Screenshot via FEI TV. Note: Score was later adjusted to 85.271%.
Team Great Britain was all smiles today after a brilliant ride from Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro. The pair danced their way through a fluid test to earn a provisional score of 85.214%, which was later adjusted up to an 85.271%, giving Charlotte a hefty lead over Isabell Werth and Bella Rose 2 (81.529%).
[UPDATE 9:28 p.m. EST]: Isabell Werth has unfortunately withdrawn Bella Rose 2 from further competition this week, citing a hoof inflammation as the cause. Best wishes to Isabell and Bella Rose 2 for a speedy recovery!
Charlotte and Valegro’s individual gold performance was enough to move Great Britain into silver position in the team standings, which in turn edged the United States out of medal contention and into fourth place overall. You can listen to the audio of a post-ride interview with Charlotte here.
Valegro extends! Images courtesy of FEI TV.
The final podium standings for the team dressage competition are:
Germany – 241.700
Great Britain – 231.243
Netherlands – 227.400
Steffan Peters also put down a lovely performance with Legolas 92, scoring a 75.843% for eighth individually and earning the pair the highest U.S. placing for the competition.
Images of Steffan Peters and Legolas 92 courtesy of FEI TV.
Dressage Coverage Links:
Edward Gal Disappointed But Confident
Extra Pressure on Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro
Practical Horseman’s Postcard from the Games: Dressage
The team reining competition drew to a close today, and it was all USA to defend their title and take home their fourth consecutive gold medal in the sport. Fourth! (Cowboy) hats off to you, Team USA, for showing us all how it’s done.
Congrats to Team #USA ! They win the #Reining team competition for the 4th time ! #WEG2014 pic.twitter.com/aBIju5te4R
— Normandie2014 (@normandie2014) August 26, 2014
Leading lady rider Mandy McCutcheon and Yellow Jersey and Shawn Flarida with Spook’s Gotta Whiz rode today, and their performances brought the USA’s team score up to 677.5, firmly cementing their gold medal position on the podium.
Belgium claimed the silver medal and Austria rounds out the podium in bronze position. The reining riders will now move to the remainder of the individual competition held this weekend.
Reining Coverage Links:
Para-Dressage also continued competition today, and Great Britain’s Sophia Wells with Valerius leads the Grade IV competition on a score of 74.595%. Belgium’s Michele George and FBW Rainman are in silver position on a 73.643%, and the Netherlands’ Frank Hosmar with Alphaville N.O.P. are in bronze position on a 73.167%.
Hannelore Brenner and Women of the World. Photo courtesy of Jon Stroud/FEI.
In the Grade III division, Germany takes the lead with Hannelore Brenner and Women of the World on a 72.474%. The Netherlands bring up silver individually with Sanne Voets and Vedet PN N.O.P. on a 72.053%, and Denmark’s Annika Lykke Risum and Aros A Fenris on a 69.868%.
Great Britain also has hold of the lead in the Grade II competition, as Natasha Baker and Cabral lead the way on a score of 73.647%. The Netherlands are also on the board here with Rixt van der Horst and Uniek, scoring a 72.618%, and Canada makes an appearance on the board with Lauren Barwick and Off to Paris, who scored a 70.176%.
Para-Dressage Coverage Links:
