Team USA’s Boyd Martin and, as Boyd sometimes affectionately calls Otis, the ‘Flying Frenchman,’ will be the first to ride dressage in the Greenwich main arena on Saturday morning. The rest of the North American dressage ride times:
Saturday:
Boyd Martin and Otis Barbotiere (USA) — 10:00am local (5am ET)
Michelle Mueller and Amistad (CAN) — 10:40am local (5:40am ET)
Karen O’Connor and Mr. Medicott (USA) — 12:08pm local (7:08am ET)
Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin & Juice (CAN) — 1:02pm local (8:02am ET)
Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister (USA) — 3:18pm local (10:18am ET)
Peter Barry and Kilrodan Abbott (CAN) — 4:12pm local (11:12am ET)
Sunday:
Will Coleman and Twizzel (USA) — 11:20am local (6:20am ET)
Jessica Phoenix and Exponential (CAN) — 12:00pm local (7:00am ET)
Phillip Dutton and Mystery Whisper (USA) — 2:38pm (9:38am ET)
Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master (CAN) — 15:18pm local (10:18am ET)
Team Great Britain’s team order is Nicola and Mary on Saturay, then Zara, Tina, and William on Sunday. I pity the Swedes, who have to ride after the British, because that Greenwich venue is going to be rocking with every British final salute.
[Full List of Olympic Dressage Order and Times, via @UKEventingBlog]
The order of rides within a team is announced by the teams after the first horse inspection. The decision requires a lot of strategy and consideration of both dressage and cross-country order. I think the US team in particular has done a brilliant job picking their order. Our two best cross-country riders are set for first and last, meaning that we should get a good lead-off ride from Boyd and then the next three riders can go out counting on a clutch ride at the end from Phillip. Tiana is placed really well in the middle position because it maximizes the chances of getting at least one clear round before her and guarantees that she can head out counting on two good rides to follow from Will Coleman and Phillip. If you, like me, believe that that judges are slightly more conservative with their scores early in the competition, then Boyd has a real challenge in front of him to impress the judges early on Saturday. Phillip, on the other hand, has the opportunity of a lifetime to ride late on Sunday (after two Italians and a Polish rider) and wow the judges with Mystery Whisper’s impressive movement.
Team Great Britain’s team order is Nicola, Mary, Zara, Tina, and William.
Who rides last? None other than the great Mark Todd. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Go eventing.
