A Non Political Post

My Minnesota readers and friends know that I am a bit of a horse crazed teen-ager at heart. I used to ride hunter/jumpers in my mis-spent youth and worked at a barn that trained jumpers and 3 day event horses. I even worked one summer as a outrider for the Midwest Regional USET Olympic Trials. So needless to say I still follow equestrian sports fairly closely. With the start of the Olympics this week, I am in full fledged horsey mode. The USETs (US Equestrian Team) Olympics started out with the 3 Day Eventing (Day 1 Dressage - think obedience for horses, Day 2 Cross Country Jumping - endurance test and Day 3 Stadium Jumping). At the end of Day 2 the team medal contenders are Germany, Australia and Great Britain with 4th being held by the surprising Italian team. Germany, Australia and Britain are perennial power houses in eventing although the Kiwis (currently in 6th) have been making great strides. The USET stands in 7th overall in large part due to the elimination of Amy Tryon who fell off of her horse during the Cross Country phase.

The individual standings are dominated by the Germans who hold three of the top 10 spots including 1 and 2. The second place horse, piloted by Ingrid Klimke (daughter of Dressage great Reiner Klimke) was an absolute joy to watch as he covered the course. The highest placing American rider is Gina Miles of California who is currently tied for 5th place. Given that a mere 4 points separate 1st from 5th place (in the individual competition) it is still anybodies game at this point. One downed rail or a refusal could drop you out of the medal contention entirely so tomorrow's show jumping phase will be crucial.

While the finals are going on tomorrow, there will be no blogging or email. I will be rooting for the USET for sure, but I will also be pulling for Ingrid Klimke and Abraxxas. In large part because of the time I spent in Germany and in large part just because I want to see if he is as much of a joy to watch in the stadium as he was on the cross country course.

It almost makes me wish I still had horses.....