Equestrian is the only Olympic sport in which men and women compete on equal terms.There are no separate events for men and women in the three different disciplines -- dressage, jumping and eventing.However, women were only allowed to compete in the sport in 1952 when the competition stopped being restricted to active-duty officers on military horses.Riders must avoid accumulating penalty points for errors and to do that they rely on harmony with their horses.---CINDERELLA STORYLaura Graves of the United States will be aiming to write the perfect ending to her fairytale in Rio at her first Olympic Games.The former hairdresser burst onto the scene in 2014, when she and her horse Verdades (Diddy for short) finished fifth in the World Equestrian Games Grand Prix Freestyle and were also second at the Grand Prix National Championship, behind three-time Olympian Steffen Peters and Legolas.Graves love of horses began when her parents traded their washer and dryer for two ponies. She always dreamed of competing but was unable to due to a lack of funds.Her parents bought her a horse on a modest budget from a sales video but Diddy was temperamental and would refuse to be ridden many days.One of many falls resulted in Graves breaking her back, but she did not give up, and they rose from obscurity to one of the worlds best dressage duos.---CAPTAIN CANADAKnown as Captain Canada, Ian Millar etched his name into sporting history at London 2012, setting a new record for the most appearances in Olympic Games.Having surpassed Austrian sailor Hubert Raudaschls nine, the 69-year-old is hoping to make it 11 in Rio, where he could also compete with his children, Jonathon and Amy, who are also hoping to qualify.Millars total would already be 11 had Canada not joined the boycott of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow.Millars first Olympic Games were Munich 1972 and he won his only Olympic medal at the 2008 Games in Beijing, becoming the oldest show jumper to stand on the podium, at the age of 61.He dedicated the medal to his wife of 39 years, who had died months earlier from cancer.---PAMPERED HORSESIn equestrian, its not just the athletes who receive top treatement and training, but the horses too.Between events, horses run on treadmills and have massages, as well as physiotherapy and acupuncture sessions.Top horses also fly around the world on specially designed aeroplanes and have passports containing detailed physical descriptions and lists of vaccines taken.Problems can arise, however, especially with riders from Australia, which has strict quarantine laws. Many riders from Australia and New Zealand live in Europe or the United States.Phillip Dutton, who won gold at three successive Olympics from 1996-2004 as part of the Australian eventing team, moved to the United States in 1991 and started to compete for his adoptive country after officially becoming a U.S. citizen in 2006.---GERMAN DOMINANCEGermany has dominated the sport, specifically dressage where it has an impressive haul of 19 gold medals, 11 silver and nine bronze.The top three athletes in the history of equestrian are also German: Reiner Klimke won six gold and two bronze medals in dressage, Isabell Werth five golds and three silvers in the same event, while Hans Gunter Winkler won five gold, one silver and a bronze in show jumping.Germany won seven successive dressage team gold medals at the Olympics, until its run was interrupted in London by a Great Britain team, including Charlotte Dujardin on Valegro and Laura Bechtolsheimer on Mistral Hojris -- the individual gold and bronze medalists.Valegro has been the best horse for the past four years and the individual medal will likely be a battle between Dujardin and Werth, who did not compete four years ago.One of the best riders in the United States is originally German. Born in Wesel, Germany, Steffen Peters emigrated to America in 1985, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1992. He rode in the first of three Olympic Games four years later, helping his new nation to the team bronze medal in Atlanta.The U.S., with one silver and seven bronze, and Canada, one bronze, are the only non-European countries with dressage medals. Joao Cancelo Jersey . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. Rodrigo Bentancur Jersey .05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. 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Below is the game plan for having an enjoyable and profitable bowl season -- by creaming your co-workers in the office pool.It includes bullet-pointed information straight from Las Vegas sportsbooks, coaches records in bowls, strength-of-schedule insight, statistical mismatches and more.Please do not leak to office pool opponents. ...Note: Statistical information from BetLabSports on SportsInsights and TeamRankings.com was used in this article.Early action reportIn mid-December, an MGM casino guest placed six-figure bets on Arkansas State, BYU, Mississippi State, Florida State, Louisville and Air Force. The gambler was described as a house player, generally meaning a high-roller, but not necessarily a sophisticated sports bettor.On Tuesday at the MGM, a sophisticated sports bettor placed a $5,000 limit bet on Auburn +4.5 against