SHOWJUMPING: super-exciting 1990s-style jumpoff!

[DJDangersJessiJane]

Wow. I wish they still had this.

This video had great quality too!

Thanks for uploading!

[ImmortalSynn]

@DJDangersJessiJane

Welcome. Be on the lookout for my next vid, it'll be called "Land of Kings: Three-"P" SuperStallion!" or something similar to that (haven't decided yet, lol) and it will feature Land of Kings (the big grey seen in this video, under Margie Engle) doing several 90s-style courses like this!

Should have it up soon, if not tonight. :)

[ABonner93]

That was way more exciting than the grand prix I see today!!! Wow what an adrenaline rush just to watch!

[ImmortalSynn]

@ABonner93

Wasn't it awesome?! ...I miss those days in showjumping!

[ABonner93]

@ImmortalSynn yeah really, great commentary too!!!

[deaconredwhiteandblu]

7:20 commentators curse

[ImmortalSynn]

@deaconredwhiteandblu

I know right?! I was totally rooting for LaCosta in this too... we don't really get a chance to see it here, but that horse was soooo FAST! You can even hear the commentators mention it several times: to see him go was like watching a lightning bolt weave its way through a course.

Sucked so bad to see him out of the running, but that's how it goes. ;)

[AlexanderTheLiberal]

why wont the announcer stfu and let us watch the jump off???

[ImmortalSynn]

@AlexanderTheLiberal

...because she's not there for the likes of you, but rather for spectators who might be new viewers of the sport and thus not grasp the true complexities/difficulty of what they're seeing.

[horseskickbutforever]

holy crap 1.35...that horse is amazing! my favourite. all great horses and rider :)

[ImmortalSynn]

@horseskickbutforever

...which one are you talking about?

[horseskickbutforever]

@ImmortalSynn woops i meant 5.35 haha. the brown one. hes amazing :)

[ImmortalSynn]

@horseskickbutforever

Rhum IV?

Yeah, very amazing showjumper... not the fastest, not the scopiest-- damn he was sooo incredibly *smooth* in nearly everything he did!

He could take just about any 1.60m jumpoff course, and make it look like a hunter round.

I'm considering making a tribute video to him, as I have several of his spectacular wins on tape. :)

[horseskickbutforever]

@ImmortalSynn yes thats him :) i love the way he sits in the air and the way he launches himself. very smooth. i think you should definately make a tribute!!! do it!! haha.

[horseskickbutforever]

god they are amazing riders and horses.

[ImmortalSynn]

@horseskickbutforever

Indeed, that's what made this class so spectacular... one of the most memorable jumpoffs I've ever seen!

[TheSofieLee]

That was so intense wow! True talent in both horse and rider right there!

[ImmortalSynn]

@TheSofieLee

It really is.  I've had this tape 16yrs now, and I *still* watch it at least once per week... it's just such an inspiration to see talent on this level!

[msiheartcows]

dang tht horse is 21!!!!!!!

[ImmortalSynn]

@msiheartcows

Yep. He's now in the Showjumping Hall of Fame as the oldest to win a grand prix in North America, at the age of 22. He kept going after this. :)

He was also 2-time AGA Horse of the Year twice... a record that's been broken only by Gem Twist.

[msiheartcows]

@ImmortalSynn haha sweet.. when i was in fourth grade i did a book report on MIchael Matz and i had to dress up like him... i wore my show riding stuff but only on boot cuz i broke me foot:(

[msiheartcows]

@ImmortalSynn most of my horses die at 27ish...

[Autteh]

Those jumps are insane... xD

[GRITSNaturalHorse]

Those are some HUGE horses!! They just hop over the fences.

[ImmortalSynn]

@GRITSNaturalHorse

Some of them (e.g., Land of Kings and Mont Cenis). Others (For the Moment) were actually pretty little.

