By Sharon Ridgway - B.H.S.I.I. and N.C.A.S. level II

Eventing Dressage

After all the hype, the dramas of the selection events, the heat, and surviving the Athens traffic, it’s time to take a deep breath, and settle in for the real action- the opening day of the dressage- and luckily we have a great vantage point, with shade and a bit of a breeze.

The first of the Aussies is Stuart Tinney riding our hero of the Sydney Games Jeepster.
Stuart did a fantastic job, he kept his whip right up to the last minute, and was tapping Jeepster up, getting him really engaged, although he was he was getting a trifle snatchy in the hind quarters as Stuart was tapping him, he was obviously on a mission to get him through. Once Stuart dropped the whip and went in, Jeepster looked calm and experienced. It’s hot here and quite windy and there are flags going everywhere, but Jeepster has been there done that, it didn’t worry him. It was such an accurate test. The trot work scored mainly 7 s, quite a few 8 s in the big trot. His walk was excellent, probably the best of the early group, and that scored 8 s as well. He lost a couple of marks on the rein back, where he was slightly crooked and scored three 6 s for that. The canter work has never been Jeepster’s strong point and I guess that went as well as Stuart could have hoped. He kept him together, and produced some super changes_ three of the changes were mostly 7 s and 8 s, one change got three 6 s, it was still clean but just looked a little forced. Good marks for the big canter, and the final half was super! All three judges seemed to agree – a 68.4 from Angela Tucker, 67.6 from Christoph Hess, and 67.4 from Cara Witham, which made his final score 48.8.

The judges have been relately together Christoph was pretty much on the money, and using a spread, while the others were playing it a bit safer but basically they had been in agreement.

The standout test as I guess we all expected, was Bettina Hoy and Ringwood Cockatoo. They stormed into the lead with a score of 32. I will be amazed if anyone catches this test! It could have been even better, she had an unchararacteristic break as she came round the corner after her second half pass , the corner that prepares for the first medium, he broke into canter, and scored 5,6,5 for that, but there were a lot of nines. Right at the end, in the collectives. Cara Witham gave her two nines and a 10 for her position , aids and riding.

Everything was as you would expect from Bettina. Big, flamboyant, up in the front- and into the lead.

Reminded that she was in the same position in Jerez two years ago , leading the dressage, Bettina points out firmly that was a different horse- Woodsides Asby – ‘so I don’t think about it’

She also feels that compared to Spain this course encourages the horse to get into a rhythm over the first few fences – “ It’s much more fair”.

The only other score of interest after the first round of twelve was Britain’s Jeanette Brakewell and Over to You , she scored a 49.8 so is breathing down Stuart’s neck.

Once again the judges were pretty much in agreement about Olivia Bunn’s test on GV Top of the Line . The judge at H scored 68.4, judge at C 71.2 and B 70. so they all agreed, and with the day – one Aussies finished, that put our team into first place!

Liv’s opening halt got a 9 from Christoph Hess and 7 from the other two. The shoulder ins were consistent, 6s and 7s, lovely soft floating half passes, 7s,8,7. The big trots slightly let her down; medium and extended both scored straight 6s. The judges agreed they wanted to see more in the bigger trots. Fabulous halt as usual was very cool under pressure. Her canter work was super; all the changes were clean, mostly 7s and 8s. Her second extended canter scored 5,5,4 and from where I am watching it looked fabulous, but I guess it must have been radically crooked – or the guys on the score machine had been into the Ouzo. None of her collective marks went below 7,there were four 8s. an overallscore of 45.2 and Australia is looking rather super.

By the time Olivia did her test, it was blowing a gale, she and Carlo stayed cool but conditions radically affected the ever bubbly Ready Teddy and Blyth Tait and they are way out there on a 63.

It looks like being a muted farewell for Blyth who has announced that Athens, then Burghley, three weeks later, will be his last events before retirement. But by now, Blyth should be getting used to Teddy “blowing” at the big ones. “ He’s now done three Olympics and two World Championships, and he’s genuinely frightened by the atmosphere. I just lose him, he’s just not there with me.”And this time, Blyth has no illusions that the cross country will be tough enough for him to storm up into the medals on the second day, as he did with Messiah, taking a silver at Barcelona, also after an ordinary dressage start. “ The course here appears extremely kind,” said Blyth,” There are certainly some difficult combinations, but it’s much less technical than the other Olympics I have done”. Still Teddy scored better than teammate,Silence ridden by Dan Jocelyn. They were even tenser for 66.8. Only Heelan Tomkins and the eighteen year old Glengarrick kept the Kiwi flag flying, moving up into second place at the end of the first day with a tidy 44.

