if i were riding in the dressage competition, i’d be really annoyed with the constant drone of airplanes taking off and landing.

no, that’s not true. if i were riding in the dressage competition, i’d probably be so focused on what i was doing that i wouldn’t even notice the constant drone of airplanes taking off and landing. in fact, if i were riding in the dressage competition, i’d probably be so focused that an airplane could crash into the stands and i wouldn’t notice it unless flaming bits of fuselage, cargo and human remains began to litter the ring around me. and even then, it would probably take me a few moments to move from “damn stuff in my way” to “what the…” to “aw, crap. will they let me start the routine again?”

judging from the amount of sweat pouring off riders and horses, the humidity in HK must be nearly unbearable. that notwithstanding, the skill level in the compulsories is phenomenal. i just wish i could find the routine online somewhere.

belarussian iryna lis is aboard the super-mouthy gelding redford, who finally calmed down about halfway through the routine (possibly because he’s more comfortable through the extended gaits). he kicked at her spurs during the piaffe, though.

oceano do top has quite possibly the prettiest rear-leg action i’ve seen in the competitors, but the lusitano stallion has a habit of resting his rear hooves during the piaffe - points off for that.

american courtney king, aboard dutch warmblood gelding mythilus, had a fantastic ride. gorgeous transition from collected to extended trot, smooth half-passes, and just the smallest bobble in one pirouette.

and i find it inordinately funny that german rider heike kemmer is aboard a gelding named bonaparte.
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¹ i couldn’t figure out where else to put this footnote, so the post title seemed as good a place as any. watching the dressage competition is triggering some really strong muscle memory: as i watch the binomio go through the set routine, i’m experiencing sympathetic muscle twitches in my hands, back, quads, and calves. i just wish most of the riders didn’t make such big shoulder and lower-leg movements through the flying lead changes; they should be able to guide the horse through the transitions with their seats (this seems to be predominantly a european problem).