Two U.S. riders still in the dressage ring
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Two U.S. riders finished in good standing Saturday night during the Dressage Individual Grand Prix Special competition at the Beijing Games equestrian venue in Hong Kong.
San Diego-based rider Steffen Peters and Ravel finished fourth with a 71.80% score, while Courtney King-Dye and Mythilus finished eighth with 70.80%.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Peters told the U.S. Equestrian Federation after his ride. “All the trot work felt great, he was much more relaxed in the walk than he was the last time... It’s just great. I feel like I had more horse tonight than in the Grand Prix, I’m beside myself. He was awesome.”
King-Dye and Mythilus ‘looked very comfortable in the ring for only their second time in the Olympic spotlight,’ the USEF reported.
Saturday night’s overall winner was German rider Isabell Werth on Satchmo, with 75.2%. Defending Olympic gold medalist Anky van Grunsven of the Netherlands riding Salinero to a 74.96% score. Germany’s Heike Kemmer and Bonaparte finished third with 72.40%.
The USEF reports that the top 10 rider/horse teams return to the ring Tuesday for the freestyle. The Beijing Games website says that the top 15 will return. In either case, the two U.S. rider/horse combinations qualified.
-- Greg Johnson