HORSE DEALS COVERAGE 2008 Beijing Olympics, Hong Kong

It was a case of deja vu with New Zealand Champion, Mark Todd opening the cross country action this morning at 8am. A beautiful smooth and accurate rider, Mark steered 'Gandalf' clear on time and added 27.20 time penalties. They are in 28th place heading into the final phase. The course designer predicted no rounds under time and he was right. The early riders were at a bit of a handicap, but once they proved the course quite jumpable, it gave those to follow confidence to push a little harder.

Australian supporters clearly ignoring the flag ban. They had plenty to cheer about over the day.

Canada's Kyle Carter had a great run across country with 'Madison Park' clear jumping with the addition of 18.40 time penalties. Their efforts moved them from 61 after the dressage to 31 after their efforts today.

Young Italian rider, Victoria Panizzon with 'Rock Model' jumping into the first water. They jumped clear and with the addition of "only" 18.40 time penalties, moved from 35th to 24th place.

Sixth out, Clayton Fredericks and 'Ben Along Time' produced a great 'trail blazing' round for Australia, clear with 16.40 time penalties. The dedicated team ride pulled up the WEG Silver medal combination from sixth to fourth on 53.40 going into the showjumping.

Daisy Dick and 'Spring Along' were first out for the British team which really consolidated its firm medal prospects. Daisy jumped clear and added 17.20 time penalties to move from 37the to 23rd with 68.90 penalties.

Polish rider Pawel Spisak looks composed and well in control of his Polish bred, 'Weriusz'. The addition of 34 time penalties saw them slip from 27th to 32nd with 82.70 penalties.

Denmark's individual rider, Peter Flarup with his 'Silver Ray'. They too were upwardly mobile adding only 13.20 time penalties, to make the giant leap from 45th after the dressage to 19th after the cross country.

Canada's Sandra Donnelly and 'Buenos Aires' jump the Duck leaving the second water complex behind them. They jumped clear adding 24 time penalties to move from 58th to 33rd heading into the showjumping.

The local spectators found the cross country much more to their liking than the dressage phase of Olympic Eventing. Here some boys take aim with their cameras, as Gina Miles and 'Makinlaigh' from the USA make their way around the class. Tenth after the dressage, Gina produced the best of a disappointing USA team effort, for the addition of 16.80 time penalties, Gina moved from tenth to fifth place heading into the show jumping.

The wonderful quarter Irish Draught, Headley Britannia said "let me at 'em", giving Australian team member, Lucinda Fredericks plenty to hold. Although they added 27.20 time penalties, Lucinda was delighted with the game and talented little mare. "I just jumped a clear round at the Olympic Games, what more could you ask"? However, the time saw them slip from first to eleventh on 57.60..

Viachaslau Poita and 'Energiya' from Belarus had one stop on course and with the added time penalties finished cross country day in 58th place. Mile Etherington-Smith's course worked beautifully, sorting out the class whilst keeping the entire field safe. Of the 68 to start today, 43 were clear jumping and eight were eliminated.

Six time Olympian, Andrew Nicholson had a hairy moment at 18b, Stone Forest with 'Lord Killinghurst'. Sadly their luck did not improve with a fall at the second last fence, the Pagoda at 28 ending their competition.

Neil Clinton was one of the many Australians on deck to assist at the Olympic Three Day Event.

Hinrich Romeike produced a super cross country with the Holsteiner gelding, 'Marius' by Condrieu XX. Seventh after the dressage, Romeike rode into first place adding 12.8 time penalties to finish day two on 50.20 penalties.

Italian rider, Fabio Magni is in a beautiful position aboard the Belgian Warmblood, 'Southern King V' over the big Red Cliff Corner at 22ab.

Australia's Megan Jones and 'Irish Jester' in full flight over the 'Lantern Footbridge'. Megan and Jester produced the much anticipated brilliant and determined run across country adding just 15.60 time penalties to move into fourth place on 51 penalties.

Belgian eventer, Karin Donckers with her typey and good moving, 'Gazelle de la Brasserie'. They produced a lovely run across country, but with the addition of 27 time penalties saw them slip from second after a super dressage to ninth.

Italian team member, Susanna Bordone and the ex Australian horse, 'Ava' produced a good dressage test to be in eighth place after that phase. However, although clear jumping, 28.80 time penalties saw them slip to 20th after cross country with 66.60 penalties.

More Australian expertise. Julian Willmore at his post as Sector 2 FEI Veterinarian.

Sonja Johnson with "Jag being Jag". Sonja Johnson and the wonderful Australian Stock Horse, 'Ringwould Jaguar' jumped clear and came home with the fourth fastest time of the day, A bit disappointing for Sonja, who declared, "I didn't take a long route anywhere out there". They moved from 23 after the dressage to 13th with 58.80 penalties.

Australia's eventing dressage coach, Harry Boldt enjoying the cross country action.

Sonja Johnson 'meets the press' with the Horse Deals scribe posing the questions.

Young Dutch eventing rider, Tim Lipps looks well in tune with 'Oncarlos', with both making a attractive picture over fence two, Panda Playground. They jumped clear and with the addition of 22.40 time penalties, moved from 41st to 27th on 75.00.

The colourful Dutch supporters have started to arrive, I am sure we will see a lot more orange once the dressage starts.

Belgian combination, Joris van Springel and 'Bold Action' had one stop on course to finish day two in 49th place. They are pictured jumping fence seven, Stone Mill Table.

Andreas Dibowski and the typey 'Butts Leon' by Heraldik XX (the same sire as Ingrid Klimke's Abbaxxas) was the last to go for the German Team. Another solid performance from the World Champions, Dibowski and 'Butts Leon' added 17.60 penalties to move into eighth place with 57.20 penalties.

Two time Australian Gold Medalist, Phillip Dutton, now rides for the USA. Fourteenth after the dressage, Phillip held on to that place riding his Kentucky winner, 'Connaught', with 19.60 time penalties and a post day two total of 60.20.

Shane Rose was determined to make amends for a "bad day at the office" yesterday, and he did. Riding the talented Thoroughbred, 'All Luck' Shane jumped a super round to post the fastest time of the day, but still incurring 9.20 time penalties. Their outstanding effort moved them from 46th to 16th, demonstrating that modern eventing is far from a dressage test. Shane and 'Lucky' copped the worst of the weather, running in torrential rain. For most of the day the weather had been fine and for this time of year mercifully mild. After a great day for the sport, Germany are in the lead, just 3.80 penalties ahead of Australia, that is eleven penalties ahead of Great Britain. It will be an exciting and nail biting battle amongst these three teams for the medals when the showjumping begins tomorrow evening. Final trot up permitting of course.

Ireland's Niall Griffin jumps the Chopsticks at number eleven aboard his Irish Sport Horse. 'Lorgaine'. They had one run out to finish day two in 41st place.

British eventing veteran, Mary King produced a super run from her 'Call Again Cavalier' by Cavalier Royale, It was an outstanding team performance and saw Mary and 'Call Again Cavalier' move up from ninth to fifth on 56.10 with the addition of 18 time penalties.

The Australian Team, with Chef d'Equipe Rob Hanna at the post competition press conference.

German Team member, Ingrid Klimke, really impressed yesterday and today Ingrid produced a copy book cross country run with her Hanoverian,'Abraxxas'. The talented German pair added 17.20 time penalties to move up from third place to second on 50.70 penalties. With less than one point separating the top three, tomorrow will present an exciting finish to what has been a competition of the highest standard.