Re: [RC] USA Gold Trail Blazer Reflections of Marloffstein part 3 - Tom Sites
We were ecstatic. The Germans were
stunned. At 50 miles, Herman said the Germans were
falling out like popcorn. They finished a 2 member team. It is
always the host country's opportunity to win. They
didn't.
The Italians were unattended en masse.
Something about rules. They didn't show up.
France won the Individual Gold, but only finished a
2 member team.
Great Britian- the one I'd have picked to win team
gold- only finished a 2 member team.
The Spanis blew out- finished 1 0f 5. But
watch out-they have a most competitive spirit. They'll do better next
time.
Iran showed up and rode a little bit.
Belgium- what a story for the team silver.
They started only 3 riders and finished 3. At 4:50 am when their last
rider completed, tears of joy and pride were abundant and freely flowing.
I was glad for them.
Austria sent a team and smoked long cigars and did
OK.
Portugal sent the highest stepper from the table
top dancing party, Idalina Graca, to ride a fine sire to the tune. "I had
to eat her dust." A small story- at the Fest, bravado had taken hold of me
and i told her the next day, "She would eat my dust." She, never hearing
this before before was amused at American slang and countered it with, "Was I
who would eat her dust." Well, I ate HER dust and was glad it
rained a lot so there was more mud than dust.
The Swiss and the Swedes were there as well
bringing good horsemen from all of Europe. They are most serious at this
sport.
France, Great Britian and Germany all had the
capabilities to outshine the USA, but whether it was riding strategies or just
bad luck on their part, we got the team gold and they will have to reflect upon
what went wrong. Next time it may not be the same outcome, as they are all
good horsemen and tough competitors.
