Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We came, we fought, we didn’t conquer. It’s been a heartbreaking week for the North American contingent — with Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4’s eighth-place finish standing out as a bright spot — and all our horses and riders fought to the bitter end. To Boyd, Sinead, Lynn, Kim, Peter, Selena and Jessica — congrats on finishing this grueling event. To Buck, Phillip and Hawley — you’ll get ’em next time. Go Eventing.

#WEG2014: Website, Final Team Scores, Final Individual Results, EN’s Coverage, @eventingnation

Cross-country day at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games proved wild from start to finish, with the Badminton 2.0 prediction absolutely living up to expectations. We saw super scrappy rides and dramatic parting of ways all day long. Here’s a look at the top 10 thrills and spills from Haras du Pin:

1. Camilla Spiers and Portersize Just A Jiff’s incredible scramble through the first water complex. Irish horses get it done however they can!

2. Joris Van Springel (BEL) and Lully Des Aulnes’ scary fall at the final water complex, which claimed 17 victims throughout the course of the day.

3. Ingrid Klimke’s controversial trip through the first water complex with FRH Escada JS. The officials flip-flopped on whether to add 20 penalties multiple times yesterday. Official scores ultimately removed the 20 penalties. What do you think, EN? Did she cross her tracks?

4. Mark Todd’s scary fall with Leonidas II at the fish after the up bank, also at the final water complex.

5. Zara Phillips’ amazing save at fences 17 and 18 to ultimately produce a clear round with High Kingdom. The course required this type of aggressive, scrappy riding.

6. Denis Mesples’ frightening fall at the big ditch and wall. He appeared motionless when he fell, and the live feed on the big screens at the venue immediately panned away from him, making us fear the worst. But he just had the wind knocked out of him and was totally fine.

7. This gutsy ride through the steeplechase brushes for Elaine Pen and Vira. That’s how you kick on!

8. Rodolphe Scherer blowing kisses to the crowd after a successful trip through the challenging final water complex. The French crowd went wild!

9. Boyd Martin’s clear round with Shamwari 4 to sit in ninth place going into show jumping today for Team USA.

Boyd and Shamwari at #4 and #5.

10. Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo’s hairy moment at the first water as the final pair on course and overnight leaders. They ultimately picked up 16.8 time penalties to just drop to second place behind William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning.

Stay tuned for the exciting finale of show jumping at WEG! Go Eventing.

#WEG2014: Website, Live Scores,Show Jumping Order of Go,Individual Standings, Team Results, Schedule & Results, EN’s Coverage, @eventingnation

Lynn Symansky and Donner at the jog. Photo via Lynn's Facebook page.

Team USA was first out to jog this morning in the final horse inspection at Haras du Pin, and things got off to a nail-biting start when Shamwari 4, sitting in ninth place after cross country, and Fernhill Fearless were sent to the holding box. Both passed upon re-inspection, keeping Team USA’s hopes of an individual medal for Boyd alive. 

The other U.S. horses passed: Manoir de Carneville with Sinead Halpin and Donner with Lynn Symansky. Canada’s three remaining horses also passed: Pavarotti with Jessica Phoenix, Foxwood High with Selena O’Hanlon, and Kilrodan Abbott with Peter Berry.

Five horses in all were sent to the holding box but ultimately passed upon re-inspection: Shamwari 4, Fernhill Fearless, Great Britain’s High Kingdom, Ireland’s Stellor Rebound and Denmark’s CTS Twin Peaks. It’s definitely not a surprise to see that number of horses — about 8 percent of the 60-horse field — sent to the holding box after such a grueling day.

Just one horse, Shannondale Titan, was withdrawn before the final horse inspection, as the horse unfortunately overreached during his clear cross-country trip with Bill Levett yesterday — a shame since they had such a great go.

The horses will now be vanned caravan style an hour away to Caen for show jumping in d’Ornano stadium, where show jumping is set to start at 2:30 p.m. local time. Let’s hope the five-hour traffic queues that plagued the drive from Haras du Pin to Caen yesterday don’t become an issue again today. #ArmageddonWEG

After cross country, Germany is back in gold medal position — after officials flip-flipped several times on Ingrid Klimke’s questionable trip through the first water — on a score of 177.9, which gives them a two-rail margin over Great Britain in silver medal position on 186.8. Australia is well back in contention for bronze on 226.8, with a two-rail cushion over France on 235.5.

If show jumping at Badminton 2.0 turns out to be anything like what the phase brought under similar conditions at the real Badminton earlier this year, expect to see a lot of tired horses and flying rails today. It’s still anyone’s game, and if you think Boyd and Shamwari are out of contention in ninth place, guess again.

For the individual medal, William Fox-Pitt leads with Chilli Morning on 50.3, giving him no breathing room over Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo in silver position on 50.3 and Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST in bronze position on 52.3. One rail separates the entire top five, so Jonelle Price and Andrew Nicholson are still very much in the hunt for New Zealand too.

#WEG2014: Website, Live Scores, Show Jumping Order of Go, Individual Standings, Team Results, Schedule & Results, EN’s Coverage, @eventingnation

If you missed watching cross country at WEG via FEI TV, here’s a quick highlights recap that gives you a look at some of the key moments of the day. And be sure to check out Sally’s amazing open thread for a play-by-play of all the action, including GIFs of the thrills and spills, as well as photos and social media commentary. The final horse inspection is bright and early tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. local time, with 63 horses expected to present before the ground jury. Stay tuned to EN for all the news on the final day of competition in Normandy.

