Ringside at the Olympic Test Event in Rio. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
A total of 18 horses divided amongst 11 riders are buffed up, braided and ready to stride down the center line here at Aquece Rio International Horse Trials, a CIC2* serving as the Olympic test event.
The competition will be contested by Brazilian pairs only, with a few names in the mix that might ring a bell. Perhaps most familiar to the North American contingent is Ruy Fonseca, who was recently outfitted with a Individual Bronze at the Pan American Games riding Tom Bombadill Too.
Ruy was just married in Brazil on Tuesday and wasn’t originally planning on competing in the event — his new wife must be a good sport!
Sadly his catch ride, Quaint Nomad, was spun at yesterday’s jog on account of sore ligaments in his left front leg. The horse belongs to Marcio Jorge, also a member of the Team Bronze Medal winning Brazilian squad at the Pan Ams.
“I called him just a couple days ago and asked him to come and ride,” Jorge said. “Now he’s coming and it’s a shame he won’t be riding.”
All other horses passed on first inspection.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Jenni named Marcio, along with teammate Carlos Paro, as “riders to keep on your radar” after watching their performances in Toronto. (You can check out her complete list here.) Marcio is the highest FEI ranked athlete in the field, at #59, and Carlos was the highest-placed finisher of any Brazilian eventer at an Olympic Games, placing 21st at Sydney in 2000. Both riders have two horses competing here in Rio.
Ruy Fonseca, Carlos Paro, Marcio Carvalho Jorge and Henrique Plambon accept their team silver medals. Photo by Jenni Autry.
The most experienced rider we’ll see this week is Seguei Fofanoff, who has four Olympic Games under his belt having competed in 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2012. He is also among the five riders competing two horses, riding Estiva TW and Yankee Deapper.
The dressage competition is just underway in the main arena. Andrew Bennie, Marilyn Payne and Sandy Phillips are sitting at E, C and M respectively.
Photo by Leslie Wylie.
While the stands are fairly empty, there is quite a large international contingent here this weekend. Observers from 16 countries, including coaches, officials and national federation delegates, are roaming about, hoping to catch a glimpse of what the 2016 Olympic Games will look like here in Rio.
We’ll be checking in throughout the day so keep it locked here!
Go Eventing.
