United States Eventing Association

The heat has continued to build this afternoon both in the ambient outdoor temperature and in the scores in the arena! Temperatures have climbed to around 90 degrees now, causing spectators to look for shadier seating and riders to go right for the PowerAde or water (both provided by Coca-Cola Company, a major sponsor of the Games) after they dismount following their tests.

The afternoon session was filled with decorated veteran riders including William Fox-Pitt on Chilli Morning, who put in a beautiful ride and are currently leading the pack with a score of 37.0 at the end of the day. It was great to see him back in good form after last year’s injuries. Christopher Burton of Australia riding Santano II had gone two rides before Fox-Pitt and Christopher and Lisa Stone's 16-year-old Brandenburg stallion and had laid down the gauntlet scoring 37.6, which was the high score to that point in the day, but was only good enough for second when everything was tallied.

All eyes were glued to the arena when Germany’s Michael Jung and his long-time partner Sam FBW entered at A and went down centerline, but an uncharacteristic mistake in the canter work scored straight fours from all three judges. Still their test was better than all but Fox-Pitt and Chilli and Burton and Santano, so Jung and Sam are in third at the end of the first day of dressage. Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo are in fourth and the first two team riders from France are in fifth and sixth respectively, Astier Nicolas on Piaf de B’neville and Karim Laghouag and Entebbe. Mark Todd and Leonidas II also performed a solid test and are sitting in 7th place at the end of the first day. Dutch rider Tim Lips riding Bayro is in 8th place with Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh’s score from this morning holding on for 9th place thus far.

Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen. Allen MacMillan Photo.

American rider Clark Montgomery riding his long-time partner Loughan Glen were second up for the U.S. team today. They put in a nice test, but with what appeared to be some bobbles in communication and concentration to score 46.6, which was good enough for 10th so far. Montgomery was visibly disheartened after their halt and our hearts went out to him, especially since all year they have scoring in the high thirties/low forties.

Away from the competition, the big excitement was a bullet that tore through the ceiling of the equestrian venue media center. It left a small, yet significant, hole in the tent and fell onto the floor near a journalist who picked it up. We were already outside heading back to the arena to take photos of the afternoon session which started a few minutes later. As we type this we are waiting on someone from Games security to come to a briefing in a few minutes to explain what they think caused the bullet to pierce the tent roof, but our theory is that one of the Games security force dropped or accidentally discharged their weapon. The Olympic Equestrian Park is surrounded by military installations as well. So, who knows? All we can say is hopefully this is the absolute worst thing that will happen during the Games and all will be safe and go smoothly for the rest of the time. Bottom line though, no horses or people were injured. We’ll keep you posted.

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