work at 8.30am and this morning there was nothing except the results, they were the best.
In case you are wondering why I particularly want to see details on Mary, it's because she is my little sister.
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Simon - the highlights for the cross country have been relatively good, although, like you, I'm frustrated that due to the time zones i wasn't able to see the whole thing. There has been a lovely interview with Mary too, she seems to thrilled! It's so good to still see her doing so well, when she's been one of my heroes since I started riding over 15 years ago! I'm definitely going to have my fingers crossed for her tonight.
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Desktop Cynic - You might have already discovered this, but NBC is running streams of all the events online, including eventing. Cross-country was shown in its entirety. Although the US did not fare so well yesterday, Central California's own Gina Miles went clear with few time penalties and is tied for 5th place. Go Gina and McKinlaigh!
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I agree with you guys about Lizzie! I dont think she reported enough on the horses and too much on herself. Well wake up Lizzie- this may come as a surprise but not everything's about you!
I also think that for eventing you need a horse that is good across the board. A specialist dressage horse is good but it also needs to be strong in the other sections and if its not then it should stick to dressage!
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Fiona, Thank you for your comment. I know the interview with Mary, the Show Jumping and the many different interviews and the videos of the competition have been really good. My only two real complaint are that I have to wait until 18 hours after the event to view them, and my friends in America can not watch the videos because they are in the wrong territory!
I will have my fingers crossed as well.
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Just catching up on the X-Country. The course looks kind considering the heat but didnt Toddy make it look easy? What an amazing horseman.
Here's a question that puzzled me the other night. I was watching the dressage late into the evening so cant recall which rider it was but one of the competitors was using a double bridle in the dessage test - I thought (from my days of doing this kind of thing) that you were only allowed a snaffle bridle, cavesson or drop noseband and no martingale in eventing dressage?
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To answer the question regarding the double bridle. Totally acceptable because of the level of test. The horse is expected to work at Advanced Medium Standard, hence the inclusion of canter half-pass and shoulder in and a flying change. The double bridle has always been permitted at this level. Martingales have never been allowed in any dressage test as they are classed as an artificial aid. If the horse can go sweetly in a snaffle then fine, but at this level the double bridle will produce extra collection and self carriage which will help to get the higher marks.
Hope that answers the question.
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Why have the Cross country live all night and then have it on the main BBC coverage today as well?
Do the BBC want people to watch the Olympics or watch a so called sport of which most people know little and care even less? I don't mind it so much but it is so overdone and they didnt even show the Murray brothers match live on the BBC (was on interactive) which could have been their only one in Beijing.
All i am asking is a bit of variety and something so people might stay tuned in, i don't want to bash 3 day eventing.
Come on BBC a little more diverse coverage doesn't hurt.
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Your coverage on 5 live was brilliant, thank you. And also thanks for a positive blog on a Team GB performance. Most of the BBC blogs appear to be extremely negative and yours makes a welcome change!
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PS to person who posted before my last one... doubles tennis WAS showed live in it's entirity on bbc1
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If your friends in the US have high-speed internet, then they can watch all equestrian events online - live and unedited. Go to www.nbcolympics.com
I don't think there's anything worth while on television here, but the online coverage is actually great and the more of us that watch, the more likely they will have it next time.
Of course that is only if you aren't in England and lucky enough to watch on BBC!
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Lizzie G-H here. Can I once again explain what a blog is... It's supposed to be a PERSONAL diary about my time as a BBC Radio Reporter here in Hong Kong. I think it's useful because it allows me to tell you bits of information that you may not get from the BBC coverage. For instance things riders may mention to me which don't make the airwaves. Little bits of gossip which you won't hear elsewhere. Maybe even a bit on the weather and therefore maybe the fact that it's muddy and my jeans got dirty! It's all about adding a bit of colour. If you want reports, there is a full Olympics results service on the BBC Sport website in the 'Equestrian' section. There are news articles and you can also follow links to team GBR's website. If you live in the UK you can view video clips from Clare Balding's TV interviews. Make sure you tune into the BBC tonight (either on TV or Radio 5) for full, live coverage of the show-jumping phase.
