After an eventful trot-up, two horses have not yet been deemed fit to compete in the dressage competition at the Rio Olympics.
All five British horses — the team of four plus the reserve horse Rubin Al Asad — passed on first inspection.
Three horses were sent to the holding box. France’s Badinda Altena, the ride of Pierre Volla, was re-presented and passed, though the 10-year-old mare by Tolando had to trot twice before the ground jury was convinced she was sound and fit to compete.
Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro during the first horse inspection for dressage
Two other horses sent to the holding box did not represent. Both Sweden’s Dante Weltino (rider Therese Nilshagen) and Italy’s Chablis will be re-inspected at 7.30am Brazilian time (11.30am UK time) tomorrow (Tuesday, 9 August) before it is decided whether they can start in the grand prix.
The test represents the first round in both the team and individual competitions.
Chablis is Italy’s sole representative and is due to be ridden by the country’s top rider, Valentina Truppa. This marks a continuation of bad news this week for the Truppa family, after it was announced that Valentina’s father Enzo is barred from coaching at the Olympics. He was suspended by the Italian Equestrian Federation for breach on contract when he sold Eremo Del Castegno in December 2015.
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Dante Weltino, a black stallion by Danone, is the equal youngest horse in the field at nine years old and is on the Swedish team. If they need to call on their travelling reserve, Mads Hendeliowitz, they can do so as Mads’ horse Jimmie Choo was presented and accepted.
Another Swedish rider, Patrik Kittel was markedly lame during the trot-up, but luckily his horse Deja was sound.
Team reserve combinations can we swapped in up until two hours before the first horse goes in the grand prix on Wednesday morning (10 August).
Lara Griffith and Rubin Al Asad
The British and Irish horses all looked in fine fettle, with Super Nova (pictured, top) leaping around like a youngster and keeping Spencer Wilton’s hands full.
Charlotte Dujardin grinned as she trotted the powerful Valegro. Carl Hester’s Nip Tuck and Fiona Bigwood’s Orthilia both looked in great shape.
Carl Hester and Nip Tuck
Fiona Bigwood and Orthilia
Ireland’s Judy Reynolds had smooth passage through the trot-up with her horse Vancouver K to be accepted first time.
All the Dutch, German and American horses passed on first inspection, as well as the Australians, Brazilian, Japanese and Spanish team horses.
Adelinde Cornelissen’s Parzival — individual silver medalist behind Valegro at London 2012 — looked fit and well but his tongue lolled out of his mouth during the trot-up.
Two of the Danish team horses (Cassidy and Jojo Az) had to trot twice, but were accepted. Anna Kasprzak’s ride Donnperignon was run by her trainer Andreas Helgstrand.
The Korean horse Bukowski had to trot twice, as did France’s After You, but both were subsequently accepted.
Check out the full schedule of dressage action here. And follow H&H’s live online commentary — with expert input from Emile Faurie by clicking here.
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