I vote we add (1) Washers and (2) 42.

Kinto,

The Equestion event you are talking about is Dressage.

The horses have to do specific gaits on the course, have to go in a straight line, and have to change their gait at a specific spot on the course. Any deviation is a deduction.

Dressage is the event that shows the ability of the rider to control the horse without Power and speed involved in jumping and cross-country being a factor.

Thanks for the info, clw. It might be a very well respected and deserved sport in the equestrian world, it just doesn't make for good tv in my opinion. It doesn't entertain me and that's what matters, right?

Are you involved in this in anyway?

Do you think it should be in the Olympics?

Am I involved in it in anyway? No, I've never watched dressage in my life other than the olympics. I do enjoy it though when I can understand it, but it takes time to understand.

Last time I looked though, the olympics weren't there to entertain people.

Did you really watch Dressage on TV?

It deserves to be in the olympics as much as baseball, softball, rowing, canoeing, bmx.

i must be abnormal. i really enjoyed the dressage and i'm not into the equestrian scene.

i also really like the synchronized diving. i could care less about rhythmic gymnastics, but the big thing with the olympics is that there's something for EVERYONE. not everything for everyone. you know? and each of the sports i think are bizarre and pointless (curling, bandminton, table tennis, bmx, etc.) appeal to someone. and i still get to watch the sports i enjoy - gymnastics, diving, rowing, etc. i think that's the coolest part of the olympics.

quote:

---

I personally don't care for "rec-room activities" as Olympic sports. Table tennis, handball, trampoline, etc are not sports, they're activities.

---

Olympic handball != Texas A&M Rec Center handball. It's a team sport similar to soccer but with your hands.

The rest you may have a valid point with. I may not agree with your valid point, but it may still be valid.

rhythmic gymnastics makes me want to throw up. and watching men do synchronized anything just gives me the willies.

quote:

---

rhythmic gymnastics makes me want to throw up. and watching men do synchronized anything just gives me the willies.

---

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cWVW7BfXQI&feature=related



[This message has been edited by wannaggie (edited 9/8/2008 12:30p).]

duplicate

[This message has been edited by wannaggie (edited 9/8/2008 12:32p).]

Dressage is not exactly done in a straight line as indicated in some of these posts. There are lots of lateral movements. And the horses do more than walk and "slow trot." They perform in all 3 gaits and within those gaits are collected and extended versions. It is extremely technical and it is kind of hard for the casual observer to grasp. I can certainly understand that it does not have wide "fan appeal." The part that non-dressage people usually enjoy is the freestyle which is set to music and each rider choreographs their own "routine." (There are still certain elements that must be included but the sequence is up to the rider.)