Main image: Jayden Brown and WillingaPark Quincy B scored 68.991%, image by Michelle Terlato Photography.
Inside Paris | Presented by International Horse Breeders
Join Roger Fitzhardinge for live updates from the Grand Prix at Versailles.
That’s a wrap for day one!
Day one of the Grand Prix is complete at the Paris Olympics, and it was a hot one with soaring temperatures making it uncomfortable for athletes both horse and human, as well as spectators, officials and volunteers.
There are six combinations with guaranteed tickets to the Freestyle individual medal decider: Patrik Kittel and Touchdown, Becky Moody and Jagerbomb, Daniel Bachmann Andersen and Vayron, Frederic Wandres and Bluetooth OLD, Dinja van Liere and Hermes, and Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Zepter (scores below).
The team rankings to qualify for the Special won’t be known until tomorrow, however Denmark has made a very strong start and are looking as though they will be right up there.
Congratulations to Australia’s own Jayden Brown and 10-year-old Willinga Park Quincy B, who scored 68.991% to give the team a solid start. They had some stunning moments and showed a beautiful frame and attitude throughout the test. More on their test below.
Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Zepter were the highest scoring combination on day one. Image by Michelle Terlato Photography.
Group C
30. Patrik Kittel & Touchdown (Sweden) – 00:20:30 AEST (next day)
As always, a delighted Patrik Kittel with his test. For me, the passage needed more collection and elevation for the bigger marks. The overall impression was obviously good and the positioning and presentation of every movement was clear and precise. He showed adjustability and control, but the feeling was it could be a little rounder and more supple from the wither forwards with the feeling of being more over the back. A great test and super ridden, as always. A deserving percentage. Score: 74.317% (2 – automatic qualification for the Grand Prix Freestyle individual medal decider.)
29. Becky Moody & Jagerbomb (Great Britain) – 00:11:00 AEST (next day)
Originally the reserves, Becky and Jagerbomb were a relatively late addition to the British team following the withdrawal of Charlotte Dujardin. Becky produced right up to her best performances. It was a big ask to take over the reins from Charlotte, but Becky rode a great test under extreme pressure. A very harmonious test that showed balance, coordination and expression. Another good score for the British team! Score: 74.938% (1 – automatic qualification for the Grand Prix Freestyle individual medal decider.)
28. Larissa Pauluis & Flambeau (Belgium) – 00:01:30 AEST
A rider full of excitement and enjoyment for the test and a good score indeed; the Belgian riders are certainly in the mix! They show a super ability to ride the test and the movements. The canter work with this horse lacked a little quality in the basic canter, and there was just a lack of thoroughness and an ability to show honest adjustment that meant the marks were not more forthcoming. Larissa lost her husband in 2020, and rode the test for him with “I promised you I would. I did it!” written on the palms of her gloves. It was an inspiring performance. Score: 72.127% (4)
27. Adrienne Lyle & Helix (United States of America) – 23:52:00 AEST
There is no question that Adrienne is a fantastic dressage rider. The problems encountered with this horse here come from a degree of tension, which is shown through an elevated and short neck, creating an inability to keep him over the back and round. All the movements are very well executed, but too short and too tight in the neck and cramped in the back, which is not supple and up. A creditable performance considering the degree of tension that he gave the rider. For sure, with more competitions, experience, and gaining relaxation in the movements, this horse will gain greater percentages. One to watch, as Adrienne is a real progressive performer. Score: 72.593% (3)
26. Maria Caetano & Hit Plus (Portugal) – 23:42:30 AEST
A very interesting test. The basic realisation of why the marks weren’t coming forward was the lack of riding from the back to the front. There was a lack of engagement and thoroughness towards the contact in an uphill way, and so the marks weren’t so forthcoming. A wonderfully free and elastic horse that just, as yet, lacks the ability to sit and collect with power, yet freedom. Score: 66.630% (8)
25. Andrina Suter & Fibonacci (Switzerland) – 23:33:00 AEST
Back in the day, Switzerland had Christine Stückelberger, with the likes of horse Granat, that put Reiner Klimke and Ahlerich to the test. She also had Gauguin de Lully, and Aquamarine. She was diminutive with an ability to produce expression and excitement within the sport. This test tonight from the Swiss rider was correct but lacked a little confidence and positivity within their ability. It will be interesting to see how the sport in Switzerland goes in the next few years. Score: 65.690% (10)
24. Claudio Castilla Ruiz & Hi-Rico Do Sobral (Spain) – 23:23:30 AEST
