Highs and heartbreak: all you need to know from day one of the World Dressage Championships

The World Dressage Championships got off to a super start in Herning, Denmark, on Saturday, 6 August, with plenty of excitement and drama on day one of the grand prix.

The Netherlands currently hold the gold medal spot, as the team competition hits the halfway point, with Dinja van Liere heading the leaderboard on plus-78% with the 10-year-old Easy Game son Hermes.

• Find what Dinja had to say about her super test: what she was pleased with and what she would like to improve

Meanwhile, Britain sit in fifth position at this stage of the World Dressage Championships, after a very good test from Gareth Hughes and Classic Briolinca left them sixth on the leaderboard.

• Hear from Gareth as he chats about his test, and see which movement earned them a flurry of nines

Eventing legend Ingrid Klimke and team debutante Benjamin Werndl each scored a grand prix personal best put defending champions Germany into the silver medal position at this stage.

• Discover what Ingrid had to say about her test – and the difference between dressage and eventing championships

Richard Davison and Bubblingh got the ball rolling for Britain earlier in the day, 20 years after Richard rode Bubblingh’s dam at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez.

• Hear why Richard’s test here in Herning didn’t go quite to plan, and about the bond between the pair

There was great excitement as two Indian riders made World Dressage Championships history today.

• Find out more about the two Indian riders in action in Herning, and what unusual food one of their horses loves to eat

Ireland got off to a positive start with Devon-based Alex Baker making her championship debut on Dutchman.

• Check out what Alex had to say about her test, and what she was especially pleased with.

However, Ireland were dealt a blow later in the day as Sorrell Klatzko was eliminated close to the start of her test with Turbo

• Find out why Sorrell was sadly eliminated in the grand prix and what she had to say about it afterwards

You may also be interested in…

How to watch the World Dressage Championships in Herning: your full guide

‘A championship team is like a band’: Gareth Hughes on team dynamics and why the fourth rider is so important

A bluffer’s guide to dressage at the 2022 World Championships in Herning

World Dressage Championships: who is going to bring home the medals?

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