Oklahoma in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Limits will increase closer to kickoff.Out of the first $7,027 bet at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook on the Sugar Bowl, $7,000 was on the favored Sooners. Oklahoma opened as a 5.5-point favorite, but was only laying 3.5 at several shops as of Dec. 14.The largest bowl bet placed at a William Hill sportsbook in Nevada as of Dec. 14: A $44,000 pop on Temple -13 versus Wake Forest in the Military Bowl on Dec. 27. Because of the big bet, which was placed Dec. 10, more money had been bet on the Military Bowl than had been bet on the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between Alabama and Washington at William Hill.Temple also attracted big money at the South Point sportsbook. We took some big play on Temple, South Point sportsbook director Chris Andrews said. Not sure how sophisticated it was, but it was big. The Military Bowl line had grown to Owls -14 at several sportsbooks as of Dec. 14.Andrews believes Alabama would be a 7-point favorite over Ohio State in a potential national championship game matchup. Ive heard guys say higher, but I think 7 is a good number, Andrews added.Ed Salmons, head football oddsmaker at the SuperBook, thinks Alabama would be favored over Ohio State by somewhere between 7.5 and 9.5 points.Golden Nugget oddsmaker Aaron Kesslers projected lines for potential championship game matchups: Ohio State vs. Alabama -9.5; Clemson vs. Alabama -11; Washington vs. Ohio State -4; Washington vs. Clemson -3.Alabama grew to as much as a 17-point favorite over Washington in the days directly after the point spread on Peach Bowl was posted at Station Casino. But as of Dec. 14, the line had settled back to Crimson Tide -16, with even action. Stations sportsbook director Jason McCormick reported 51 percent of the bets were on Alabama.Six times as much money had been wagered on Alabama as had been bet on Washington as of Dec. 14 at the South Point.Projecting a line involving Washington in the championship game is tricky. Youd have to give Washington a huge bump from beating Alabama, Salmons said. If Washington beats Alabama, no matter who they play, that line is obviously going to be less than 7. If they played Clemson, I think it would be somewhere around Clemson [minus] 3 and Ohio State [minus] 5.5, 6.The SuperBook took a limit bet on Ohio State -3 versus Clemson in mid-December. That was definitely sharp, Salmons said.The SuperBook also took early action, characterized by Salmons as sharp, on Florida State +7, Stanford -3 and Pittsburgh -3.5.The SuperBook opened Michigan as a 7-point favorite over Florida State in the Capital One Orange Bowl and quickly attracted respected money on the Seminoles, dropping the line to Wolverines -6.5. Wise guys just wouldnt let -7 stick around, Salmons said. That was surprising, because Im pretty sure the public is going to be coming in pretty good on Michigan.As of Dec. 14, 91 percent of the money wagered on the Orange Bowl at William Hill sportsbooks was on the Wolverines.Michigan had also attracted the most lopsided action at the Golden Nugget.William Hill took two $25,000 bets on Ohio State to win the championship at 4-1 odds. Each would net $100,000 if the Buckeyes win their second national title in the past three years.William Hill also accepted a $6,400 national championship bet on Washington at 15-1, which would net $96,000, and a $10,000 bet on Clemson at 9-1 that would produce a $90,000 profit. The largest bet on Alabama was $5,000 at 11-2, which would pay $27,500 if the Crimson Tide repeat as national champions.Temple, South Carolina, New Mexico, Indiana, Pittsburgh and Wisconsin also had attracted more than 90 percent of the early money on bowls that had received early significant action at William Hill.Las Vegas sportsbook operator CG Technology took two $5,000 limit bets on North Carolina State the first week after bowl lines were posted. (Limits will increase closer to kickoff). We need Vanderbilt, CG Technologys Jason Simbal said. As of Dec. 14, North Carolina State was listed as a 4-point favorite over Vanderbilt in the Camping World Independence Bowl.LSU and Wisconsin also attracted early line-moving money at CG Technology.In the first week since bowl lines were opened for betting at the MGM, six times as much money had been wagered on the Peach Bowl between Alabama and Washington as had been bet on the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl between Ohio State and Clemson.Arkansas State, Houston, Southern Miss, Colorado, Stanford and Indiana had attracted limit bets as of Tuesday at Station Casino.Southern Miss opened as a 3-point favorite over Louisiana-Lafayette, but was bet up to Eagles -4.5, creating Stations most-lopsided decision on a bowl as of Tuesday.New Mexico, Southern Miss, BYU and Old Dominion had attracted the most action at Caesars sportsbooks.Jeff Stoneback, assistant sportsbook manager at the MMGM Mirage, estimates 80 to 90 percent of the money wagered on bowl games is placed on the day of the game.dddddddddddd0-year bowl ATS and over/under statsUnderdogs are 172-170 ATS.There have been 178 unders and 173 overs.Underdogs are 126-216 straight-up in bowls.Double-digit favorites are 21-25 