Today’s #WEG2014 Must-Reads:

[Boyd Martin a Bright Spot on Tough Day for Team USA]

[Canada Survives Brutal Cross-Country Day with Team Intact]

[Harry Meade: ‘Wild Lone Was a Wonderful Horse’]

[Harry Meade’s Wild Lone Collapses, Dies After Cross Country at WEG]

[William Fox-Pitt Leads ‘Badminton 2.0,’ Team USA’s Medal Hopes Dashed]

[WEG Cross Country Open Thread: WFP Holds Lead After XC, Boyd in 9th]

#WEG2014: Website, Live Scores, Course Preview, Team Results, Start Times, Course Map, Schedule & Results, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Guide to Eventing, @eventingnation

Harry Meade and Wild Lone at WEG. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Haras du Pin is reeling with the terrible news that Wild Lone, ridden by Great Britain’s Harry Meade and owned by Charlotte Oppleman, collapsed and died shortly after jumping clear cross country at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Harry and Will Connell, Team GBR chef de mission, attended an emotional press conference immediately after the announcement.

The cause of death has not yet been released; click here for the full statement. “Under FEI rules, the horse will have a post mortem, and that will happen very quickly,” Will said. “What I can say is that the team vet was with the horse, as were many other vets, but by the time I got there, it was clear that all that could be done was being done, and it was being handled in an extremely professional manner.”

Harry led off his comments by making it clear that he believes the tough going today did not play a part in the horse’s death: “In view of the ground conditions at this event and the rain, I felt that played no part whatsoever in what happened to Wild Lone. This was his sixth four-star event. He hadn’t missed any work. He was as fit as any horse I’ve had at a four-star, and he gave me a wonderful ride cross country.

“My only regret for the whole day was possibly from a competitive point of view; he was so well within himself that I could have asked for a little bit more, and he felt extremely comfortable the whole way, and he had plenty of gas in the end. I’m obviously devastated about what happened.

“I wanted to state that I felt the course was a very good course and a very good test, and I would be very sad if anybody was to draw any incorrect conclusions and feel the tough-testing nature of the competition in any way contributed towards what happened, because from the feel I had on the horse, it wasn’t connected.

“I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank the organizers and vets on site, who were extremely professional and to know that  although these things are terrible, the horse in no way suffered, and it was all extremely quick.”

In response to what “Alf” has meant to Harry’s career: “He was a wonderful horse who I’ve ridden since he was 4 years old. I said when he was 6 years old to my father that one day he would be considered to be the best cross country horse in the world. I think he probably was. He gave me a wonderful ride around Badminton earlier this year to finish third in similar conditions, and today, he felt like he was cross-country schooling the whole way around.”

Will made it clear that Alf’s contribution to the team will not be forgotten if the British, currently sitting in first, earn a medal tomorrow: “The horse had jumped a wonderful clear round ridden by a wonderful athlete and demonstrating he was very much a part of the British team. Our aim is to stand on the podium tomorrow so Harry can receive his medal along with the other athletes.”

While this is a tragic day in the Team GBR camp, Will said he’s extremely proud of the effort the athletes put in today: “I’ve been the chef de mission of Great Britain for 11 years, and what I saw today was British athletes really showing what cross country was all about. They did a fantastic job, and the team is lying in second place, and William is in the lead.

“For me, the memory of today will be of sadness for Wild Lone, but mainly what a fantastic job our athletes did out on the field of play. It was a great day for eventing, though, of course, we’re very sad and sorry for what Harry went through. Cheer for the British tomorrow. Let’s move forward and remember what a fantastic day’s sport it’s been and how fantastic the British performed out on that cross-country course, because they made me bloody proud.”

The EN team extends our deepest condolences to Harry, Will, Alf’s groom Jess Errington and owner Charlotte Oppleman. The mood is extremely somber in the media center, and our thoughts are also with all the British journalists and photographers who knew Alf so well. RIP, Wild Lone.

[Audio of Harry Meade’s comments courtesy of Lloyd Bell]

[Official Statement on Wild Lone’s Death]

Phillip Dutton and Trading Aces at WEG. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Team USA came to WEG to #stormnormandy and #bringbackthegold, and so far, things are going according to plan. All four team members — and our two individuals — are sitting in the top 50 after putting in strong dressage tests in a 90-horse field. Phillip Dutton and Trading Aces lead the way as the only pair in the top 10, tied for ninth on a score of 43.8.

Boyd Martin and Shamwari are in equal 17th place on 46.3, followed by Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM in 28th on 48.7 and Lynn Symansky and Donner in 47th of 53.0. Our individuals, Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville and Kim Severson and Fernhill Fearless, are tied for 30th place on 50.8.

While we definitely gave up some marks in the dressage today, that team score of 138.8 puts the U.S. in bronze medal position behind leaders Germany on 116.9 and New Zealand on 125.5. France is hot on our heels in fourth with 139.9, and you can certainly never count out Great Britain, sitting in fifth on 142.0.

But there’s still plenty to do tomorrow, and with muddy conditions turning Pierre Michelet’s difficult track into a serious ask, anything could happen out there. Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM are first out, which is not ideal considering the questionable footing, as it’s difficult to anticipate exactly how the course will ride.

