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2008 Beijing Olympic Games – Dressage Focus

last updated on August 10, 2008 14:31

2008 Beijing Olympic Games – Dressage Focus
With all dressage riders safely arrived in Hong Kong the attention is now firmly focused on the competition. The GB horses appeared to travel well and team members report their horses to be settling in nicely to their new surroundings.

The action kicks off on Sunday when each of the horses is trotted up in front of a ground jury to check for soundness and general wellbeing – a small but potentially nerve wracking part of the process as horses must pass this inspection to be allowed to go on and compete.
GB Dressage Team on their way to Hong Kong
The GB dressage team enroute to Hong Kong
pictured: Laura Bechtolsheimer, Jane Gregory, Emma Hindle, travelling reserve Maria Eilberg, team manager Richard Davison and trainer Ferdi Eilberg. Picture courtesy of Wilfried Bechtolsheimer


13th & 14th August: Grand Prix Team Competition and 1st Individual Qualifier
The first stage of the competition begins on Wednesday 13th August. All three horses and riders perform the same test and the combined score of all three riders produces the team score - the highest of which decides the team competition.

16th August: Grand Prix Special 2nd Individual Qualifier
The top 25 individuals from the first round go forwards to the ‘Grand Prix Special’ test, another set routine with the emphasis on the more demanding and difficult movements. Riders must be placed in the top 15 in this competition in order to go through to the final freestyle competition.

19th August: The Freestyle Test (The Kür) Individual Final
The top 15 riders reach the Freestyle test, where they perform their own test, carefully choreographed to music of their choice. They are marked on their execution and also on their artistic interpretation of the movements. The Grand Prix Special and the Freestyle scores are combined to decide the winner of the competition.

News Update 10/8/08:  All of Great Britain’s Dressage horses have passed the horse inspection in Hong Kong today. The draw will take place tomorrow to decide the order that the nations will compete in, Team Captain, Richard Davison will then announce the order in which the British riders will compete.