HORSE DEALS COVERAGE 2008 Beijing Olympics, Hong Kong

"What a pity, he went over the edge in Piaffe" commented a disappointed Isabell Werth. The gremlins in 'Satchmo's' character picked a bad time to emerge. Again in the Kur, a serious disobedience in the piaffe saw any grasp they may have held on the Gold Medal slip away. Isabell however, did say the she lost the medal in the Special. All was not lost as despite the serious hiccup they took the Silver medal with a combined score of 76.65%. (Kur 78.10%)

With a musical score that included the Beach Boys, German Team Gold Medalist,s Heike Kemmer and 'Boneparte' had the judges a bit at odds, but the elegant combination did enough to claim the Individual Bronze medal, with a combined Special/Kur percentage of 74.45. (Kur 75.95%) and they were thrilled.

Well she did it and by unanimous decision! Anky van Grunsven, under enormous pressure produced easily the best Grand Prix Freestyle tonight to claim her third consecutive Olympic Individual Dressage Gold medal. Riding to the brilliantly choreographed and hauntingly beautiful, "Dance of Devotion" Anky and 'Salinero' won with a combined Special/ Kur percentage of 78.68% (Kur 82.40%)

Just in case you did not already know it was hot, there are signs up to let you know.

Princess NatalieZu Sayn Wittgenstein opened the Kur with a delightful medley from 'West Side Story'. 'Digby' looked a little tired and really did not produce his best. They earned 69.12% in the Kur, for and overall percentage of 69.11 and 15th place individually.

"Don Schufro is a stallion and so he suits hard music", commented Andreas Helgstrand of his Freestyle music that incorported, Pink Floyd, Guns ans Roses and Led Zepplin. They produced an entertaining test, but again the horse was a little tired, for a Kur percentage of 72.55 for overall 11th place with a combined percentage of 70.67%.

Canadian combination, Ashley Holzer and 'Pop Art' improved their position by one to finish the Individual Dressage competition in 14th place with a combined percentage of 70.10%. They produced a good test to accompained by the score from the Disney Epcot Centre World Fireworks music.

This Australian trio backed the winner. Enjoying the dressage, L-R Janine Rands, Gina Montgomery and Lisa Macdonald.

Some emotive piano music combined with a talented and expressive horse and a handsome Swede, makes for a gtood combination to watch. Jan Brink and his long time partner, 'Briar', earned even more admirers in Hong Kong. They received 73.45% for the Kur and finished the Individual competition in 10th place with a combined Special/Kur percentage of 71.20.

Swedish rider, Tinne Silfven's Kur Music sounded familiar. No need to go far from home for a choice of Music, she chose the Musical ,Chess, written by the Abba male members, Bjorn Ulveus and Benny Anderson. Silfvn rode 'Solos Carex' a Danish Warmblood by Castro to finish the Individual competition in 12th place with a combined total of 70.35%.

I am sure this boy will be please when the Olympics are over!

This young girl is part of a troupe which combines martial arts with dance and entertains the crowd during the competition breaks., They are impressive.

Australian Jumping Chef d' Equipe, Stephen Lamb and wife, Melanie, enjoy the Grand Prix Kur.

Emma Hindle and 'Lancet' from Great Britain incorporated music from the Bee Gees to score 74.25% in the Kur, for overall seventh place with 72.35%. 'Lancet' was another horse to be affected by the heat and did not quite have the sparkle in the Kur that he had in the Grand Prix.

Courtney King and the impressive son of Ferro, 'Mythilus', rode to a powerful movie like score that somehow incorporated Cat Stevens' Sad Lisa. They earned 70.80% for the Kur for an overall Special/Kur average of 70.15% and 13th place.

Dutch combination, Hans Peter Minderhoud and 'Nadine' produced an absoutley delightful and elegant Kur to a Carpenters theme. Not as technical as some, the test was nonetheless justly rewarded for 75.15% and an overall percentage of 73.03 for fifth place over all..

Always a highlight, Finland's Kyra Kyrklund and 'Max' entertained with their 'Cabaret' Kur. Not well rewarded for 69.72%, they finished in overall eighth place with 71.98%. Kyra competing at her sixth Olympics commented, "I ride every day and I compete against myself. It feels good to come to the Olympics and get in to the Final competition".

Bernadette Pujals from Mexico with her charismatic and popular Weltmeyer stallion, 'Vincent'. They used an eclectic and heavily Spanish oriented and entertaining musical theme. Unfortunately they got a little ahead of their music for a Kur percentage of 71 and an overall score of score of 71.67% for ninth place Individually.

Mexican dressage star, 'Vincent' enjoys a session in the (cooling) misting tent with his groom. It is a win, win situation for all and 'Vincent' looks rather content don't you think?

Michelle Robson (Shane Rose's groom) and Natalie Hibbert (Sonja Johnson's groom) demonstrate their allegiance before the Dressage Individual Final.

Australian Team Vet, Denis Goulding with one of the many volunteers in Hong Kong.

Popular Russian combination, Alexandra Korelova and 'Balagur' did not produce their best to the entertaining Broadway theme. The former police horse was a little unsettled. They earned 71.40% for the Kur and finished in sixth place overall with 72..62%.

The German judge at C, put paid to US rider, Steffen Peters' hopes of a medal with the Contango stallion, 'Ravel'. Rexinger had Peters and 'Ravel' in sixth place on technical marks and ninth artistically. They were no worse than fourth with any other judge. They finished in fourth place with 71.80% in the Kur and 74.15% overall.

No surprise with the Chinese Dragons. The entertainment during the breaks of compertition kept the crowd well entertained.

No prizes for guessing who this lot barrack for! There was plenty of orange support in the crow for Anky and Hans Peter Minderhoud.

Anky was thrilled and very emotional with her third consecutive Individual Gold medal, and Heike Kemmer likewise for her first Individual medal, the Bronze. Whilst Isabell was as always gracious, you could see the justifiable disappointment in her face. Although she did get the Individual Silver medal.

EFA CEO Franz Venhaus captures the moments on film, or at least on a digital card.