EQUESTRIAN: Australia’s eventing team is occupying the bronze medal position at the conclusion of the dressage phase and team-member Chris Burton (Santano II) remains in the silver medal position in the individual standings.
Riders Stuart Tinney and Shane Rose were on the arena on Day 2 with Rose and CP Qualified contributing a score of 42.50 penalties to Australia’s overall team score. It has Rose and his horse ranked 13th individually.
“I was really pleased with him,” Rose said. “He did the test that I thought he would do, it was a nice test and he was consistent.”
Tinney said his horse Pluto Mio was challenged by the atmosphere at times, but there were some elements to the test that he was happy with.
“Some of his trot work was nice, and the canter,” Tinney said.
“It was a mix, some good and some not so good. He was a bit tense in there which was a shame as he was working really well outside."
With the dressage phase now complete, the team now prepares for Monday’s cross country, a 5,700 metre course that winds its way through the Olympic Equestrian Centre at Deodoro. The team has walked the course a number of times and are prepared for the task at hand.
“It’s a big track, it’s quite technical,” Rose said. “I think it’s a nice course and if ridden well it’s going to look really good. If you don’t ride well it will cause you trouble.
“My horse is fairly experienced, he’s adjustable, brave and really fit.
“He’s not a very fast horse but I’m able to ride him in a way that he doesn’t take too long. There are a few undulations out there but I don’t think they’ll slow him down too much."
With less than 10 penalty points separating the top four nations, the cross country and show jumping phases will prove influential. Cross country action begins Monday 9 August at 10am (AEST 11pm) and individual and team show jumping follows on Tuesday.
Eventing team standings following dressage – top 5
Germany – 122.00
France – 122.20
Australia – 126.40
Great Britain – 127.70
Ireland – 135.60
Individual eventing standings following dressage – Australia
Chris Burton and Santano II – 37.60 (2)
Shane Rose and CP Qualified – 42.50 (13)
Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh – 46.30 (22)
Stuart Tinney and Pluto Mio – 56.80 (58)
Michelle Cook
olympics.com.au
