Another flip: Romney Tries to Distance Self from His Fancy Dancing Horse

[Calamari]

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/romney...0#.T4-IaI6r0QU

The World Cup finals for the elite sport of dancing horses, known as dressage, opened today in the Netherlands without the presence of two of its most prominent wealthy devotees, Mitt and Ann Romney. The Romneys' horse, Rafalca, will compete, however, performing to music personally selected by the Republican presidential candidate.
...

While the rigors of the campaign trail are likely a major impediment this year, political analysts told ABC News another, more important factor may be behind the decision to downplay discussion of her pricey hobby: How it looks.
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"Americans don't hate rich people," Hogue said. "Some of our most popular presidents came from personal wealth. [But] his series of missteps … reinforce a common feeling that Romney is so far removed from most people's daily reality that he couldn't address their concerns even if he cared to."

It's really precious. They make horses "dance" to music.

But the really precious part is Mitt turning his back on it.

[Balt Observer]

That's really precious. The squid relegated to talking about "dancing horses".

[SalisburySage]

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/romney...0#.T4-IaI6r0QU
It's really precious. They make horses "dance" to music.

But the really precious part is Mitt turning his back on it.

Well I am sure that the horses are well taken care of, unlike the dog that Obama ate.

Romney should stop being ashamed of his wealth, no one complained about Donald Trump's wealth when he was running for President.

[downhome]

I know a couple people who ride dressage. There's a lot of time and training involved.

Not sure how one arrives at the conclusion that Romney is distancing himself from the horse...sounds like the type of conclusion Gene would make.

[Calamari]

Or from the article and parts I bolded to make sure that even an couldn't miss that.

[downhome]

Or from the article and parts I bolded to make sure that even an couldn't miss that.

the part where an analyst's opinion was used? too funny. Like the President, the Romney's are allowed leisure activities.

[Balt Observer]

The squid intentionally confuses opinion with fact again. Priceless.

[zenwalk]

Does he strap the horse on the top of the family van too? Bush used to do it for the added horsepower.

[naive]

Does he strap the horse on the top of the family van too? Bush used to do it for the added horsepower.

Nah...The horse probably rides in a 100 million dollar trailer....

[ms maggie]

While it strikes me as somehow creepy (kinda like people who dress their dogs in clothes....), it's their business and nothing at all wrong with it.

Wonder where that name, dressage, came from? Have to look it up.

[DaggerJohn]

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/romney...0#.T4-IaI6r0QU
It's really precious. They make horses "dance" to music....

You're just jealous because snails can't do it.

[Candy Pickletoes]

Competitive Dressage is not performed to music. The horses, while they seem like they may be "dancing" are taking commands that you and I can't see from the rider atop them, a little nudge with the knee, a tap of the foot so subtle it can't be seen by the observer, yet the horse knows exactly which move to make next. The rider may shift weight to tell the horse it's next move.

Here is a video of the Gold Medal winning Equestrian in the 2008 Olympics, no music played at all. The actual dressage portion begins at approximately 2:00.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKbqokuTzh8

The dancing horses you may be thinking of are more like the Lipizzaner Stallions, trained to entertain audiences, video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY3wmWT-sb8

The stallion video is actually fairly interesting (if you're in to that kind of thing) giving the history of the horses, their uses, etc.

Anyway, I'm not sure why anyone would knock the sports of others, to each his/her own people.

Oh, and by the way, you don't have to be rich to play a rich man's sport. I just watched a 60 minutes episode that had a segment about underpriviledged teens getting an opportunity to play Polo. One young man is quite the player and hopes to become one of the worlds best.

Can be seen here: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7404674n

[Calamari]

Better tell that to the Romneys then, because their fancy prancy horsie is dancing to music selected by Mitt Romney himself. Read the article.

[Wes]

unlike the dog that Obama ate.

Come on with that......

[Candy Pickletoes]

I actually don't care what Mitt Romney's horse is doing or how it is doing it. I just didn't think the way you portrayed this sport in your comments was completely fair to the sport. It is a real sport, people train, horses train, it takes dedication and commitment. I think it deserves just as much respect as any other sport. It's just my opinion, I don't much care if you agree with it or not.

I hold nothing against Romney because he enjoys a sport, whether it's considered a rich-man's sport or not. Romney is rich, I am not, it is what it is.

[naive]

Do people eat the horse meat when the horses are no longer competitive?

[Calamari]

I actually don't care what Mitt Romney's horse is doing or how it is doing it. I just didn't think the way you portrayed this sport in your comments was completely fair to the sport. It is a real sport, people train, horses train, it takes dedication and commitment. I think it deserves just as much respect as any other sport. It's just my opinion, I don't much care if you agree with it or not.

I hold nothing against Romney because he enjoys a sport, whether it's considered a rich-man's sport or not. Romney is rich, I am not, it is what it is.

Since I never saw you make this comment when Kerry was crucified for wind-surfing, and when the righties here get huffy about Obama's basketball and golf, I'll just have to ignore your ire here.

But really, no one is being more unfair to the sport than the Romneys for turning their backs on it. I think he should dress up in his cap and jhodpurs and prance up to the stage for the debates. Maybe have a butler show up with some wine and watercress sandwiches. Really show off his love for it, instead of hiding it like a little baby.

[Balt Observer]

I hope he brings his show horse to the White House for a photo op sometime during his term. After all, Obama brings in Spike Lee.

[ms maggie]

I hope he brings his show horse to the White House for a photo op sometime during his term. After all, Obama brings in Spike Lee.

Comparing an animal to a black man. How original. And TOTALLY un-racist. Totally.

[CajunRaven]

Another Jackass thread.