At the moment was day one of many dressage Grand Prix particular person and crew qualifiers. Teams A, B, and C took to the world…
Wow! John Robinson and Caroline Marks have been superb. Ooops! No, that was browsing.
How about Coco Gauf? Wait, that was tennis.
I obtained up at 4:00 a.m. CDT to observe 5 hours of Day 1 of the Staff and Particular person Dressage Grand Prix. I’m with out my Dressage Yoda, so that you received’t get all of the exact and infinitesimal angles, cues, timing, conformation and synchronization anticipated at this degree of dressage. I simply suppose it’s fairly. The next is what I noticed:
Group A/Staff:
“Zepter” for DEN blasted to prime with a 78.028 – elegant transitions. Flash.
“Fame” for GBR shut with a stellar trip of 77.345
“Hermes” for NED – equal, “snappy” entrance/again legs in Passage. 77.764
“Nabab” for LTU rider ought to win “Kisses to the Crowd” award – simply pleased to compete.
Nanna Skodborg Merrald (DEN) driving ZEPTER in the course of the Grand Prix Dressage Qualifier on the Chateau de Versailles for the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games. Photograph credit score: FEI/Benjamin Clark
Group B/Staff:
“Bluetooth Outdated” for GER – 76.118 – transitions, which have been onerous for a lot of, have been relaxed.
“Jane” from the USA was disqualified for a reduce on her leg. First mare. Began with flash. Upset, however it’s all about horse welfare.
“Vayron” for DEN – 76.910 was gentle, sparkly and large extensions.
Daniel Andersen Bachmann (DEN) driving VAYRON in the course of the Grand Prix Dressage Qualifier on the Chateau de Versailles for the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games. Photograph credit score: FEI/Benjamin Clark
After “first” three hours.
Group C/Particular person:
Korea led with a 70.0 on “Delmonte 7” till . . .
“Helix” for USA blew me away with a bought 72.593. efficiency
“Jagerbomb” for GBR earned 7.8s, 7.9s and an 8.2 for his Pirouette. 74.938
“Landing” for SWE! Neck and neck with GBR. Magnificence and pleasure. 74.317
Patrik Kittel (SWE) driving TOUCHDOWN in the course of the Grand Prix Dressage Qualifier on the Chateau de Versailles for the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games. Photograph credit score: FEI/Benjamin Clark
As an older “ever-student rider,” watching strengthened what all ranges of riders have to embrace:
Journey the horse you’re on.
Driving is teamwork. It’s not about me.
Incomes belief is important.
Come again from errors. This displays who you’re – the kind of teammate.
Get what you may get not what you choose as nice.
Have enjoyable.
Love your horse – thank her for each trip.
Dressage is thrilling. Tremendous Dressage takes character.
At the moment Teams A, B, and C took to the world. Tomorrow teams E, F and G will compete. The 2 prime scores from every group, plus the subsequent six extra excessive scores, will advance to the Particular person Remaining on Sunday, the place they may carry out their Grand Prix Freestyle exams.
Listed here are the crew standings thus far:
🇩🇰 Denmark with a rating of 154.938🇬🇧 Nice Britain with a rating of 152.283🇸🇪 Sweden with a rating of 145.870🇧🇪 Belgium with a rating of 145.155🇨🇦 Canada with a rating of 135.574🇵🇹 Portugal with a rating of 133.540
And the person standings:
Group A
🇩🇰 Nanna Skodborg Merrald & Zepter – 78.028%🇳🇱 Dinja van Liere & Hermes – 77.764%🇬🇧 Carl Hester & Fame – 77.345%🇫🇷 Corentin Pottier & Gotilas Du Feuillard – 70.683%🇧🇷 Joao Victor Marcari Oliva & Really feel Good Vo – 70.093%
Group B
🇩🇰 Daniel Bachmann Andersen & Vayron – 76.910%🇩🇪 Frederic Wandres & Bluetooth Outdated – 76.118%🇫🇮 Emma Kanerva & Greek Air – 73.680%🇧🇪 Flore de Winne & Flynn FRH – 73.028%🇸🇪 Juliette Ramel & Buriel Ok.H. – 71.553%
Group C
🇬🇧 Becky Moody & Jagerbomb – 74.938%🇸🇪 Patrick Kittel & Landing – 74.317%🇺🇸 Adrienne Lyle & Helix – 72.593%🇧🇪 Larissa Pauluis & Flambeau – 72.127%🇰🇷 Hwang Younger Shik & Delmonte 7 – 70.000%
Keep tuned for extra Dressage outcomes and Glad Hour commentary tomorrow! Go driving!