In the run up to Athens, lots of the foreign press were asking “Who is Rebel Morrow?” but to Aussie dressage fans, Reb is no secret, she has been putting together runs with international class stamped all over them for some time now- and the time was right for her to show the rest of the world what she could do! AND HOW11

Rebel was fantastic, a 40.6! She is an absolute legend. Rebel looked so calm and cool, which is amazing for a rookie in her first time at this level. Groover looked so loose and supple. A really impressive entry, and then into her lateral work which was big and floating, up in front. The big trots I guess were a little disappointing and I hate to think what sort of a mark she would have got if she’d nailed them. Medium scored 6,6,6, and the extended lost rhythm, and looked grounded – 5,5,6.The rein back was also dodgy, and she picked up a 4 from one of the judges. The big canters made up for the lck of flash in the trot – 7,8,9 for the first big canter, and 8,9,9 for the second. The walk was magnificent, over-tracking by miles, 8s and 9s again, it’s pretty rare to find a fit eventer who scores three 9s in the walk part of the test. The canter serpentine was all 8s and 9s, the first change was tight but the others were all 7s or 8s – and she finished with an impressive halt that scored a 9 from Angela Tucker. The break was 72 from Angela Tucker, 71.6 from Christoph Hess and 75.2 from Cara Witham! 40.6 put our Aussie team into the lead, but there were lots lots more to come.

Phillip Dutton seemed to have a few problems with Nova Top in the days before the test, but had it all right on the day, scoring a solid 46.8. Admittedly it looks as if the judges are scoring 3-5 marks higher on the second day, but still it was a fantastic performance by Phillip who was sitting on by far the hottest, amd the most likely one in our squad to be influenced by the gusty windy conditions. Phillip did exactly what we expect from one of our senior team members riding with great experience and tact. Nova Top did look more fragile as the test went on, and the marks reflect that. Having said that,he scored three 8s for the opening halt and three 8s for the final one, proving that “parking” is one of Nova Top’s favourite movements. The trot work was soft and forward, scoring nearly all 7s,8s for most of the walk, which could have been a problem on such a sharp horse in this wind, and three 8s in the rein back – and good marks in this movement were a rarity in this competition. The canter work was weaker with the changes only averaging 6s and an unfortunate break back to trot at the end of the first extended canter, 5,4,4 – the second extended canter was better with a 7,8,7.

Late on the afternoon of the second day of the dressage here in Athens and it seems, as we predicted, that the best was saved till last. The French, Americans and Brits all have their best combinations to come. Andrew Hoy carries that important role for the Aussies. He has Mr Pracatan in a double bridle and the horse is soft, light and accepting it beautifully. An impressive start for three 8s in the first halt,. Shoulder in right, 8,8,7, then a mix of mostly 7s with the odd 6 for the rest of the lateral work. The marks are up again when he produces some super big trots. Both medium and extended walks score all 8s, with a lovely relaxed attitude. The halt and rein back, which have caused so many mistakes today, are excellent. His canter work is steady and correct for 7s ans 8s, and the changes on the whole neat but not hige for mostly 7s. He finishes well and would be thrilled with a good competitive mark 43.6.

The anchormen for the other countries are giving us a lesson in dressage with young Nicolas Touzaint 29.4 on Galan de Sauvagere. This dark grey ten year old Selle Francais is so,so elastic. Nic rides beautifully and charms and wills the judges into awarding a few 10s. Christop Hess has him first on 82.4% Cara Witham also has him winning on 80% while Angela Tucker has him second on 78.80 behind Pippa Funnell and Prinmore’s Pride, who she had on 81.2. Pippa ends up 2nd on 31.4. So Bettina who has led for most of the competition slides into third.
The Brits are now in the lead on a score of 113.2, thanks to a super test from William Fox-Pitt on Tamarillo, for a 38.6. Chatting to William afterwards, he said he was thrilled with Tamarillo’s PB, but that he still had a few cheeky mistakes and William feels sure he’ll really nail it ONE DAY- watch out world when he does.

The Germans moved into third on 114.4 hugely helped by the lovely Ingrid Klimke, whose magnificent grey, Sleep Late, scored a competitive 41 ( Bettina paid tribute to Ingrid for helping her dressage the day before…) The Germans are now just one point behind the magnificent French who have a team score of 113.40 – just 0.20 behind the Brits.

