[/caption]Aachen, Germany, August 24, 2006 -- I was trying to think of a bright and cheery way to start off this World Equestrian Games (WEG) article, but the biggest news of the day is not good, and I'm afraid there's no way around it.
You've heard about Brentina being withdrawn from tomorrow's Grand Prix Special because of a swelling in her right hind leg. That was so disappointing. Her rider and best friend, Debbie McDonald, felt something wasn't quite right at the end of her Grand Prix test yesterday that clinched the bronze medal--and a spot in the 2008 Olympics--for the U.S. Unfortunately, Debbie was right.
While I'm sad not to be seeing Brentina compete again here, the team medal was always her mission, and it's now mission accomplished. So let's hope with a rest that she'll improve enough to come out again at the 2007 World Cup finals in Las Vegas, which Debbie would like to do. Brentina loves to show, so that probably would be her ambition too.
If she can't compete in the World Cup, maybe she could be retired during the Vegas show, in the arena there named for her owner and Debbie's sponsor, Parry Thomas.
Debbie also mentioned the possibility of motherhood for Brentina, but I want you all to know that whatever happens, that mare has a wonderful home for life, and I'm sure she'll be as pampered in retirement as she was during her career.
Although I'm down about the Brentina situation, she is doing fine, and that's some consolation.
Listen: Debbie McDonald explains the decision to withdraw Brentina
But what's really sad is the fate of the poor endurance horse who had to be put down today. Dubai, an 11-year-old gelding ridden on the Danish team by Ingelise Kristoffersen, tied up shortly after the start of the race. Officials said the condition "could not have been predicted and was not related to the competition effort."
Although intensive therapy was undertaken for three days, the horse began to lose kidney function and so there was no alternative but to give him a peaceful end.
Two endurance horses died in the 2002 WEG in Spain; I was hoping we were going to have a clean slate this time around.
Meanwhile, officials decided there was no merit to a protest by the silver medal Dutch dressage team alleging the last rider on the gold medal German dressage team had an advantage because a TV camera was in a different position for her than it was for their last rider. Come on... Whatever happened to the spirit of sportsmanship? I thought this whole thing was really depressing, showing a mindset that does no good for the sport.
Speaking of sport, let's get back to that.
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- Heidi White, the highest-placed American eventer today with Northern Spy
- © 2006 by Nancy Jaffer
Today, the dressage phase of eventing started in a small stadium adjacent to the one used by the Grand Prix dressage horses (and next week, the show jumpers). It's not exactly cozy, but I thought it had an out-in-the-country feeling, even though the bustle of the shopping area was behind it, but there are big fields off to the side and the cross-country course starts out from there.
The best American performance today belonged to Heidi White and Northern Spy. With another day of dressage to go, they stand 10th on 50.4 penalties, but I had the feeling that eager-beaver bay gelding was looking forward to cross-country. I know Heidi is.
"It's a proper 4-star course. It's technical, and going to take a lot of riding. We have got six seriously good cross-country horses; it was built for us. I'm glad I'm sitting on the one I'm on for sure," Heidi said.
Listen: Heidi White on her dressage test
Amy Tryon rode Poggio II in a downpour (there were several today; "Aachen weather" it's called) to kick things off for our side, and she did well to finish right behind Heidi in 11th place with 50.7 penalties.
Listen: Amy Tryon on her dressage test
Our other rider today was Jan Byyny, who is competing as an individual (i.e. not on the team) with Task Force. Like a number of the horses, he was overeager and fresh in the cooler weather, bolting when he entered the stadium. But Jan wasn't in the dressage ring yet and got him back in hand before her test. After he was scored at 53.3 to stand 15th, Jan promised him he wouldn't have to do any more dressage for awhile.
