Sports personality of the year

[Bagpuss]

She is, and only the third person to ever hold European and World titles at the same time.

Chuck in the fact that Eventing is an inherently dangerous sport with a real risk of being killed or permanently injured - One of her friends was killed at a horse trials shortly before the World Equestrian Games - and I think she deserved it.

Minority team sport that no-one watches, voted for by the blue rinse brigade. Never mind the UK having two fighters rated top ten in the world, and Joe C beating supposedly the best fighter at his weight. He was robbed.

[DodgyAgent]

Minority team sport that no-one watches, voted for by the blue rinse brigade. Never mind the UK having two fighters rated top ten in the world, and Joe C beating supposedly the best fighter at his weight. He was robbed.

and where exactly are the hoards of people interested/taking part in boxing other than fighting in town centres on a friday night?
Just how many weights are there?

[DaveB]

Minority team sport that no-one watches,

You mean like boxing? Pay per view only, limited appeal and riddled with corruption.

[Bagpuss]

You mean like boxing? Pay per view only, limited appeal and riddled with corruption.

But you don't need a horse to win. There are more boxing fans in this country though , anyday!

[DodgyAgent]

The very fact that eventing is not financially rewarding gives it a certain integrity that does not apply to many other sports.

[where did my id go?]

The very fact that eventing is not financially rewarding gives it a certain integrity that does not apply to many other sports.

And stops all those nasty plebs taking part.

[DodgyAgent]

But you don't need a horse to win. There are more boxing fans in this country though , anyday!

Thank god for that. One certainly doe not want eventing to appeal to the masses does one? I am afraid Bagpuss it is down to personal prferences as to what appeals. So stop moaning, your plebby little yobs sport lost so live with it.

[DaveB]

But you don't need a horse to win. There are more boxing fans in this country though , anyday!

Pointless argument, like saying a boxer doesnt need to hit his opponent to win - Although with some of the "fights" that have happened that's debateable.

Riding the horse *is* the sport. And if there are more boxing fans in the country why didnt they vote for the boxer? I'm assuming you did actually vote.

[white-anglo-reactionary]

This is a noble sport for noble people

The very fact that eventing is not financially rewarding gives it a certain integrity that does not apply to many other sports.

Oh, I see. It's a "noble" sport. Bring back that Corinthian spirit. I thought you believed in merit over privilege, DA.

[Zippy]

Oh, I see. It's a "noble" sport. Bring back that Corinthian spirit. I thought you believed in merit over privilege, DA.

You don't have to be rich to compete. The basic business model of an eventing yard is - owner buys horse and pays rider a weekly/monthly fee to look after it, train and compete it. The rider may own a small share in the horse but they don't usually own it outright(a top horse would be £50k+). They also make money by buying young horses, training them up and selling on.
Even the really big boys would get paid a lot less than some of us and its very hard work to boot.