2006 World Equestrian Games

Megan and 'Jester' look very pleased with themselves as they leave the dressage arena.

Something caught the attention of Megan Jones, 'Kirby Park Irish Jester' and her groom Karen Konk.

Australian Team vet, Denis Golding looks quite pleased, which is good, as if he looked worried, there may be cause for alarm.

Sonja Johnson and 'Ringwould Jaguar' were first out for the Australian Team and produced a super test in the light rain and gloomy morning. The early scoring has been quite tough and their 54.4 was considered a bit mean. However, Sonja was "very happy with Jaguar, he did all that I asked of him".

Sonja and 'Ringwould Jaguar' under the scoreboard.

Italian Marco Biasia rode 'Ecu' in the worst of the rain. Italian Marco Biasia rode 'Ecu' in the worst of the rain for a score of 69.3.

Morten Haugaard's many friends in Australia will be very sad to hear of his exterme bad luck in the Eventing dressage arena. Riding for the Danish Team,his horse,'My Hamlet' trod on itself and was immediatly very lame. The judge Angela Tucker at C gave him time to recover, which he did but not in sufficient time to continue the test and was as a consequence eliminated. The tragedy is that of course the horse walked back to the stables looking completly sound. It was a very long way to come and such effort was put in to get here , only to be eliminated at this time. We all really feel for Mort.

EFA Press Officer, Melanie Beeby and Australian Showjumping Chef d'Equipe, Stephen Lamb catch up at WEG.

Romany and Rachael Sanna lend their support to the Eventers on dressage day.

EFA President, Russ Withers is enjoying lending his support to the Australian Team at WEG.

Switzerland's vaulter, Sabrina Mettler gets airbourne during her complusory work.

Do not try this at home. Australian vaulter, Samantha Blunden looks good during the first complusory Vaulting competition, finishing in 16th position with a score of 7.111.

Dutch vaulter Saskia van Stralen during her complusory routine.

Vaulting is clearly not for the fainthearted as is demonstrated by Roos Slottje from the Netherlands.

No, this vaulter does not have a bandaged leg, it is her number. Silvia Izmanova from Slovakia put in a good complusory routine.

Australian vaulter, Tristyn Lowe looked very relaxed and assured during her complusory routine, they finished in 15th position with a score of 7.196.

The Australian Vaulting Cheer Squad led by the ever enthuseiastic, Jill SInclair.

This Swedish Horse Tool is very ingenious. It comprises all that is needed to prepare and maintain stud holes. It has a tap, a knife another instrument to clean the holes and spanners and is made of stainless steel.

Eventing Chef d' Equipe Rob Hanna pleased with his riders on day one of the Eventing Dressage with Australia over night leaders slightly ahead of Germany.

Australian Team Members, Megan Jones and 'Kirby Park Irish Jester' really produced the goods in the dressage arena to score 44.1. They held the lead until the very end of the day when they were overtaken by German rider Andreas Dibowski who rode the Hanoverian 'FHR Serve Well' for a score of 40.9.

The Italians in uniform add great colour to proceedings. Here Fabio Magni leaves the arena on his Belgian Warmblood, 'Southern King V'. They are in 21st position overnight with 58.50 penalties.

Australian Eventing Team Dressage Trainer, Harry Boldt, in conferance with Team Member, Clayton Fredericks aboard 'Ben Along Time'.

German Team Member, Frank Ostholt and 'Ait Jordan' are in fourth place after the first day of Eventing dressage with 46.90 penalties.

Dutch Team Member, Chantal Megchelenbrink scored 67.20 riding the Dutch Warmblood, 'Jacker Cracker'.

American Team members, Heidi White and the Thoroughbred, 'Northern Spy' are in 10th place at the end of the first day of Eventing Dressage with 50.40 penalties.

The score board with Megan and 'Jester' at the top.

Irish Team rider, Niall Griffin with the Irish bred, 'Lorgaine' who rest in 20th place on 57.40 after the first day of eventing dressage.

Dag Albert rode 'Who's Blitz for the Swedish Eventing Team. They are in overnight 24th place on 61.50 penalties.

Experienced French Team Member, Nicolas Touzaint rode the Selle Francais gelding, 'Hildago De L'lle' to be in sixth place overnight with 47 penalties.

US based Australian Individual rider, Phillip Dutton produced a good test riding 'Connaught' to be in 12th place after the first day of Eventing Dressage.

Jamaica is not known as a strong Eventing country, but Samantha Albert (wife of Dag) rode her Thoroughbred, 'Before I do It' to score 59.80 penalties and be in 22nd place at the end of the first day of Eventing Dressage.

You would wonder why New Zealand Individual rider, Donna Smith was smiling as she and her 'Call Me Clifton' by Imperial Seal were absolutly soaked. However, they secored 45.40 for third place at the end of the first day of Eventing Dressage.

The Swedish Vaulting Team takes a bow.