Americans are fourth on 128.4 thanks to the ever – consistent Kim Severson, and we are sitting 5th on 129.4. It will be such an exiting day tomorrow with 1.2 points separating 1st to 3rd. It’s forecast to start a little overcast and windy tomorrow, around 23, then heat up after lunch to 28. The horses head out at 9 am. And we are all over by lunchtime, so conditions should be perfect.

The time still looks fairly tough to get, and I would expect some fairly major changes before the day is out. The course is fair but still a true Olympic Games track, the tired horses will make mistakes, as there are plenty of accuracy and tough jumping tests near the end.

In the dressage phase, Great Britain, Germany and the Australians, had all five riders under 50 marks, so that must mean the standard is improving radically. Our guys were all in the 40s which is a fantastic team effort with no-one letting the side down.When Rebel finds where she put that big trot, we’ll have our 30s rider and then watch out Universe.

Then venue is buzzing with action, the complete cross country track is being madly watered and spiked for the final time. The going appears perfect – time will tell if the watering and airing has done the trick to tame the harsh, barren land. The scene is set; our warriors are ready ready for the fight of their lives.

Walk the Athens Course

The cross – country course at Markopolou Olympic Equestrian Centre is every bit a four star track. Big solid fences beautifully built by Italian designer Albino Garbara. The attention to detail and dressing is as good as I have ever seen anywhere in the world.

The 5.5 kilometre course has many galloping fences and riders are encouraged to try and make up time on the first half of the course, as the second half is twistier. Set against the string backdrop of mountain, the course is gently undulating throughout.

Every effort has been made to keep the horses cool, with huge misting fans at the start, finish and scattered on course.

The strip pf grass that provides the track is a vivid green a stark contrast to the rest of this dry arid countryside. The going feels good and the grass immaculate but it is hard to believe that it is not still rock hard under the surface. The are still madly watering it, as we discovered as a timer came on as we walked the course.

Today is the first dressage day, and there is a definite cooler breeze, so maybe the thunderstorm that is forecast is on its way. Let’s look at a few of the fences before settling down to watch the tests…

Fence 5 and 6 a/b is the first real test. A beautiful old tree stump on its side, quite narrow with a bent line turn to a step up, bounce to another narrow tree stump. A positive canter will reward a good jump here. As it is always the way at an Olympic Games, there is a “ round the houses “ way, which is very time consuming but safer if accuracy is not your forte.

The next and possibly most difficult fence on course is the first water. It comes very early on the course at fence 9 and 10A/B/C/. A big jump with a steep drop behind, 3 or 4 strides down the slope, over a roll top into the water, then slight curve to two little fishing boats with two strides between. The object of the exercise is to jump the front section of both boats ( stern, keel, who knows who knows, it’s lucky I am not writing about sailing!) and I guess the effect is like two corners on a curved line. Pretty tough when you have come down the steep slope, you run the risk of having them off balance, and it’s
their first real opportunity to have a look at the huge crowd.

A few big galloping fences later and we arrive at fence 12, which we’ve affectionately dubbed ‘ The Dead Chicken Corner’ The scene is set like a farmyard, and had until this morning, some cute live chickens in a coup. Alas now, courtesy we guess of one of Athens’ prolific stray dog population, they are just a pile of feathers blowing in the breeze ( there goes one heritage legacy!).

Fence 14 ABC is two large steps up to a TALL skinny at the top, again with a long alternative. Taken lightly this fence offers a very easy run out option.

The second water, at the fence 21/22 appears quite straightforward . An offset bounce, with good distances, into the water, and that’s it. Through the pale sparkling blue water, and surprisingly no jump out!

Another line fence fence to test rider concentration and accuracy appears at fence 24 ABC . Three jumping efforts all offset, and a skinny as the centre element. Again the dressing and presentation are beautiful, a feature of Albino’s Olympic course.

Fence 26 ABC is a very steep sided coffin, but the ditch is not huge so the question is fair. Those not braving the steepest part, can jump an easier replica next to it, but cleverly to go the complete opposite direction, incurring a score of extra seconds.

Fence 31 ABC, a sunken road of sorts, looks a bit dauting. A big drop in over a small fence, through the road up a steep step and over a Greek Urn. Skinny and tough enough on a potentially tired horse.

The final fence 34 is decorated in Beijing style, in the tradition of Olympics to come.

