Sixty-five competitors, 23 movements and one random soundtrack, another thrilling day of Olympic Eventing Dressage comes to a close. Here’s where things stand.

It’s a horse race between the top three teams.

Germany is in the lead going into cross country, but just barely. The Olympic favorites have a narrow 0.20 penalty margin over France and 4.4, over Australia.

“I am so excited for all the countries!” said Ingrid Klimke. “When Germany is far ahead, no one is happy, so now they all try to catch up. We have to do a very good job, the Germans. Very precise.”

Jung Michael, GER, Sam FBW Dressage test evening Olympic Games Rio 2016 Photo © Hippo Foto - Dirk Caremans 06/08/16

Michael Jung and Sam FBW ©Hippo Foto – Dirk Caremans

Team USA is riding on a hope and a prayer

After a disappointing start on day one of dressage, Team USA’s medal prospects weren’t improved when Lauren Kieffer (USA) and Veronica logged a 47.30 mid-morning today. Kieffer didn’t feel the score reflected the ride:

“She was really good. Her trot work was really nice, probably some of her strongest trot work. It tends to be walk is her more difficult gait and she was quite good through that. I was quite happy with the canter. I think she missed the one change, but she seemed to really get punished at the end so I am bit disappointed with our score for sure.”

 

©FEI/Richard Juilliart

Lauren Kieffer ©FEI/Richard Juilliart

But the Americans rallied when anchor rider, Phillip Dutton, came through with a 4* career best of 43.60 on Mighty Nice. Team USA has now clawed their way from seventh to sixth place on the leaderboard, sitting 15.5 penalties behind the leader.

“It could have been a lot worse,” joked Dutton. “I was hoping to get close to 40. That’s as close to as good as he can do.”

A mere 4.9 penalties separate first and 10th in the Individual standings

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Christopher Burton (AUS) hold onto to their one-two lead in the individual rankings, respectively. Squeaking into the top four behind them are the only other two riders to crack the 30s, Mattieu Lemoine (FRA) and Ingrid Klimke (GER).

Mathieu Lemoine ©Hippo Foto - Dirk Caremans

Mathieu Lemoine ©Hippo Foto – Dirk Caremans

Klimke credits cavaletti work for keeping her horse fresh.

“We did some canter poles [in the warm-up ring],” said the two-time Olympic gold medalist. “I think it’s always important that the dressage is not boring and you don’t do it again and again. We do cavaletti, that’s fun and then, Oh, dressage! I think I always try to make a variety of training so they don’t think dressage is coming.”

 

Dramatic changes are expected on the leaderboard with tomorrow’s challenging cross country course. Stay tuned!