This is the travelling reserve for Spain who replaced Jose Daniel Martin Dockx and Malagueno LXXXIII just this afternoon. It is so refreshing the excitement and enjoyment of a Spaniard riding a dressage test. There’s something about the instinct of this breed (Lusitano) to do the work. They always give their all and this combination was no exception to that. The reality is the connection from the back to the front lacked a degree of submission to produce impulsion and power. A great rider and a great horse, just lacking a throughness and feeling of power forwards; think of the comparison to Glamourdale and the like. Score: 69.829% (6)
23. Young Shik Hwang & Delmonte 7 (Republic of Korea) – 23:14:00 AEST
Another country that is absolutely not renowned for dressage performances has produced a super confident test. No real problems throughout the test and this rider shows feel and empathy. It’s so nice to see riders from countries new to the sport producing quality Grand Prix tests. There is no doubt that there is little tail in the sport anymore. With more international competition, in front of international judges, a lot of these combinations will gain more credibility. Score: 70.000% (5)
22. Chris von Martels & Eclips (Canada) – 23:04:30 AEST
There is no doubt Chris rode a harmonious test on a lovely-attituded horse, just lacking the expressive, big, ground-covering paces required to get the big marks at Olympic level. Back in the day, Cindy Neale-Ishoy produced some very good Grand Prix horses for Canada, but of late the Canadians don’t seem to have as many at the top level. Score: 66.863% (7)
21. Alisa Glinka & Abercrombie (Republic of Moldova) – 22:55:00 AEST
Alisa is the first Olympic dressage rider ever for Moldova, another country that’s not renowned for dressage A very elegant, modern-looking dressage horse that appeared a little immature in its physique to carry the weight for the collection. Only ten years old, but shows super ability with elasticity, just at the moment lacking the carrying capacity. A modest score, but they show a great ability for the sport in the future. A horse that I’m sure, with gaining strength, could produce a super Grand Prix test. It’s so nice to see top quality like this coming from these lesser-known dressage countries; it’s inspiring! Score: 66.056% (9)
Group B
20. Daniel Bachmann Andersen & Vayron (Denmark) – 22:25:30 AEST
Nerves of steel he had! Daniel never backed off in any movement throughout that test. The engagement and energy were outstanding. Perhaps the walk tour was a little weak over the loins, but the expression throughout was excellent. Daniel rode for every mark possible, and showed tenacity, as did his horse. An outstanding performance but perhaps it looked little produced without total freedom, mentally and physically. There is no doubt for sure this freedom will develop with experience. A rider that wants for nothing. What a seriously strong start for the Danish team (Daniel was the rider that produced Zepter, who as the highest score in Group A, before Nanna took the reins. What a talent!) Score: 76.910% (1 – automatic qualification for the Grand Prix Freestyle individual medal decider.)
19. Flore de Winne & Flynn FRH (Belgium) – 22:16:00 AEST
A very elastic horse showing looseness and expression, but perhaps the honest throughness to the bridle and an over the back feeling is at times lacking. This was evident in the sequence changes. By the same token, a very honest and beautifully trained horse showing great confidence, harmony and understanding between horse and rider. Score: 73.028% (4)
18. Emma Kanerva & Greek Air (Finland) – 22:06:30 AEST
A seriously talented rider with a horse that appeared through and on the aids throughout the test, making beautiful piaffe on the spot, not travelling. Excellent transitions in and out of piaffe. Trying a little too hard in the canter pirouettes to be on the spot, but for me a seriously impressive and beautiful dressage test. For sure the passage could have covered more ground, but the compression, energy and impulsion were wonderful. I do not understand why the marks were not higher… perhaps with the temperatures rising and the horse sweating, the judges think this could be through tension? I’m not sure why not more marks. Score: 73.680% (3)
17. Marcus Orlob & Jane (United States of America) – 21:57:00 AEST
It’s unfortunate that for viewers there is no explanation as to why a horse has been eliminated. From my perspective there was nothing obvious that would warrant elimination. Perhaps there was a minor spur mark that could have come from when the horse came into the arena and spun around in fright of the crowd at the beginning, where Marcus could have accidentally caught him with his lower leg. We can only speculate. Time will tell and we will eventually find out, but it’s unfortunate in this sport at Olympic level the general public aren’t informed as to the reason. The trot work was very beautiful, and although the canter lacked a little cadence and expression, they were heading towards a good score. What a shame, but if it was blood, then that’s the rules. A shame for America, possibly their best horse. EL UPDATE: Unconfirmed reports there could have been blood on the horse’s off hind, a white sock. Possibly occurred when the horse was spooking at the crowd prior to the test.
