dcro

If McConnell of all people wins this, then women's MTB is like WTA.

Maybe she is another Brazilian-Canadian.

Where was Teddy?

"Quotas" for in women's U23 race. These U23 quotas are such a fail. We could potentially see a Portuguese racer qualifying, even if she was completely off the pace.

+ China

Bigger question is how come we have both single and double paddle events.

After cross-country... Individual Jung (fischerChipmunk) - 20.90 Klimke (SAP Hale Bob) - 22.20 Thibaut Vallette (Qing du Briot) - 25.80 Tim Lips (Bayro) - 26.00 Oliver Townend (Cooley Master Class) - 27.60 I wonder if Klimke can become the first rider since 2001 to defend ECh title on the same horse? Chipmunk is really not that great in show jumping... Team 78.50 92.80 93.60 99.20 101.10 103.30 146.60 164.10 1137.30 2026.00 2038.20 2052.70 Quotas are probably decided, barring any drama at the horse inspection.

Yeah, but tight time doesn't equal pushing quick horses. Masterful riders achieve time by being extremely efficient and by tackling obstacles in the same, consistent rhytm. That's why someone like Christopher Burton can go inside the time with any given horse, and on any given course.

Sam Watson throws away team medal for the Irish.

Rotational fall for Benitez, but thankfully with no serious consequences.

Right. Rio 2016 was kind of more challenging than London 2012 though, which had a lot of riders just outside of the optimum time.

Archie Rocks being the true American thouroghbred. But really good round for the Swiss. There is a hope for them.

But, saying that, jumps are still challenging. Very unexpected problem for Cook & Billy the Red.

More proper course would have 2-3 riders achieving time during the whole day. There are some famous instances (Beijing 2008, WEG 2014) when nobody made the time. Badmintons/Burghleys are always a thrill because it takes a true master to make the time. Funnell & Majas Hope for example never made the time at this level. And now they made it at the championships, when it's supposed to be tougher than your regular weekend event?

Dutch are just so collectively meh. I wonder if Dutch NOC will select them even if they win the Nations Cup.

Collett (3rd after dressage) takes a dive on the final water. Well, at least jumping is challenging enough, if not the time.

Kai Ruder's horse refused to enter the starting gate for a while. When he finally managed to calm his horse, about 40 seconds have already passed. What a disaster. Once again, Germans are just not doing it on cross-country...

Dutch are officially eliminated, as Ilonka takes a dive on the final water.

Wow, Sordi almost made an epic save.

Vogel went 27 seconds inside the time.

Lovely cricket score for Gerber. Refusal + two missed flags.

Ugh, optimum time here is a joke. You'd think that two-time Olympic course designer would know better.

Well, if that was only 7 seconds outside of time, then the time is too easy...

Loge takes a dive at the water. Belgians will struggle to qualify too...

And then she retires at the final water. That's what happens when you push an inexperienced horse too much for the time. Surely the Dutch can't qualify now?