To sum up. Albino has turned this dry and colourless land into a green and pictutesque cross country course. I feel th main trouble will be the conditions. Horses will tire easily in this heat, and I feel sure the time will be tough to get.There are lots of drops and and jumps up, these always take a lot out of the horses and leave their legs tired and sore. It may appear softer than previous years, but I think the Italian has got it just right. Let’s hope our guys have a safe and wonderful ride and bring home another gold.

The Ultimate Test

Eventing Cross Country

Cross Country day dawns, and the Greek Gods have been kind. The weather is perect, a mild 24 with a lovely cool breeze. The horses will enjoy this pleasant change from the stifling heat of the last week. I have an important job to perform for Australia’s coach Wayne Roycroft, before I put my journalist’s hat on I am the spotter on one of the trickier cross country fences; my job is to get some information back to our trailblazer Stuart Tinney ( as if he needs my help!) Wayne gives us our orders and would you believe , I get fence 14, the furthest possible fence to get to. With only only 20 minutes to go before kick off, I have to run! The fence seems to prove no problem, distance rides well, and I relay my info via phone, and Patch is happy.

Stuart sets off, the 8th rider on course. Jeepster is looking fantastic, Stuart using his trademark fabulous eye, and meeting all the early gallop fences on a roll. Course designer, Albino, has been generous and helped the transition from long to short format by making the first four fences great galloping ones. Jeepster looks confident, fast and full of running. He breezes through the first water in style and makes nothing of the tough coffin and sunken road fence. He defies his veteran status by bowling home, 6 seconds under time, and sets a good standard for the others.

Bettina Hoy is one of the next influential riders to go, and for once, today is her day. Ringwood Cockatoo is on best behaviour, and they finish with just 3.6 time to take an early lead. Blyth Tait is out to make amends for Ready Teddy’s unsettled dressage and blitzes round with only 1.2 time. Too far back to affect the scores, but lovely to see the Master produce such a fluent round before he hangs up his boots and retires to his stud farm in N.Z.

With Cedric Lyard, already home, the 2nd French rider, Didier Courreges and Debat d’ Estruval is out to add to that. He is ever so bold through the first water, putting three strides to the boats, then cutting out a stride doing just the one between the boats. A little wild but those French boys are so well balanced. He blasts around under the tie to add nothing to his 45.6 dressage score.

Olivia Bunn and GV Top of the Line are next in the starter’s hands. Liv is looking cool as ever. Carlo bounces out of the box, just eats up the first part of the course, fantastic through the water, and looks so on the job. His round is foot perfect bar one slight hiccup at fence 31, the Greek Urns. Carlo gets a little off balance to the skinny and screws in the air. Liv’s reactions are razor sharp, she wraps her long legs around him to save the situation. He regains his composure and they blast to the finish with just 1.2 time.

Chatting to Liv after, she was thrilled with her performance but disappointed to incur time, and blamed herself; “ I was up at all my minute , so I just set him up too much for the last few fences instead of keeping galloping. I had to scrub him through the water, but I expected that, so all went as planned.

Her clear round puts Liv in to 15th place at the end of the day , and with showjumping being one of her strongest assets, she should be breathing down the necks of her opposition.

Mary King is next for the Brits. With Jeanette Brakewell home clear with 4 time , Mary needs to beat that. She has’nt lost any of that cross country flair, and she pilots King Solomon 11 round clear and under time.

A mention next for Ponsiree Bunlueewong ( Pookeye to his Aussie friends), he does a very respectable clear round with 4.4 time penalties, still way out of touch after a dressage of 74.60. His little buckskin mare, Eliza Jane did him proud though, and I was rather chuffed as I had found her for him.

Heelan Tompkins and Glengarrick did a magnificent round and 9 seconds under time. Afterwards , Heelan took great pains to stress that I should tell my Editor, that she had ridden in an orthodox fashion , with great style! Her lovely is not only the oldest horse in the competition at 18 years young, but he is also the smallest ( and coolest, if you ask Heelan). She now sits in 10th place, the best of the Kiwis.

The third French rider, Arnaud Boiteau had an unfortunate fall at 8, but such is the strength of the French team, they can easily discard his score.

Rebel Morrow and Oaklea Groover are next out for us, and all our individuals hopes rest with her, Reb was awesome; Groover just jumped miles above everything, as is his way, and made the fences look easy. Like Liv, she was just a couple of seconds over for a clear round with 1.6 time. Rebel was amazingly happy when I caught up with her later. Her only previous time experience was at the Trans Tasman in NZ, so this was a huge leap up the ladder for her, and she proved she well and truly warranted selection. She praised the support Wayne, Stuart and Liv have given her, and even as she galloped round, she could hear Aussies cheering her along. She had one ‘moment’ at the coffin, when she got a bad spot in, and jumped through with only one rein. Groover still did the two strides and came through fine at the other end.

