NOW here's a radical thought. Instead of giving Olympic medals to the riders in equestrian events, why not give them to the horses?
It's the idea of old chum Stan Solomons who says: “Isn't it about time the horses got the recognition they deserve?
“They go through years of strenuous training, spend hours on their own cooped up in tiny stables, travel thousands of miles in horse boxes and, when they've finished a competition, they might get a pat on their rump and an extra ration of hay, while their riders acknowledge the cheers of adoring crowds as they collect their medals on the podium.
“I've got a better idea. Why can't we award the gold, silver and bronze medals to the horses?
“After all, they do most of the work. It shouldn't be too difficult putting the medal round the horses necks as they stand on the podium.
“I suppose there could be a danger of them getting a little too excited and misbehaving but that would add to the fun.
“Of course their riders would stand alongside them to receive the flowers. No point presenting them to the nags. They would probably only eat them.
“Clare Balding would be in her element interviewing the winning horses. Questioning them would be no dafter than the fatuous questions she and other commentators put to our medal winners.”
