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First Day Of Dressage at the Olympics

Sydney Olympic Dressage Arena The near capacity crowd of 19,500 at the Equestrian Team Dressage competition Tuesday saw what was expected: the favourites for Team gold, Germany and the Netherlands, went head to head.

With 25 of the 48 competitors riding the Grand Prix test on the first day of Dressage competition, Germany leads the field with a score of 3764. The Netherlands are placed second, 104 penalties behind.

World champion and Individual gold medallist at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, Isabell WERTH (GER) and GIGOLO performed a mistake-free Grand Prix test to achieve the highest score of the day.

The combined scores of WERTH and Alexandra SIMONS de RIDDER (GER) put Germany on track for a fifth successive Team Dressage gold medal.

Dutch team members Anky van GRUNSVEN (NED) and Ellen BONTJE (NED) produced solid performances to place the Netherlands in second spot. European Champion and World Cup Final winner van GRUNSVEN thrilled the rain soaked crowd with her equine partner BONFIRE. A couple of mistakes prevented this partnership from fulfilling its potential.

At his fifth Olympics, Robert DOVER (USA) guided his second string horse, the inexperienced RANIER, around the 60m x 20m arena with flair and was pleased with the result, placing him ninth overall. His teammate Susan BLINKS rode the final test of the day with FLIM FLAM to place the USA in third place, overtaking Australia.

Ulla HAKANSON (SWE) missed her chance for a ride at her sixth OIympic Games when her horse BOBBY was withdrawn from the competition at the last minute. As the best three scores of a team count towards final team placings, Sweden is still in the race.

With two riders from each country's team of four still to ride, the Team Dressage competition remains wide open. Competition continues on Wednesday at 10:00. The medal ceremony begins at 15:45.

Photo by Diana De Rosa

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