OTTB's at the Olympics

[bayrabicano]

The 2008 Olympics opens today, and found among the athletes from the US are two marvelous OTTBs - Courageous Comet and Poggio II. They will be representing the US in Eventing, and we’ll be on the edge of our seats, cheering them on! They start tomorrow, August 9, and will be competing for the next several days. If you want to see their performances, here’s the TV schedule.

We’re particularly taken with Comet, who was more successful than most racehorses, running 36 times and even managing to place in a stakes before retiring. The durable runner is a spectacular athlete, and despite all of his mileage, excels in the dressage phase.

Comet is partnered by Becky Holder, one of the nation’s leading event riders who’s also a talented trainer and coach. Best of all, Comet isn’t her only retired Thoroughbred - she’s trained retired runners Highland Hogan and Glorious Joy to Advanced, as well.

Poggio II ran under the name Chesterstimetofly, and was sold as a yearling for $400. An indifferent racehorse, Chester retired after a few starts and became a trail horse for his young owner, riding for hours through the Cascades. When his young owner went to college, Chester was sold, and found his way into Amy Tryon’s barn. Now 16, Pogi is no stranger to the Olympics, having garnered a team bronze medal in 2004.



from:

http://woodend.wordpress.com/

and:

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/nation ... mpics.aspx

[Lucy]

The Olympic events are also streaming live at http://www.nbcolympics.com. I was watching a bit of the 3-day dressage tests earlier.

[bayrabicano]

STANDINGS

Team Eventing Dressage -- Day 1 Morning - TEAM USA - 2nd

==================================

Individual Eventing -- Dressage Day 1 Morning (USA)

Rebecca Holder on COURAGEOUS COMET (OTTB) - 4th

Gina Miles on MCKINLAIGH - 7th

Amy Tyron on POGGIO II (OTTB) - 14th

[Tiz]

Does anyone know who Chesterstimetofly is by/out of?

[Lucy]

The correct spelling is "Chesterstimetoofly".

By Polynesian Flyer, out of Waves Club by Toooverprime.
http://www.pedigreequery.com/chesterstimetoofly

[jellac]

Thanks Lucy - spurred on by your posting of this information I managed, non-technocrat that I am, to finally just catch the last bit of "today's" live streaming video of the second day of dressage. Then I went back and also caught the videoed hi-lights from today and yesterday, including those that featured Ms Tryon aboard Poggio doing their first day dressage test -AND the very lovely top performance by the young Australian woman - very, very nice!

[Bedouwia]

I hope that this thread stays active. I too was able to watch some of the dressage thanks to the link information.... after I had failed to find anything on the TV channels. Go team USA!

Bedouwia

[Barbaro06]

Bedouwia--the equestrian events will move to the Oxygen network. The cross country portion will air starting 6pm EST.

I was able to watch the anchor riders compete in dressage today--it was around 10am EST and ran I would say 30 minutes. The tests were shortened due to the intense heat and humidity.

It was nice to see some of the equestrian events and I will definitely be tuning in this week on Oxygen.

[jellac]

It's "Official" -

In Team Dressage: AUSTRALIA - Gold
GERMANY - Silver
USA - Bronze

Congratulations to all - what excellent work they performed. It would be nice if the written scores/tests were made available to the public after the riders have reviewed and signed them. I'd like to compare what comments/penalties the Judges made to my own thoughts.

[walaa]

Do you mean the eventing team is in 3rd place after dressage? or the actual dressage part of equestrian is over and usa took bronze? Im just confused, the post makes it sound like usa got the bronze in dressage, I thought that didnt take place for a few more days after eventing was over? Do you mean the eventing team is in 3rd so far, after the dressage phase? I will be pissed if I didnt get to see any of the dressage teams coverage I saw some of the eventing dressage, but I was really hoping to see the actual dressage team go.

[toadie]

It's "Official" -

In Team Dressage: AUSTRALIA - Gold
GERMANY - Silver
USA - Bronze

Congratulations to all - what excellent work they performed. It would be nice if the written scores/tests were made available to the public after the riders have reviewed and signed them. I'd like to compare what comments/penalties the Judges made to my own thoughts.

Whoa jellac, this was just the dressage phase of the 3-day. The real test will be tomorrow in the cross country phase, which is the "heart" of 3-day eventing. Then on the 12th the stadium jumping of the 3-day will finalize the standings. The "straight" dressage (a completely different equestrian competition), doesnt' start until the 13th (I'm pretty sure that's the 1st day).

[jellac]

Yes - I'm sadly in need of 'brakes' or a good solid "Whoa!"

I was excited to see the US Team in such good standing following what Toadie has pointed out is only the first phase of the 3-day Eventing program. It's a position I think we might be able to improve from and that's all I meant.....(BLUSH)...didnt mean to jump the gun on any "Final" standings results.....

[Lucy]

Amy took a tumble on the cross country; she & Poggio have been eliminated.

Comet is on course as I type, and was going well but had a refusal.

[Barbaro06]

Team USA has slipped to 7th after the cross country phase. Tomorrow is the show/stadium jumping phase...I hope it goes better for them!

It was nice to watch save for the tumbles....did they ever catch Chico?

[Lucy]

At least everyone got up after their tumbles.

I imagine they caught Chico eventually....I felt for that kid, though, he looked so embarrassed! Ah well, he's only 18....give him a couple more Olympiads and he'll get the hang of it.