Yesterday, I attended the 2011 American Invitational like I have for the past three years. This year, I was extremely unhappy with the way it was run. From what I have watched on TV and on the internet of the big shows like Spruce Meadows, WEG, and the World Cup, its completely silent with clapping after the rider has completed their course. However, this was not the case for this show. The announcer ENCOURAGED loud, wild, and distracting screaming; saying the "horses feed off of the energy". I don't believe that. I think, it totally makes the riders lose focus, and could even make the horses tense up and lose focus as well. I was extremely annoyed and I felt bad for the riders who had to experience the unsettling uproars.
Other than that, the course was pretty tough! Only four riders made it back to the finals: Kent Farrington, Mcclain Ward, "Captain Canada" AKA Ian Millar, and Margie Engle. Kent Farrington won it, Ian Millar second, Mcclain Ward third, and Margie fourth! They all had absolutely AMAZING rides and rode some talented horses! If you were at the invitational, post what you thought about it!
Here are some video's I uploaded- I have yet to upload all of them
Margie Engle and Indigo's finals round:
"Captain Canada" Ian Millar and Star Power's final round (personally my favorite team!)
Kent Farrington and Uceko's Final and winning round
Mcclain Ward and Rothchild's final round
What do you think?
Other than that, the course was pretty tough! Only four riders made it back to the finals: Kent Farrington, Mcclain Ward, "Captain Canada" AKA Ian Millar, and Margie Engle. Kent Farrington won it, Ian Millar second, Mcclain Ward third, and Margie fourth! They all had absolutely AMAZING rides and rode some talented horses! If you were at the invitational, post what you thought about it!
Here are some video's I uploaded- I have yet to upload all of them
Margie Engle and Indigo's finals round:
"Captain Canada" Ian Millar and Star Power's final round (personally my favorite team!)
Kent Farrington and Uceko's Final and winning round
Mcclain Ward and Rothchild's final round
What do you think?