Reggie is an extremely experienced cross-country horse, and Buck knows him well. The real question is what sort of strategy Team USA will hash out tonight given Buck’s place in the order of go. Though the footing here has a sandy base, it’s already drying tacky in spots, and William Fox-Pitt said in this afternoon’s press conference that the tackiness could be a factor.

And let’s not forget Badminton this year, when rain soaked the course but things dried up enough before cross country to make for holding, tiring ground. Time ended up being a total non-issue then, with no one coming home inside the optimum; the goal simply became getting around. That could ultimately be the case tomorrow, with WEG becoming Badminton 2.0.

The good news is Team USA brought some of our very best cross-country horses to Normandy, and all of these combinations are more than up to the challenge. We are three clear trips away from retaining our current bronze medal position. And if the course shakes thing up as much as everyone anticipates it will, the door is wide open to improve on that.

Cross country starts at 10 a.m. local time, or 4 a.m. EST, and the only live stream in the U.S. and Canada is available on FEI TV. Be sure to follow along on EN via our open thread, which we’ll post in the morning, as well as on Twitter @eventingnation. And don’t forget to cheer loudly for Team USA wherever you are in the world. #webelieve

#WEG2014: Website, Live Scores,Course Preview, Team Results, Start Times, Course Map, Schedule & Results, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Guide to Eventing, @eventingnation

click to view larger

Today’s #WEG2014 Must-Reads:

[Jock Paget: ‘No One Will be Smiling About the Going’]

[Is Team Canada Poised to Repeat History at WEG?]

[Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo Dazzle at WEG to Lead on 35.2]

[A Good Day For His Best Test Ever: Brazil’s Ruy Fonseca Breaks Into WEG Top 10]

[Jock Paget Stages His Comeback, Hawley Bennett and Gin & Juice Shine at WEG]

[WEG Friday Afternoon Dressage Open Thread: 46.3 for Boyd Martin and Shamwari]

[Hawley Bennett Is Over the Moon With Her ‘Pocket Rocket’]

[WEG Friday Morning Dressage Open Thread: Donner Raring to Go for Team USA]

They all looked THRILLED about cross country tomorrow. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We just wrapped up the press conference here at Haras du Pin, with the WEG top three Sandra Auffarth, William Fox-Pitt and Jock Paget giving their final thoughts on Pierre Michelet’s cross-country course before tackling the track tomorrow. Jock Paget, in third place with Clifton Promise on 38.0, spoke first, saying that being seated on a New Zealand Thoroughbred made him feel confident going into tomorrow — and it can’t hurt that the horse has won Badminton and Burgley.

“He’s a very good galloper, and he likes to go cross country,” Jock said. “He’s got a good jump, so I’d like to think he could have a very good run. It’s a big track, and I think it will suit him.” The “extraordinary weather” — because apparently it never rains in France in August; we don’t believe that for a hot minute — continues to be the buzz of the event, and though the sun finally came out today, there are still a number of wet spots around the course.

“I don’t think anyone’s going to be smiling about the going,” Jock said. “Hopefully we can get some wind tomorrow to dry it out a little bit more, and we’ll see what it does.” Due to the muddy conditions, WEG officials removed fences 20 and 23 — a big wagon and that cool owl hole — from the course, which eliminates two large loops and an entire minute from the course. Click here for the altered course map.

It also eliminates that long hill I talked about in my course preview, and not all the riders are thrilled about removing that lengthy galloping section. “I’m on a galloping horse, and he does like his job, so I can’t say I would’ve been too bothered if they’d left it the way it was,” Jock said. “In some ways, it could be more difficult because they’ve taken out a very nice galloping stretch, and it might feel a little bit more intense. It’s hard to tell; we’ll see what the ground is like and if that changes it.”

William Fox-Pitt, sitting in second place with Chilli Morning on 37.5, agreed the conditions will change the game entirely tomorrow: “The conditions are certainly improving, but we don’t really know whether that will have a big effect on the ground; it could make it a little bit stickier.

“It is a serious enough track on good conditions, and I think on this ground, it’s going to be even more serious,” William said. “It’s a very difficult course of Pierre Michelet’s. The distances are very forward, very attacking, and on soft ground, those distances could be difficult to achieve.”

As to which parts of the course William thinks will present the most challenges, he said it depends on where you look: “If you look at most of the combinations, they’re built on a very forward stride, and you’ll be hoping that the horses are taking that forward stride and keeping the riders attacking and not starting to ride defensively.”

Sandra Auffarth, the overnight leader with Opgun Louvo on 35.2, spoke last, saying she rowdy crowd definitely made things more difficult for her this afternoon: “I think it was not the easiest atmosphere inside, and, of course, to go in last was as well a special atmosphere, but it was totally OK for me. To the beginning, I think he was a little bit nervous, but then he became better and better, so I really enjoyed it.”

She’s also the only rider who said she’s actually looking forward to tackling Pierre’s course tomorrow: “I think it’s going to be very tough, but it’s really well-planned and a really nice course where you have question after question, but every question is clear for the horses. So you really have to concentrate through the end.”

Click below to watch the full video of the press conference. Cross country starts at 10 a.m. local time, 4 a.m. EST tomorrow, with Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM first out on course. Click here to see start times, and stay tuned for much more from WEG.