Rider number 3 for the Brits is Leslie Law, clear and under time but by no means as easy ride. Shear L’ Eau looked backward, sticky and not enjoying his job at all. Incredibly honest to get round but lacking any sort of rhythm.

Jean Teulere, reigning World Champion , with Espoir de la Mare, looked all class, clocking up a faultless round to go into 4th place , and adding a valuable 38.4 to their team score.

Phillip Dutton is out next cab off the rank, and his vast experience showed. This track, although of Olympic standard, was easy peasy for Nova Top. Barring a couple of little slips, on the now chopping up turns, he blitzed around. Nova gallops so easily and jumps so athletically. No jumping, no time, to remain on 46.8 penalties.

The great hope of the British team is next, Pippa Funnell, or I should say Phillippa , as Pippa is a very rude word in Greek! Primmore’s Pride is incredibly sticky into the water, requiring all of Pippa’s skill and persuasion, and although he comes in clear, to the disappointment of the British, racks up 11.2 time. This leaves her in 8th individually going into the showjumping, and leaves their team in bronze position behind the French and Germans.

The great Greek hope , the delightful Heidi Antikatzides has an unlucky fall with Michaelmas Day at fence 31, the Greek Urn, he leaves a leg and tips her off. She continues but finishes way down in 63rd place. Maybe the Greek Gods payback for arguing the was too easy at a press conference the day before!

Ex Aussie team horse Aava was missing her old rider Stuart Tinney and does not look so amazing under the guidance of her new jockey, Italy’s Susanna Bordone. She has a stop going into the first element of the coffin and 27 time.

One of the ot favourites at the start of the week, was Sweden’s Linda Algotsson and Stand By Me , but unfortunately she jumped too boldly into the water and picked up 20 as she steered at the wrong part of the first boat. A proud day though for her parents, as both she and her sister, Sara, competed for the country on home bred horses!

Kim Severson and the Lexington winner, Winsome Adante, were fabulous, clear, clear and moving into 3rd spot individually. This lovely little horse survived colic surgery this time last year , and Kim suffered a badly broken leg last season, so they were thrilled to rise above their misfortunes.

The dressage leader was next to go. Nicolas Touzaint and the super flash grey, Galan Sauvaugere. He was all class, these French boys can really ride, clear three seconds under time. He had a huge rush of blood as he galloped across the finish line with both hands in the air , saluting the crowd. Crazy but oh so French!
William Fox-Pitt did his usual foot perfect round, and Tamarillo looked to be having so much fun as he moved into 5th place individually.

Ingrid Klimke’s Sleep Late gave the crowd a thrill as he slipped on the float between fences 15 and 16 ( incurring no penalties), Ingrid leapt back on and amazed all by clocking the fastest time of the day !!! I can only think that she rode the second half of the course so fast to make up for lost time, she almost overdid it. Either way she has secured 6th spot.

The new Olympic format with two rounds of showjumping will be new to most riders, and yet to be seen how it effects the final results individually. Placings in the team competition are also quite close, with the French ( three home clear under time) out in front on 113.40, followed by the Germans on 119.6. The Brits are 3rd on 125.6, then the Yanks on 129.6 The Aussies had a good day, with four clear rounds and a collective total of 2.8 time ( if you don’t count Andrew Hoy who had a tip up and came home with 119.4 penalties on Mr Pracatan – poor Andrew suffered the same fate at the WEG two years ago, when he was again riding in the team leader position!) It seems cruel that this only gets us 5th spot. Still tomorrow is another day, and I wait with bated breath .

Tragedy or Farce

Show Jumping

When we wake on the Showjumping day to the news we had lost our ace showjumper, Olivia Bunn and Carlo, we knew it was not to be our day. We needed their reliable score to count, but we did the only thing we could, we prayed for a miracle.

Only one horse was held at the vetting, Darren Chiacchia’s magnificent black stallion, Windfall 2 . On representing he scraped through, and although Ingrid Klimke’s English Thoroughbred Sleep Late passed fine he was not to appear later, for reasons unknown. Sadly William Fox-Pitt did not appear with Tamarillo, he has chipped a stifle.

Our first rider out was Andrew Hoy with Mr Pracatan, He looked bright enough and is normally a very good show jumper, but had an uncharacteristic four rails down. The time was looking a little hard to get early, and maybe he took a few risks.

