The Canadian team put up a score of just four faults and is sitting in sixth place after the first round of team competition at the 2016 Olympic Games. The result was good enough to earn a spot in tomorrow’s second round, which is reserved for the top eight countries.
Yann Candele and First Choice 15 are tied for 15th after the second individual qualifier.
The team’s top placing after the first competition earned Canada a later draw for today’s class and the benefit of watching the early rounds. Yann Candele and First Choice 15 were 32nd in the order, but first in the ring for Canada and produced a clear round. “I’m very pleased,” he said after. “That’s my position – go first and try to put a score of zero. It’s a good start for everybody and try to come back for tomorrow. It’s great for me and the whole team.
Candele said the course was technical but rode well. He paid particular attention to how he rode the water jump, commenting that it was quite difficult to jump clear. “It is 4m, it’s red tape. They don’t really see it that well. It is just a big box in front. If you don’t come spot on and the horse does the right thing, you’ve got a foot in the water very easily. It’s not like it’s hard to jump, it’s just hard to jump clear.”