Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos were brilliant today on the cross country course.

© Hippo Foto - Dirk Caremans

By Equestrian Life

Andrew Hoy, Shane Rose and Kevin McNab were outstanding today on the Sea Forest Cross Country course, making light work of the Derek di Grazia designed track and rising from sixth after dressage to occupy the team silver medal position ahead of tomorrow’s show jumping phase.

As the trailbrazer for the Australian team, Shane Rose laid down the gauntlet as he blitzed around the course with the experienced jumping machine Virgil, producing one of only  6 clear and under time cross country rounds in the field of 60 riders. Not only did his round provide the Australian team with the perfect start, it also saw Shane rise from 24th after the dressage phase into 9th position individually heading into the show jumping phase.

Shane Rose and Virgil were sensational trailblazers for Australia.

© Hippo Foto - Dirk Caremans

Kevin McNab and Don Quidam were very impressive in their Olympic debut, adding just 2.8 time penalties and finishing the course full of running; while horses’ fatigue levels and recovery rates after the cross country phase are important factors in any eventing competition, the hot and humid conditions in Japan mean it will be paramount heading into tomorrow. Kevin McNab and Don Quidam have now risen from 25th place after the dressage to sit in 15th place on 34.90 penalties after today’s cross country action.

Kevi McNab and Don Quidam jumped a beautiful round with just 2.8 time penalties.

© Hippo Foto - Dirk Caremans

Andrew Hoy delivered a cross country masterclass with Vassily de Lassos; despite being held on course due to another rider’s fall, neither Hoy nor Vassily de Lassos missed a beat. It may have been a nervous wait for the Australian camp and those watching along at home, however Andrew Hoy appeared completely unphased when his round resumed. Like the two Australian combinations before him, he stormed home and Vassily de Lassos looked ready to do it all again as the pair finished well under the optimum time. Hoy is now in 7th place and an individual podium finish is in his sights!

Great Britain were flawless today, with all three of their riders remaining on their dressage scores with clear, fast cross country rounds. Oliver Townend is in the individual gold medal position on 23.60 penalties, Laura Collett is in the bronze medal position on 25.80 penalties and Tom McEwen is in 6th on 28.90 penalties. As a team Great Britain are sitting on an amazing score of 78.30 penalties, with a commanding lead of 17.90 penalties over Australia on 96.20 penalties. With four rails in hand heading into the show jumping phase, Great Britain are well poised to claim team gold, however in eventing anything can happen!

The French riders were impressive today; the team is currently in the bronze medal position on 97.10 penalties, just 0.9 penalties behind Australia. New Zealand are in fourth on 104.00 penalties and USA are fifth on 109.40 penalties.

It was a disappointing day for Germany; team trailblazers Julia Krajewski and Amande De B’Neville produced a lovely round with just 0.4 time penalties and are in individual silver medal position on 25.60 penalties, however Sandra Auffurth had a run out on Viamant du Matz and Michael Jung lost his individual lead with Chipmunk FRH after dislodging a frangible pin and incurring 11 penalties. The team are now in 6th position on 114.20 penalties, with only a small chance of finishing on the podium after the final phase tomorrow.

While Japan are no longer in contention for a team medal, Kazumu Tomoto is sitting in 5th place individually on 27.50 penalties with Vinci De La Vigne, keeping the host nation’s hopes of a podium finish alive!

Good luck to the Australian team tomorrow!

Provisional results from today can be found here.

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