12 SIDELINES SEPTEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Continued on page 14
By Lauren R. Giannini
Three time Olympian Jim Wofford wears many hats, including
dog lover, avid fsherman and doting grandfather; but most of
all he is a horseman who specializes in Three-Day eventing. In
2000 he was named “One of the 50 Most Infuential Horsemen”
by the Chronicle of the Horse and in 2012 he garnered the Jimmy
A. Williams Lifetime Achievement Trophy, the highest honor
awarded by the USEF.
What about our Three-Day team for London?
I think we have a really good chance for a bronze medal. I don’t
see anyone pushing the Brits and the Germans out of the gold
and silver medals, which just depends on whether Michael Jung
(GER) or William Fox-Pitt (GBR) has a slightly better day. Our
riders are going to have to earn three really good scores; they’re
going to have to ride in the ring the way Linda Zang has them
going outside. In the fnal analysis the medals will be determined
by team strength, because you know both William and Michael
are going to fnish in the low 30s.
Individual: Jung and Foxy and I think that Phillip Dutton has as
good a chance as anybody for a bronze. Zara Phillips (GBR) has
a chance and Andrew Nicholson (NZL) is going to be in there no
matter what he rides. Unless this rain continues and the ground at
Greenwich Olympic Park deteriorates, then it will be very diffcult
to determine the outcome; wet conditions will literally be a game
changer.
What was your reaction to Allison Springer and Arthur and
their breakthrough fnish at Rolex?
First of all, mild surprise because Arthur has been historically so
diffcult at Rolex. Then my overwhelming sensation was of relief
and gratitude and admiration for their performance – it was a
sterling performance. I think Allison had a fabulous weekend.
Karen O’Connor experienced a stunning makeover, on the
horse and off. What do you think about her swansong shot,
with husband David taking over as Chef d’Equipe after
London?
I think Karen, after 30 years of competing at this level, woke
up about 10 months ago and said, ‘you know, maybe I’m not
immortal’ because she always thought she was and that she
would ride at this level forever. I think sometime last fall and over
the winter Karen started to feel that her window of opportunity was
about to swing shut. I would also point out that the secret reason
for [Karen’s improved dressage test] is that the team hired Linda
Zang and she knows what she’s doing.
Will Coleman has been up and down with Twizzel, who was
out of action for a while, but they’re back and better than
ever. What about this duo?
I’m thrilled and delighted that Will grew up in April at Rolex
as a rider and demonstrated the mental qualities it takes to be
successful at this level. In the past he impressed me as someone
who is a fabulous technical practitioner of the art; but he lacked a
e
Twizzel, owned by Jim Wildasin and Will Coleman. Jim Wofford
said, “In April, Will got down in the scuffe with all the rest of the
big guys and really got it done.”
Photo by Beth Cole