Thursday saw the CCI*** and the CCI** dressage run and hopefully you will now be able to access the results via the official web site as the Press Office have said that they are available - the CCI-OG*** has just been completed and jumpingaround.com will be focussing on this event and following the progress of the competitors in this event as it is one of only a limited number being run in the Olympic format leading up to Athens and as such is an important event for many seeking selection.

We arrived at Punchestown for a 9am start on an overcast morning which looked like it was threatening rain - but fortunately the rain held off for the 24 combinations on the start list and in Ireland at this time of year that was a definite bonus!

The three judges were Roeli Bril (Netherlands) at H, Jean Miltchell MBE (Ireland) at C and Sue Stewart (Great Britain) at B.

First to go was Australia's Andrew Hoy, who would surely be a shoe-in for Athens being a triple Olympic Gold medallist but he is certainly not resting on those medals and put in a super test with Moonfleet. There was no doubt in any of the spectators minds that Andrew rides his dressage test at a level above those he is up against - he appears relaxed and calm regardless of what is happening around him and this transposes to the horse giving it a confidence. Being first out is never an easy task but it did not seem to bother Andrew at all and the Judges gave him some super marks seeing him finish with a final of 42.80 penalties - this was going to be hard to beat!

Andrew and wife Bettina seem to have a similar "thought" in mind as they leave the dressage arena or could it be a "code language" between them signalling that they are pleased with their test!!!!

Photo left shows Andrew and Moonfleet today at Punchestown having completed a super test and Photo right shows Bettina last year at Punchestown at the European Championships where she won the dressage phase!

Both have their tongues stuck out and yet Andrew did not "pull this face" after his second ride today!

Andrew's second ride today was on Master Monarch and he was 20th to go with this horse - the test still saw Andrew riding superbly and with that laid back calmness he has down to a fine art, however this horse seemed to be just a smidgen less willing than Moonfleet - as I am not an eventing officiando I do not know whether this horse is perhaps green at this level or even a new ride for Andrew, but the test, although not seeming to be as flowing as Moonfleet's was still good enough to see Andrew in 8th position on him with a score of 56.40 penalties.

Second into the ring was Ireland's Jane O'Flynn riding Kilnadeema Star. Jane is living proof of the toughness of event riders, having fully recovered from a near fatal fall last year and here she is today riding for Ireland looking for her place in Athens, when the selectors name their squad in 9 days!

Jane's test was perhaps not the one she would have hoped for, finishing in 19th place but she has cross country and showjumping to go and Jane and Kilnadeema Star do both excellently! (photos below)

Third to go was the lanky Irishman, Jonty Evans and Cregwarrior and speaking with Jonty after his test he felt confident that he was well up to improving his placing after cross country and showjumping. Their test was nice, without being world beating and with their score of 60.40penalties they finished in equal twelfth after dressage. (pictured below left on board and pictured below right relaxing after his test was over)
New Zealand's Tim Price was next to go with Desamoray and today was not to be their day in the dressage arena finishing in 20th place after the final scores were in for the day.

Eddy Stibbe from the Dutch Antilles and Dusky Moon finished mid-field with his score of 60.40 penalties equalling Jonty Evans in 12th spot. Ireland's Ann Hatton and Cool Kiwi would not have been happy with her final placing of 23rd with 69.00 penalties. Trevor Smith and Dunrath Hill were another of Ireland's combinations who did not have the "best day at the office" finishing one above Ann Hatton with 65.40 penalties.

Italy's Susanna Bordone and Buehler put in a super performance looking elegant and confident throughout the test and they were well rewarded with their score of 49.20 putting them into 3rd position after the final scores were in.(photos below left and right)

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