#WEG2014: Website, Live Scores,Course Preview, Team Results, Start Times, Course Map, Schedule & Results, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Guide to Eventing, @eventingnation

Today’s #WEG2014 Must-Reads:

[Is Team Canada Poised to Repeat History at WEG?]

[Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo Dazzle at WEG to Lead on 35.2]

[A Good Day For His Best Test Ever: Brazil’s Ruy Fonseca Breaks Into WEG Top 10]

[Jock Paget Stages His Comeback, Hawley Bennett and Gin & Juice Shine at WEG]

[WEG Friday Afternoon Dressage Open Thread: 46.3 for Boyd Martin and Shamwari]

[Hawley Bennett Is Over the Moon With Her ‘Pocket Rocket’]

[WEG Friday Morning Dressage Open Thread: Donner Raring to Go for Team USA]

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Is history poised to repeat itself for Team Canada at WEG? Consider this interesting tidbit courtesy of Trish Bosch: Canada’s top three have the identical team score (147.5) after dressage as they did four years ago when they won team silver in Lexington. Steph Rhodes-Bosch sat on 44.2, Selena O’Hanlon on 50.8 and Hawley Bennett on 52.5.

At the end of the second day of dressage here in Normandy, Hawley and Gin & Juice lead the way on 47.8, followed by Selena and Foxwood High on 49.5, and Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti on 50.2 for a score of 147.5. All three riders have risen to the occasion to deliver personal best scores with their horses, giving them a lot of momentum to take forward to cross country tomorrow.

Leslie caught up with Hawley and Selena after their tests, so be sure to watch those interviews below. Regardless of what happens on cross country tomorrow, we’re very proud of the Canadians for rising to the occasion thus far, and we’re letting our #CamericanPride flag fly. Peter Barry and Kilrodan Abbott, sitting on 60.7 after dressage, are first out for the Canucks at 10:24 a.m. local time (4:24 a.m. EST). Go Canada!

#WEG2014: Website, Live Scores, Cross Country Start Times, Schedule & Results, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Guide to Eventing, FEI TV, FEI TV’s YouTube, WEG Facebook, EN’s Instagram, Fantasy Eventing, @eventingnation

Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo made the final dressage test at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games a memorable one, scoring 35.2 to take the overnight lead heading into cross country tomorrow. The electric spectator stands and warmup ring set right against one of the grandstands has not helped spooky horses today, and Opgun Louvo came into the stadium looking very wide eyed.

But Sandra is such a calm, tactful rider, and she methodically delivered a stunning test, with the marks continuing to rise throughout and passing William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning‘s score of 37.5 in the final moments, much to the crowd’s delight. The spectators rightfully gave her a standing ovation, and her score gives Germany a handy lead in the team competition on 116.9.

New Zealand holds silver medal position on 125.5 thanks to Jock Paget and Clifton Promise‘s lovely test earlier today, and our own Team USA is currently in the bronze medal spot on 138.8, led by Phillip Dutton and Trading Aces, who are tied for equal ninth place on 43.8. Our final Team USA combination, Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4, led off the afternoon session for a score of 46.3.

Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Of course, any score close to that 45 threshold — which Coach David O’Connor has emphasized is critical to win medals — is a good one, and if there’s any disappointment in the Team USA camp tonight, it’s only because Boyd and Shamwari’s test started out flawlessly, with the marks for early movements placing them in first or close to it.

But Shamwari just got away from Boyd a bit, starting in the walk pirouette and snowballing from there, with things coming unraveled in the counter canter. As Boyd said in our interview — which you can watch here — it’s a bit heartbreaking knowing what could have been, but it’s important to remember that he did exactly what he needed to do to contribute to a good team score, and Team USA is sitting in bronze medal position because of it.

The ground jury of Gillian Rolton, Alain James and Ernst Topp certainly didn’t make it easy today to land low marks, as they were consistently nailing riders for things like horses being a bit too deep in their frames. Riders needed a very correct frame and expression to wow the judges enough to punch something other than a 6, and the riders who accomplished that should be very proud of their efforts.

Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High. Photo by Jenni Autry.

One rider who can be very proud of her test is Canadian Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High, who led off the final afternoon group to score 49.5, besting their score on this test at Rolex by seven full points. Leslie caught up with Selena in the mixed zone after her test, and she was thrilled with Woody. Click here to check out the interview.

Now we look ahead to cross country tomorrow, which is almost certain to drastically shake up the leaderboard. Though the sun has been shining all day, drying out the ground significantly, there is still standing water and deep mud in some low spots. As a result, two fences have been removed from course, fences 20 and 23, which will take two long loops off the track.

We’re about to kick off the press conference with Sandra, Jock and William here at Haras du Pin, so stay tuned for much more from WEG. Sally has been running excellent open threads with photos, GIFs and tweets of all the action, so be sure to look at the morning post here and afternoon post here. See below for today’s #WEG2014 Must-Reads, and stay tuned for much more.

