Photo illustration/Sam Morris/Las Vegas Sun File Photos
LEFT: Two-time Olympic gold medalist Sapphire is led to her stable Monday by handler Lee McKeever before the start of the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Finals. RIGHT: Mike Johnson and his horse Levi head to the Thomas & Mack to see what number they drew for competition at the National Finals Rodeo in December.
Saturday, April 18, 2009 | 2 a.m.
A horse is a horse, of course, of course — especially when it comes to filling seats at the Thomas & Mack Center during a slow time of the year in Las Vegas.
But otherwise, the Rolex FEI World Cup Finals for show-horse jumping and dressage and the National Finals Rodeo, for bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding (and those less-interesting timed events), would be like putting Mister Ed and Secretariat in the same starting gate.
Although interviewing the runner-up would probably be a tad more interesting.
Here’s a look at a couple of similarities between the equine World Cup, which runs through Sunday, and the NFR, which takes center stage in December — and a whole passel of differences:
| FEI World Cup | National Finals Rodeo |
|---|---|
Held in Las Vegas in April | Held in Las Vegas in December |
Looks elegant, but can be dangerous | Looks crazy, and it is |
Show jumping is easy to understand. The challenge is simple and straightforward — jump a course of about 15 obstacles up to 5 feet in height and 6 feet in width with no penalties. | Rodeo is also easy to understand. The challenge is simple and straightforward — hang on real tight for 8 seconds and hope that ornery ol’ bronc doesn’t kick you right in the teeth. |
Riders and horses must negotiate the course at the correct angle, height and speed to clear the fences without incurring faults. | I once saw a guy ride a bareback horse upside down. |
Riders must be mindful of the ever-ticking clock. The rider who races too fast may grow careless and knock down a fence; an overly cautious rider may incur time faults. | Riders must be mindful that 8 seconds can seem like a long time when your horse is kicking like Jan Stenerud with the wind behind his back. |
The starting order of lineup is determined by a draw before the event so that each rider has an equal chance of attaining a favorable position. Riders near the end of the starting order have the advantage of seeing how the first riders complete the course. | The starting order is also determined by a draw before the event. The guy who draws the shortest straw goes first. Riders near the end of the starting order have the advantage of seeing how the first riders respond to paramedics. |
Riders preview the course by walking it on foot before the beginning of the competition. | Riders drink a lot of Coors Light the night before. |
Riders take note of the different types of fences offered, their relationship to one another, the footing and potential problem areas. | Riders take note of the different cowgirls sitting in the front row, their relationship to one another, their boots, and potential problem areas, such as if the blonde who looks like Jessica Simpson is dating a nasty bulldogger named J.R. |
All jumper classes are subject to the same scoring system. Horse and rider must take the course in a designated sequence. All obstacles are numbered. Each rider’s goal is to cover the course with no faults within the allotted time period. Style is not considered and doesn’t affect the scoring in jumper competition. | ”Those damn judges are blind!” |
The penalty for a horse touching the water during a water jump is four faults. | There is no penalty for touching your horse with the backside of your hand when he isn’t looking, although you may receive a nasty letter from the PETA folks. |
The winner is the horse and rider combination with the fewest jumping and time penalties. | The winner is the rider with the highest score or the one who leaves the arena with Jewel. |
International show-jumping competitions are governed by the Federation Equestre Internationale, which sets forth rules and regulations. | The NFR isn’t governed by Brooks & Dunn, but you gotta admit, that would be pretty cool. |
Shares the arena with dressage, a longtime and traditional Olympic event | Dressage sounds like something you’d put on Elly May’s wrist before the prom. |
Dressage teaches a horse to be obedient, willing, supple and responsive. | Dressage sounds like a pretty good idea. |
A squeeze of the calf, a closing of the fingers, a shifting of the rider’s weight in the saddle should be all that is necessary. | Dressage reminds me of a date with Audra from “The Big Valley.” |
Dressage requires the horse and rider to combine the strength and agility of gymnastics with the elegance and beauty of ballet. The result is truly the best blend of sport and art. The highlight of a dressage competition is the musical freestyle in which the rider creates and choreographs to music an original ride of compulsory figures and movements. | If you say so, Jim Bob. Now where’s my can of Skoal? |
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