Hot off the press as we publish this: Chris Burton has withdrawn Graf Liberty just prior to the start of today's eventing dressage phase at Aachen
The Opening Ceremony is done, the first horse inspection complete for the eventing and everyone is settled into the beautiful facilities of Soers
In the dressage Germany has, perhaps not unexpectedly, taken the lead with the Netherlands in the chase and Britain in third place, even with a couple of riders who have been ‘in the wars’! Great Britain’s Fiona Bigwood posted a 75.80 with Atterupgaards Orthilia despite the fact that the 39-year-old is wearing a patch over her right eye. Her eye was damaged in a fall from a young horse last year; as a result she has double-vision, and the patch helps her to focus.
Fiona Bigwood and Atterupgaards Orthilia
Fiona Bigwood
Another of the Brits, Carl Hester also has taken a tumble here in Aachen thanks to the eventers and his ‘wimpy horse’
‘I finished my training and I thought I’m gonna go walk round the big grass field over there with the eventers and have a little chat with them. And, being a wimpy dressage horse, a waiter dropped a tray of glasses in front of me and my horse spun round and came down on top of me on the grass, left me flattened on the floor! And he shocked himself so much he didn’t even bother to run off which was the great news, because if he got out in that field I don’t think we would ever have caught him....so you could quite safely say I haven’t had the best start to the week!”
Despite that Carl is still having a good time as are many of the other competitors, sponsors and fans that Libby captured on camera today
