Edwina Tops-Alexander and Itot du Chateau
The show jumping competition at Greenwich Park kicked off with a vet check that saw most of the field pass with flying colours, except for two Chilean horses that were represented - one remains to be cleared, and will be re-checked on Sunday.
This is a discipline that could really see Australian riders contend the top spots on the individual leader board. It was a large field of 75 starters today that saw the show jumping competition kick off in London over a 12-obstacle course with a maximum fence height of 1.60m. Just 32 riders rode a clear round... after the dressage yesterday, whereby the crowds were encouraged to be more restrained so as not to upset the horses, today's crowd seemed considerably noisier.
Edwina Tops-Alexander (above), the world's top ranked female show jumper, was one of just 32 riders to go clear over a tough course riding Itot Du Chateau. "I like pressure, it's good for me," said Edwina, referring to the hype surrounding her chances of medalling. "I want to win as much as everybody wants me to."
Team mate Julia Hargreaves on Vedor (above) also went clear, however James Paterson-Robinson incurred four penalty points with Lanosso (below). Matt Williams was devastated to be one of four riders to be eliminated when Watch Me twice refused the oxer with the water tray at fence five, scuppering his chances of an individual medal.
Other surprise non-qualifications included Britain's Peter Charles, whose horse Vindicat seemed distracted by the crowd and had a couple of knock downs; American Beezie Madden with Via Volo (part of the reigning Olympic winning team), who refused twice, and German rider Christian Ahlmann, whose ride Codex One approached the combination on a bad stride, and had a refusal and a fence down. They were three of fifteen riders that failed to get through to Wednesday's two round final, where the top 35 will compete. Eventually, only the 20 best horse-and-rider combinations will go into a final round to vie for an Olympic medal.
A good day at the office for Phillip Lejeune and Vigo D'Arsouilles of Belgium
It was seemingly the Netherlands' day today, as the team all produced a clear round - the only team to do so. With today's results deciding tomorrow's starting order, there's still all to play for, with a medal for Australia a strong possibility.
CLICK HERE for photo gallery from Day One of Show Jumping
