> Did you see that Brazilian on his horse, Tomboy?  I think
 > his name is
 > Rodrego Pessoa.  That horse had the most height I have ever
 > seen over
 > a jump.  He didn't seem to be too stylish, just really determined.
 
Did I see Tomboy?  Oh, boy, did I!  I think Tomboy was making sure that 
*everybody* saw him!  ;-)
 
For everybody else:  Tomboy is an equine pogo stick -- he jumps almost 
*straight up* in the air and seems to clear the fences by a foot. 
 He also does this "look at me" kick in the air with his hind end. 
 I knew that his style of jumping was going to get him in trouble 
sooner or later because he'd bring something down behind, and sure enough, he 
proved me right by taking out the train-trestle bridge fence, which was a 
light center piece on absolutely flat cups which came down if you so much as 
breathed on it.
 
Rodrigo Pessoa, in case you were wondering, is indeed the son of famed rider 
(and saddle designer) Nelson Pessoa....
 
 > Show jumping isn't something I know much about.  It appears
 > as if they
 > really haul on those horses mouths.  Is that true or does
 > it just look
 > like that?
 
That I couldn't tell you, except to say that it varies from rider to rider, 
and it's not fair to criticize all for the faults of just a few.  For every 
ham-handed brute you catch at it, I could probably name two or three who are 
as as quiet and tactful as anybody could wish.  I did note that Melanie Smith 
criticized several of the riders for riding with reins that were too long, 
and losing control of their horses -- that might lead some riders to jerk 
their horses' mouths around when they were attempting to regain control.
 
Point is, you can be one of the top riders in your country, and still have a 
lot to learn about being a good rider and horseman.
 
 > I saw a pretty awful ride by a Columbian rider and some
 > Saudi riders that
 > looked like they were having a hard time.
 
Yes, the Saudi rider is one of the ones Melanie was criticizing for riding 
with reins too long.  If I remember correctly, this is the first time anyone 
from Saudi Arabia has participated in the show jumping. 
 
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