Solid Start for GB Show Jumpers
Saturday, August 16, 2008
The first of the individual show jumping competitions at the 2008 Olympic Games got underway today.
On a typically hot and humid evening in Hong Kong, the Olympic Equestrian Venue in Sha Tin was packed with spectators. From a field of seventy-seven horses and riders, the testing but fair course produced thirteen clear rounds. Great Britain made a solid start in their quest for Olympic success, putting in consistent performances to see all four team members finish in the top half of the starting field.
Nick Skelton making his fifth Olympic appearance riding Lisa Hales’ Russel left all of the fences standing but crossed the finishing line with just a single time penalty. They currently hold equal fourteenth place. Speaking after his round Nick said:
“That's the easy bit done. I thought it might tire him out - it certainly did me! Russel is either good or bad, nothing in between and tonight, he was good. If he is well behaved there is nothing he can't jump and we're well capable of winning a medal if this continues. "
Olympic debutantes Tim Stockdale and John Bosher’s Corlato were extremely unlucky to lower the front rail of the final oxer to finish with just four faults. They currently lie in equal thirtieth position. Tim said:
"Corlato jumped well tonight - she was puffing a bit when we finished like she knew she'd done some work. I rode badly down the last line so the fence down is my fault, I was just trying too hard. The course we had tonight is better than we all thought it might be but we were using this to get used to the conditions and obviously secure qualification for the individual competition but this is not our most important round this week."
Fellow Olympic rookies Ben Maher and Daniel Paul’s Rolette emulated Nick’s performance to finish with zero jumping penalties but clocking up just a single time fault and currently shares equal fourteenth place. Ben commented:
"That's one round out of the way! Rolette warmed up well outside and was jumping huge and in the ring she was really good - almost 'too good'. Just that little bit “looky” but in a nice way. She's an unbelievable horse and I wouldn’t swap her for any other around - her best years are certainly to come. I knew I had plenty in the tank so I'm not concerned about the time fault."
Olympic veteran John Whitaker, also making his fifth Olympic appearance with Rebecca Stones’ Peppermill lowered just one fence for four jumping penalties plus a single time fault to finish with a total of five. They are currently in equal thirty-ninth place.
The first round of the Team Competition will take place on Sunday 17th August. The top ten teams will then go through to the second and final round to decide the Team medals on Monday 18th August.
