Crowds Flock to Dressage Competition at CHIO

Lyndal Oatley and Potifar score 64.596% for Australia (photo: Franz Venhaus/EA  story: EA)

For the first time in the event’s history, the Dressage competition sold out on the Thursday of the World Equestrian Festival, CHIO, with spectators lining up in the damp, cold conditions trying to get tickets.

Check out the Equestrian Australia facebook page for images from today's competition © Franz Venhaus.

The stadium was full to the brim for some of the world’s top Dressage competitors, with Australia represented by Lyndal Oatley and POTIFAR and Mary Hanna and SANCETTE.

An electric atmosphere did make competition tough for some competitors, but Oatley said that was all part of the reason for taking part in this event.

“My horse can get nervous when the big crowds start clapping – but that is why it’s important to be here to get experience at these big events,” said Oately.

“Outside of WEG (World Equestrian Games) and the Olympics this is the biggest event to be involved in and it’s great to get the experience.

“Today, I was relatively happy with my performance but there were areas I feel I can work on.  My poor horse doesn’t respond well with the big crowds but overall I was happy,” she said.

Oatley finished in 31^st with 64.596%, just in front of fellow Aussie Mary Hanna who finished 32^nd on 63.894%.

Tomorrow will be a full schedule for the Aussies, with the start of the Eventing competition with the Dressage and Jumping phases.   Boyd Exell will continue his title defence with Obstacle phase of the Driving competition. Edwina Alexander will also continue her Jumping schedule, competing across the various classes with four horses registered in the competition.

Quick Links

• For all the competition highlights, results as well as schedule and line up, visit the official CHIO website.