I was invited to be a jump judge for the Mandatory Outing and Preparatory Event for the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team. I was assigned to two different jumps. I basically cleared the jump safely for both horse and rider. Not all the jumps are visible to all the riders, so clearance needs to be given. This event is a test review day, their last event before they got on the plane and headed to Germany prior to arriving in Japan, where the Olympics will be held this year.
Today is #MarketFriday initiated by 
Hive account@dswigle (Denise, that's me!!) Join me as we share our markets across the globe. I always look forward to seeing what you send me! It is amazing to see the different markets and cultures of our friends here on Hive.
This is the setup for the jumps in the arena, and while you see these horses flying over the rails, or logs, or whatever they have built them for this event, a lot of work goes into training and preparing a horse for this type of competition. I am not sure if you can read it, but, the total distance they have to go is 840 meters and they are allowed 87 seconds, the time limit is 176seconds
It's no secret that I love all things equestrian and always have. I love ballet too, but, there is a fine balance of things in my life. Who am I to worry about balance when an opportunity like this passes by me. Meet the Olympic Team? Yes, Please.
The US Olympic Equestrian Team, Eventing. Pictured, left to right: Phillip Dutton, Liz Halliday-Sharp, Boyd Martin, Doug Payne. The final medical checkup changed it a little.
Mandatory Outing and Preparatory Event for the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team
June 30th, 2021 to July 2nd, 2021
5089 Old Tavern Rd, The Plains, VA, 20198
Did you happen to notice the Land Rover in the corner of the screen in some shots? I tried to crop it out in most pictures. Land Rover was one of the official sponsors of the US Equestrian Team, and, has title sponsored the event since 2018.
It is hard to tell from pictures just how big the jumps are, but, you can judge by one of them, a full-size flatbed with logs stacked high, just how big they might be. These are not typical cross country jumps, but, used to challenge the team. You can see in one of the pictures how large the Land Rover is.
“Leading into the Olympics we needed to have a preparation competition and to have that practice is very important before you go to a competition like the Olympics. There’s still a few more days that we have for training where we can flag up anything that we need to be better at and we can spend the time to improve and get everything in place before the Olympics." source
This phase of their competition had no jumping faults and added time as they tested themselves against the short track built with the intent to prepare/challenge horses and athletes. It was built to give them a similar feel to what is expected in Japan. They did well.
Olympic eventing will begin July 30 and continue through August 2, 2021, at the Equestrian Park and Sea Forest Cross-Country Course venues in Tokyo. Good luck to all!
Rules of the Road
Go to the market, or anywhere that you pay money for a service.
Take pictures! Be creative (or not, we don't judge!)
Tell us a little bit about the market, what brought you here?
Post the picture(s)
Use the MarketFriday Community Platform to post #hive-196308 (not mandatory)
Drop the link into the MarketFriday post so I can find it
You must put #MarketFriday by Hive account@dswigle somewhere in your post!
Have fun!
Please leave the link to your post here so it can easily be found by others. It helps you and me to have them in one place. Where else can you take such a quick trip around the globe? Thank you so much for joining us!! ❤
And just like that, this post is done. I hope you had a good time and learned a little something new. As always, I want to thank you for taking the time to visit, and just remember, #MarketFriday loves you! Thank you for supporting the challenge! Have a most fabulous day! Cheers!!
As a footnote, I think I have peaked my Olympic career as a judge. The social distancing made it a closed event this year, with only judges and the equestrians entourage. So, this made it a real privilege to be there.
Henry remains hopeful.
They want to be picked. They yearn to be loved. Shouldn't we all want to be? As always, there must be flowers to color my world. #alwaysaflower
I have been discovering new places, every day! I love to share and be shared with by you! I am intrigued by different cultures. It is exciting and yes! I would love to see you! Don't forget to take photos wherever you happen to be shopping - whether it be the grocery store, the local marketplace, or even an art gallery, a kite festival! Wherever money is exchanged for a service or for merchandise. Be different if you wish! It does not have to be a traditional market! We will love it! Don't forget to use the Market Friday Community page #hive-196308 or hashtag it. Don't forget to put #MarketFriday and Hive account@dswigle somewhere on the post! Thank you!
Thank you for visiting my post 💖 Don't ever forget what an amazing world we live in, people. Some days, it is not so easy to see, how truly wonderful it really is. Always remember,kindness counts. Wherever you go, whatever you do.
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