dcro

Top 25 + top 25 (from nations that still don't have anyone in the main race).

Now I've seen everything.

Yes, too bad they didn't use the qualification race to cut the field of 98 to 100.

I'm pretty sure the youth level courses don't get much harder than that...

It depends on the discipline, but usually around 18 years of age is about an upper limit. Jumping horses generally have the shortest career, with a lot of them retiring at 14-15 (or even earlier). There are more 16+ horses in eventing, and even more in dressage. Dressage championships in fact often have a couple of 19-20 year olds... But it also depends from horse to horse and other such factors like injuries. Additionally, a lot of top horses that retire don't go straight to isolated fields, but instead they have a role of "schoolmasters" for younger and inexperienced riders. Equestrian (dressage in particular) is generally a sport that very much helps preserve the horse, if done well. Through training they become more flexible and supple, and that's what they need to have long, healthy life...

Jeroen Dubbeldam's Zenith has been retired. http://www.worldofshowjumping.com/WoSJ-Exclusive-photo-series/Thank-you-SFN-Zenith.html

Hosts haven't failed to win a medal since 1999. Myhrer and Hansdotter are not a sure medal by any stretch, so just putting it out there...

Parallel slalom should rather be called power slalom. I never really enjoyed this event.

Well, I wouldn't say obviously. You had Tatiana Bodova, so you never know.

Or Burkina Faso.

Well, a good combined race is very much an exception these days. Remember Aerni?

Only one female skier was selected for the championships.

Is this bet contest approved or an attempted coup?

But then again, he wouldn't be going home with a medal today if he finished 31st this morning...

I can't be anything but glad that combined is passe. I feel like even the climate change took part in destroying this event.

Podium decided. Sad, but true.

Yes, on a normal slalom course nobody in top 10 stands a chance.

But we are talking about Bosnia here... I've been there, and believe me that nobody gives a damn about EYOF there. They have much bigger problems.

"Paris will need at least 0.8-1.0 advantage over Schwarz."

And just like that, it's already 67 seconds downhill.

69 seconds downhill. That's quite long.

What did you expect, an Olympic-like coverage? It's basically a glorified high school competition.

That's too harsh. Italians had a very good weekend in Oberhof (Voetter in particular, who posted one German-alike start time in womens race...).

Where is Leenstra? Tired of 4th places?