JUDY Reynolds' road to Rio brought her down the centre line this morning and one stop closer to tomorrow’s Grand Prix Special.

However the Kildare-born driver very nearly drove the official bus from the Athletes Village to Deodoro in her haste to get started at her first Olympics.

“We were on the first bus at 5.30am waiting for the driver, so I very nearly drove it here!” she said afterwards.

She was visibly pleased with Vancouver K’s test his morning (74.700%) which has qualified the pair for tomorrow’s final qualifier, from which the team medals are decided, as well as the 18 individuals who will start in Monday’s Grand Prix Freestyle on zero scores.

His difficulty had always been his brain from the beginning. But the last year and a half, he’s just got it together and his brain has caught up with his body

“His difficulty had always been his brain from the beginning. But the last year and a half, he’s just got it together and his brain has caught up with his body. Essentially he is the all-round package,” she said in admiration about the Jazz gelding who has already recorded a top-10 place (eighth in the World Cup dressage final at Gothenburg this year.

Watching her at the arena entrance was her husband Patrick Heavey and father Joe, the new chairman of Dressage Ireland.

Judy also spoke about the camaraderie that has struck up amongst competitors in the Athletes Village saying: “There’s great support here amongst the individuals as well, everyone’s come together and rooting for each other”.

Social media supporters have also been rooting for Ireland’s only dressage hopeful, who was also spotted out on the cross-country course on Monday, with a tricolour flag in tow, to support the Irish event team.

The all-rounder also believes her background in the Irish Pony Society was a good foundation for the finer details in dressage.

“I think it was [a good foundation], you learn a lot about ringcraft, how to present a horse nicely and just about turnout.”

Interestingly, she and several other Rio Olympians have also competed at the Horse of The Year Show, Judy with the 148cms showpony mare Roodlebats Sinitta, while the reigning Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin is another ex-HOYS campaigner. And Dujardin and Valegro staked their claim to matching Michael Jung’s London-Rio double when the pair topped today’s qualifier (85.071) ahead of a strong German pack, headed by Kristna Broring-Sprehe.

With German riders filling the next four out of the top seven places, they currently hold the gold medal position ahead of the reigning British team. Next best from the Team GB squad is Fiona Bigwood and Orthilia (eighth) with Carl Hester and a spooky Nip Tuck back in 15th place.

A big horse with the heart of a mouse!

“A big horse with the heart of a mouse!” said Hester afterwards.

“Frustratingly a Pokemon at P! A lot of points lost but lots to like! Tomorrow is another day!!” he wrote later on his Facebook account.

The second Grand Prix takes place tomorrow morning at 10am after the first inspection for show jumping horses, which begins at 7.30am local time (11.30am Irish time) and will be run in alphabetical order by country.

MHS Going Global and Greg Broderick carry Irish hopes on Sunday in the first individual qualifier for show jumpers. Individual dressage current standings: 1, Charlotte Dujardin (GB) Valegro 85.071; 2, Kristna Broring-Sprehe (GER) Desperados FRH 82.257; 3, Dorothee Schneider (GER) Showtime FRH 80.986; 4, Isabell Werth (GER) Weihegold 80.643; 5, Laura Graves (USA) Verdades 78.071; 6, Steffen Peters (USA) Legolas 9277.616; 7, Sonke Rothenberger (GER) Cosmo 77.329; 8, Fiona Bigwood (GB) Orthilia 77.157; 9, Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED) 76.957; 10, Cathrine Dufour (DEN) Cassidy 76.657.

Team standings 1, Germany; 2, Great Britain; 3, USA.

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