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BRITAIN’s Laura Collett leads the dressage after day one at the Longines FEI Eventing European Championships in Luhmühlen, Germany, today (Thursday).
Collett and London 52, who are riding as individuals at his championship, took the lead on a score of 25.50, followed closely by Germany’s Kai Rüder with Colani Sunrise (25.80) and Frenchman Thibaut Valette (25.80).
Twenty-nine-year-old Collett was delighted after her test. Speaking afterwards, she said: “He’s still a bit green and shy. He saw the grandstand and was a little overwhelmed. But he knows all the moves and trusts me so much - if I keep riding and hold his hand, he’s alright.
“I’m obviously delighted with his score and it’s exciting for the future, very pleased he’s never been in a situation like this, he listened to me and kept his cool.”
Ciaran Glynn was first out for Ireland today and he scored 35.50 with Susanna Francke and Peter Cole’s 13-year-old ISH mare November Night. He is currently best of the Irish in 18th place.
On his senior championship debut, 25-year-old individual rider Tony Kennedy is just one place behind in 19th with the 14-year-old Rantis Diamon-sired gelding Westeria Lane, owned by Con Kennedy.
Sarah Ennis is debuting Breda Kennedy’s 10-year-old gelding Horseware Woodcourt Garrison at this level and they scored 36.00 for 21st place overnight.
Those two team scores leave Ireland sitting midway on the leader board at this stage in 6th of the 12 teams on a score of 71.5, just behind defending champions and favourites Britain in fifth on 65.2.
Pippa Funnell, who won the European title at Luhmuhlen 20 years ago, was a late call up to the team on Monday and she was first out for the British on Majas Hope. She lies currently in 17th position on 35.4.
Second to go, Piggy French and Quarrycrest Echo, members of the winning team at the FEI World Equestrian Games last year, are in seventh place on 29.8. “This is no dressage competition,” pointed out French.
“I’ve walked the cross-country course once and my first impression is that it’s a proper championship course. You have to think really hard about which lines you choose. It’s a quick track with decent waters.”
Belgium lead the way in the team standings on 57.6, ahead of Germany (60.4) and France in third (64.2), but there is a long way to go.
Competition is expected to hot up tomorrow when all eyes will be on the defending champion Ingrid Klimke and her brilliant horse SAP Hale Bob OLD, plus her team mate and three-time champion Michael Jung with his exciting new ride fischerChipmunk FRH.
Cathal Daniels is first out for the Irish aboard Mags and Frank Kinella’s Rioghan Rua at 10.52 Irish time, followed by Sam Watson and Vahe Bogossian’s Tullabeg Flamenco at 14.30.
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