Kitty King GBR riding Ceylor L A N, during the Dressage phase of the Eventing Competition at the Olympic Equestrian Eyestrain Centre in Deodoro near Rio, Brazil on 7th August 2016
Britain’s final rider, Kitty King, suffered disappointment in the eventing dressage at the Rio Olympics this afternoon.
Her score of 46.8 with Jacqueline Owen, Diana Bown and Samantha Wilson’s Ceylor LAN left her equal 26th. Some athletic, smart work was marred by breaking into canter in the medium trot early in the test.
“It is disappointing because he’s capable of a lot better,” she said. “He did some lovely work, but made some uncharacteristic mistakes. His medium trot is usually a highlight.”
Kitty’s score, combined with William Fox-Pitt’s and Pippa Funnell’s, means Britain sits outside the team medals in fourth. However, the cross-country is expected to really shake up the leaderboard and Britain is only 5.7 penalties behind the leading German team.
Ingrid Klimke slotted into fourth this afternoon with an accurate test on Hale Bob OLD which confirmed the Germans expected slot at the top of the team leaderboard.
“I could ride all the extensions in there and it was pure fun — I don’t think he can do any better,” said Ingrid.
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Ingrid Klimke and Hale-Bob OLD at the Rio Olympics. Picture by Peter Nixon
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
France’s Mathieu Lemoine impressed too, scoring 39.2 with Bart L to sit third individually and help France to second overnight, just 0.2 of a penalty behind the Germans.
“I’m very happy with the result — of course not perfectly happy as some parts could have been better such as the counter canter, but I’m keeping it positive,” said Mathieu.
Australia holds third, with Chris Burton still their best performer in second on Santano II.
Experienced Belgian individual Karin Donckers also went into the top 10, taking seventh on Fletcha Van’t Verahof on a score of 41.1.
“My personal goal was to be below 40 and we are not far away,” she said. “I was happy with the feeling I had on Fletcha and as a rider that’s the most important thing.”
Tomorrow’s cross-country starts at 10am local time (2pm British time). Follow live here.
Full 25-page report on the eventing from Rio 2016 inH&Hnext week — out Friday, 12 August.H&His published on Friday instead of Thursday next week only to allow us to report the full competition from the Olympics.
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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.
