Equestrian’s Olympic hopefuls came to Greenwich Park to test the venue ahead of next year’s London 2012 Olympic Games – and what they got delivered was a testing cross country course. 

Steep hills, through a narrow park, across a short course, proved tough for both the riders and horses, as thousands of spectators lined the heritage park to catch a glimpse of the best in action. 

After day two of the CIC** Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational, Great Britain’s Piggy French and DHI TOPPER W maintain the lead on 34.70 penalty points after registering a zero time penalties.  Sweden’s Sara Algotsson Ostholt and MRS MEDICOTT moved into second place on the ladder after day two on 42.60 with Germany’s Michael Jung and RIVER OF JOY rounding out the top three (41.80). 

Aussie hopefuls Clayton Fredericks and BENDIGO are currently sitting just outside the top three in fourth place on 42.10 penalty points, recording a cross country time of 5:08 minutes.  Sam Griffiths and PAULANK BROCKAGH were the big movers for the Aussies, moving into 15^th place with 57.60 penalty points after recording a time of 5:08 minutes. 

Once again London turned on the weather providing an electric atmosphere throughout the park as spectators wandered to great vantage points to watch equestrian competition at its best with a view and scenery second to none.  

More than 3000 local school students were given the opportunity to attend the event and Fredericks said it certainly added excitement to the day. 

“What a crowd! There were lots of little kids getting excited just about us jumping some fences.  It’s great. 

“My horse (BENDIGO) loves crowds, and kept wanting to stop and chat to people.  So I was saying to him ‘come on, pay attention’”, said Fredericks. 

Even on his medal winning horse BENDIGO, Fredericks admitted the course did have its challenges.  

“It (the course) was a little bit slippery round the bends.  Maybe they could think about banking the corners to protect the horses,” he said. 

Event leader and home-grown hopeful, Piggy Forrest, summed up the feeling of many of the riders and coaches.  

“The terrain is very testing on the horses and riders, both mentally and physically.  The turns and the changes in the ground come up very quick and all the time you need to keep on the ball. 

“But its spectacular the park, riding around in it… but it is going to be quite intense,” said Forrest.

Australia’s Sam Griffiths said today’s course made it clear the type of horse that will be needed come next year’s Olympic Games. 

“The course rode with a lot more twists than what it looks – so I think you’re going to need a horse that is quick on its feet and quite manoeuvrable,” said Griffiths.

“Today, we only had a five minute course with a long hill in the middle so it was always going to be tough to make time. 

“Being involved in the Test Event has been fantastic and really invaluable. You get a real feel for the venue and I think it will change the way I prepare for next year,” said Griffiths. 

While Griffiths has been pleased with PAULANK BROCKAGH’s performance at this competition, his horse he hopes to take to next year’s Games he believes will be up to the challenge.  

“Should we make the team next year, my horse Happy Times would be really suited to this course.  He’s a really nippy, nimble and quick footed horse,” he said.  

There were concerns raised by the riders prior to today’s competition around the tight time allowed, 5.05 minutes, which proved to be warranted today with only six competitors incurring zero time penalties. 

Cross country course designer, Sue Benson, a former international rider of 20 years said she has taken some key lessons out of today’s competition.   

“I’ve already done a bit of research listening to what people have had to say and mostly everything that has come back has been positive.  

“There are a couple of areas, some comments that there are slippery areas - I feel any comments on that side probably can be put right...over the next 12 months,” she said.

Tomorrow is the final day of competition with the Show Jumping phase remaining.  Competition will start 8.30am with the Horse Inspection, with Australia first of the rank.

Equestrian Australia