It has now been confirmed by the USDF: “Orlob was eliminated during his Grand Prix test after judge at C Susanne Baarup of Denmark spotted blood on the inside of the mare’s right hind fetlock. Orlob speculated afterward that Jane’s reaction to seeing the crowd at Versailles – she backed and spun when she entered the stadium – might have caused her to nick herself. The good news is, according to Orlob, Jane is fine.”
16. Joao Pedro Moreira & Fuerst Kennedy OLD (Portugal) – 21:47:30 AEST
Again, a test that I feel could have earnt more marks. The expression of the forehand and the front legs did lack freedom and forwardness, but really nice in the contact and good harmony. A horse that worked up to his potential, but for some reason the marks seem to have become a little tougher in this second group. Score: 66.910% (8)
15. Abigail Lyle & Giraldo (Ireland) – 21:38:00 AEST
I think the general impression was that the marks were a little on the low side for this one. A truly elegant and beautifully trained horse, especially the uphill canter and changes. Just a little weak in the canter pirouettes. I feel that for some reason the marks have become a little mean! A beautifully elegant horse, fulfilling the feeling of expression and self-carriage. A very interesting horse for the future. Score: 68.441% (6)
14. Katarzyna Milczarek & Guapo (Poland) – 21:28:30 AEST
One of the most striking things is seeing a rider with black gloves! For some reason, it just doesn’t look quite right. Great piaffe and passage, that this breed of horse finds more instinctive compared to the extended paces. A very honest test, but it lacked the feeling of adjustability and cadence in the lengthening of the strides. Score: 66.910% (9)
13. Patricia Ferrando & Honnaisseur SJ (Venezuela) – 21:19:00 AEST
Again, a great performance for a country not renowned for dressage. Percentages ranging from 64% to 68% from the seven judges. This horse just lacks the elasticity within the paces and the suppleness through the body. A nicely ridden test all the same, and a credit to the rider. Score: 67.143% (7)
12. Frederic Wandres & Bluetooth OLD (Germany) – 21:09:30 AEST
A very beautifully ridden test. Very beautiful in the contact and with the hind leg well under the body. Freddie was very pleased with the test, and despite no mistakes, for me it was a better test than at CHIO Aachen last start but fewer marks. Very consistent throughout, with the rider’s aids hardly apparent. I felt more marks could have been applied and the feeling is that if he continues in this way, his marks will improve as this competition goes on. A consistent test and full of energy and balance. Most enjoyable to watch. Score: 76.118% (2 – automatic qualification for the Grand Prix Freestyle individual medal decider.)
11. Juliette Ramel & Buriel K.H. (Sweden) – 21:00:00 AEST
As aways, Juliette is a seriously elegant rider with her horse so uphill, especially in the canter work. A shame about the mistakes in the changes, and it appears that with the heat it is becoming a little more difficult to get these horses at their peak in the arena. Reports are it is getting very hot there in Versailles. A really pleasing test for Juliette, but again little mistakes cruelling the chances of a top percentage. Score: 71.553% (5)
Group A
Carl Hester and Fame. Image by Michelle Terlato Photography.