[matrixmare]

I wish thoroughbreds were as common in Grand Prixs... now it's all warmbloods. :/ Thoroughbreds are awesome, and you don't have to import them. ;)

[ImmortalSynn]

@matrixmare

True, but your last just highlit the reason we don't see so many of them in the grands prix any more... because there's just so much more money to be made (by breeders/trainers) by pushing the warmblood philosophy.

I'm hoping that Gemini (Gem Twist's clone) changes that, when he begins breeding!

[jetblack964]

they literally FLEW over them :)

[QueenBeatlesWings]

I like the lady and the white horse- they just seem so daring

[ImmortalSynn]

@QueenBeatlesWings

They are. And look for a video featuring them in a little while. It'll be called "Land of Kings: the All-Around" :)

[matrixmare]

@ImmortalSynn GO MARGIE!!! (that horse is HUGE.)

[ImmortalSynn]

@matrixmare

He was. You can see more of him in my video "Margie vs. Patty: a Clock-out knockout" and can look forward to a video featuring just him, soon.

[alessiabbyxD]

that grey horse.. incredible!!!!!!!

[ImmortalSynn]

@alessiabbyxD

Land of Kings? ...if you like him, look forward to a full-feature video of just him, that I'll be making.

You can also see more of him now in my video "Margie vs. Patty: a ClockOut KnockOut"

Enjoy ;)

[annie920]

Boy do I wish Michael was still riding grand prix. He's just amazing to watch.

[matrixmare]

Aw man, I wish they still had the gallopy type of courses in grand prixs!! It's so exciting. :/ I'd love to see more tbs and other less-seen breeds in GPs.

[ImmortalSynn]

@matrixmare

Then be on the lookout for my next video. It'll be called "Thoroughbred Domination: Fairway-- the Good Old Master" .

It will feature an entire field of warmbloods getting the absolute PANTS whooped off of them, by the only Thoroughbred in the field... and an older one at that... Fairway.

[TheLegendjumpers]

Such grace! At full jump off speed many of these riders don't even RUB the fences! My God, I've noticed that a lot less riders go clear these days. How were they able to do that?!?!?!

[ImmortalSynn]

I would suggest spending some time reading some of the other comments here, as the topic's been covered quite a bit... but to sum it up: basically my whole point in posting this video is to detail the differences between 1990s USA courses, that tended to have more emphasis on speed/agility (catering to the Thoroughbred type), versus 2000s type, which feature more emphasis on scope and technical questions (catering to warmbloods).

So to answer your question: lower fences and more running.

[littlescratchykitty]

The 1990s were so great for show jumping spectators. Good old For the Moment, and Rhum IV and Michael Matz...

[ImmortalSynn]

Agreed. That, and it was MUCH easier to find the grands prix on TV... back in the days of the Prime Network, and when ESPN showed showjumping. :(

[comeflywme12]

yay!!! can't wait!

[comeflywme12]

yeaaa!!! thoroughbred power 8)

[ImmortalSynn]

I'll very soon be posting another one, where a single Thoroughbred DOMINATES a jumpoff full of warmbloods.

It will be called "Fairway: the Good Ol' Master"

...be on the lookout for it. :)

[BarnBrat]

One thing I like about these videos is the commentators can actually well...comment.

They dont call the riders jockeys LOL.

[ImmortalSynn]

Agreed. No one (in N.America anyways) beat Gina Johnson and the Southerns (Nancy and Linda) when it came to commentary!

[BarnBrat]

It really makes watching it wayy more interesting. its educational and more entertaining for none horse people as well when there is actually good informative commentary.

[gryphonkeen]

but she didnt take a breath the whole time lol. It was a bit distracting

[ImmortalSynn]

For you maybe, but then again, I'm guessing you probably already have a fair grasp of the sport... the commentary is more intended for those who don't.

[FlyingSolo297]

O crap haha Micheal Matz was in that!

[ImmortalSynn]

Forgot to add-- anyone wanting to see the first-round for this competition should click on the new link provided in the info-box. :)

[racehorsesforlife]

Why TBs have almost been completed eliminated out of the showjumping ring I don't know. There is nothing better than a great TB showjumper like For the Moment. And thank you for putting this up!

