Dutton Leads American Olympic Eventing Team After Dressage

Greenwich, UK - The Olympic Eventing dressage concluded today and the U.S. put in two strong performances to settle into seventh place after the first phase. The Germans have a commanding lead on a combined score of 119.10, just clear of Australia on 122.10. The home team sits third on 127. The next five teams are separated by less than 11 points, meaning that Monday's cross country is destined to be influential. There is an unlikely leader at the top of the leaderboard as Yoshiaki Oiwa took control for Japan with Noonday de Conde on a score of 38.1. He leads the six horses from five countries who broke the 40 mark. Stefano Brecciaroli from Italy sits second with the horse he placed second on following the dressage at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Apollo WD Wendi Kurt Hoev. Seven-time Olympian (and two-time Individual Gold medalist) Mark Todd rounds out the top three for New Zealand with Campino.
Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) leads the way individually for the USA. He rode Jim and Arden Wildasin's Mystery Whisper to an impressive performance - scoring 44.1 for the effort and into 19th place. Judged by Anne-Mette Binder, Nick Burton and Gillian Rolton, Mystery Whisper had small mistakes in each halt, the first one preempted by a spook going around the main arena, but was otherwise all class.
 
"He got right down to business in there but I would have liked a slightly better score," said Dutton. "You're always aiming pretty high, I'm pleased without being thrilled. He cantered quite well and I got the trot going - I probably didn't have as much trot as I did outside because of the atmosphere, I probably could have pushed a little more. I thought he executed the movements well. My plan was to go in there and have him as soft as possible, the judges want to see a soft picture so I wanted to get the trot without holding him and making him tight in his neck - that was the goal."
 
This is a new partnership, Mystery Whisper arrived from Australia in December and settled right in to Dutton's program. The 12-year-old Australian Warmblood was bred by Heath Ryan to be a dressage horse, but rose to the CCI4* level in eventing instead.
 
"His dressage has always been there - I am trying to learn what he knows," said Dutton. "He was with Heath Ryan who is a brilliant dressage rider - I can't take any credit for the way he goes. We've been working on his fitness a bit. He's a great horse and he loves to compete, this is his life. He loves big shows and being the center of attention."
 
Dutton, one of the most renowned cross country riders in the world, is looking forward to tackling Sue Benson's cross-country course tomorrow - he will have a significant wait - with a start time of 4:34. The five-time Olympian will again ride in the anchor position for Team USA. The course is built on the side of the hills of Greenwich which offers spectacular viewing but undulating ground. While the jumps are not the most difficult - the terrain will be the factor.
 
"It should be good, although he's not a thoroughbred he's a pretty nippy little guy and so far we've had a good record on the cross country," said Dutton. "I don't go until the end of the day so I'll have a fair idea of how quick you've got to go. I think it's a case of having to go as fast as you can and having something left at the end."
 
Will Coleman (Charlottesville, VA) had a super test on Jim Wildasin's Twizzel - scoring 46.3 on the 16-year-old veteran Westphalian gelding. Twizzel coped remarkably well with the atmosphere that was affecting a lot of horses throughout the day. They
 
"Maybe I had 10 minutes too much in the warm-up but it's hard to judge," said Coleman.  "You're never know how they are going to react he just went down there like nothing even happened - like he was in another warm up, he was good but  I think I left a few marks on the table."
 
Always a perfectionist, Coleman was disappointed with a few movements in his test but the overall picture was relaxed and forward and the judges rewarded him accordingly.
 
"I think we got a decent score up there for our team and that is the important thing," said Coleman. "I would love to have it back to do over again but they don't give you second chances. For the time being I'm pleased and I am going to go ahead and look forward to tomorrow."
 
Coleman echoed Dutton's sentiment's on the cross country course - reinforcing the fact that the optimum time of 10 minutes and 3 seconds would be hard to get. He's aiming for a double clear when he starts at 3:30.
 
It was a big day for the Wildasin family, to have both of their horses top-placed for the United States. Jim, Sarah and their daughter Arden were all on hand.
 
Cross-country begins at a very civilized 12:30 PM and Boyd Martin will lead the way for the United States on the Otis Barbotiere Syndicate's  Otis Barbotiere. They are in equal 36th place after the dressage. Karen O'Connor will be second out for the U.S. on the Mr. Medicott Syndicate's Mr. Medicott at 1:26, they are on an overnight score of 48.2 in 29th place. Tiana Coudray will ride Jatial, Inc's Ringwood Magister in the third position, taking their score of 52.0 on to the cross country course at 2:26.
 
The American dressage horses have arrived in fine form and had their first taste of the venue today. Calecto V, Rafalca, Ravel and Wizard got to see the sights and have an easy school in Greenwich Park. Their competition begins on August 2nd.