13 Y/O Grandioso For Spain, Martin Dockx up.
It looked a little warmer today at the stadium in Greenwich judging by the garb of the audience in attendance for the first day of Dressage Grand Prix, Individual and Team. This was the compulsory round, every horse doing the same routine. In my opinion, Rafalca gave a desultory go at it. Competent but dull, dull being a description of her affect. She looked eager to get back to the barn. Rafalca and Ebeling are at 13th place presently.
Two or three competitors had to do their stint in the driving rain. The horses seemed fine although I was having sympathy for the riders because nothing is ickier than a wet ass.
Hiroshi Hoketsu, 71 of Japan, made a fine showing on 15 Y/o Whisper. His first Olympics was in 1964. He is at 17th place.
The Brits are on top with Carl Hester on Uthopia and Laura Bechtolsheimer on Mistral Hojris. Dorothee Schneider on Diva Royale is in third. Anky Van Grunsven comes in 5th on Salinero, who is my personal favorite so far.
Canadian David Marcus on Capital were going along fine until Capital freaked out in the middle and they were eliminated. Capital saw something and he was not having any more of it.
Twenty five horses went today and there are twenty five more to go tomorrow.
Anna Merveldt on Coryolano in the Rain