London 2012 Olympic Games - Eventing

US Team Rider, Boyd Martin opened the Eventing competition at the 2012 London Olympic Games. He is pictured riding Fernanda Kellogg and Gloria Callen's Selle Francais gelding, 'Otis Barbotiere' that produced an attractive test for 50.70 penalties.

Just a missed first change prevented Chris Burton's test riding Jean and Jade Findlay's, 'HP Leilani' from being great. It was none the less a good start for Australia with a score of 46.10.

Peter Thomsen was the first rider out for Germany. He rode Karen Volkert's Holsteiner, 'Barney' by the Thoroughbred Barnaul to score 58.50..

Irish Team rider, Michael Ryan, is pictured aboard Carol and Tom Henry's, Irish bred, Ballylynch Adventure by Don Juan de la Bouverie. After the first day of dressage they are in 30th place with 60.20.

Canadian Team member, Michelle Mueller rode Julie Pring and William Sharpe's Canadian Warmblood gelding by Ascot King, 'Amistad' to score 60.74 on the first day of dressage competition for the Olympic Eventing competition.

Belgian Team member, Virginie Caulier rode the Selle Francais gelding, , 'Nepal du Sudre' by Duc du Maurier for a score of 48.30 and tenth place after the first day of two days of Eventing dressage.

Team Japan qualified an Eventing ahead of Australia and Toshiyki Tanaka made the most of his appearance riding the Selle Francais gelding by Lampon,' Marquis De Plescop'. They are in 21st place with 55 after the first day of dressage.

To the delight of the understandably partisan crowd, Nicola Wilson got the home side Team off and running riding Rosemary Searle and Mary Lofthouse's Opposition Buzz by Fleetwater Opposition. At the end of the first day of Eventing dressage they hold 16th pl;ace with 51.70.

Jonelle Richards rode Lesley Richards and Tim Price's, Thoroughbred, 'Flintstar' by Zabalu first out for New Zealand. They are in provisional 24th place with 56.70.

Representing Jamaica, Samantha Albert rode Jane Lawson and Elizabeth Brooks' Thoroughbred gelding, 'Carraig Dubh' by Gothland as an Individual, for a dressage score of 67.20.

US Eventing legend, Karen O'Connor is pictured riding Frank Ostholt's former German Team horse, Mr Medicott by Crusing to score 48.20 for Team USA that after day one are in third place.

After a late Team call up, Sam Griffiths was clearly delighted with his test riding his 2010 WEG Team member, 'Happy Times' , another by Heraldik XX.. Sam declared that he "was thrilled to be here" and "very pleased with the test". "Happy Times is a naturally fit horse, although a little underdone" declare Sam after his call up just 48 hours earlier". "When everyone else move into the village, I was at home cutting the grass" declared Sam. They produced a good test for 45.40 and provisional seventh place after day one of the Eventing dressage.

French team member, Aurelien Kahn is pictured during the dressage phase riding the Spanish bred , Cadiz by El Mesto. They earned 55.90 to finish mid field after day one.

Dirk Schrade produced the goods for the German Team with a 39.80 test riding the Holsteiner gelding by the Thoroughbred, King Milford . At the end of day one they hold second position, as does the German Team.

Perfect weather, but a hat is advisable. And when caught short in the sun, this improvised newspaper model is perfect.

A view from the grandstand of the dressage arena with the beautiful Queen's House in the background.

At breaks there were long queues for food and toilets, but during competition things were better but many stands ran out of food by lunch time.. The moral is, bring sandwiches.

You can not bring water in to the Greenwich venue, but you can bring empty bottles and fill them.

John Campbell and Kate Wilcock from Queensland enjoy day one of the Eventing Dressage.

There was no questioning what country Yvette Lewington from Sydney was supporting.

Helen Blackshaw from Melbourne Helen Blackshaw from Melbourne looks to be having a good time in London.

At the equestrian venue, every thing is above ground level to protect the park. All major walk ways are on plastic surfaces and the competition arena is on a large platform , so no earth works were required. However, the competition surface seems perfect. After the event everthing has to be removed.

It is a sell out for the entire equestrian competition, but as always there are lots of Australians in the crowd.

Mary King competing at her sixth Olympic Games for Team GB produced a super test with her beautiful Cavalier Royale gelding, 'Imperial Cavalier', to hold individual third place after day one.

Young Swedish rider, Ludvig Svennerstal creates a good impression and a good dressage test riding , 'Shamwari' a Hanoverian by Star Regent.

New Zealand Team member, Jonathon Paget produced a good Team test riding Frances Stead and Russell Hall's, NZ Thoroughbred, 'Clifton Promise' by Engagement for a dressage score of 44.10.

US Team member, Tiana Coudray is pictured aboard the beautiful , 'Ringwood Magister' an Irish bred gelding by Master. Their score of 52.00 contributed to Team USA's third plcace after day one of the Eventing dressage.

Andrew Hoy, competing in his seventh Olympic Games produced a super test riding Stefanie Strobl and Yvette Conn's impressive nine year old Hanoverian gelding,' Rutherglen' by Ramires. Their score of 41.70 helped Australia to take the team lead after the first day of Eventing competition. After three riders have gone, Australia is on 133.20, Germany 137.60 and the USA 150.90.

French team member, Lionel Guyon is pictured riding 'Nemetis De Lalou' during the dressage phase of the Eventing competition.

Germany's Ingrid Klimke rode late in the afternoon and took the lead riding her Beijing Olympic Team Gold medal partner, 'Butts Abraxxas'.. The well educated Heraldik three quarter Thoroughbred demonstrated the Klimke philosophy perfectly. "Correct work earns good marks", explained Ingrid. " If it looks easy and supple you can get good marks without having big movement. I really enjoyed my ride and had fun; the horse is proud to do it". Ingrid holds the lead after day one with a score of 39.30.