US Olympic Equestrian Team

[volleyballlibero1996]

This is probably one of the hardest sports out there (besides gymnastics). People think that you just sit on the horse. Not even close. Besides track/cross country runners, riders have one of the biggest thighs of any athlete and don't even try to deny that we aren't athletes. Yes, volleyball, basketball, track, lacrosse, cheerleading, crew/rowing, ect. are hard, but equestrian is just right up there with them (but not really western because I don't think it is that hard as English).

[eventingfreak101]

love this! :D

[KatsavesAnimals]

are they all thoroughbreds? it'd be nice to see some different breeds...lol id love to see a MULE in these competitions!

[ponyclubber12]

LOVE Beezie Madden!

[TrueRider2010]

i saw gina miles at the last horse trials i went 2... shes AMAZING!

[jellybeantelephone]

nah, it would wreck the olympics to have any other disipline than the olympic ones. I recognise that reining and barrelss require stregth and ability but their strength is nothing on the power, disipline and training that the olympic disiplines have to have. The olympic disiplines are in a completly different league.

[jumpergurl4190]

@jellybeantelephone - i agree, chasing cans and destroying cows is just BS :o) lol

[MissReiner]

@jellybeantelephone I see why you would say that, since there is some western disciplines that really don't require such precision, but there's also english disciplines that aren't on that level, for example english pleasure. You have to realize that reining is the western version of dressage, just a newer version of the sport. Reiners, like dressage riders, must also be in control of every movement, and be connected to the horse in a way that requires complete will from the horse.

[MsEvita123]

cool

[The4hcowgirl]

how come there is no western events @ olympics?

[tripxandxslide]

for the same reason theres no baseball or basket ball i guess. i think western is pretty limited to the us. may or may not be true =/

[ThoroughbredRunner]

because western events are mostly a U.S. sport, so we would cream the Olympics and not many other countries would enter anyways

[richmondkrn]

its the same why at the world equestrian games exept for reining. and that because most places besides the us and australia are almost all english. the only western sport done on an international level is rening. and the 3 equine olmpic sports are Eventing, show jumping and Dressage.

[servantofDieu]

@The4hcowgirl Because the Olympic Eventing was originally to judge war horses they had to compleat something similar to todays Three Day Eventing. Western is not done all around the world as much so as the Eventing. Eventing is just older and was in the Olypics first. Not fair to the Western world but how it is

[Roxy12300]

because only america and the close countries like canada and mexico do it and even then its still limited to certain areas if it was world wide they would have it

[chrissyluvhorsey]

thats what the WEG's are for =)

[lolgurl200]

@The4hcowgirl because it's considered a not popular enough, or worldwide sport.

[fezfrk92]

its all bout the 3 day eventing. I think it would be cool if they did do like barrall racing etc.

[Moonshine148]

wait, I thought olympics were just show jumping and dressage... do all of the riders do all 3?

also, they all look YOUNG! and was one wearing canada's team colors???

so does one generally have to come from super rich lines and have been riding since they could walk to get to the olympics, or can some of us average folks with dreams, dedication, and hard work get in?? this is my dream, if I can ever get over the huge amount of fear of jumping. and I will have to I mean I've never even tried it.

[archangelxxrdb]

honestly, how old are you? i'm 16, and i have been riding for 12 years. I'm not from super rich lines, but I have gotten very involved in the equestrian world. If you have not started jumping before age 16, probably not. I am only at 4 feet, but if you have a fear, start with crossrails, they're really not hard, or scary. I promise. just keep a good horse underneath yourself and you'll be fine.

[Moonshine148]

I am also 16, almost 17. And to be involved in horses at all, let alone that young, you have to have atleast SOME money. Which I don't have at all, and I'm doing barn chores for anything I get. I want to know the chances of someone like ME getting there.

see, I consider starting at a ridiculous age like 4, riding since you could walk.

Most trainers now won't take students until they're atleast 7, sometimes 8 because the muscles needed aren't strong enough to use in the way they need to be yet.

[horselovergirl92]

if u work hard at it u can get there i am in the same place u r i see girls that r not that good but get to the big show because of money it is harder while most girls r at the mall b4 and after lessons we work around the barn just to ride. try to get some catch ridesi am right now. trust me it will b harder then it is for most but work at it i am i really want to make it and win at WEG and the Olympics to. good luck

[Moonshine148]

what is WEG?

[horselovergirl92]

World Equestrian Games it is the world championship

[Moonshine148]

so which one is bigger? Or are there seperate "paths" to get to them?

[funlvrforevr]

As long as you have faith in your horse, your trainer and yourself, advancing to all levels (including jumping) and new challenges in all equestrian sports won't be a problem

[Moonshine148]

Thanks, these are hopeful words. =D

[archangelxxrdb]

I do a lot of barn chores for extra rides and things, and getting over your fear is easy. I used to be terrified of cross country, and during acctually trials, i do still get scared, and nervous.. That feeling may never go away, but you need to trust your horse, and put faith in both of your abilities, I'm sure you guys will both do fine. If you're trainer has confidence you'll do good, then you should as well.. And start small, that's what i did.

[Moonshine148]

yea, I'm still trying to find a barn close enough to get a weekend stable job for a discount on lessons/leasing, etc.

It's hard being a horse crazy city girl! lol.

[funlvrforevr]

no problem. Believe me, I've been in your position, but with the right people surrounding me, I'm jumping over 3 foot!

