Vice-Regal Saint: Classical Dressage
The lack of gentry sports at the Olympics is dismaying. Certainly most forms of English and Roman equestrianism should be permitted on the basis of their heritage. Chariot racing should take the place of beach volleyball, for example, so should polo, horseracing, foxhunting, combined driving and the fine harness. 
Above: Just look at this dame on her horse! Excellent dressage turn-out, with braided mane, banged and pulled tail, trimmed legs and polished hooves. Rider wears a shadbelly and top hat, with white gloves, tall boots, and spurs.
Combined Driving: George Bowman in the dressage phase at Hopetoun National Horse Driving Trials Edinburgh, Scotland in May 2005.
Combined Driving: HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh exiting the water obstacle at Lowther Cumbria in August 2005.
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3 comments:
While somewhat debased from its noble heritage, fencing is still an Olympic sport. Sadly there is a startling lack of other Western martial arts bar boxing and wrestling. No rapier, hand and a half, zweihander or jousting to be seen.
Anything that gets the lovely Zara back on her Toytown is fine by me. Nothing wrong with the beach volleyball either. Some of us would rather like to see the Zara attempt beach volleyball - minus the horse of course.
I read in my newspaper this morning that London 2012 will be known as "the cool Olympics". In our Opening Ceremony, it appears, we are going to be entertained by the "stars of reality television". I can hardly wait. Indeed, for a foretaste, why not tune in to watch the Closing Ceremony in China tomorrow (Sunday)? You are exclusively informed that The United Kingdom is to be represented by a big red bus which will arrive at The Bird Nest. I'm going to be on it. See if you can see me.
When will people realise that calling the British cool is distinctly uncool. The British do not do cool, we just do class. Giving the impression that we do cool, is merely a politically correct attempt to disguise the fact that we do class so well. Mind you, do not grumble, anything that convinces the masses that they can be made cool by spending a fortune on designer brands. Else there be an economic collapse and the potential for revolutions.
Yet, despite all this, I still do greatly value the Olympic hopes, ideals and beliefs. I only wish they would dump the phrase 'Team GB' when describing all our athletes. Call me old-fashioned but I prefer The United Kingdom.
I can't be alone in believing that being "a chap" should be made a new Olympic sport - umbrellas at the ready!
Do I detect a bias of English riding over Western riding. And here I thought Canada was half-cowboy, to say nothing of the Australian outback.
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