[ImmortalSynn]

Welcome.

It's sort of a chicken/egg type thing... you don't generally see running-courses like this at the highest levels anymore. Mostly what you see are technical-courses. The former suits the TBs, the latter suits the WBs. I can't say whether an increase in imported/bred WBs caused courses to shift to technicality over speed, or the shift in tech. over speed caused the increase in WB's over TBs.

I'm thinking the latter though.

[racehorsesforlife]

You may be right, but I'd like to throw this idea into the discussion. I actually think that it had to do with money more than anything. The Europeans developed this wonderful product-the WB-and did a great job of marketing it. When professionals realized the kind of money that they could sell these horses for and the high demand from people who have way too much money for their own good, they all started buying, selling, and riding them.

[ImmortalSynn]

Good point.

[racehorsesforlife]

I think that it was kind of a fad and I don't really blame the pros because there is a lot more money in show WBs than show TBs. After all, you can get a TB off the track for very, very cheap. They won't ever be worth as much in the show ring as WBs because they have other purposes (racing) where you can get them for very cheap. I think a good TB can still be just as competitive as a WB. The really nice TBs are athletic enough to be as technical as the WBs.

[ImmortalSynn]

True, that's sorta how For The Moment got his name.

Lisa Jacquin rode him as a training program, and nicknamed him "For The Moment," because that's about how long she planned to ride him, until she could get her hands on a warmblood.

Well, a good decade, dual AGA Horse of the Year (a record surpassed by only Gem Twist) titles, multiple American Invitational wins, and an Olympic medal later... they were still together. :)

[TheBrainLick]

to manny thoughbred "weeds" out there today if you ask me.

[ImmortalSynn]

The words are "many" and "Thoroughbred"... and as true as the statement may be, it's a rather moot point-- as there's a whole lot more KWPNs/Hanoverians/Holsteiners/­Oldenburgs out there who are nothing more than kiddies' lesson-horses, than many would like to admit.

[MrRubin29]

I love TBs!! They always give 110%. I have ridden a couple of WB when trying for clients of my trainers, but not my personal choice. I would love to see them comeback to GP showjumping someday.

I love how the top 3 horses are TBs:)

[ImmortalSynn]

Rhum IV is not a TB....

That said, I'm hoping that Gem Twist's clone brings back the TB blood into American (and heck, international) showjumpers.

[merager]

Its funny, or rather; fun, to watch all the 80's and 90's show jumping videos and such. A lot of the horses then were TB based or pure TB back then. It seems as time goes by the 'popular' GP jumpers are now all warmblood's, but we can't forget about our little bullet TB's... man are they quick and fast. lol. I've got one of those. he's not at GP height yet but man is he quick, fast and CRAZY athletic... sucker can clear a 4' fence from a trot! Great video! I enjoyed it. =)

[ImmortalSynn]

how old is he?

[merager]

he's 10 this year, 11 in 2010. I'll probably keep him at the 4'6" area because its his comfort height with his insane speed, but man if I could get him rocked back a bit to do GP... haha, he would kick some behind. lol

[doubletakex]

Wow, Rhum IV is so freakin fast adn his turn to the wall was amazing! I think Lacosta is absolutely gorgeous though, I've never heard of him before.

[ImmortalSynn]

LaCosta goes way back with Margie... before even Daydream and Saluut II. He was, IINM, her first (and for a long time, her primary) FEI-level grand prix horse, and really helped shape her into what she's become today.

[pinkweaselgirl]

Didnt Michael Matz train Barbaro?

the name sounded very familiar...

[ImmortalSynn]

Yes he did.

He's also the same Michael Matz that received governmental honors for saving children in the crash of United Airlines flight 232.

