Ian Millar, from Perth, Ont., smiles at a news conference naming him to the Canadian Olympic equestrian team in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, July 5, 2012. This will be Millar's tenth Olympic games.Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
Canadian equestrian Ian Millar is 65, and now a veteran of 10 Olympics. It's given him the clout to speak his mind – and that's what he did Thursday.
Asked for his thoughts on Hubert Raudaschl, the Austrian yachtsman who held the record prior to 2012 by competing in nine Games, Millar jumped at the question.
"I've wondered – and I've never done this boating, yachting thing – but I've got to tell you I think that's maybe a little easier than sitting on our furry friends over these big jumps. It is a little bit apples to oranges to compare. I don't want to hurt his feelings here but …"
Millar didn't finish his response.
Having been in show jumping for 40 years, Millar spoke about his sport has evolved since his first Olympics in Munich, Germany.
"It's really not the same thing at all as it was in 1972," he said. "It's a different type of horse we're using; the style of riding is quite evolved, the way the courses are built, the material used. It's virtually unrecognizable over this period of time. So it's been an interesting challenge to stay with that change."
There was on last bit from the Olympics' all-time Olympian: he isn't done yet.
"The horse I have now, Star Power, is 11. So next time around [2016 in Rio de Janeiro] he'll be 14 [or 15], so it's well within range. If he's willing, I'm willing."