Without sponsors, great events like this one simply wouldn't happen, so as supporters of Equestrian sport make sure you make the sponsors your first port of call if their product or service is one you require - and let them know that you are at their door because of their sponsorship!

Friday, 19th September, 2003

Well the Endurance people had to head off to the start of their 160km course without this intrepid reporter and photographer - the start was at 5.30am and it went off without drama as we understand it. We do have photos though in todays pages so please have a look - these riders deserve it!

The Eventing Dressage continued today from 9.30am and was once again broken up with another wonderful demonstration by Dressage Ireland in the main arena and again the crowd was most appreciative.

The crew giving us all the up to the date information are an amazing group of people with huge knowledge individually and collectively they are an encyclopedia of "all things horse"!

William Micklem is what is known as a "guru" and has many credentials including being an Equestrian Federation of Ireland Tutor and he has also been a fellow of the British Horse Society since 1981. The thing I love about listening to William is that he forgoes the usual "technical Dressage speak" and explains things in language the non-horse enthusiast can understand easily which is so important as a means of drawing more people into the sport as spectators and sponsors!

William is also the "architect" of Ireland's renowned Golden Saddle Scheme for top competition riders from Dressage, Showjumping and Horse Trials. This scheme is so important to ensure talented young riders coming up the ranks have the support and acknowledgment that they deserve and need to keep on improving.

The Dressage Judges are also "heavyweights" in the world of Eventing. Angela Tucker has a long history in the sport having been in one of the first Junior European Three Day Event Teams in 1968 where she came fourth individually. Angela has also competed successfully at Badminton and Burghley on Mooncoin, an Irish Sport Horse. He was well placed at Badminton with a 10th and a 7th and three times at Burghley with 6th and 8th and an individual 8th at the European Championships. Angela has also competed at many major events in both Europe and the USA. Ms Tucker is a British Eventing Steward, Senior Selector and Dressage Judge.

Christoph Hess, born in Delmenhorst, Germany in 1950, did military service at the "Bundeswehr" sports school in Wahrendorf , after graduating from high school. He has a diploma in pedagogics (focus on adult education) and since 1978 has been employed by the German Equestrian Federation and the German Equestrian Olympic Committee where he is the head of the Instruction Department, head of Personal Members Department and Director of DOKR Equestrian Centre. As if this isn't enough to keep him "off the streets" he is also an International Judge in both Dressage and Eventing and also a Professional Riding Instructor Level III. Christoph is also a director of Judges and Instructors courses in Germany and abroad and an examiner of judges and trainers at the highest level in Germany. As if all of this isn't enough Christoph is married with three children to keep him busy as well.

The third of the Dressage Judges is David Lee who lives and works in Dublin and he has been involved with Eventing for many years. He is both a judge and technical delegate for National Events and has also judged Internationally at all levels including serving as President of the Ground Jury at several CCI***. David has been Director and Assistant Director at many events both Nationally and Internationally as well as being President of the Ground Jury at the North American Young Rider Championships in Chicago, USA and he also serves on many committees of Eventing in Ireland and is involved in the training, promotion and education of horses and riders.

So our Dressage Judges are well qualified for the job at hand this weekend and although there is often much discussion about the judging of dressage the marks this weekend seem to be fairly consistent amongst the three judges which is great to see - it certainly means there will not be the usual "cantankerous comments" about the scores.

Today we saw the final two riders from each of the teams and also individual riders - in total we saw a further 30 competitors come into the dressage arena. The weather has continued to be overcast and threatening but hopefully the suspected downpour will not eventuate till Monday when all the festivities are over.

We heard that the showjumpers have moved into the area this afternoon in preparation for the showjumping Grand prix tomorrow which should be a fantastic event - we will bring you the full round up of the showjumping classes including the photos.

The Dressage as we told you yesterday doesn't generally get a huge number of spectators but the air became electric around 2pm as the last of the riders were preparing for their test and there is no doubt in my mind that most were there waiting to see what Bettina Hoy of Germany was going to produce in her test. Riding earlier in the day Nicolas Touzzaint of France produced an exceptional test with Galan de Sauvagere gaining a sensational 29.80 for his effort and the word around the pocket was that "if anyone could knock him out of top spot it was Bettina"!

So by the time Bettina was in the warmup arena with triple Olympic Gold medallist husband, Australian Andrew Hoy the pocket was jam packed and seats were becoming a premium. Bettina did a lovely test but lost a few marks for her walk and her final score was still excellent and saw her in 2nd spot at the completion of the dressage with a score of 32 even.

In an interview after her test Bettina said she was in fact not unhappy with her position coming into Cross Country day as it took "a little of the pressure off"!

As an Australian, I like my fellow countryman, like to take a little bit of ownership of Bettina now that she is married to Andrew (one of Australia's favourite sons) and our fingers, toes and nasal hairs will be crossed for her tomorrow as she heads off on her Cross Country Phase - and we applaud her courage as she rides with a badly injured knee which she acquired in a recent fall. As I understand it she simply refused to have treatment for this injury until after this event is completed.