Equestrian Life
Germany take early dressage lead

Brett Parbery waves to the crowd after his brilliant test on DP Weltmieser - © Michelle Terlato

Brett Parbery waves to the crowd after his brilliant test on DP Weltmieser; the pair scored 70.109%.

  © Michelle Terlato

 

Rozzie Ryan is on the ground at WEG:

"Good day. Alexis did a great job. Very poised and cool under pressure. She and Floreno did a mistake free test for 67.360%. A super start for us. Brett and DP Weltmieser were our second out and showed the experience and trust they have in each other for a really great test. I don’t think they could have done any more and scored 70.109%. They should be very proud of themselves and there were lots of super happy Aussies! Weather is hot, humid and rainy, and we're all wondering what’s going to happen with Florence pending. We’re going back to watch tomorrow, so good luck to Mary and Kristy and hope they stay dry.

Ps. We are staying on Lake Lure. They’ve lowered the level of the lake in anticipation of the rain. Our house has a pontoon that was over water yesterday and it’s all dry today. Just how much rain is coming. Our dustbin was a raised by a bear last night. I want to see him."

Germany take early dressage lead

Germany led the field at the end of the first day of Dressage at WEG 2018, but there’s everything to play for with a host of big names still to come.

View the gallery from day one here.

Dressage kicked off at the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018 today (Wednesday) in Tryon, USA with the first day of the team competition.
 

VIRBAC.WEG.SMALL.SEPT.2018

 


Though no medals would be awarded on the first day, tensions were running high as the first glimpse of the riders and horses in Tryon would give spectators across the world some clues as to who would leave with team medals on Thursday as well as individual medals on Friday.

With so much movement within the leaderboard on day one, it was apparent that every rider was going to fight tooth and nail for every single mark from the judges.

The main contenders to top the leaderboard were of course Germany and Great Britain, with the USA, The Netherlands and Sweden all dark horses in the competition. Great Britain’s standout for the day was Spencer Wilton on Super Nova with a 74.5%.

 

Alexis Hellyer and Bluefields Floreno scored 67.360% in the Grand Prix - © Michelle Terlato

Alexis Hellyer and Bluefields Floreno scored 67.360% in the Grand Prix.

© Michelle Terlato


 
Hans Peter Minderhoud of The Netherlands had to contend with a sudden heavy downpour during his test, but rode through like the commensurate professional that he is, even surpassing teammate Madeleine Witte-Vrees’ score with a very respectable 73.65%.
 
Adrienne Lyle was last to wrap up for the nations jostling for the top few spots on day one of the team competition. A score higher than Wilton’s would leave Britain trailing in fourth place heading into the second day, and she managed to just pip Wilton to the post with 74.8%.
 
So heading into day two and with two riders having appeared for all of the major nations, it was Germany who were on top both in the team and individual rankings. Sweden were in second place, the USA in third and Great Britain hot on their heels in fourth.
 
With anchor riders still to appear for Germany, the USA and Great Britain tomorrow (Thursday), there’s everything to play for. Germany is looking exceptionally strong already and with Queen of Dressage Isabell Werth teaming up with Sonke Rothenberger tomorrow, they look poised to take the gold medal.

The USA will rely heavily on Laura Graves - Can anyone stop Germany from defending their crown?


Great Britain has secret weapons Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin up their sleeves, both on fairly inexperienced horses but with the potential to upset the status quo. Sweden’s performances have been even stronger than predicted, so they too could pose a threat.
 
The USA will rely heavily on Laura Graves who closes off the competition tomorrow – luckily, she’s no stranger to pressure and if her prior form is anything to go by, will deliver a rock solid performance.
 
Don't miss the second day of WEG Dressage, live on FEI TV from 8:50am EST (1:50pm BST, 2:50pm CET)
 
Text by Sophie Baker

Source: FEI press release

 

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© copyright. Equestrian Life. Friday, 29 March 2024
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