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Katherine Blocksdorf

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By Katherine Blocksdorf, About.com Guide to Horses

NBCOlympics.com - Olympic Equestrian Coverage

Saturday July 12, 2008
NBC will be providing over 3000 hours of Olympic coverage: NBCOlympics.com - NBC's 'Complete Olympics Coverage'. Equestrian sports will be broadcast on Oxygen. If you're wondering when each event will be held check out the Beijing Equestrian Events Calendar.

Comments

July 23, 2008 at 9:09 pm
(1) Jean says:

I’m assuming this schedule just shows when the actual events will take place. Do you have the schedule of when the equestrian events will be TELEVISED in the U.S.? Thanks so much!

July 28, 2008 at 5:17 pm
(2) Mary says:

I also want to watch the equestrian events, as many as possible. How will I know when they’re on? Last Olympics I stayed up to when they said they’d be on and it was more of the swimming etc. I like the horses, archers and shooters. They never get the coverage of the real total contests like the swimmers, runners do from every country. I can’t be the only one who considers this as important a contest.

August 6, 2008 at 4:57 pm
(3) Bill Dettering says:

Fortunately, with the right software, you can record the streaming video of your favorite events as they are streamed online, and then watch later, on your iPod, or just archive it. WM Capture seems to do the trick – it’s at http://www.wmrecorder.com

August 10, 2008 at 5:43 am
(4) Patti gomes says:

I have been trying to find some equestrian events on tv, was up from 3AM to 6AM with no coverage. Please let the many clients out hear know how to access the coverage. Thank you.

August 11, 2008 at 5:26 pm
(5) Corinna Wildman says:

Like others I want to watch as much of the equestrian events as possible. I have copied the schedule, but still don’t know if all these will be on Oxygen, and it the times of the events coincide with the times on the TV. All very frustrating.

August 11, 2008 at 8:15 pm
(6) Katherine says:

Check these links on my updated blog post for schedules of events and which channels will carry them.

August 13, 2008 at 9:22 am
(7) Deb says:

Oh. WAY THANKS NBC. We don’t get Oxygen. I hope someone will post to YouTube. Thanks for treating the Equestrian Events with such disregard.

August 13, 2008 at 10:16 am
(8) Anna says:

Thanks for the amount of equestrian coverage we have gotten on Oxygen. Logistics of this whole thing must be a “nightmare”. Lots of people like the “horsey stuff” because they like horses. Even though they may not actively participate in those sports. I personally have shot, swum, run, tumbled, dived, played basketball, tennis, skied (water and snow), climbed, sailed, in past years of my life but I still ride and I am 65 years old. I am a dressage rider now but evented and show jumped in earlier years. I liked all the other sports but I’m still riding and intend to continue for the rest of my life. The article on the 67 year old Japanese dressage rider pleased me.
Anna

August 13, 2008 at 10:48 am
(9) Katherine says:

I understand many people’s frustration at the patchy coverage there seems to be. I had to subscribe to an extra channel on our satellite TV so I could watch the equestrian events. Unfortunately, not everyone has that option. You may be able to watch online. Check out my blog post of August 12 for links that may help.

Anna: So glad you enjoyed the article on Hiroshi Hoketsu. He’s a inspiration!

August 13, 2008 at 9:30 pm
(10) Brad says:

Katherine, your link is a great help…thank you…Brad

August 14, 2008 at 10:20 pm
(11) elizabeth says:

Years ago we encouraged horse lovers/people to write in postcards requesting more coverage
of the equestrian events. It did pay off, at least we were able to enjoy some coverage. I don’t know what Oxygen is, I’m not terribly computer-savvy. Will these comments help get us some viewing on the TV, and not on the computer screen,

August 15, 2008 at 9:09 am
(12) Katherine says:

Unfortunately, no. Viewers have to let the broadcasters know what they want. I think even if you don’t have horses, a lot of people enjoy watching the competitions at the Olympics (and World Equestrian Games). Certainly let the broadcasters know you want more!

August 15, 2008 at 6:22 pm
(13) Patricia O'Toole says:

I hate baseball, boxing, volleyball all the time!!! They get full coverage and nothing is ever seen of the equestrian events. I love watching the dressage and cross country!!! I am a horse lover and I have many friends who are really mad the networks aren’t broadcasting it. The only mention I have heard was an off hand remark by one of the commentators was the Americans took the Silver Medal but not what for, was it individual? Was it a team win? What was it for?

