It was a day of highs and lows in the second and final leg of the team competition at the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong. Emma Hindle and Lancet, who scored 71.125% in the grand prix team test yesterday, finished in fourth place in the individual standings.

 

Britain was a creditable sixth place despite the final British combination, Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris (pictured), struggling in the electric atmosphere after an error of course and finishing on an uncharacteristically low mark.

 

Bechtolsheimer contained an explosive "Alf" to score 65.91% for 24^th place in a test that showed glimpses of the brilliance they are capable of. However, they will have another chance to prove themselves as the top 25 go through to the grand prix special on Saturday and the riders all start with a clean slate, rather than having their team test scores added to their special results.

 

Team captain Richard Davison said: “It was absolutely tragic as Laura was on course for a blinder of a test with an expected score of 73% until she made an error of course. The judges were late ringing the bell, which threw her - you cannot afford to lose concentration for a split second in these conditions.”

 

Davison commended the riders and all the back-up team for their commitment and focus in the build-up to these games: “Everybody have given it everything.”

 

Davison added: “I would like to thank everyone back home on behalf of the team for all the good luck wishes. It has given the riders a great boost. All the emails, texts, print-outs and cards have been reaching us and are much appreciated.”

 

British-based Finnish rider Kyra Kyrklund took sixth place.

 

For the full results, click the links below: