- 15 Aug 08, 07:24 AM
After being told by some well-informed American dressage journalists that I was mad to think Britain could win its first Olympic medal in the sport here in Hong Kong, I had tempered my aspirations somewhat and presumed they were probably quite right.
But after a disappointing American second score and as Laura Bechtolsheimer
began her test with 74% on the board, they actually came over to me to say: "Sorry, you were right!"
I still wasn't counting my chickens but for around two minutes it really was looking as if Laura might achieve a 70's score leaving the door just ajar for a Danish, Swedish and American mistake and therefore the possibility of that elusive bronze for GB.
But then it all went wrong, Alf spooked at the big screen, Laura couldn't hold him, had to do the movement again and it was game over.
Afterwards she was big enough to blame herself saying: "He was going for gold, but I wasn't with him."
Then, shortly after my interview, she collapsed into the arms of team manager Richard Davison. She's said to be fine now, but the heat and effort involved in riding a test here, combined with the strain of being the youngest ever British Olympic dressage rider, took their toll on the 23-year-old.
It goes without saying that Anky van Grunsven and Isabell Werth were awesome. They were in a different league, and it's going to be really interesting to see who does what in the individual, but I won't say any more about it now for fear of being accused of simply telling you the obvious in this blog.
Thanks for your comments by the way, they really make me feel like getting up early every day, after very late nights at the stadium, to write this!
The show jumping gets under way today and we all met up with the team yesterday afternoon - well three of them anyway. Nick Skelton clearly thought going shopping was more important than attending the team's first press conference.
Derek Ricketts didn't look too impressed about Nick's non-appearance and was quite happy to come clean as to his whereabouts. The rest were as professional as ever. Michael Whitaker was there too, but he looked a broken man and told us they still don't know what's wrong with Portofino.
I felt really sorry for him. He's spent goodness knows how many months preparing his horse for this one competition, not to mention all the boring press work involved, only for the horse to go lame two days before it starts.
Tim Stockdale, meanwhile said they're all desperate to get going. "We've been here so long with just one horse and you can't ride her for three hours a day," he added.
As someone who's never had more than one horse to ride, I found it strange they could be bored but I guess they don't have to look after the kids, clean the house and go to work!
Ben Maher said he can't really concentrate on sight seeing until the job's done and I liked his theory on Olympic success.
"I am going to try to jump clear every time, nice and simple, you can't go wrong then," he explained.
Let's hope that's what he does.
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Comments
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Oh come on, Lizzie, take it on the chin! We're just frustrated back here thru lack of information and having to watch some tests in silence on Eurovision!
Can't believe BBC haven't put Emma's test on the website after she did so well - I've only seen it once with no sound.
Fingers crossed that Emma and Laura can produce their best for the individual - am sure they will be in there with a chance if they can.
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Hi Lizzie
Thanks for your commenting on whats going on behind the scenes - makes if even more interesting!
I think all the riders and horses are doing fantastically in that amazing heat and rather scary arena. Good luck to them all over the next few days.
The eventers were very unlucky but wonderful result for Tina, and the others lined up below her.
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PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE can we have a video of Emma's dressage test??!!!! We only saw it once in the middle of the day with no sound! Loads of people have not seen it - from our point of view it looks as if the dressage has been catagorised as an elite sport again and not worthy of any coverage. Maybe we should rename it as the 20 x 60 aerobics - they might think its in the swimming gala and give it some coverage!
It would also be great to get some of the breeding details of these brilliant horses!
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In the past i haven't taken much time to watch Dressage at this level, but over the past couple of days i have been absolutely amazed that a horse and rider can be so intune that they can achieve such wonderful things. Granted from my POV its not as exciting as the eventing but I still feel that it should have been covered more by the BBC. Anyone who has ever sat on a horse, even if its just a riding lesson as a child should be able to appreciate how tallented these horses and riders are and it truely is something to aspire to. So get the British tests online BBC!!
As for these blogs, I think they're brill! Its like reading a diary of someone who is genuinely excited to be where she is! Which is exactly what a blog is supposed to be! We can get technical details elsewhere, so for those of you moaning at the end of earlier blogs, stop being so serious about everything and enjoy these blogs for what they are.
Bring on the show jumping!
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I think the BBC are telling slight untruths regarding their 'live' streaming of the equestrian events - I noticed this once in the dressage, and just now in the showjumping, just after Mike Tucker has announced a ten minute break, a new competitor immediately appears.
It makes no odds to me, but I thought the BBC weren't allowed any more to claim that events are being shown live, when theyre not...
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It's definitely not live - I watched Ben Maher jump on Eurovision about an hour and a half before it appeared on the BBC website.
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I must admit it's frustrating - the equestrian team performances. One rides out of their skin only for another to underachieve.
Probably in 4 years time it'll be Laura B riding the great test only for someone else to mess up....
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Am completeely fed up by BBC coverage of our equestrian sport. What price judo or swimming?
Why am I paying a fee for this? If it could not be televised, why not podcast or allow download of action for those who want to view?
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Fascinating watching the 'live' coverage of the dressage today - am waiting for Emma Hindle, only to see the headline that she has made it through.
Really like Kyra Kirkland - although her test wasnt perfect some of her horse's transitions are wonderful - really floaty. Also impressed with the Danish chap - sorry can't remember his or his mount's name either.
Has anyone else noticed how the American Stefan whatshisname flaps his feet like he's in a pony club gymkhana? I haven't heard Jennie commenting on the riding style of any of the competitors - is it only the horse's performance that is marked? Its quite distracting anyway!
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Just have to say well done Emma and best of luck for the Freestyle round.
In my uninformed opinion the extended walk was the best of the lot and the flying changes every second stride really flowed.
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Hi Everyone..Im in Ibiza and its been interesting how difficult it has been to see anything of the Olympics, this blog and a few reports has been my lifeline, many thanks to you Lizzie. None of the video feeds seem to work here :-(
Lets hope Emma has an amazing dressage final and fingers crossed for our show jumpers too.
Good Luck All!
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