#WEG2014: Website, Live Scores, Cross Country Start Times, Schedule & Results, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Guide to Eventing, FEI TV, FEI TV’s YouTube, WEG Facebook, EN’s Instagram, Fantasy Eventing, @eventingnation

Today’s #WEG2014 Must-Reads:

[A Good Day For His Best Test Ever: Brazil’s Ruy Fonseca Breaks Into WEG Top 10]

[Jock Paget Stages His Comeback, Hawley Bennett and Gin & Juice Shine at WEG]

[WEG Friday Afternoon Dressage Open Thread: 46.3 for Boyd Martin and Shamwari]

[Hawley Bennett Is Over the Moon With Her ‘Pocket Rocket’]

[WEG Friday Morning Dressage Open Thread: Donner Raring to Go for Team USA]

Jock Paget and Clifton Promise. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Jock Paget has just made a major statement here at Haras du Pin, scoring 38.0 for second place with Clifton Promise in their first four-star performance since being cleared of doping charges. It all started in the first medium trot, when Promise’s elasticity blew the crowd away; you could audibly hear the spectators say “wow.”

Then by the medium walk about halfway through the test, Jock was visibly smiling, and he gave Promise a pat on his left shoulder after the final flying change — truly a super performance in what could be a major comeback for Jock here this weekend. With cross-country day shaping up to be a major determining factor, we’d definitely want to be sitting on a sporty Thoroughbred like Promise right now.

After his test, Jock described Pierre Michelet’s course as technical and forward: “My first impression is that it’s a good track. It’s going to take a very definite ride all the way around, but if you ride it the way Pierre is asking you to ride it, it’s going to help you make the time.”

Lynn Symansky and Donner. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Lynn Symansky has the Thoroughbred advantage too aboard the athletic Donner, who was very impressed by the atmosphere at Haras du Pin during his dressage test this morning. She gave him a very smart ride to keep the lid on for a score of 53.0, and she said after the test that she very pleased with his effort.

“He tried really hard, and I couldn’t go for the quality today as I had been able to at Great Meadows, where he was a little more rideable, but he still kept it together, so I have to be happy with that,” Lynn said in our interview, which you can watch here. We have sunshine today at Haras du Pin, which is helping to dry the very soggy ground for cross country.

“It all looks doable,” Lynn said. “I go a little later in the run, so we’ll have to see how the footing holds up. That’s going to be the biggest question. He’s a great galloping horse; the hills and the terrain in the end don’t bother me — knock on wood — as it would if I was on a different horse.”

Kim Severson and Fernhill Fearless. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Be sure to watch the full interview here, as Lynn also talks about what it’s like to ride on this very supportive group of Team USA riders. The whole crew was out cheering on Kim Severson and Fernhill Fearless this morning, and little Sparky tried his heart out for a score of 50.8 — oh so close to cracking the 40s.

Kim said after the test that Sparky got a little tense, but she is thrilled with how far he’s come to get to this point. And let’s not forget that this horse eats cross country for breakfast, so he’ll be in his element tomorrow. Sparky is always full of running out of the start box, Kim said, so she’ll be managing his energy carefully to get around the long track.

Another horse with seemingly endless energy, Gin & Juice contained her inner dragon today for her personal best score of 47.8. Hawley Bennett-Awad was over the moon after the test, and Leslie caught up with Canada’s current leading rider for a really fun interview, which you can watch here. We’re thrilled for Team Canada and are letting our #camericanpride flag fly!

Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We still have two more North Americans to go today, with Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4 going at 3:12 p.m. local time, and Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High set to do battle in the little white box at 4:16 p.m. local time. Joanie Morris said after Lynn’s test that Team USA is very happy with how things are going so far, and there will be much fanfare tonight if Boyd and Shamwari pull out the very good score we know they can produce.

After the morning’s rides, New Zealand has moved into gold medal position on 80.0, followed by Germany in silver on 81.9 and Great Britain in Bronze on 87.5. Team USA is in fourth with 92.5, with Canada in seventh on 98.0. Of course, all that can change drastically this afternoon with a lot of the heavy hitters still to come.

Aside from Jock and Promise, just two combinations have cracked the top 10 today, with New Zealand’s Lucy Jackson and Willy Do scoring 43.8 in a lovely performance to sit in equal seventh place with Phillip Dutton and Trading Aces, and Brazil’s Ruy Fonseca and Tom Bombadill Too scoring a personal best of 44.2 for ninth place. Ruy was very emotional after the test, and Leslie caught up with him for a great interview. Check back for that soon!

#WEG2014: Website, Live Scores,Dressage Ride Times, Schedule & Results, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Guide to Eventing, FEI TV, FEI TV’s YouTube, WEG Facebook, EN’s Instagram, Fantasy Eventing, @eventingnation

Evie Dutton and Joanie Morris congratulate Trading Aces after his test. Photo by Jenni Autry.

It’s been a wild, muddy day here at Haras du Pin, but Team USA has persevered through it all, putting in two very solid dressage tests to put us in a strong position after the first day of competition. Though we drew the first slot for the order of go — which is almost always considered a disadvantage — Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM made the most of it, scoring 48.5 as the first pair out.

Phillip Dutton and Trading Aces followed after the lunch break, scoring 43.8 to best their only four-star score as a pair from Rolex by nearly 10 full points. While the official WEG scoring is currently only counting the leading mark toward the team score, we can get a more accurate idea of Team USA’s position by averaging both marks so far.

