Andrew Hoy and Cheeky Calimbo lead the Australian team in second place
Yesterday evening, as the riders from each country assembled for the first horse inspection in front of the impressive chateau of Le Haras du Pin, the tourists milled around apparently unaware of what was happening. This is about all that the general public will see of the event which, as a Test Event, is not open to the public. The lack of crowds adds to the relaxed atmosphere of the event and gives it a very ‘clubby’ feel quite unlike the normal cut and thrust of a big event. The happily relaxed French attitude adds to this – the trot up was due to start at 6pm and no-one seemed unduly worried when the clock on the big house struck 6:30pm as the inspection actually got underway (maybe they were waiting for the tourists to leave)
Two horses were sent to the holding box during the first horse inspection – Peter Myska’s Kamerik and Gabriela Slavonika’s Berry Nice, both from the Czech Republic, had a bit of a stumble in the middle of their trot but on re-presenting were passed. The chateau makes provides the perfect backdrop for the trot up and no doubt it will be a packed event if it is held, and I’m assuming that it will be, in the same spot next year
Dressage day dawned bright and sunny again and the riders that competed in the morning had the warmest part of the day in full sunshine. At the first morning break the home side was in the lead with France’s Geoffroy Soullez in first place on a score of 44.7 but after the break, Australia’s first rider Chris Burton on Graf Liberty just sneaked in front on a score of 44.1. Here’s how he did it and what he thought afterwards
Really happy!
Chris Burton interview after dressage
Chris was still in the lead at lunch break, which was a very civilised one and a half hours (the French take eating very seriously thankfully – none of this quick bite at the computer for them) and Japan’s Toshiyuki Tanaka was in third place riding Marquis de Plescop on a score of 47.4. Toshiyuki is based in the UK and trains with Angela Tucker, who many people in Australia will know as she has officiated at various events there
Italy's Vittoria Pannizon leads going into the cross country phase
During the lunch break the clouds rolled in bringing a few splashes of rain but, although the clouds stayed for the afternoon, the showers held off for the rest of the day. Whether it was the cooler weather, the good lunch or just plain great riding, the first combination after lunch, Italian rider Vittoria Panizzon and Merlot’s Magic, stole the show on a score of 41.6. Then again it could have been the fabulous uniform…..
Piggy French and Westwood Mariner
The winner of the London 2012 Test Event, Piggy French riding her relatively new horse Westwood Mariner, rode a nice test then I took a break from the arena to watch Kevin McNab warm up. This was the first time I have seen him ride ‘in the flesh’ and he is a delight to watch – someone commented that if I thought he looked good on a horse for dressage, just wait until you see him ride cross country so that treat is yet to come.
Kevin and the up and coming Casperelli
Kevin’s horse Casparelli, a horse he brought with him from Australia, is only seven years old so there is still plenty to come but it was still a very good test, leaving him in equal 7th with Piggy at the end of the day. This is what he had to say afterwards
Kevin McNab interview after dressage
Good boy Casperelli
It may be Kevin’s team debut but the final rider for Australia and of the day was one of the most experienced riders in the world. Andrew Hoy and Cheeky Calimbo enjoyed the cool breeze that started to blow through and he also performed a cool test. He didn’t quite knock Vittoria from the top spot but edged between her and Chris into second place on a score of 42.10.
There are four teams in the Teams Event – Australia, France, the Czech Republic and Brazil and Australia currently are in the lead. Tomorrow the cross country starts at 11am with Martin Maivald of the Czech Republic the first rider out on the WEG test event course
Dressage is over and Andrew is ready for tomorrow
