The British showjumpers got their Rio campaign started today, with the team finishing on eight faults.
Pathfinder Nick Skelton (Big Star) and Ben Maher (Tic Tac) both lowered a rail for four faults, while Michael Whitaker’s grey stallion Cassionato just tapped the planks to also pick up four faults.
It was down to elder Whitaker brother John to keep the British scoreline down, and he and the talented mare Ornellaia delivered a superb clear to leave the Brits on eight faults to finish in joint eighth place.
“I was very happy with the round, from start to finish it was good,” said John. “The second to last fence, the double, has been causing problems and I was a bit worried because she hasn’t got that much experience at this level, but everything went to plan – she felt fresh, she was listening, she was jumping, nice to get the first day behind us. It gives us confidence for the rest of the week.”
Today’s results determine the stating position for the team competition, which takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, penalties from today do not count for team medals – though they are carried forward for the individual competition.
“I think if you’re going to have a jump down then today is the day to do it,” said Nick Skelton. “If he [Big Star] jumps two clears in the team competition, which he can do, we’ll be very pleased.”
The Germans – not content with dominating the team dressage on Friday – were on extremely good form today, with three clear rounds and just four faults from Ludger Beerbaum. But home nation Brazil also impressed, with their quartet producing three clears and a four-falter to match the Germans.
There were 75 starters in today’s competition, with 24 jumping clear and a further two leaving all the fences standing but picking up a time fault.
A further 24 had a fence down, including some of the sport’s biggest names – such as Jeroen Dubbeldam, Beezie Madden, Kevin Staut and McLain Ward.
Belgian rider Nicola Philippaerts was disqualified today – unconfirmed reports say this was due to ‘overuse of the spurs’. Likewise, The Netherlands’ Jur Vrieling was seemingly disqualified for ‘overuse of spurs or whip’.