Guru of all things eventing Pippa Kyle, eventing editor at Horse & Hound, crunched the numbers on the top three when averaging the two scores from each country, which puts Germany in first (81.9), New Zealand in second (91.2) and Great Britain in third (92) — AND the U.S. just lurking behind waiting to pounce in fourth place with 92.5.

We have two heavy hitters still to come tomorrow. Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4, my prediction for our best shot at an individual medal, scored 47.8 at Luhmühlen in their first major competition together to ultimately finish third. They’ve had two months to iron out the kinks in their partnership, and the horse is just simply a wow mover. They could easily pull out a test in the low 40s or high 30s.

Then there’s Lynn Symansky and Donner, our OTTB superstar — the only U.S. bred OTTB here at WEG and just one of two U.S.-bred horses in the competition — who typically can’t pull the low marks you see from the fancier movers. Or so we thought — until they blew this dressage test out of the water at Great Meadow, scoring 46.5.

It’s also notable that Boyd and Shamwari scored 42.0 at Great Meadow, and while that was a different occasion with just Sandy Phillips judging at a prep trial, we still have to take it as a real sign that Team USA is poised to be sitting in medal contention after dressage concludes tomorrow.

But what does that mean when taking cross country into consideration? Pierre Michelet’s course was already a monster track before taking the sloppy, muddy conditions into account. Now it’s quickly becoming Badminton 2.0, and William Fox-Pitt said in this afternoon’s press conference that “it’s not going to be a dressage competition.”

With major props to our USEF Selection Committee, we just happened to send some of our strongest cross-country combinations to contest WEG, and team coach David O’Connor has been preaching for months that the course was going to factor heavily into the final results. It seems the stars are aligning for Team USA, and while there’s still a long way to go, the team can smile tonight. Go USA.

#WEG2014 must-reads from today:

[William Fox-Pitt: ‘It’s Not Going to be a Dressage Competition]

[William Fox-Pitt Leads After Day 1; All 3 Americans in Top 15]

[Phillip Dutton Recaps His Test, Offers Thoughts on XC & Talks Team USA]

[WEG Eventing Afternoon Dressage Open Thread: Fox-Pitt Takes Command, USA in Fifth for Team Standings]

[Michael Jung Holds WEG Lead at Day 1 Lunch Break]

[WEG Morning Dressage Open Thread: Michael Jung Holds Lead, USA in Top Four]

#WEG2014: Website, Live Scores,Dressage Ride Times, Schedule & Results, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Guide to Eventing, FEI TV, FEI TV’s YouTube, WEG Facebook, EN’s Instagram, Fantasy Eventing,@eventingnation

#WEG2014 top three: William Fox-Pitt, Michael Jung and Ingrid Klimke. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The sun is finally shining at the end of the first day of dressage here at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, but the rain that fell for hours today only added to the growing mud problem we have here at Haras du Pin. The ground is incredibly saturated, and overnight leader William Fox-Pitt confirmed in his press conference comments what we’ve all been thinking: “It’s not going to be a dressage competition.”

Ingrid Klimke, who is sitting in third place overnight with the 10-year-old mare FRH Escada JS, said Pierre Michelet’s track — which you can check out here — is definitely “a true four-star course, but we didn’t expect anything else, so this is a world championship. It’s definitely a long course, and I hope the sun comes out more, that the ground will stay; otherwise, we will have to look at what we can cut down or out that the horses can have a good run.”

Michael Jung, in second place with 9-year-old fischerRocana FST, echoed the same sentiment, saying it’s a definite four-star course and “very long with a lot of hills. The jumps are very big fences, but the questions are very clear. There are a lot of questions directly in the beginning and at the end, so you really have to concentrate from beginning to end.”

Michael and Rocana, his reserve horse after withdrawing reigning World and Olympic champion La Biosthetique Sam FBW last week — held the lead at the lunch break, and he said he was very happy with her test. “fischerRocana is a very easy horse; she’s really relaxed and always concentrates to me, so it was today very easy to ride with her. She has not the best moves, but everything was correct.”

Ingrid and Escada struggled with some accuracy issues that ultimately hurt their score, but Ingrid said she was happy with the expression the mare showed today. “Today I thought that the trot felt very expressive and really showed her whole cadency and nice extensions. The canter work I could really engage her again to go forward, especially at the extended canter.”

But no one could best William and Chilli Morning, who is always a star in this phase. “He’s great at dressage; he’s got a huge presence, and I know he’s very able to do a good test, so it’s always a relief when you manage to do well.” He noted he’s often sitting second to Michael and Ingrid in press conferences, but at least for today, he can enjoy the first chair.

Click below to watch a full video of the press conference, and stay tuned for much more from Normandy, or #WoodstockWEG as we’re affectionately calling this three-ring circus. More on that here. And be sure to check out all the must-read links from today below the video.

#WEG2014 must-reads from today:

[William Fox-Pitt Leads After Day 1; All 3 Americans in Top 15]

[Phillip Dutton Recaps His Test, Offers Thoughts on XC & Talks Team USA]

[WEG Eventing Afternoon Dressage Open Thread: Fox-Pitt Takes Command, USA in Fifth for Team Standings]

[Michael Jung Holds WEG Lead at Day 1 Lunch Break]

[WEG Morning Dressage Open Thread: Michael Jung Holds Lead, USA in Top Four]

#WEG2014: Website, Live Scores,Dressage Ride Times, Schedule & Results, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Guide to Eventing, FEI TV, FEI TV’s YouTube, WEG Facebook, EN’s Instagram, Fantasy Eventing, @eventingnation

William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning. Photo by Jenni Autry.

