General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOLYMPICS---Annie's prancing horse is on LIVE on MSNBC.
No spoilers from me, but if you are near a TV.....
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,735 posts)I'll bet there are at least -- dozens -- of people who are interested in it.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Last edited Thu Aug 2, 2012, 10:02 AM - Edit history (1)
I know Annie is in the stands but I didn't see her....
They're running swimming quals on the network station. Michael Phelps is swimming NOW 10 am...
Firebrand Gary
(5,044 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)I'd wager more Republicans would rather vote for the horse than the Twitty Shittster!
Firebrand Gary
(5,044 posts)Curtland1015
(4,404 posts)Those other horses got SERVED!
MADem
(135,425 posts)kentuck
(111,103 posts)It would have been better if I had not known it belonged to the Romneys.
MADem
(135,425 posts)valerief
(53,235 posts)tanyev
(42,568 posts)snooper2
(30,151 posts)Yavin4
(35,442 posts)hlthe2b
(102,293 posts)perform though, and admittedly they have to demonstrate incredible teamwork with the rider. So, for all that dismiss this out-of-hand, I think they are missing a lot. It evolved from ancient times-- when command of horse by rider in war meant the difference in survival.
I urge DUers who are put off--simply by the Romney association-- to watch, nonetheless. But, yes, it is evidence of incredible shit loads of money. Those horses, their gear and training are incredibly expensive--not to mention the cost of travel. Whew.
I just LOOOOOVE these horses! Incredibly beautiful animals.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)Sedona
(3,769 posts)riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)dolphin trainers - whatever? Of course. But just like horse sports, they are rare. Overflexing is illegal and if a trainer is caught the penalties are severe.
MADem
(135,425 posts)I don't.
So this is just pure, unvarnished, and admittedly uninformed opinion.
I got the sense that those horses do that prancing/dancing shit out of loyalty, repetition/training, and a paucity of options. I didn't get the sense that they "liked" it or that it "mimicked play." I am not perceiving joy or abandon in their efforts--it ain't like throwing frisbees at the border collie.
It looks like work to me, replete with tension and drama and high stakes.
Sure, they get pats and praise when they "do good," but they'd better do good...!
I wouldn't call it torture, but it does not look like Yee Haw fun.
That Canadian horse wasn't having ANY of it. He got through the dressage portion but when it came to the running and jumping, he wasn't having fun. Maybe he was annoyed at being named "Gin and Juice" and decided to show 'em what a drunken rampage looks like...?
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/eh-game/equestrienne-hawley-bennett-awad-stable-being-thrown-off-163148413.html
But hey, DU delivers again--ya learn something new every day here!! I never knew horsies had AIR BAGS!!! Wouldn't Christopher Reeve have liked one of those things...
Air vest inflated before impact
McGregor credited an inflatable safety vest attached to the rider's saddle with preventing a more severe injury.
The air vest triggers when a rider is thrown from his or her mount, and operates much like a car air bag. It is a standard precaution for all competing riders.
Hawley Bennett-Awad and her horse, Gin & Juice, compete in the equestrian dressage on Saturday. She was injured in competition Monday. (David Goldman/Associated Press)
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/08/01/injured-equestrian-discharged.html