August 15, 2008 at 10:09 pm
(14) Rick Ernst says:

I have to say that the coverage of these Olypics is the worst I have ever seen. I work during the day, and can’t stay up past 1:00am, as I get up at 5:00AM. Friday and Saturday is the only time I can stay up all night. That said, I love the unpopular sports, Equestrian, Archery, kayaking, shooting, rowing, sailing, etc. I have not seen any of these during prime time??? I’m bored/sick of Beach Volleyball, Soccer, Volleyball, Boxing, and Basketball, especially when the teams are not playing the United States…what a waste of time!
I also don’t have the electronic equipment/channels and knowledge of it to tape the off hour favorites. I’m glad I at least was able to watch the Gymnastics, Swimming, Amen.
My roommate is from Geece, and have yet to see anything they have competed in (141 Athletes) the US vs Greece Basketball was shown while we were working???? I guess at 58, I’m part of the Old Timers that don’t matter, and will have to remember the excellent coverage of Olympics past.

August 18, 2008 at 3:40 pm
(15) judith says:

I agree with those who say NBC has done a miserable job of covering the games. I would love to see th Equestrian events. I do not have the Oxygen channel and with TV programming being what it is, I have no intention of enlarging my choices. Riders are exceptional athletes-not only must they perform perfectly themselves but they have to also control a large animal’s performance.

August 19, 2008 at 11:08 am
(16) Lory says:

I too would like to know when the Olympic Equestrian events will be televised in the U.S. I’ve caught them by accident 2 times. They seem to focus on specific sports. I’m happy for that male swimmer but also tired of it dominating the tv.

August 19, 2008 at 6:27 pm
(17) Linda T says:

I love equestrian events, but don’t have cable. It was way too expensive just to get for the Olympics. I’ve been fortunate in that I have seen some kayaking, rowing, etc. I still hope to see some sailing and some less popular sports.

Maybe the powers that be should rethink their desired target audience. I’m 61, no kids, house paid for , so I have oodles of discretionary income.

August 19, 2008 at 8:53 pm
(18) sabrina says:

You have to realize that there’s not alot of commercial air time for sale in the equestrian area. That’s why you get spotty coverage at best. When you see a horse and ider land a national commercial for Sprint or featured on the box of Wheaties – then things will change. lets email RFD-TV and have them send a crew. OH can’t do that – not a cowboy hat in sight….

August 19, 2008 at 11:19 pm
(19) margo jones says:

I, too, am utterly disgusted with the lack og equestrian coverage. I’ve been lucky enough to catch snippets of Dressage-but no jumping. Oh, for the great days of the 1992 Barcelona Triplecast! What a terrific idea for those of us who appreciate the “orphan” sports.

August 20, 2008 at 7:33 am
(20) Disappointed in VT says:

I tuned in to Oxygen last night to watch the Individual Dressage Finals (Musical Freestyle) to extreme disappointment. Oxygen televised only the last 1/3 of Courtney King’s ride, and then just as Steffen Peters began his ride, Oxygen broke away to commercial (yes, the same few commercials they’ve run over and over all week!). Unfortunately, only 2 US riders were able to make it to the finals, and Oxygen chose *not* to televise their rides! HOW VERY UNSUPPORTIVE OF OUR TEAM and HOW VERY Un-AMERICAN! This is the United States, and we want to see our riders…whether or not they place in the top 3! (BTW, Steffen Peters placed 4th, missing 3rd/Bronze by only .305 pts.) For the record, my tv remote will no longer be stopping at the NBC/Oxygen channels!

August 20, 2008 at 1:45 pm
(21) Marmen says:

In California, Oxgyen played the Equestrian events, via DirectTV, at 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Unfortunely, not enough time to view any complete events. NBC only televised what they wanted. I don’t know why, California got delayed, delayed broadcasts? EDT area viewers saw every thing 3 hours before we did in the PDT area

August 20, 2008 at 3:00 pm
(22) Jon says:

Certainly the TV Coverage for Equestrian events has been spotty (although Oxygen did show 1.5 hours of the Jumping events on two different nights) But – you can actually watch some of the full events on NBCOlympics.com

Go here http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/index.html

and select “Equestrian” as the Sport and you’ll see all the streaming videos available. The ones titled “rewind” are actually the full events from start to finish. Very cool! I just wish there were more.

