2004 Olympic Games - Eventing

Nicolas Touzaint Wins Eventing Dressage Phase

August 16, 2004

The 2004 European Eventing Champion, Nicolas Touzaint won the eventing dressage phase at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Aboard his grey Selle Francais gelding Galan de Sauvagere, Touzaint scored a super low 29.4 points and beat British Pippa Funnell.

Receiving 9's and 10's for his beautiful dressage ride, Touzaint raised the standard. "I have been training hard and I hoped I could get such a result," Touzaint commented afterwards. "This is the best score I have ever had with Galan. He was feeling like at home today and I am very pleased with the way he performed."

Pippa Funnell, who prepared her horse Primmore's Pride with the Olympics as their only aim, finished in second position with 31.4 points. Primmor's Pride showed a lovely medium and extended trot, but the flying changes needed much more work.

Winner of the first day of dressage, German Bettina Hoy-Overesch, ranked third overall on her white gelding Ringwood Cuckatoo. Her seemingly unbeatable score of 32 points was outscored by two on day two.

First non-European placing high on the leading board was American Kim Severson, and her steady mount Winsome Adante. They pair ranked fourth after a 36.20 point ride.

Severson prepared her dressage test very carefully. "I rode three times today and that is more than I have ever ridden before a Dressage test," Severson said.

Second best scoring American was Darren Chiacchia on the Trakehner stallion Windfall, a horse who was trained and competed by Ingrid Klimke and then sold to the U.S. Chiacchia and Windfall became 15th with 44.60 points. Chiacchia rode in very windy conditions, but this did not seem to affect their performance. "I am very proud of my horse and the reason why the wind did not concern me is because my horse fits his environment. He is a bit of a showman," Chiacchia said.

More was definitely expected from German Ingrid Klimke, who placed eight aboard Sleep Late with 41 points. Klimke won the 2004 German Eventing Champions only a few weeks before the Olympics kicked off and is considered to be a medal hopeful. Riding at her second Olympic Games, Ingrid Klimke is the daughter of Reiner Klimke, who is with six gold medals the  most successful Olympic rider in history.

American John Williams and Carrick finished 23rd with 47.60 points. He couldn't be bothered either by the strong wind that is blowing through the Markopoulou Equestrian Centre. "Before my test I was scared that the public and the wind would affect my performance but this was not the case and we performed well," Williams said. "Conditions here are better than in the USA where it is much more humid."

After the dressage phase, the British eventing team is currently in the lead with 113.20 points, followed by the French team with 113.40 points and the German team with 114.40 points. The American camp is in fourth position with 128.40 points.

Images copyrighted: Dirk Caremans - No Reproduction Allowed

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