Centerline Goes to the Olympics:
An Amateur Rider's Journal by Maureen Crump

Day 5: Team Dressage Day 2 : Gulp

Spectators, riders, and judges were more settled today and the team competition proceeded in earnest. The overall quality of the rides was excellent and I was mesmerized. The Olympic level skill, talent, and ability was obvious to me in each rider. Yes, you must have the horse with the talent and temperament but to me, at this level, it is the rider giving the extra aid at the critical moment to reassure, correct, or confirm that makes the difference. The riders were so concentrated. In any world class level of competition the distractions are great--for one thing many spectators are watching purely for entertainment and have no idea of the details of the sport. So you have kids crying, kids running up and down the bleachers, people dropping large articles onto the metal bleachers and well, you know. Of course for our sport we are very happy that our audience has grown so. But these riders and their horses saw or heard no distraction--I believe these riders could ride their horses through fire!!

The arena had a huge jumbotron at the C end of the arena. It gave close-ups of the rider's face as they entered the arena and at times during the test. It would also zoom in on the horses legs during intricate movements. Now just one more thing to think about while riding world class dressage--how am I looking on the jumbotron close-up! But honestly it was great to watch as a spectator. What I saw on the faces of these riders was ...calm...focused...business...

The US performed so well today. I was so proud of our riders and so happy for their success. I had tears in my eyes knowing the years of effort and sacrifice it takes to make it to this level and then to watch them perform up to their ability in this setting was emotional for the US spectators. Debbie McDonald and Brentina performed at the top of their game. It is clear they are here to seriously compete, that her plan has worked, and she is ready for the challenge. Robert Dover and FBW Kennedy also have come through in the clutch. Robert had a beautiful and sensitive ride. He hit all of his movements in a test that was technically correct and beautiful to watch. That he loves riding this horse was clear to all watching.

When I left for Athens I was sure that we had a good crack at a team silver and possibly a medal position individually. Our level of riding had come so far. The buzz was good after our fantastic Selection Trials. Our horses were all of top level quality. We had worked hard and produced results. What I soon realized as I was watching Day 2 was that the rest of the world had been training too!!! It became a close competition as horses and riders from all over the world entered that arena and laid down some top performances and scores. When Beatriz Ferrer-Salat entered the ring I could immediately tell by her demeanor that this was a no nonsense ride. She laid down a beautiful 74.667%. Anky van Grunsven had a beautiful ride and it was a thrill to see the extravagant Salinero in person for 74.208. Ulla Salzgeber and Rusty were "on" and showing the movement and flexibility that has made them famous. She set a wide gap by posting 78%.

As the competitors continued to post excellent scores one rider after the other, team medal placings became more and more a horse race. Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain, and the US were all posting great scores. In the USEF tent the Americans were gathered around the closed circuit TV and sweating out the last rides. It was quite tense. It was now clear Germany would retain the Gold and Spain had claimed the Silver. Would we keep our Bronze? There was quiet during Sven Rothenberger's fine ride. After the ride the Americans erupted in joy and there was screaming and clapping. The US had won the Bronze!! We had beat the Netherlands by a narrow margin, we won the bronze by 71.500 US to 71.264 Netherlands. It is clear that Spain is now a dressage power house. Netherlands, Great Britain, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Australia, and all the other nations are moving up in the ranks and producing excellent rides on excellent horses. In the future, no medal can be taken for granted.

We all moved out to the stands for the medal ceremony. This was an emotional scene for me and and the other Americans I was sharing the moment with. The Olympic medal podium was brought out into the arena. The grooms and handlers walked out into the arena first. Then the 3 winning teams walked in mounted on their horses. The athletes dismounted, gave their horse to their groom, and walked to the podium. The medals were awarded with both horses and riders present. The athletes were given flowers and capped with the Olympic wreath along with their medals. It was a moment of joy, emotion, and celebration. Then the teams mounted their horses and all 3 teams did a victory gallop around the arena. It was a high time.

...and as Rafael Soto left the arena he Spainish walked his great horse back to the barn...