What was even more interesting was that out of the 8 teams that qualified for the second round, 4 started with only 3 horses. Combined with the number of eventing teams that finished with only three riders (or in some cases did not finish a team), I wonder where this leaves the whole Agenda 2020 discussions and three in a team with no discard score. The Agenda 2020 proposals have not been a major topic of discussion “backstage” this week but they have certainly been in everyone’s minds. I do not want to be too controversial but surely if the last ten days have proved anything, it has yet again shown that each of our Olympic disciplines are different; wonderful, but different. Trying to shoehorn them in to a “one size fits all” seems a little illogical when each discipline is going to be judged on its own merits. And before anyone gets too emotional about empty stands in Deodoro, what about all the empty seats at other venues, even for prime events?
The second round was preempted by the sad news that Cortes 'C' was not 100% sound after his efforts on Tuesday. Withdrawing him was the only option, but all felt for Beezie and John. Beezie has been the rock the team has been built upon and relied upon and it was now time for the team to step up and repay Beezie for all the medal clinching rounds she had jumped as anchor to the team. Which is exactly what they did! The French were rock steady (just as they were in eventing) but the USA, with only three riders produced an excellent display of accurate jumping and nerve control. There were perhaps 9 teams in Rio that could realistically have arrived in Brazil thinking a medal was a possibility. Team Silver was a great result. A celebration was of course required – sport is a funny old business and results are not always predictable but the Gold medal for the most concise speeches, surprisingly, goes to…..dressage.
There are a gallant few that worked tirelessly to make the equestrian events happen in Deodoro. It was noticeable when we arrived that the “equestrian fraternity” were going to work their socks off to make the Olympics in Rio happen and be a success. Whilst the local workforce followed the rules of start late, rest early, and siesta plenty, those that knew what was needed pushed out long days. Colonel should be Field Marshal Ataíde Barcelos Pereira was the Commanding Officer of the Barracks where the equestrian events have been held and has been the Sport Manager driving, pushing cajoling and bullying to ensure all was ready: Along with the FEI (led by Tim Hadaway and Catrin Norinder), Alec the Grouse Moor Lochore and Stephen Smiler Renouard, Peden Bloodstock, Kentucky Equine Research, the Stewards and the Stable Management crew have all been outstanding. The many volunteers, farriers and vet staff have been nothing but helpful and cheerful.
In 1996 the now Knighted Sir Steve Redgrave issues the immortal words – “If you ever see me near a boat again, you have my permission to shoot me..” 4 years later he won his 5th consecutive Gold medal making him Great Britain’s most successful rower. I would be lying if I did not have inner feelings that say “if you ever see me near an Olympic Games again…”. But then I see a team arriving at the restaurant last night who had just medaled, wearing their medals with pride and smiles that could bring light to the darkest depths of the furthest galaxy: My belief in the Olympics was reinvigorated. But once back in my hotel room (and suffering sound pollution from yet another all night crooner), I read a newspaper article reporting on various IOC Members’ disappointments with the waiting times they have had to suffer for their chauffeur driven cars; I am in full support of their disquiet over fifteen minute waits. It is not as if the teams have had to put up with any challenges during these Olympics!
The 2016 equestrian medal table makes for interesting study. Germany have reinforced their position as the equestrian powerhouse; 4 medals in London, 6 in Rio…wow… The French are the big uppers with two Team Golds and a Silver. Great Britain have two of the best horses in the world and have retained their Top Table seat with three medals (2 Gold) following on from 5 in London. Four nations won medals in Rio who did not hit the Podium in London (FRA, AUS, CAN and USA). 5 Nations who won medals in London did not medal in Rio (SUI, NED, IRL, KSA and NZL). Nowadays, medals mean more than fleeting appearances within the media; medals and the ability to demonstrate that the systems and athletes remain in place to again deliver, are intrinsically linked in most nations to funding. So does funding matter? In 1996 GBR won one Gold medal - in Rio they are currently sitting second in the medal table and are the first nation ever to increase their medal tally at the Games following a home Games. This is not some product of a super generation of babies coming of age, but 18 years of funding, sustained funding, and funding planned over a four year cycle and demanding of focused programs that are challenged and tested. We cannot take a year or two off after a Games, we need to keep growing and expanding what we are doing if we are even to continue to win medals never mind increase the number of medals. The U.S. success in the swimming pool and in Track & Field is phenomenal and I am very keen to try and learn more about the how and why all these medals have headed stateside.
So back to the last day of Equestrian Rio 2016 competition. Again a high number of clears and 27 in to the second round including McLain Ward and Kent Farrington. One down for McLain meant that he did not join the 6 in the jump-off; a 50:50 shot for Kent; three would win medals three would not. Regrettably it was not to be and Kent finished in 5th; meanwhile the young one from Warwickshire (who finished 5th in London) pulled it out of the hat with the brilliant Big Star - if it was not going to be a U.S. rider then I think we all felt Big Star and Nick were deserving of Gold.
27 in the second round and 6 to jump-off played havoc with departures to the airport and there were many nervous glances at watches. This was not helped by Kent being mistakingly selected for drug testing based on the protocol of testing the top 4. Luckily this was rectified and vans and sedans scurried off in various directions. Now the break down and clean up could start in earnest and the last 24 hours has been about cleaning, packing and preparing for the arrival of the Paralympic horses. Another van load departed last night and the horses fly tonight back to Liege (BEL). Regrettably that means those of us remaining have to fly tomorrow night...the night after Closing Ceremony (which I will not be attending) aka the time that the Rio international Airport will be at its busiest..EVER. We are being told to arrive 6 hours before our flight: Define HELL, I am going to be in a rare old mood!
It has been a very challenging Games logistically but I will not bang on about this. Maybe the IOC need to have a little bit of a rethink; allow the IFs more freedom to run the sport and look at all the bolt ons; the number of volunteers, the complexity of the supporting structures, the lack of flexibility etc. At the end of the day this has been a CCIO, a CDIO and CSIO but with way more volunteers and officials and with many people in key roles that have little or no equestrian experience. I am certain money could be saved through the application of logic and a pinch of commonsense.
Today, Sunday, started with the final “kit packing session” and then it was off to Team USA House, in Ipanema, for a burger (for the Brit) and some retail therapy. Dinner tonight and then back to the venue to load the horses for their flight back to Europe. No Closing Ceremony for us!
The USOC have been fantastic and have given huge support and provided tireless leadership. They have had to deal with a way load more frustrations than we have had but they have kept smiling the whole time. Finally I want to thank Christy Baxter without whom the U.S. Equestrian Team would not have made it to Rio; she works all hours and never looses her cool, unlike me! Christy has been helped this year by Steven Morrissey, our intern and then Summer employee back in Gladstone - he returns to college soon but when he graduates and starts job hunting, if anyone needs a reference for him, ring me as it will be a glowing one.
So on to the Paralympic Games...if I survive Rio Airport!