Tuesday, 30 July 2024
Team GB off to a great start on dressage day one
The spectacular Paris 2024 equestrian facilities at Chateau de Versailles transitioned overnight from the excitement of eventing to the elegance and precision of dressage as the Grand Prix got underway today.
The opening Grand Prix class serves as a qualifier for both the individual and team medals, so is all-important. The format runs under six groups of 10 athletes and, to qualify for the Grand Prix Freestyle individual final, athletes are looking for a top-two finish in their group. In addition, the six best scores outside that will also proceed. The 10 nations with the best combined Grand Prix scores from their three team members go through to the Grand Prix Special, where the team medals will be decided.
The role of trailblazer for Great Britain fell to none other than Carl Hester, riding Fiona Bigwood, Mette Dahl and his own stallion Fame. Competing at his seventh Games, Carl has had to call on his vast experience and supreme management skills to stay focused and put the difficulties of the past week to one side. Luckily, there’s no better man to conjure up a test to give Team GB the best start to be in the medal hunt – and earn himself a place in the individual finale to debut his eagerly awaited new music score.
Riding in the tough group A, the duo started brightly despite the soaring temperatures and consistently scored between seven and eight. The test had a really super rhythm and flow, with the signature balance of energy and harmony you’d expect from Mr Hester. It was a super clear round as the Gloucestershire-based athlete turned up the centreline and a smile crept on to his face – he was clearly pleased. A final halt and salute was met with rapturous applause from the near- capacity crowd and huge praise for Fame from his rider. The benchmark for the group had been set by Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Zepter with a score of 78.028%, who’d gone just a few horses earlier. Carl’s marks ranged from 75.434% to 78.840%, but the aggregate score across the seven judges landed on 77.345%.
After an electrolyte drink and cooling towel, Carl told the assembled press corps; “I was very happy. I haven't completed him since Wellington, so it's been a couple of months. He's great. I got him because he's a hot ride - and Fiona [Bigwood, owner] knows I love that sort of horse, and he is my sort of horse.
“I don't care whether I'm first, second, or third. I care about the ride that I get off him. You know, riding around a Grand Prix, just whispering little instructions to him. And I love that about him, and I love the way he thrives in there. There are a few things to improve, but this is the qualification for Saturday and Sunday, so a good start for us.
“To go in there after everything that's been going on and actually to be able to relax and enjoy it – it wasn't until I was out in the middle that I suddenly took a deep breath and thought, “I'm here, enjoy it, you'll never know if it's going to be your last – get on it, push all the buttons and get on with it.”
At the end of the first rotation, Carl and Fame sat third, so automatic qualification was just missed. They’ll have to wait until the close of play tomorrow to see if they secure one of the best six spots to make Sunday’s Freestyle finale for the individual medals.
Yorkshire’s Becky Moody is making not only her senior championship debut, but doing it in-style as an Olympian – and she’s grabbed her chance with both hands. Riding her homebred Jagerbomb, who she co-owns with Jo Cooper, she cantered down the centreline like she and ‘Bomb’ had several championship appearances behind them, rathe rather than this being their first ride on the world’s biggest stage. At just 10 years old, Bomb is still relatively inexperienced at the level, but precocious talent in the care of an accomplished rider is often a magical combination and this pairing is proof of that.
By the late afternoon when they did their test, it was hot and the humidity was building to storm-like levels, but it didn’t seem to impact their focus. It was an impressive debut and the crowd really appreciated the picture of harmony and ease. A small error in the one-time canter flying changes was costly – and, as is often the case, Becky blamed herself, citing ‘pilot error’.
As with Carl, a smile began to appear as she came up the centreline – she was happy with her gentle giant partner and it was a case of halt, salute, fist pump, hug your horse. It was largely the performance she’d hoped for.
The final score was 74.938% – just 0.5% off their personal best, but a cracking score for them individually, as well as the team.
“That was insane, what a stadium, what a crowd, just an amazing experience, beamed Becky afterwards. “What a horse! He's so special to me – I bred him, so we’ve done everything together. I think we both went in there a little bit nervous and apprehensive, but we helped each other out and I'm just so proud of him – he's amazing.”
“I think he goes around with a little smile on his face. He loves to be out there. Like, the more people watching him, the better. He had a great time,” she concluded.
Being the new kids on the block, Becky and Bomb are quickly amassing a new legion of fans and the assembled press wanted to learn more about how he got his name.
“I bred him ten years ago, and at that point in my life, I might have been partial to a Jager. And also, it does suit him,” Becky mused. “But also, my grandad was called Norman, but we all called him Bomb – I don't know why, but we all called him Bomb. So, it was a little bit of a homage to him, as well as to the alcoholic beverage!”
The score was good enough to claim top spot in Group C and a place in Sunday’s individual final. Will we be seeing their now signature Tom Jones routine, or does Becky have something new in store? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Of the six teams which have two riders gone, Britain lies in silver medal position but the whole favourites for gold, Germany, are missing from that list due to only having one rider go today.
The Grand Prix team and individual qualifier concludes tomorrow, and Britain’s world championship duo Lottie Fry and Glamourdale are first up in Group D at 09:00 (BST). Full results and times for tomorrow can be found on Olympic.org and read our ‘how to watch’ guide for all your viewing information.