What I don’t understand is that as of today, the individual jumping is still left to go, and from NBC’s point of view there are no more Equestrian Events! I’m hoping it’s an oversight and that they have the live event (it’ll be streamed at like 4AM PST on Thurs)if they’re going to do it.

-jon

August 20, 2008 at 9:11 pm
(23) margo jones says:

I would be willing to buy a DVD of the equestrian coverage, since that seems to be the only way to actually see the events like cthree day eventing, team and individual show jumping. Any idea of availability–there are DVDs of the Opening Ceremony and Michael Phelps’ medal quests at the Games.

August 20, 2008 at 9:44 pm
(24) Jon says:

FYI – it would appear that NBC will be streaming the Jumper finals tommorrow AM

http://www.nbcolympics.com/tv_and_online_listings/zone=PT/day=13/sport=EQ/online.html?increment=158714

4:15AM Pacific Time, 7:15 Eastern

Based on the duration it appears to be the entire event!

-jon

August 22, 2008 at 4:15 pm
(25) sunny says:

I am very upset over the lack of equestrian coverage..I watch all they olympic sports but am a rider and a competitor and cannot find decent coverage..if lucky enough to see an event no finish to it…there is yet to be a mention of any competing on prime time..sure phelps is great but some of us want to
hear about our own sports….

August 22, 2008 at 7:03 pm
(26) Gloria says:

PULEEEEZE…NBC has to be deaf, stupid, and blind not to know the are stiffing the equestrian community regarding the equestrian events…they do it all the time. Never again will I trust them to provide fair coverage. If the NBC broadcast team would keep their mugs off the screen long enough there would be plenty of time for the equestrian events…but that would eliminate their own EGO time…and we don’t want to bruise their egos.

August 22, 2008 at 11:12 pm
(27) Heidi says:

At the end of the individual showjumping “coverage” (I use the term loosely), I was so mad I had to call NBC and complain. I wasn’t even sure if Beezie Madden had received the Bronze Medal. No medal ceremony for an American equestrienne again, since gold was not involved, as withe the event rider. Not even a final listing of the standings. I was very disappointed

August 23, 2008 at 6:11 pm
(28) Leigh says:

I still remember fondly the ABC coverage days. Once NBC got their hands on the Olympic coverage, equestrian sports coverage went out th e window.

ABC covered dressage and three-day event as well as show jumping…it was wonderful. Then came NBC: boo hiss!

(I still miss Jim MacKay as the face and voice of the olympics as well)

August 24, 2008 at 2:56 am
(29) Christine says:

I am more than disappointed in not being able to see any of the equestrian events on basic cable. I would like to criticize NBC not only for their lack of programming, but for the lack of programming information, related to these events. It is a rare occurrence to see any television programming related to horses; The Olympic games, being a monumental event, can act as a prominent venue in airing a wide variety of sports. It is this that makes the lack of equestrian air time even more disappointing. The sport has a world renowned reputation for being exceptionally difficult, with some of the oldest athletes in the Games. Some who have spent 40-50 years perfecting their techniques and honing their skills. Are there any other disciplines that can claim even close to the same dedication? Everything the Olympics represent and the Ideals they embody can be seen through the Equestrian experience. This sport actively demonstrates the beautiful, elegant, graceful and “gymnastic” aspects/relationship between and executed by both horse and rider; in terms the Olympic committee can understand, these are athletes who display and perform to the Olympic Athletic Ideal. It is insulting to not share their competitions or even highlights with the world.

August 24, 2008 at 2:59 pm
(30) Mary Melissa says:

My sentiments echo those preceding me. For the first time in my history, I have turned off the games because I was so tired and disgusted by the antics and time wasting by the talking heads, especially Tiki Barber et al. we could have been seeing, horses, femcing,sharp shooting,more coverage of Rhythmic Gymnastics,sailing. What happened to white water kayaking?
How did NBC get thee hands on the Olympics? Even though our beloved Jim McCay is dead, surely ABC would have given us the coverage we miss and desire.

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