EQUESTRIAN: Australia’s eventing team is off to a solid start after a strong performance from Sam Griffiths during this morning’s first dressage session at the Olympic Equestrian Centre at Deodoro.
Griffiths is occupying third position at the lunch break after receiving a score of 46.30.
“I was pleased with my performance,” Griffiths said. “It’s just a few marks off my personal best and I was hoping to go better than that, but the judging is tough at the Olympic Games.”
“There’s still two more phases of competition to go and my horse’s forte is the cross country and show jumping, so that’s hopefully where I can come to the fore as a team member.”
Griffith’s said his horse Paulank Brockagh was well prepared for the occasion.
“She’s used to going into some pretty big arenas and she handled it really well,” he said.
“It’s a great atmosphere out there, beautiful arena and fantastic setting.”
Australia’s four-member eventing team also consists of Chris Burton (Santano II), Stuart Tinney (Pluto Mio) and Shane Rose (CP Qualified). Burton takes to the dressage arena later Saturday 6 August (Rio time), while Tinney and Rose perform their tests on Sunday 7 August. All riders complete cross country on Monday and show jumping on Tuesday (August 8 and 9).
The Aussies are looking to return Australia to the podium after the team finished sixth at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Australia (4) and USA (4) have won most gold medals in the eventing team event, ahead of Germany (3), Great Britain (3) and Sweden (3).
More to come…
Michelle Cook
olympics.com.au
