Fiona Bigwood, first of two Brits to contest the grand prix dressage freestyle at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky tonight, just scored 73.40% riding Wie Atlantico.
An emotional and slightly tearful, Fiona said immediately after her test: “I could feel he sensed the atmosphere more in there tonight, he was a little bit intimidated by that, but I love riding the music and I so enjoyed it out there. I never imagined I’d get this far in the competition.”
The stadium is sold out, with a capacity of 25,000 people (see picture).
Fiona added: “Everyone’s been telling me all day, ‘you know there’s going to be 25,000 people here tonight?’ This has been the most amazing event, sure I’ve had a good show but for everyone it’s been an incredible experience.”
She rode to upbeat Latin American tunes, Ricky Martin and Shakira. They played to their strengths, showing a lot of piaffe and passage at which Wie Atlantico excels.
Britain’s next rider, WEG individual silver medallist Laura Bechtolsheimer, is first to go in the last section tonight; at 2:04am (British time).
Log back on later to find out how Laura Bechtolsheimer fares, full report of the dressage from WEG in H&H, out 7 October.