[equestrianequine]

that was exciting. from the begining up to Rhum IV it was tense :) nice vid i liked it. i know how it feels when you've got a rail down....u kinda lose hope sometimes but its good to finish on a good note, even if u dont win.

[ImmortalSynn]

...actually I'd say it was tense up to the point of LaCosta's attempt at the turn, after that, the mood sorta lifted.

Agree?

[Channin22]

Wasn't Gem Twist a Thoroughbred too????

[ImmortalSynn]

Indeed he was

[ImmortalSynn]

Yes, Gem (and his clone, obviously) are both pure TBs.

[Agilitypoodle385]

Whyy do people always compare Gem to Milton... ?? (sorry, i have always wanted to know the answer) XD x

[ImmortalSynn]

Because they're so similar.

They looked virtually alike, despite being different breeds/ages. They both are considered "the best" by their respective circles of fans. And they both have sufficient corroboration to lay claim to that title:

Milton is the all-time money winner, which includes a du Maurier championship.

Gem was OFFICIALLY named "World's Best Horse" at the 1990 world championships (WEGs), and also has won 3 AGA championships, which no other horse has been able to duplicate.

[Agilitypoodle385]

so which horse is actually better.. I thought Milton was???

[ImmortalSynn]

As said, it's subjective.:

Milton made more money, so if that's how you judge "better", then it's him.

Gem beat Milton in just about every competition they ever squared off against each other in. So some consider *him* better for that.

Also, at the inaugural WEGs, Gem was officially given the title of "World's Best Horse" over Milton. So you may wanna take that into consideration.

Lastly, Gem placed in many FEI competitions under 3 main riders. Milton did it primary under one.

[ImmortalSynn]

He's a Selle Francais.

[ImmortalSynn]

Pretty sure he's full, but don't quote me

[EventerAJ]

Michael Matz was such a beautiful rider. Miss seeing him over fences! He's done ok for himself, though ;)

[VivianHallinan]

holy shit! that horse is 21!?

[ImmortalSynn]

Yes. He's now in the Showjumping Hall of Fame, as the oldest horse to win a showjumping grand prix class in both the USA and world.

[msiheartcows]

@VivianHallinan I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING!!!!! bottom line-michael matz is awesome

[EquineLuver123]

wat channels are these comps on??

[ImmortalSynn]

Keep in mind that that's going to vary by time/date/location.

Heck, I taped this 13yrs ago. The channel that it came on doesn't even exist anymore.

Nowadays, Outdoor Life Network has plenty of shows, but it's a premium station for most people. ESPN almost never shows showjumping competitions anymore-- which sucks, because it used to almost every Sunday.

[LyndaP31]

Oh Darn! :O( Oh well! hehehee. I didn't even know he existed then, course I do now!

[ImmortalSynn]

...of course he did, he's been riding at that level since the early '70s!

This was his 60th AGA win, which was quite an accomplishment, considering that the only rider to have hit that threshold before Matz was Rodney Jenkins.

[LyndaP31]

Michael Matz is Da Bomb!!! I would have liked to see the interview at the end though, since he won I am sure they interviewed him, right?

[ImmortalSynn]

They did, but I was never that much a fan of his... so recorded over it long ago.

[HATentertainment]

Michael Matz is my dad!

[ImmortalSynn]

IYSS :)

[LiveLaughRide07]

wow great to see him ride, cant believe he went to racing tho...guess SJ was just to much 4 him to handle haha

[ImmortalSynn]

...considering that he broke Rodney Jenkins' record of 60 victories within a single showjumping league (interestingly enough: THIS win was the one to tie that record!), I'd say that what you suggest, probably isn't the case ;)

[ImmortalSynn]

Featured, by order of go:

OLISCO - Michael Matz

LAND OF KINGS - Margie Goldstein (Engle)

FOR THE MOMENT - Lisa Jacquin

QUANTUM LEAP - Debbie Dolan Sweeney

RHUM IV - Michael Matz

LACOSTA - Margie Goldstein (Engle)

MONT CENIS - Patty Stovel