Trailblazer for the Australian Team, Shane Rose was delighted after his test with Virgil.

© Michelle Terlato Photography

All smiles for Team Australia after the first day of dressage at the FEI World Eventing Championships, Pratoni

 By Equestrian Life

 The Australian Eventing Team had plenty to smile about at the conclusion of the first day of Dressage at the FEI World Championships in Pratoni. The experienced combinations of Shane Rose and Virgil, and Hazel Shannon and WillingaPark Clifford have produced wonderful tests that see the team in a strong position heading into Day Two. With Kevin McNab and Andrew Hoy still to ride their dressage tests for the Australian team, along with Shenae Lowings who is competing as an individual for Australia, the stage is set for an exciting second day of dressage action.

The Australian team watches on, as Shane Rose and Virgil perform their dressage test.

© Michelle Terlato Photography

As the trailblazer for the Australian team, Shane Rose was delighted with Virgil’s test; consistent, accurate and expressive, Virgil scored 68.52% to see the pair occupying provisional 17th place at the conclusion of day one on 31.5 penalties. Hazel Shannon and WillingaPark Clifford’s much-anticipated World Championship debut is off to a brilliant start, with a very strong dressage performance resulting in a 69.75% score. Hazel and the 17-year-old thoroughbred are in 14th place at the conclusion of Day One on a score of 30.3 penalties.

Hazel Shannon and WillingaPark Clifford

© Michelle Terlato Photography

On Day Two, Shanae Lowings and Bold Venture will be the first competitors in the arena, riding at 9:30am (5:30pm AEST). Kevin McNab will ride his Tokyo Olympic mount Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam at 12:24pm (8:24pm AEST), while Australian fans will have to wait until 5:02pm (1:02am AEST) to see if Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos can produce the quality that saw the pair win individual bronze and team silver at Tokyo 2020.

British rider Laura Collett is currently in the top spot on the leader board after an outstanding test with 13-year-old Holsteiner London 52. Their score of 19.3 penalties is the third best dressage score in world championships history.  

Collett’s team member Yasmin Ingham is in 2nd position on 22.0 penalties riding Banzai du Loir, while New Zealand’s Monica Spencer is in 3rd place at the conclusion of Day One on a score of 25.6 with her thoroughbred Artist.

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