August 25, 2006

Eventers, Vaulters Take the Stages at Aachen 2006 WEG

Eventing: Day One

Three Americans put in their dressage tests on Thursday, Washington’s Amy Tryon, South Carolina’s Heidi White and Virginia’s Jan Byyny. Each of these ladies laid down solid performances, in spite of Mother Nature’s dreary welcome to Games competition. Forty international riders participated in today’s dressage test, and 38 are expected to do so on Friday.

Of the 39 horse-and-riders that rode their tests during day one, Andreas Dibwoski and FRH Serve Well (Germany) sit in the lead at first of two days’ dressage (score: 40.9). Australian Megan Jones and Kirby Park Irish Jester are second (44.1), with New Zealander Donna Smith and Call Me Clifton at third (45.4). Denmark’s Morten Haugaard and My Hamlet were retired during their test when the horse never recovered from being spooked.

First up for Team USA was the pairing of Olympic Bronze-medalists Tyron and her 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Poggio II. Taking to the test in a complete downpour, the pair ended their effort in first at the end of the initial seven riders in the day’s first section. By day’s end, they sat with a score of 50.7 and 11th place.

Tryon was happy with her dressage test and said, ““It’s a good course for us, lots of gallops and jumping,” said White. “The layout of the course is spectacular, and it’s serious all the way home.”

The second American to ride was Heidi White, who did so under more amenable skies. White put in a beautiful dressage test and a score of 50.4 (sitting at 10th place), but it was Saturday’s cross-country course that had her attention. Asked to comment on the course that lies ahead for the team of U.S. eventers, White said, “It’s a good course for us, lots of gallops and jumping. The layout of the course is spectacular, and it’s serious all the way home…what really got my attention was the double brushes at the end.”

Of her afternoon dressage test, White added, ““It was as good as we can get. I can always be better but I’m really pleased.”

Third up for the Americans were Jan Byyny and her 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Task Force who posted a score of 53.3, and sit at 15th place going into cross-country. An “energy burst” and some flying lead changes seemed to be today’s stickler.

On the cross-country course that lay ahead, Byyny said there was a lot out there to do. “I think it all looks doable…you just have to set your tone, and ride your plan,” she said.

Task Force bolted down the long side just outside the arena moments prior to starting her test, surprising the rider. However, she felt positive about the test, with a few exceptions, namely, lead-changes. “It was a lot of atmosphere for him…Our horses are not necessarily used to a big applause when they come in. It’s a great thing, but not something they’re used to,” she said.

Making her World Equestrian Games debut, Byyny said, “It’s an honor and I’m as excited as anything to be here...I think people sometimes don’t realize that how long an effort it is, and I’ve had him [Task Force] for six year.”

Back to Saturday’s cross-country, she echoed the same sentiments as other riders in characterizing it as hard, but very fair, with the initial test of getting on your game with the earliest of accuracy questions.

Friday’s forecast is calling for more of the same – 100% chance of rain and continued cool temperatures. Saturday’s cross-country course is sure to keep everyone guessing, especially with more rain expected, as to just who will make it through in the lead heading toward Sunday’s jumping phase.