2000 Olympic Games - Sydney, Australia

Day 4: Australia Continues Winning Streak after Cross Country

by Astrid Appels

Sydney, Australia - 18th September: Australia has once again proven to reign surpreme on the cross country course, the second phase of three-day eventing. With three clear rides, Australia kept its penalties very low on 114.20 points. The gap between the leaders and second placed Great Britain widened to 12.8 penalties. New Zealand is now in third place with 151.20 and the Unites States follow on fourth position.

Andrey Hoy, Oi Oi Oi
The slickest ride in the cross country at the 2000 Olympic Games came from the Australian Andrew Hoy, who would actually be in the lead if there was an individual ranking in this team competition. Hoy had to stop half way the course as second starter, the Belgian Constantin van Rijckevorsel had a nasty fall off his Withcote Nellie. Nevertheless did Hoy's lovely white thoroughbred quikcly picked up his tempo and flew over the jumps again. The white seemed to have no difficulties with the heavy jumps. On one combination, Darien's hind leg got a little stuck, but he kept on going. "There were two incidents where Darien helped me out," Hoy said. "On the waterjump, he landed a long way out on the border. We were jumping a double of oxers. I got half way across and Darien basically said, "leave this one to me, I'm helping you out." You have to be sharp all the way round; you have to stay awake. I believe my horse has been more than a fair horse," Hoy said very pleased.

Tinney Roadrunner, Jeepster Wiley E. Coyote.
Stuart Tinney and Jeepster rode an astonishing course as the combination cleared in one of the fastest times in this phase. Tinney seemed determined to get round, as well as his mount Jeepster. Keeping a steady, strong pace Jeepster jumped falwlessly over the 32 obstacles which were described to be extremely horse friendly but demanding in technique. Tinney was extremely happy with his top speed round. "He's a very easy horse to ride. You just have to sit up and don't touch his mouth," Tinney commented. "We are going well, the lead of the team after dressage is amazing. In stadium jumping he can have a rail or two, but if he's jumping like today, he's super." Tinney is a rookie here in Sydney but keeps his head exteremly cool. "I did a lot in Australia and a lot of championships, but this is my first Olympics."

Pippa Funnel Pushes Supreme Rock
Pippa was determined not to repeat the terrible cross country she had at the CCI **** Badminton early this year. Before Funnell's start owner of Supreme Rock, Emma Pitt, said, "the heat here is not affecting him so I'm just crossing my fingers." Pitt, who competed her horse up to intermediate level, was very proud to have seen her boy jump sow easily over one of the best cross country courses ever made. Funnell, who is the only one who won both the European Young Riders and Senior Championships, kept enough pace throughout the course. On the second waterjump, Supreme Rock left his left leg, causing Pippa to lose her balance. Nevertheless did the small British rider push him over the second element with an incredible grin on her face. "I didn't want Badminton being repeated. He was just brilliant, I just had one very hairy moment," she explained afterwards. Her score was 32.40 keeping Britain in a strong second position.

Karen O'Connor shows experience counts!
Last rider to go for the American team was Karen O'Connor on her good-old Prince Panache. Winner of the individual silver in Atlanta, O'Connor gave an even more experienced look at Horsley Park. She hardly had to steer her horse in the first waterjump. The combination was completely in balance, in rhythm, while Prince Panache beautifully arched his back over those huge jumps. At the 1998 World Equestrian Games in Rome, O'Connor had problems on the steeplechase but here in Sydney the pair was untouchable. Her wonderful ride helped improve some of the time penalties team mates David O'Connot and Nina Fout had. With a 2.4 time penalty, David O'Connor was incredibly happy with Giltedge's performance "That's pretty much what I expected (being outside the time). But, he's a horse that won't say no. I had more than the ride I expected."

Image by Dirk Caremans

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