RIO: Day Two of Eventing Dressage Highs and Lows

It would seem our morning chanting soldiers take the Sabbath off and we were left to our own devices for waking up this morning. So far, no more bullets have dropped through the media tent roof so we’re all good – although it has been revealed that the bullet came from a machine gun located in one of the Favelas (ie. slums) and it seems they were trying to take out a drone keeping an eye on them…

Belgium’s Joris Vanspringel and Lully Des Aulnes got things rolling this morning with a score of 54.3 and we even had a representative from Puerto Rico (Lauren Billys and Castle Larchfield Purdy) before one of those lovely little French horses graced us with its presence. Thibaut Vallette and Qorry Blue D’Arguoges’ test was gorgeous and bouncy with the rhythm never changing a beat, even through the flying changes. It was lovely to see and popped them immediately into fourth place with a score of 41.0.

Two more horses and it was a couple of excited Aussie journalists (that’s us) that saw Stuart Tinney and Pluto Mio enter the main stadium. Oh dear Pluto! The old boy had his hot head on today right from the first head-throwing halt. Stuart had his hands full and proved what a great rider he is, keeping everything under control. There was jogging in the walk and late changes but to keep his mate together until the end took sheer skill. Well done Stuart. It was just not your day. Their final score was 56.8.

Stuart Tinney and Pluto Mio

The short arena grading/ watering break saw us entertained by “Bongo Cam” Yes….Bongo Cam. Imagine if you will “Kissing Cam” like you see at American baseball games but here cartoon bongo drums are superimposed on the big screen and people play them as the camera passes over the crowd. I’m not sure how successful it was, to be honest, but we’ll see if it makes a return!

Bongo Cam

Pippa Funnell from Team GB was first on after the break and she had Billy the Biz swinging along quite nicely for a clean test but was that one of those sneaky sliding stops from yesterday I saw at the end? Her final score was 43.9.

Pippa Funnell and Billy the Biz

Alice Naber-Lozeman from Holland rode Peter Parker through a clean test with some super flying changes. That must be Peter’s party trick as he was happy to throw in some one tempis on the final centreline. Unfortunately, no extra marks for such skill! 46.2 was their final score.

Alice Naber-Lozeman and Peter Parker

Kiwi Clarke Johnstone is such a lovely rider, but his big grey Balmoral Sensation just seemed a little bit too laid back today. It was rhythmic and correct, but just lacking in a bit of bounce. Oh but what fabulous changes! They walked away with 46.5.

Kiwi Clarke Johnstone and Balmoral Sensation

Late call up for Germany Julia Krajewski and Samouri du Thot didn’t let the team down putting in a solid performance. Low early marks brought the score down a bit for a final result of 44.8. Poor Julia, usually the Germans are so well organised that they get to do a European Champs before a Games, but the 28 year old was tossed in the deep end, and was perhaps a bit over-awed.

Julia Krajewski and Samouri du Thot

Alex Hua Tian from China was first to go after lunch on Don Geniro and the big horse lived up to his dressage lineage with an extraordinary trot. Unfortunately a few little mistakes, like a break in the first extended trot hindered their progress. Alex is a lovely, supple-backed rider and the pair finished their test on an impressive 42.4.

Alex Hua Tian and Don Geniro

Karin Donckers from Belgium is an old hand at the Olympics, this being her sixth. She started competing internationally back in 1992. The accuracy of her test and her ability to not give away a point is a dead give away of that experience. She and Fletcha Van’t Verahof finished their test on 41.1.

Karin Donckers and Fletcha Van’t Verahof

The last French rider was as beautiful to watch as his fellow countrymen. Mathieu Lemoine had Bart L through, rhythmic, accurate; they didn’t put a foot wrong. Must be that good Dutch dressage breeding. They shot up the rankings to third on 39.2.

Mathieu Lemoine and Bart L

Shane Rose and CP Qualified were a few combinations later. The horse was super loose…almost a little too much at first, but Shane got things together to produce a smooth test, although the judge at C seemed to have her mean pants on. We thought it was lovely though and so did the other judges which allowed for a final result of 42.5.

Shane Rose and CP Qualified

The last of the Dutch riders Merel Blom’s partner Rumour Has It seemed a bit put out to have to do the dressage and not go straight to the cross country. The exuberant gelding bolted after every flying change which unfortunately saw them right down the list on 54.4.

Ingrid, wonderful Ingrid! Such an extraordinary rider on not such a flash pony but so correct was the riding that they finished on 39.5 and fourth place. Luckily Hale Bob saved his excitement for after the test where he celebrated his great score with some leaps of joy!

Ingrid Klimke and Hale Bob

Ingrid throws in a cheeky little wave to the crowd before her final salute!

Ingrid’s score moves the Germans into number one slot, France second, Australia third, Great Britain, fourth. But everyone, like everyone, is sure that lots will change after tomorrow’s cross country…

– Rebecca