PS - Simon, Mary is doing great. She was absolutely delighted with her XC yesterday and still very determined to get that elusive gold. If you haven't spoken to her, I will tell her you say 'hello'!!!!
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I'd happily pay to watch the BBC coverage. Where do I do that? I can understand that they can't show live coverage, but after the event when we know who's won? They can't even show that?
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Here's an idea, to satisfy those who say we can't see the video media because we ex pats don't pay the license fee (although I did for many many years before we left.....probably more years than some of you have been alive....). A subscription service for the BBC website! So people outside the country can use it fully and pay to do so.
I'm a little concerned that No. 11 wants me to try and 'rip' it. Isn't that illegal? (And I'm not clever enough anyway.) I just want to watch the BBC videos! And I'll pay a subscription! Please.......
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Thank you for your blog, it brings a human side to the reporting of the equestrian events so white jeans included carry on please.
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The cross country rounds by the GB team were absolutely phenomenal, especially Mary King. I love watching her ride, she's so gutsy and she rode superbly under the conditions that she did.
It's great to see team GB fight back after the dressage and I really hope the Mary and the team can come home with medals, they thoroughly deserve them.
I find it questionable, however that the USA choose Amy Tyron for their team, when clearly based on past events at the Kentucky, the woman can't tell that her horse is crippled and continued to jump. Is that an Olympic standard rider?
William Fox-Pitt is right, this isn't a dressage competition, the cross country and the jumping define the results table, and I can't wait until the jumping!
Great blog, by the way, it's nice to get more of an insight into the events.
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Lizzie, any chance you could provide some coverage which gives us some idea of how the horses and riders are getting on, rather than the state of your inappropriate attire?
Not one of your reports has given any depth as to how the courses are riding, conditions are affecting the horses, or interesting stories involving the ups and downs which are inevitable with an equestrian team.
The comments to your blogs are more interesting and useful!
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I recommend the news and team leader diary on the Equestrian Team GBR website - much more enlightening than the totally ignorant BBC web coverage - and thankfully no mention of white jeans anywhere.
http://www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk/
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As a member of British Eventing I disagree with the above comments made. Although many riders enjoy the xc aspect of eventing, it is not what eventing is all about. If that were so, many riders would be concentrating on team chasing and hunter trials! The other two aspects of the eventing are just as crutial. Dressage, to show the trainability and suppleness of the horse. Show jumping, to show how precise the horse is over jumps and how fit the horse is, especially after a whole day of cross county the day before. The cross country shows the bravery by both horse and rider, as well as testing the endurance of the horse.
I believe that it will be the show jumping tomorrow that will make and break many medal prospects hopes, as so many of the horses may be slightly stiff after the day before.
Mary King did very well, and im looking forward to watching the show jumping phase, which should make brilliant veiwing as we are so so close to success.
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First of all, so glad we won the double Bronze - well done to everybody on the GB team. Great result.
Back to why we can't watch the BBC video from the USA, even AFTER the evnt - I have tried to watch some video of the showjumping phase on NBC's website. After 4 separate boxes popped up inviting me to download software my company won't allow on my laptop, I then had to complete a questionnaire about which TV service I use..... I gave up. Back to the TV I guess, beach volley ball, itsy bitsy bikinis and beer commercials. Love it!!
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It's not easy being a eventing fan in the US. Apart from the video stream, the US media provides no coverage of any of the equestrian events. So I have been scouring the web for news on BBC, Australian even German websites. I greatly appreciate the coverage on BBC, including this blog. Thanks LGH.
Well done Team GB for winning the team bronze - that was a fantastic comeback. And congratulations to first-time olympians and first-time medalists Gina Miles and Tina Cook!
Finally, hats off to the grooms and the support staff for taking care of the horses in very difficult weather conditions.
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hi, you can talk about your white jeans and make up as much as you want, your rather fit
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I know it's a little late but as far as I am aware this was never addressed, if it was I'd be grateful if someone could point out where. On the full coverage of the cross country they referred to a jump which had been changed, stone forest or something? It had apparently had fake rocks to jump over but they were replaced by wood, which the commentators remarked was controversial, without explaining the controversy. Why were they changed and why was this controversial?
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