Walking up the steps from the mixed zone to the athlete seating takes 20 seconds. I have done it 29 times, after each ride. 29 times without a medal.  Each time - the climb becomes more painful. We are trying, we are working, we are willing - we just aren’t winning. It is immensely frustrating.

Our horses look great, our riders are well-coached, you can feel and hear their frustration when they make mistakes. My heart breaks for them when they don’t make mistakes and their best still isn’t good enough.

We’re soul searching here at the USEF.

Watching the Brits success has been fun. They are friends, they are near family in some cases. Geoff Billington and John Whitaker were in tears yesterday as their show jumping team won Team Gold - two legends on hand to watch two legends and two upstarts made history. After a 60 year drought - Team GBR won Show Jumping Gold. Peter Charles’ little horse galloped into the the ring with the weight of a nation on his back and he defied expectation of many. But the faith that his teammates had in him was extraordinary.  Vindicat delivered. And 20,000 people went from silent to decibel 12 in a nano second. It was extraordinary.

We ran into Hello Sanctos’ owner, Lord Harris, after the medals and said congratulations. He said he’s owned horses for 40 years to get to this Gold medal - he’s never stopped supporting his country and the win - on home turf couldn’t have been sweeter. They bought that horse just before Christmas and their investment - which was significant - was returned. That kind of support is incredible. The partnership Scott Brash has formed with his horses in a few short months is extraordinary.
The Brits win yesterday reminded me of our win in Hong Kong - despite the fact it was hard-fought in a jump off, it never really seemed in doubt.

The Brits somehow made history again today winning a dressage medal for the first time ever. And it was a GOLD one.

Steffen and Ravel were champs and despite a weird stumble on the centerline that cost him a couple of points - he looks to go out on a high note in the freestyle. Fingers crossed.

Two more days, three more chances - the good news is Rich and Flexible, McLain and Antares and Steffen and Ravel and everyone else starts with a clean slate. The next two days are winner take all.