It looked as though the last fence, a 1.20 plank on very shallow cups was catching a ew out. That was the least of our worries when Stuart Tinney and Jeepster appeared. The notoriously careless showjumper had a day he’d rather forget, nine rails down for an extra 36 and a despondent Stuart was left scratching his head as to what he had done wrong. Stuart rode beautifully and gave the horse every chance. There was no more he could have done . This was to be Jeepster’s last major championships and we know Stuart has some suoer youngsters waiting in the wings raring to go.

Stuart was not the only one having a bad day . Matthew Grayling on Revo had an almighty miss at the combination, 9 a/b , smashing through both, finishing with 12 faults.

Phillip Dutton cantered into the ring and his air of confidence even reached me, way up in the grandstand. He rode a super,well judged round, having one very unlucky rail when he was a little off a big square oxer , full of running and here’s hoping he has plenty in the tank as he goes through to the individual round.

Heelan ( our honorary Aussie) Tompkins did such a sweet round, but pulled the las, moving NZ ahead of Australia, into 5th place.

Rebel Morrow came in next, and Groover looked magnificent, He snorted his way round, making mincemeat of the fences, but succumbed to that bogey last fence. One rail down, clear time and through to the individual competition.

Pressure was on Pippa Funnell, I guess she’s used to it by now, and she rode a fantastic clear, helping the Brits put pressure on France and Germany. A team final score for them of 143, and a bronze medal .

Kim Severson was another victim of the bogey last- expensive; it cost the USA a bronze.

Bettina Hoy swanned into the arena with that lookshe does so well/ A magic clear round secures the the gold for Germany and by my calculations, they can’t now be beaten.

The lovely dashing Frenchman, Nicolas Touzaint and his sensational Galan de Sauvagere, float in to end on an amazing 33.4 but not good enough for the team gold. The French settle for silver/ Now the battle is on for individual medals in the second round of showjumping later this evening.

Sudenly the grandstands are abuzz. The official team scores have never been announced. We hear in the pressroom that there has been a protest lodged. I seems that Bettina Hoy accidentally passed through the timing lights on her warm up circle, and tripped them Unknown to Bettina her time had already started and she actually clocked up 14 time penalties.

This hugely affects the results, dropping Germany out of the medals, elevating the French to Gold, the Brits to silver and the USA to bronze. Poor Bettina, such an unfortunate and rare mistake for such a professional. All procedures have been held up here, and eventually we get underway, for our first short format, double showjumping Olympic individual Rider competition .

It’s mayhem in the stadium, Didier Courreges for France, is booed as he enters the arena, He then has a stop at fence 4, when Debat dEstruval spooks at the shadows. We are now under full floodlights as the sun sets over the stadium.

Phillip with Nova Top has 12 penalties and looks disappointed. Rebel is next in and Groover looks amazing.She gets a tad deep to number 3 and clips the front rail. Over the bogey fence fine, but comes unstuck as he gets distracted by the big screen as he approaches the viaduct wall. That down too, leaves her on 60.2 in the 11th place, the best of our Aussies at her first major international.

As if we are not already on the edge of our seats, we are handed a press release from the Appeal Committee saying the committee concluded that the countdown had been restarted, resulting in a clear injustice to the rider- Bettina- concerned. The committee therefore removed the penalties . Boy what an Olympic sized fiasco!!!

We now juggle the start order (again) and if the groom has managed to actually tack Cockatoo up on time, Bettina should be second last to go. The timing of the announcemnt is a little mean as poor Jean Teulere rides into the arena with the excited screaming German cheer squad in full cry. He hols Espoir de la Mare together for one rail down.

Heelan Tomkins and her evergreen Glengarrick have one down for 8th place, an amazing performance for a horse the Kiwi selectors decided was ‘ too old for the Sydney Games’

Leslie Law had the luck of the gods as he hit the plank; it wobbled, but stayed in the cups. Two clear rounds for him top effort.

Poor Pippa hits the same plank, not much harder, and it falls. She moves out of medal contention.

Bettina finally gets to ride, she keeps her cool for just one rail at the dreaded plank for a score of 41.6

In comes the leader Nicolas , but his lovely young horse is looking tired and strung out. The first fence falls, then three more to move the gallant pair completely out of the medals. Gold to Bettina, silver to Leslie Law and Shear l’Eau, and the bronze to American Kim Severson and Winsome Andante. Rebel and Phillip finish 11th and 13th and live to fight another day.

Well at least Bettina’s married to an Aussie…