ATS.Double-digit favorites are 33-12 straight up.The SEC is 55-38 ATS, by far the best mark of any conference. The SEC went 8-3 ATS in bowls last season.The Big 12 is 32-44 ATS, the worst mark of any conference. The Big 12 went 2-5 ATS in bowls last season.The MAC hasnt fared well either, going 16-29 ATS in the past 10 bowl seasons.2016 non-conference straight up recordsBig Ten: 26-8SEC: 29-12ACC: 29-13Pac-12: 19-9Big 12: 12-10AAC: 19-17Independent: 15-25Mountain West: 15-23Mid-American: 14-21Sun Belt: 9-25Conference USA: 8-32Bowl records for coachesHeres a look at how every coach has done straight up and against the spread in previous bowl games:Note: Interim coaches are denoted with an asterisk (*).Team and coach bowl notesAlabama went 8-2 ATS versus bowl teams this season.Nine of Alabamas past 11 bowl games have gone over the total.Ohio State is 6-0 ATS as an underdog under coach Urban Meyer. The Buckeyes covered the spread in those six games by an average of 21.9 points. Ohio State would be an underdog in a potential title game against Alabama.Urban Meyer is 39-9 ATS with more than a week to prepare.Temple went 5-1 ATS versus bowl teams this season.Temple is 12-1 ATS this season, the best mark of any bowl team.Colorado State and Colorado are a combined 20-5 ATS this season.Maryland went 0-7 ATS versus bowl teams this season.Clemson went 3-7 ATS versus bowl teams this season.Eleven of Pittsburghs 12 games this season have gone over the total.Ten of Ohios 12 games this season have stayed under the total.Seven of TCUs past nine bowl games have stayed under the total.TCU, Boise State and Baylor are each 3-9 ATS this season, the worst mark of bowl teams.Stanford has covered the spread in six of its past seven bowl appearances.Kansas State has covered the spread in just one of its past eight bowl appearances.Largest strength-of-schedule mismatchesNote: Strength of schedule is according to Jeff Sagarins College Football Ratings.Wisconsin (10) vs. Western Michigan (118)Mississippi State (31) vs. Miami, Ohio (124)LSU (13) vs. Louisville (70)Colorado (8) vs. Oklahoma State (61)Western Kentucky (121) vs. Memphis (73)Colorado State (79) vs. Idaho (123)Central Florida (74) vs. Arkansas State (119)Middle Tennessee (132) vs. Hawaii (87)Old Dominion (140) vs. Eastern Michigan (98)Statistical mismatchesColorado States No. 6 goal-line offense vs. Idahos 116th-ranked goal-line defense.Michigans pass rush vs. Florida States pass protection. The Wolverines are second in the nation with 3.67 sacks per game. The Seminoles rank 109th in the nation in sacks allowed 2.83 sacks per game.Michigans 8th-ranked punt return unit vs. Florida States 127th-ranked punt return defense.Washingtons 14th ranked punt return unit vs. Alabamas 115th-ranked punt return defense.Louisiana Techs offense is eighth in the nation in third-down efficiency. Navys defense is 128th in third-down efficiency defense.Utah is third in the nation in turnovers gained with 28 (17 interceptions, 11 fumbles). Indiana is tied for 120th in the nation in turnovers with 26 lost (17 interceptions, nine fumbles).Boston Colleges pass rush vs. Marylands pass protection: The Eagles rank ninth in the nation in sacks per game (3.25). The Terrapins surrendered 41 sacks this season, 3.42 per game (121st in nation). Only one power-conference team (Arizona State) allowed more sacks.North Carolina States NFL-bound defensive end Bradley Chubbs 21 tackles for loss is second nationally, and given Vandys struggles on the offensive line (7.2 percent sack rate, 12th in SEC) it should be a prime opportunity for Chubb to pad his stats.Oklahoma State, Indiana and Nebraska each allowed three blocked punts this season. Only UNLV allowed more.Baylor committed 9.83 penalties per game, nearly 1.6 more than any other team. Boise State, the Bears opponent in the Cactus Bowl, is one least penalized teams in the nation, ranking 11th nationally in penalties per game.South Floridas No. 5-ranked rushing offense vs. South Carolinas 89th-ranked rushing defense.Eastern Michigans No. 19th-ranked goal-line offense vs. Old Dominion 100th-ranked goal-line defense.Colorados pass rush vs. Oklahoma States pass protection. The Buffaloes recorded 2.69 sacks per game, good for third in the Pac-12 and 25th in the nation. Oklahoma State is 105th in sacks allowed, surrendering 2.56 per game.Air Forces No. 3-ranked rushing offense vs. South Alabamas 98th-ranked rushing defense.Odds and endsThe point spread on the Hawaii Bowl between Middle Tennessee and Hawaii had not been posted as of Dec. 13. Middle Tennessee starting QB Brent Stockstill suffered a broken collarbone in an early November loss to Texas-San Antonio and did not play the rest of the regular season. He has not, however, been ruled out of the Hawaii Bowl.Average combined points in bowl games since 2011 is 58.7. The average posted over/under on this seasons bowls is 57.35 as of Dec. 14 at the SuperBook.The Memphis-Western Kentucky total quickly grew to 80 at the SuperBook, the largest of any bowl total as of Dec. 14.Teams playing bowl games in their home state are 28-29-1 ATS in the previous five seasons (2011-15), not including the 2013 New Orleans Bowl between UL-Lafayette and Tulane, with both teams playing in their home state. ' ' '