2014 World Equestrian Games

We made it in time, just to see Badminton winner, Sam Griffiths jump the last aboard the Irish bred, 'Paulank Brockagh'. They have qualified for the final jumping phase in 17th place. Sam was fourth out and the first home with no jumping penalties and 18.4 time penalties. No one came in under time on the tough course that had thankfully been shortened by 2 fences and 600 meters. As you can see from this photo, the crowd was an issue.

German Individual, Peter Thomsen is pictured through the water aboard 'Horsewares Barny'by Barnaul XX. They added just 14 time penalties and have qualified for the final phase in 10th place.

Experienced New Zealand Team Member, Mark Todd riding 'Leonidas II'was one of a number to be eliminated for falling at what turned out to be the bogey second water 30 and 31. many riders made a mess of the jump up out of the water and bounce over a skinny fish. It was a technical question on a technical, tough and tiring course.

Germany's Michael Jung could not start his 2010 World Champion, La Bioesthetic Sam, however the beautiful rider produced a super round riding his, 'Fischerrocana FST' by the Thoroughbred, Ituango. They added 11.6 time penalties and hold third place heading in to the showjumping phase on Sunday with a total so far of 52.3.

Russia's Yuri Shumskiy jumped clear aboard, 'Pinokolada' but added a large number of time penalties, but he did make it through the the final jumping phase. Of the 91 horses to start 63 finished the course and of them 60 made it through to the final jumping phase.

Portugal's Frederico Mexia De Almeida is pictured aboard 'Play The Joker' jumping the easy through the corners, four ans five. The quick route was over the corners of the small houses and these caused a number of run outs early in the course.

Former Australian Team Gold medalist, Phillip Dutton, who now rides for the USA started well aboard, the ten year old Irish gelding, 'Trading Aces' but the horse by Clovers Diamond Boy ground to a halt at fence 25 and could go no further. Dutton sesnibly retired.

You could hear the French riders moving all around the course and Team member, Cedric Lyard jumped a good Team round aboard the Irish bred, 'Cadeau Du Roi'. They hold 28th place going in to the final jumping phase ans the French Team is in fourth place only just over eight penalties behind Australia.

Italian, Evelina Bertoli jumps one of the beautifully made fences early in the course riding the Irish bred, 'Leitrim Orient Express'. She made it through to the final jumping phase in 30th place.

Canadian Jessica Phoenix jumped clear jumping aboard her German gelding, , 'Pavarotti' and heads in to the final jumping phase in 26th place.

Sarah Ennis riding for the Irish Team is pictured aboard 'Horseware Stellor Reboun' by VDL Ricochet. She made it through to the final jumping phase in 55th place.

The brilliant William Fox-Pitt makes sure of this fence riding the stallion , 'Chilli Morning' by Phantomic. They were second after the dressage phase and with 12.80 time penalties to add, hold the lead going int o the final jumping phase on 50.30.

Ben Vogg representing Switzerland is pictured aboard 'Noe Des Vatys' during his cross country run. They have qualified in 39th place to enter the final phase.

Sadly New Zealand Team Member, Tim Price had to walk home aboard 'Westco'. Sadly the much fancied New Zealand Team are left with just one rider, Andrew Nicholson. Jonelle Price riding as an Individual aboard 'Classic Moet' by Classic produced the round of the day with just four time penalties to add aboard the wonderful nine year old mare. They hold fourth place heading in to the final jumping phase.

German Team member, Ingrid Klimke again gave a great display of riding, including how to stick on in a difficult situation. She rode the Hanoverian mare, 'FRH Escada JS' to jump clear and with the addition of time penalties heads in to the jumping final in 20th place. After cross country day, the German Team and 2010 Olympic Champions lead the competition.

Australian Individual, Bill Levett sadly withdrew, 'Shannondale Titan' from the competition after the cross country phase. Luck has not gone Australia's way with poor Chris Burton having to withdraw, 'TS Jamaimo' from the Team because the horse suffered a bout of colic. If ever there was a course that suited a Thoroughbred, it was this one.

French Individual, Rudolphe Scherer is pictured at the gallop during his cross country run aboard, 'Makara De Montiege'.They qualified for the final jumping phase in 24th place.

British Individual, Oliver Townend retired his Thoroughbred , Black Tie' on the tough cross country course. The going really sapped the energy of most horses, and virtually all of whom came home looking tired. The fact that only three horse that finished the course will not present for the final jumping phase is amazing.

Believe it or not, this is just one of the queues for the loos which were none too pleasant when they made it!

Maxime Livio was the best performed of the French Team riding the Selle Francais 'Qalao Des Mers'. He qualifies for the final jumping phase in eighth place adding 13.2 time penalties.

Shane Rose'anticipated ride, 'CP Qualified' was withdrawn due to a minor foot injury and Australian Team Member, Shane stepped aboard Jonnie Walker's Warmblood 'Taurua'. Thanks to Shane, the horse jumped clear, but looked very tired at the end of the course. They have qualified for the final jumping phase in 28th place. For the Australian Team, as they only have three riders, every round will count.

Stuart Tinney rather surprisingly left off the Australian team is riding John and Jane Pittard's, 'Pluto Mio' as an Individual. Stuart rode the scopey gelding, beautifully. He set a calm rhythm and stayed it it for the entire course. It was as classy a piece of riding for the conditions and the horse, that this observer has seen. They incurred 15.60 time penalties and hold 11th place, the best of the Australians, heading in to the final phase. Stuart and Pluto are pictured in front of the Le Pin Chateau.

EX Aussie, Boyd Martin is the best of the US Team. He rode the Hanoverian, 'Shamwari 4'by Star Regent XX to add 13.60 time penalties to hold ninth place going in to the final jumping phase.

Australian Team Member, Paul Tapner jumped a good round aboard , 'Kilronan' for the addition of 19.60 time penalties. They hold 13th place going in to the final jumping phase.

Young Dutch Team rider, Tim Lipps is pictured aboard his Thoroughbred, 'Keyflow N.O.P' by COlonel Collins that added 22.40 time penalties ans heads in to the final phase in 18th place.

Canadian Team Member,Selena O'Hanlon and 'Foxwood High' hold 41st place heading in to the final jumping phase.

It has been stated that the 50,000 plus on cross country day is the biggest crowd ever at such an event. Many people with tickets abandoned any hope of getting to the cross country and returned home. It is to be hoped they had a big screen telly. The logistics for catering for this number of people were inadequate to say the least.

Andrew Nicholson jumped a super round for the now non existent New Zealand Team. Nicholson put in teh second best performance of the day aboard the experienced , 'Nereo'. They added just 7.2 time penalties to move from 13th to fifth place going in to the final jumping phase.

German Team Member, Sandra Auffarth jumped a super round aboard her sensational, Selle Francais gelding, 'Opgun Louvo'. First after the dressage phase they dropped to second place by just 1.70 penalties going in to the close final jumping phase.

Sinead Halpin representing the USA aboard the Selle Francais gelding is pictured over the easier, long route at fence five. The quicker route was over two tight house corners. They hold 40th place going in to the final jumping phase.