Aussie team in the lead after the first day of the Eventing Dressage
What an amazing venue! The surface looked spectacular as was the ambience produced by such a beautiful arena, stately and in tune with dressage.
It was always going to be difficult for Chris Burton and HP Leilani to get a great score being second out of the first 37 and following ex Aussie Boyd Martin who was first to go. Chris rode a wonderful test. This mare was not born with expressive and expansive paces and so the training and positioning in this test is of the utmost importance. The test is not uncomplicated, comprising of medium and extended trot and canter, and half passes in both trot and canter as well as counter canter and four flying changes so it needs thoughtful and accurate riding.
The mare looks in wonderful condition and was presented immaculately as were all the Aussie horses. Chris rode a very polished test but a big mistake in the first flying change was costly for sure and not only in the mark for the change but also in the submission and impulsion mark. Needless to say a score of 46.1 put them in to eight place.
What was interesting to see was Chris rode in a double bridle, as did many others. The double bridle used to be little frowned upon in the past in eventing, as it was thought of as a gadget for strong horses. With training now so much better, the double bridle now aids in the true collection. Many eventing horses now show real submission and softness enabling in some top tests and for me, Chris was one of them.
Next out for the Aussies was Sam Griffiths and this was a well-ridden test. Happy Times is by Heraldic, the same stallion as is the leader at the moment Butts Abraxxas with Ingrid Klimke. Again not an extravagant mover, a few minor mistakes in the changes and a change behind in the collecting canter were costly for an overall mark of 45.4 to put them in 7th place at the end of the first day. This was a great job considering he was at home mowing lawns two days ago, as he was at that time a reserve rider!! Sam has hardly had any time to get excited, as it has been all “go” from home to Olympics to arena competition.
It was interesting to see that all the Aussie horses had fly bonnets on and it's hard to imagine that the flies were so bad but at this level it's best to take every precaution and well done for the team to do so.
There is no question that the warm up and the confidence going in to the arena is of the utmost importance and I have to say that it was so good to see that the team had an Aussie coach with them for the warm up in Brett Parbery. All the Aussie riders looked totally prepared and the horses all in great frames in the arena.
The third horse out for us, well down the draw when the judges had settled in was Rutherglen and Andrew Hoy. It was obvious that the previous six Olympic Games experiences for Andrew shone through. His riding looks better than ever and as always immaculate in his turnout and the way he placed the test together. Rutherglen is a tall and imposing horse with good paces and a wonderful frame. At only nine years of age he looked confident in his work and despite the atmosphere and his reaction to the crowd, their test showed some tension but it was a fluent and impressive test and with a score of 41.7. This placed them 4th overall and took the Australian team in to first place at the end of the first day of competition with Germany in second place, not to forget the Brits and all the other nations further down the list!!!!!
How proud are we to be beating the Germans after day one. Tomorrow we have Lucinda and Clayton Fredericks to go with good chances to be at the top of the leader board. The Germans have Michael Yung with Sam and they will be the ones to watch for the winning test. The atmosphere will be high tomorrow as Zara Phillips will be competing and being a Grand Daughter of the Queen no doubt the stands will be packed.
Of course the test to beat is the test of Ingrid Klimkes and it just shows how correct training, a confident horse with accurate riding and no mistakes is the name of the game here. This horse is no superstar mover and simply is consistent from beginning to the end of the test and it's this consistency that will get you over the line ahead.
Well done to the Aussies they all made the test look easy and looked totally at ease and at home in the dressage arena and at the end of the day it is here where the gold medal is won!
Roger Fitzhardinge for Equestrian Life.
Click here for all the wonderful photos from Day 1
