Team Germany is reaching out for the next medal in their collection by building up a strong lead Wednesday in the dressage discipline at FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018.

After two riders out on the first day of competition at Tryon International Equestrian Center, the current champions sit on 76.677 percent, aiming to complete their medal dozen. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl leads the individual ranking, and Dorothee Schneider currently sits in third place with a 75.062 percent.

Sweden came out as the day’s surprise when veteran Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén and Juliette Ramel both turned in top performances for ranking their team second on 75.248 percent. Ramel squeezed in between the favorites on silver position individually, presenting her gelding Buriel K.H. in a much improved way.

“Most of that is my trainer’s doing,” Ramel said. “Patrik Kittel gives me a lot of confidence and he believes in us. That makes me stronger.”

Adrienne Lyle and Steffen Peters brought the U.S. team to third position. Lyle’s score of 74.581 percent has her and stallion Salvino sit fourth individually.

“I was really pleased with him, especially considering we warmed up in a downpour and then it’s blazing hot the next second,” Lyle said. “Fitness is a big factor — he’s a big dark horse and I’ve done my best to get him fit, and I’m glad that I did, because it took every ounce of fitness today.” 

It was rain and shine at the opening of the dressage competition, not only because of changing weather.

Isabel Cool, from Belgium, had to retire when her stallion, Aranco V, quit following her aids, leaving her team without a scratch result. 

But, for Australian Alexis Hellyer, day one of the competition already felt like an unexpectedly happy end. The first-timer at WEG had to present her horse, Bluefields Floreno, for reinspection only in the morning of the competition, and was relieved to find that the stallion was considered fit to compete.

“His infection in the foot got better at the last minute,” said Hellyer, who placed 23rd in Wednesday’s ranking. “If I am called into the team ever again, I hope it is a little smoother.”

– Submitted article