Chris von Martels and Eclips scored 66.863. (Cara Grimshaw photo)
Dressage has begun at the iconic Parc de Versailles on a brutally hot day that peaked at 34ºC, feeling like 38ºC with the humidity. The first day of Grand Prix saw the first half of the competitors, with the rest to follow tomorrow. Canada’s Naima Moreira Laliberté with Statesman and Chris von Martels on Eclips both competed today, while teammate Camille Carier Bergeron on Finnlanderin will compete tomorrow.
Laliberté had the good fortune of going early on in the day before the sun had reached peak intensity. In fact, the best scores of the day were all from this first group. The test by the Canadian and her 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding was consistent, but with an unfortunate error in the transition out of the rein-back to score 68.711.
“He cantered out of it, that’s really costly as well,” commented Laliberte. “You know, that’s sports. We try; [sometimes] it works, sometimes it doesn’t.”
A member of Canada’s Pan Am Games team, Laliberte has a healthy approach to competition and managing the pressures of major championships.
“I had a lot of fun in there, and that was my goal,” she explained. “The score and the performance is a bonus for me. What I want to remember from the Olympics is just having a good time, and of course, I’m competitive, so I would always want to do better. That’s how you evolve and you learn, but I’m just very proud of my horse for being here in the first place and delivering a decent job.”
A couple of hours later, Chris von Martels and Eclips competed in the full heat of the day. They had no errors, but lacked the sparkle von Martels had envisioned and scored 66.863.
“Of course, it wasn’t the results I was hoping for,” he said of their effort. “I was hoping of course for a personal best. I think that’s what everybody does when they go in the Games.”
Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Zepter scored 78.028% to lead the pack on Day 1. (Cara Grimshaw photo)
“I feel like we underestimated a little bit the heat for sure,” he explained of their performance, adding of the 15-year-old KWPN gelding, “You know, I think he lost a little bit of his stamina partially through, but he still tried hard.”
US team member Marcus Orlob ruefully waves goodbye as Jane is eliminated for having a minor cut. (Cealy Tetley photos)
Individual leaders of the day were Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald with Zepter, who scored 78.028. The Dane is currently ranked fifth in the world and was delighted with their test.
“I’m very happy with my performance, but also I’m hungry for more,” she said. “I’m very happy that we didn’t have any big mistakes and I know where to improve.”
The biggest surprise of the day was the elimination of the US team.
The first American competitor was Marcus Orlob on Jane, but the combination were eliminated in the ring when a judge noticed a spot of blood on Jane’s right hind leg. Observers noted seeing the mare excited and rearing just before entering the ring, which is where the minor injury may have occurred.
“She’s happy, she’s healthy. It’s all good, it was just bad luck to happen. Unfortunately, that’s our sport,” said Orlob.
Competition resumes tomorrow at 10:00 am local time.
Results here.
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