That’s a wrap on Day 1 of dressage here at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, and William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning showed the brilliance we’ve come to expect from them to score 37.5 to hold the overnight lead. This horse laid down an unbelievable 33.3 at Rolex last year and shines in this phase, giving Great Britain an excellent team score to take forward to tomorrow — and the only score in the 30s so far halfway through dressage.

Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST, who had the best score in the morning group with 40.7, will hold second place overnight, just ahead of his fellow German teammate Ingrid Klimke and FRH Escada JS, who led off the final group of the day, managing a score of 41.2 despite a few costly bobbles to ultimately pull straight 9s for her rider marks. Tim Price and Wesko, this years Luhmühlen CCI4* winners, struggled a bit in the beginning of their test but really pulled things together nicely for a score of 42.0 for fourth place in the early going.

Phillip Dutton and Trading Aces. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Elaine Pen and Vira, a stunning dressage-bred mare by Jazz, round out the top five on a score of 42.3. This mare just floats across the ground and is so much fun to watch, and Elaine looked thrilled with the test, punching the air after her final halt and salute. Phillip Dutton and Trading Aces led off after the lunch break with a lovely test for 43.8, which is nearly 10 points better than they did at Rolex — truly a testament to how hard Big Phil has worked to develop this partnership. Click here to hear his thoughts on his test.

With the dust settled, Phillip and Oscar are our only American combination in the top 10, with Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM sitting just outside in 11th place on 48.7. Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville are hovering just inside the top 15 on their score of 50.8. Click here for recaps of Buck and Sinead’s tests in this morning’s dressage report.

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti are sitting just head of Sinead and Tate on 50.2 for Team Canada, and it’s remarkable how much they’ve improved this test since Great Meadow. Though Rotti came a bit unraveled in the changes, this was truly a lovely performance, and Jessie was all smiles after!

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti. Photo by Jenni Autry.

With just two team scores recorded so far — the highest counting toward the team total and the second currently serving as the drop score — Great Britain leads, followed by Germany and New Zealand, with the U.S. in fifth place and Canada in eighth place. Of course, that will change a lot tomorrow as the next two riders for each team go, so it’s still anyone’s game at this point.

The sun tried to make an appearance this afternoon, but it’s mostly been overcast, with rain falling on and off, which is not helping the mud problem at all. We’re officially coining this #WoodstockWEG — there’s even a muddy field next to the venue where a number of the volunteers are camping out. It’s definitely survival of the fittest here at Haras du Pin, and the elements are currently winning.

Elaine Pen and Vira. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We still have much more to bring you from WEG, including a press conference report, a look at just how much of a muddy mess it is here, thoughts on Team USA’s day, a trade fair tour and anything else we can scrounge up. Now that we finally have a reliable wifi connection, we #cantstopwontstop. In the meantime, relive all the day’s action with the morning open thread here and the afternoon thread here — GIFs and photos galore! Go WEG.

#WEG2014 must-reads from this morning:

[Phillip Dutton Recaps His Test, Offers Thoughts on XC & Talks Team USA]

[WEG Eventing Afternoon Dressage Open Thread: Fox-Pitt Takes Command, USA in Fifth for Team Standings]

[Michael Jung Holds WEG Lead at Day 1 Lunch Break]

[WEG Morning Dressage Open Thread: Michael Jung Holds Lead, USA in Top Four]

#WEG2014: Website, Schedule & Results, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Guide to Eventing, FEI TV, FEI TV’s YouTube, WEG Facebook, EN’s Instagram, Fantasy Eventing,@eventingnation, Dressage Ride Times, Live Scores

Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM. Photo by Jenni Autry.

We’re halfway through the first day of dressage here at WEG, and Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST are holding the lead at the lunch break on a score of 40.7. And though we’re likely to see a number of scores in the 30s over the next day and a half, don’t think that 40.7 will rule Michael out of medal contention. With the amount of rain that continues to fall at Haras du Pin turning the grounds into a mud pit, this is very quickly becoming something far from a dressage show.

But Team USA still needs good scores to be in medal contention, and Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM did exactly what we needed them to do as the first pair out this morning, scoring 48.7 to hold second place. The U.S. drew the first slot for the second major championships in a row — as we also drew first for the 2012 London Olympics — and it’s not the best place to go but certainly not damning either. And keep in mind that with muddy conditions expected for cross country, going early is a good thing.

Michael Jung and fischerRocana FST. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville, who are competing as individuals, were on track to either pass or sit just behind Buck, and they were gaining great ground in the canter work when they picked up an unfortunate error. The look of disappointment on Sinead’s face at the final halt said it all, but she put on a big smile anyways — especially when the French Princess paused to take a bow in front of his hometown crowd.

Sinead and Tate’s score of 50.8 puts them in fourth place in the early going, just behind Mark Todd and Leonidas II, who scored 49.2 for third place. Little bobbles here and there whittled away at the score, and that’s exactly the type of scenario that will ultimately giving breathing room for Team USA to go for a medal. Zara Phillips and High Kingdom, the first out for strong contenders Great Britain, also had some bobbles in the extended trot and changes — and that’s leaving an open door so far.

Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Of course, it’s still early, and it’s still anyone’s game. Looking at the afternoon schedule, we have a large number of heavy hitters still to come, including William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning, who scored an unbelievable 33 at Rolex last year and could absolutely bring down the house this afternoon.

Though conditions are far from pleasant, with the rain ranging from a drizzle to a downpour, everyone is in great spirits here in Normandy, just happy to be here supporting their countries. We have a large contingent of American owners and supporters here, and they’ve been cheering loudly for our riders, as well as Canadian Peter Barry and Kilrodan Abbott, the first out for the Canucks this morning. Peter and Eddie scored 60.7 for 16th place.

Peter Barry and Kilrodan Abbott. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Phillip Dutton and Trading Aces are first out after the lunch break as the second American team pair to go. It’s a good spot to be going, as the judges should be feeling warmed up and more generous — especially after getting some coffee to fuel the afternoon session. Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti will also go this afternoon for Team Canada.

There’s a six-hour time change between France and East Coast time, so most of you are probably just now starting your day and trying to catch up on the morning rides. Lucky for you, Leslie and Sally have been running a gangbusters open thread all day, complete with photos, GIFs and the best of social media here at WEG. Click here to get caught up on everything you need to know. Go WEG!

#WEG2014: Website, Live Scores, Schedule & Results, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Guide to Eventing, FEI TV, FEI TV’s YouTube, WEG Facebook, EN’s Instagram, Fantasy Eventing, @eventingnation, Dressage Ride Times

Hello from Haras du Pin! After our epic adventures yesterday, we hit the ground running this morning, with Leslie going on a tour of the venue and me setting off to walk Pierre Michelet’s cross-country course. Though we sent a large contingent of Americans to Pau last year to gain exposure to a Michelet course, David O’Connor has emphasized since that the WEG course would be very different.

After huffing and puffing my way around the monster track, I’m in total agreement. The terrain is very hilly, twisty and turny all the way around, and there’s virtually no time to let up or relax for even a second, as the questions start early at fence 4 and keep coming thick and heavy all the way to the third water complex at fences 30 and 31.

This course could be the poster child of modern design, with few natural fences appearing on course and skinnies and technical questions abounding. The longest hill on course comes just after fence 22, and that’s going to be a turning point in the course as riders look to see how much gas they have left in the tank before tackling the final third of the track.

Expect to see a lot of tired horses, especially if rain keeps coming down. The ground is already very wet, and I squished my way around walking just outside of the ropes for the galloping lanes. There are a number of first-time CCI4* horses here at WEG, and the great thing about Pierre’s course is he relies more on those technical challenges and less on max tables.

On that note, there are a number of options all the way around, so less experienced horses and riders will be able to map out a strategy and go for it. I ran into Canadian stable manager Max Corcoran and Chef d’Equipe Jacky Green on course, and Jacky noted that while some combinations might be out there for 14 minutes, they course is well presented to give them a safe trip.

What do you think of Pierre’s course, EN? Does it look like a course fitting for a world championships? What combinations do you think will be the most tricky? How do you think the first-time four-star pairs will handle it? Stay tuned for much more from Haras du Pin.

#WEG2014: Website, Schedule & Results, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Guide to Eventing, FEI TV, FEI TV’s YouTube, WEG Facebook, EN’s Instagram, Fantasy Eventing,@eventingnation

Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville at WEG. Photo by Jenni Autry.

The first horse inspection here at Haras du Pin has just wrapped up, and I’m thrilled to report that all the American and Canadian horses passed with flying colors — and looked fantastic while doing it! We almost sent all 99 horses through to dressage, but Ludwig Svennerstal’s Alexander was ultimately not re-presented from the holding box, leaving the Swedish team with just three riders.

My Win, Laszlo Egyed’s mount and the only horse in the competition representing Hungary, was also sent to the holding box, but passed upon re-presentation. Yuri Shumsky’s Pinokalada, the third horse sent to the holding box, also passed upon re-presentation. That’s a total of three horses held, with just Alexander being withdrawn, leaving us with 98 horses to do battle here in Normandy.

It’s been an overcast afternoon, but thankfully the rain held off, giving us very comfortable conditions for the jog in front of the beautiful chateaux at Haras du Pin. Team USA was first out, looking very sharp in their Hermès jackets and dark jeans. But I have to say I love the look the Canadians sported — with the ladies in white jeans and red-and-white striped shirts and Peter in red slacks, a navy blazer and coordinating tie.

All the Americans and Canadians jogged without fanfare, with a usually boisterous Manoir de Carneville looking very workmanlike. Donner wasn’t thrilled when the crowd clapped at the announcement of “Accepted!” came, but that’s not out of the ordinary for our favorite Flying Deer. I’m also pleased to report Boyd Martin looked very sound in his own trip down the jog strip. Everyone — both humans and horses alike — looks ready to go.

As always, kudos to the American and Canadian grooms for turning the horses out so well. Stay tuned for more photos — check back soon to this post! — and the Unofficial Jog Awards, plus the cross-country course preview and about a million other things since the wifi is finally working in the press tent. Go WEG!

#WEG2014: Website, Schedule & Results, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Guide to Eventing, FEI TV, FEI TV’s YouTube, WEG Facebook, EN’s Instagram, Fantasy Eventing,@eventingnation