Photos by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
(Left) Former Gov. Mitt Romney kisses his wife Ann Romney after the Presidential debate at Hofstra University on Oct. 16, 2012 in Hempstead, New York. (Right) President Barack Obama kisses his wife Michelle after the debate.
Justin Lane / EPA and Rick Walking / Reuters
(Left) First Lady Michelle Obama, (Right) Ann Romney
Evan Vucci / AP
Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney hands out cookies during a flight to Tampa, Tuesday, Aug. 28.
Eric Thayer / Reuters
A purse containing the latest issue of Time magazine, with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on the cover, is seen during the second day of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida ON Aug. 28.
Brendan Smialowski / AFP - Getty Images
Republicans gather in Tampa, Florida to officially nominate Mitt Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan, as the party's candidates for the 2012 presidential election.
From NBC's First Read: The Ann Romney and Chris Christie speeches will try to accomplish these two different goals: the soft sell of Romney (which is Ann’s role) and the hard sell (which is Christie’s). In fact, you could argue that those are the dual themes of the entire convention. Ann Romney will attempt to humanize her husband, as well as try to appeal to women. Continue reading more on this story here.
Mike Hutchings / Reuters
Jan Ebeling of the U.S. riding Rafalca laughs after competing in the equestrian dressage individual grand prix special at the London 2012 Olympic Games in Greenwich Park August 7.
Mike Hutchings / Reuters
Ann Romney, right, wife of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, applauds as her horse, Rafalca, competes in the equestrian dressage at the Olympics in London on August 7. Co-owners Beth Meyer and Amy applaud along side.
Alex Livesey / Getty Images
Jan Ebeling of the United States riding Rafalca competes in the Team Dressage Grand Prix Special on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Greenwich Park on August 7.
The three owners Beth Meyer, Amy Ebeling and Ann Romney watched from the stands as their horse, Rafalca, made her final appearance at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Ridden by Amy’s husband, Jan Ebeling, Rafalca’s score wasn’t enough to make the cut for Thursday’s dressage medal event. Only the top 18 move on to the freestyle portion of the competition. They all seemed to enjoy the ride – with Jan tipping his top hat at the end and the three women cheering from the stands.
"It was wonderful. She was elegant and consistent again. We just love her," said Ann Romney.
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has received some criticism for his wife’s participation in a sport that many view as only for the wealthy and well-to-do. Ann Romney began riding as therapy to relieve symptoms from multiple sclerosis, which she was diagnosed with in 1998. But the scrutiny has only been positive for the sport of dressage, or “horse ballet” as it is sometimes described. The attention also brought some humor and parody to a sport that may have been too serious in the past. Perhaps the attention on Rafalca will also help those who could benefit from horse riding therapy which is used for people with physical and mental disabilities.
Full coverage on NBCOlympics.com
David Goldman / AP
Jan Ebeling, of the United States, raises his hat after competing in the equestrian dressage competition with his horse Rafalca at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 7.
Click for more from the 2012 summer games in London.
More Olympics on PhotoBlog:
Alexandra Raisman's gravity-defying floor routine gets her Olympic gold medal
Britain's Alistair Brownlee swims, cycles and runs to Olympic gold in triathlon
Huge blow for China as hurdler Liu Xiang crashes out of Olympics
A moment of true sportsmanship, as Japan consoles a defeated France
If horses could fly... equestrian jumping at London 2012 Olympics
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