Turn on the TV and see a horse dancing to Lion King theme

Only the Olympics!

Champions League theme now, not bad

Wud still rather watch that than the over paid and hyped up poof ballers that we will have to put up with again soon.

All football could learn from some of the athletes we have seen so far

With respect, I heartily disagree.

Bedford

Unfortunately, in some cases (the Spanish basketballers being the worst example), it looks like the Olympians have been learning from the footballers.

The footballers could though learn a lot from the hockey players - Kate Walsh having her jaw broken by a stray stick and only missing a couple of days of the tournament while the doctors put her back together, and the NZ lass who took a fearful clatter on the head yesterday. Most pro footballers would still be writhing on the ground from those girls.

Oh, and lessons in humility from Chris Hoy and on being a good loser from Nick Skelton wouldn't go amiss either.

I think people are too harsh on footballers and group them together too easily. There are lots of perfectly respectable footballers who show the same determination and respect as the athletes in the Olympics.

I agree with Crimey here also, yes you get your ****s in football, but plenty of them are decent people.

On the same vein, some of these athletes aren't angels either, but are on their best behaviour for the one time in 4 years they get significant attention.

Serious question - does anyone know if the other countries have to ship their horses over to compete in the equestrian or are they assigned them from a pool of British horses?

Wondering if we have a massive home advantage or not.

Crimey

Unfortunately, not many of these reasonable guys make it to the top of football (Scott Parker perhaps being one exception). Far too many of them seem to think that acting and conning the ref is as important as actually playing the game. Perhaps it's just that the stakes are perceived to be so high in EPL / Champions League / International football that the integrity of the game suffers.

I agree though that many of the lower league and non-league players do show the right attitude.

VTR

The riders are on their own horses. Shipping them around the world is something that happens quite regularly, but home advantage probably has helped in getting the GB horses to the competition in ideal condition.

The playacting thing is overstated. Their are serial offenders yes, but its a small minority.

Its just gamesmanship which happens in every sport.

I believe that play acting has only started to become more common in the game because the few that originally did it have made it that referees just won't penalise without people being over dramatic.

You get tripped and stumble and just stop, the referee is less likely to give a free kick if you fall to the ground and hold your knee.

It's sad that it's the case, but it's a case of the minority ruining it for the majority.

Cheers dh

I expect its helped as top level sport is all about fine margins. Home advantage is fine by me anyway, I think its helped in nearly every event.

I think its only fair if we subtract dressage medals from our medals total.

It's no better than one man and his dog or dog agility. Absolute joke.

super_realist wrote:I think its only fair if we subtract dressage medals from our medals total.

It's no better than one man and his dog or dog agility. Absolute joke.

Other countries had the opportunity to win them as well.

Yes but its an absolute sham of a 'sport'.
I don't mind show jumping, cross country etc but prancing around on a horse is not an Olympic ideal.

dancing horses- i must see the highlights of it- Must be the most random thing ever. wtf,

I was wondering what dressage was, but a medals a medal, not taking it of the total

super_realist wrote:Yes but its an absolute sham of a 'sport'.
I don't mind show jumping, cross country etc but prancing around on a horse is not an Olympic ideal.

They pranced around less than our footballers.

Maybe they can get the dog that won Britains got Talents, he would surely be a banker for a gold.

In all seriousness though, this isnt a sport. It is a novelty act, and not a very good one at that.

A dancing horse an olympic sport, give me strength.

I actually could imagine one of these horses being called lumbering Jack.

Are you sure your not a contestant?