2005 FEI European Eventing Championship

The second Dressage day of the 2005 FEI Blenheim Petplan European Eventing Championship was just as exciting and filled with sporting excellence as the first one. Despite some very strong performances, Bettina Hoy on the Irish Thoroughbred Ringwood Cockatoo retains the lead on the unmatched score of 31.3. This is very impressive especially since Dressage does not come to him naturally. But he is an obedient horse very willing to learn.

Pippa Funnell and Ensign continue in runner up position (37.8). Pippa has been on the British team ever since 1999 and now she is sad not to be a member. The bright side of things is that she is under less pressure and tomorrow she will do her best to ride and enjoy Mike Etherington-Smith’s great course.

What is different today is the holder of the 3rd place, which is shared between British Zara Phillips on Toytown and Germany’s Frank Ostholt on Air Jordan both of whom are only 0.2 point behind Pippa on the equal score of 38.

Despite the general good level, action remained pretty uneventful until midday when Zara Phillips walked into the arena in an atmosphere of general palpable concentration. Excellent extensions compensated for the somewhat disappointing rein back to produce an altogether impressive test enthusiastically applauded by an abundant crowd. As a member of the British royal family, Zara attracts much public attention which she is doing her best to ignore and concentrates on the task at hand. Blenheim is her first senior championship as well as a debut as a member of the British team which has been unbeatable for six consecutive European Championships. She had been rather surprised to be on the team in Pippa’s stead, who had made her very welcome. “Pippa’s are big boots to fill,” Zara Phillips commented.

Frank Ostholt’s test was well balanced and consistent from beginning to end. He was loudly cheered by many excited fans and German flags could be seen everywhere. “It is a very big honour to have so many supporters,” Frank Ostholt said.

The big disappointment of the day was the performance of defending European Champion Nicolas Touzaint. Hildago de l’Ile does not quite have the brilliance of Galan de Sauvagère considered by some the epitome of the modern Eventing horse. As soon as the pair walked into the arena, the nine-year old gelding was impressed and let go his back. As a result, Nicolas had his worst test of the year and the pair finish in 24th position on a score of 50 penalty points.

At the end of Dressage, the team leader is Germany (111.7), followed by Great Britain (123.9) and France (131.1). The game is everything but over especially given how big and challenging the Cross Country course is.

Whatever the performances in the Dressage arena may have been, all are looking ahead to the next phase and an exhilarating day of sport, effort and horsemanship.

Cross Country will take place tomorrow 10 September from 11h30 to 16h30.


Contact:
Winnie Murphy, press officer
Phone (landline):             + 44 1993 810 103      
Email: winnie.murphy@britisheventing.com

Official website with live results http://www.blenheim-horse.co.uk/