[Moonshine148]

that's awesome. How long have you been riding?

[funlvrforevr]

Thanks! About 5 years, and loving every minute of it :)

[Moonshine148]

wow, only 5 years and you're already over 3 feet? that's amazing.

[funlvrforevr]

Thanks! Yeah, I've been very fortunate to be able to work with some talented horses and trainers. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you have great people behind you :)

[klsunsnowluck]

i agree with you totally after my fourth time in an english saddle i jumped my very first ever jump

[funlvrforevr]

Thats awesome! Jumping is a big milestone in a rider's career. Isn't riding such a rush?

[klsunsnowluck]

ya i wish i could ride english more that was at a girl scout camp it has been the only time ive been able to ride english cause my best friend has a boarding stable i ride her horses sometime but she does western

[funlvrforevr]

Well at least you get to spend time with horses. You could try to find an english barn in your area? or you could save up your money and buy used english tack and ride your friend's horses in an english saddle and bridle.

[klsunsnowluck]

ya there is an english barn near me but its a really fancy place and my friend would kill me if i asked to ride her horses in englis cause they are reaining horses

[funlvrforevr]

Huh you're in a really tough situation there haha but there's also summer camps and pony clubs you can attend?

[klsunsnowluck]

no pony clubs i live in a mostly western region and i have no horse for pony clubs and summer camp i do summer camp but it is Girl Scouts and they do mostly western this year they had one english session and i did it that when i jumped

[funlvrforevr]

There aren't any other camps that provide english lessons?

[klsunsnowluck]

not that i know of my mom wont payfor it though i have to find someone that i can work to have lessons

[funlvrforevr]

Ya thats a good idea!!! I work for my barn and it helps me with board and shows.

[klsunsnowluck]

ya im gonna see if i can do that with the only english barn near me but i dont know if they will because they have a waiting list for boarders and it is a really fancy place. for now im going to learn reining! im going to a free clinic at my bffs open house with one of my friends old horses!

[funlvrforevr]

Wow that sounds so fun! Well you can go to your english barn and just ask to work there, you dont need to board. The clinic sounds like a great idea!!

[klsunsnowluck]

thanks for all your help the horse im riding in the clinic is also an english horse and the person who owns him still has her old eventing saddles so im gonna learn dressage and then when we find some jumps maybe some jumping i found out last night and i was bouncing off the walls with excitement cause eventing is like my dream and now i.l be on an old eventer

[funlvrforevr]

Wow thats so exciting. No problem, I hope you continue to ride and learn about horses. Enjoy!

[DelaynaNicole]

i know what you mean. at my stables there are barrels and polls set up. But you have to set up jumps. At shows, english is in the morning, then western. I have no english friends to ride with.

[richmondkrn]

If u went to a competive barn there would be all english riders and most of the local shows are like that but there are a ton of all english shows.

[xoHorsesAreMyLifexo]

Courtney King!!!!! Poor girl got eliminated ):

[ridingstar11]

usa did good! us canadians gotta get our heads in the game XZ

[VivaLasVegas1989]

LAURA!!!

She is so great.

I love her horsemanship.

no one is better than Laura...she is the real champion...

[awesomerocks124]

My role models!

[em352]

my role models to!!

[whoopdefreakingdo]

These riders are amazing! They are my role-models. =)

[sheltielover12]

beezie madden is my idol!!!!!!

[RidaHolic13]

It was so much fun watching the Olympics this year! I completely fell in loe with :12

[Natashajb]

well im Australian and i liv in Oz but i wz just havina a peek on the nutrision and health and hapeness of these horses and i would give them abt a 8~9overall i meen DAYMN! those r better horses than wt i expected.

i didnt gt 2 watch the olympics wt were the playcing's overall in the equestrian and cn u give me a link 2 a web pge th@ sez the playcings of the different diciplens, please??

Horses 2+2 Ever!!!

[mirokupurple]

tell the wonderful wizard i sayd hi

[Twilight4everbabe]

BEEZIE IS MY FAVORITE RIDER LOVE HER. i cant believe teddy o'conner died! that was karen o'conners large pony. I LIKED CRIED WHEN I FOUND OUT! :'( :'( :'(

LOVE YOU BEEZIE!

wish margie goldstein was on the team. she is one of my favorites too.

:(

o well!

GREAT VIDEO!

[poniezrock301]

jeezos that alotta peoples! wowsers

[horsegirl30]

Did you see the jump position for Authentic at 2:02 that was an amazing shot!!

[matrixmare]

Oh my gosh, I had no idea Anne Kursinski did dressage, eventing AND show jumping! That's the coolest thing. We sure had one of the best teams, eh? IDK why, but I really love this video! :D

[matrixmare]

Our dressage riders were robbed! Gah. Great video though! Go becky, beezie, and debbbe! My favs!

[KVJumper7Productions]

nice video! :) It was awesome Gina Miles got silver for the US

[artsyhorse]

great, wish the NBC Olympic monopoly would realize there are more people with horses and who love horses, than people with racing sculls or who play Beach Volleyball, and that those that own them have more money to spend on the SUVs and other autos advertised on the fancy commericals during the Olympic broadcasts than beach bunnies!

[archangelxxrdb]

i do both, though, if given the oppurtunity, i would so join the us olympic equestrian team over the volleyball team, for sure. i lovelovelove michael, he's a lot of fun to watch.

[babygurl24540]

great vid =] <3.