10. Carl Hester & Fame (Great Britain) – 20:25:30 AEST
A horse that could perhaps show a better feeling of being over the back and show a softer topline. As the test went on, Fame became more engaged and sitting. As always, Carl, the absolute master of generosity and harmony, produced a mistake-free test. He certainly prepared this horse, that can be hot, into a wonderful attitude to accept the Olympic excitement. A very well-deserved percentage with a feeling that there are more marks at the ready as this competition continues. To produce a test of such quality when the British team has had such a tumultuous build up to the Games, shows Carl’s total adoration of his horse and sport. A good start for Great Britain. Score: 77.345% (3)
9. Corentin Pottier & Gotilas du Feuillard (France) – 20:16:00 AEST
A son of Totilas with plenty of expression. There were mistakes in the changes, but then good pirouettes. They ended on a good score; being in front of a home crowd always helps with the overall impression! Score: 70.683% (4)
8. Justina Vanagaite & Nabab (Lithuania) – 20:06:30 AEST
What a wonderful horse and a rider that is excited by her performance at an Olympic level. A beautiful and honest horse, that perhaps lacked a little bit of connection into the contact. A real crowd pleaser and from a country that’s not renowned for dressage, a great performance. A horse with a generous attitude and a lot of talent. Justina is some character! Score: 69.208% (6)
7. Caroline Chew & Zatchmo (Singapore) – 19:57:00 AEST
A horse that did not accept the environment well and unfortunately gave Caroline a difficult start to the test. A very expressive horse but a little overawed by the environment in Paris. To start on 14%, regain your composure and the horse’s confidence, and finish on the score she did is a real positive for anyone in this sport! Score: 63.351% (10)
6. Jayden Brown & Quincy B (Australia) – 19:47:30 AEST
A beautiful frame and attitude to the bridle throughout the entire test, with good pirouettes that could have had a few more marks! Some little mistakes along the way meant the confidence for the judges to give marks perhaps waned. A mistake at the end of the extended canter where Quincy did some one-tempis instead of a single change didn’t help, as that flying change is worth ten marks. There was also a mistake later in the one-tempis. For one of the younger horses in the competition, Quincy showed a very good attitude and confidence towards the test. His lack of serious experience at just 10 years old showed in this environment. As a young Grand Prix horse, he lacks a little balance in the piaffe and passage, but that will come and it will be interesting to see him in another 12 months time for the icing on the cake! Well done Jayden! Bring on Aachen 2026. Score: 68.991% (7)
5. Joao Victor Marcari Oliva & Feel Good VO (Brazil) – 19:38:00 AEST
A very interesting and different style to what we have seen so far. A very elegant rider, but a lack of engagement and throughness cruelled some marks and especially in the pirouettes, and the passage a little modest. The canter lacked a little quality, but a good percentage for that test. Score: 70.093% (5)
4. Naima Moreira Laliberte & Statesman (Canada) – 19:28:30 AEST
A sugar cube for Statesman just before entering the arena was a heartwarming touch that the crowd certainly appreciated and a big smile from Naima; what a positive start! A very elegant black horse with great experience, just lacking the continuity in the definition of the paces. The collection could have shown more activity and quality, but an overall charming performance! Naima looks thrilled and a big smile again to finish. Score: 68.711% (8)
3. Dinja van Liere & Hermes (Netherlands) – 19:19:00 AEST
A beautifully prepared Grand Prix test. Perhaps the passage could have been more ground-covering, and there were a couple of little mistakes in a flying change and a transition to trot. At this level, that was enough to put her marks down a little. All the same, a beautiful horse and a beautiful, very correct test. Score: 77.764% (2 – automatic qualification for the Grand Prix Freestyle individual medal decider.)
2. Nanna Skodborg Merrald & Zepter (Denmark) – 19:09:30 AEST
A genuine, honest test throughout, showing all the elements expected in Grand Prix, but to get to 80% a little more energy is needed in all the movements. A clean, mistake-free test and also very nice in the contact, which the judges will be looking for throughout this competition. And always beautifully ridden by Nanna. A fabulous performance and a great start for team Denmark. Score: 78.028% (1 – automatic qualification for the Grand Prix Freestyle individual medal decider.)
1. Stefan Lehfellner & Roberto Carlos MT (Austria) – 19:00:00 AEST
A beautifully elegant horse showing elegant and elastic paces, but the reason the marks were lean was because there was a lot of mouth opening and tension to the contact, despite the fact it was a very light contact. Considering how tense Robert Carlos was when first entering the arena, running backwards and spooking, it was a top effort from Stefan to get him back on the job, into the arena and through the test. Being the first horse in, it’s never easy, but how amazing does the venue look! Score: 68.183% (9)
Ground Jury
C: Susanne Baarup (Denmark)
K: Mariette Sanders (Netherlands)
E: Raphael Saleh (France)
H: Michael Osinski (United States of America)
M: Magnus Ringmark (Sweden)
B: Henning Lehrmann (Germany)
F: Isobel Wessels (Great Britain)
Grand Prix – Day One predictions
The Grand Prix is the qualifier for the team medal decider (Grand Prix Special, top ten teams) and the individual medal decider (Freestyle, top two combinations from each Group plus the next six best scores for a field of 18).
Tonight, we see the first 30 horses in action across three Groups. Who do we think will gain direct qualifications to the Freestyle by placing in the top two in their Group, and what scores might we see?
Group A
Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Zepter – 77.8%
Carl Hester and Fame – 77.0%
Group B
Frederic Wandres and Bluetooth – 77.6%
Daniel Bachmann Andersen and Vayron – 74.5%
Group C
Patrik Kittel and Touchdown – 75.7%
Becky Moody and Jagerbomb – 74.2%
These six horses are usually very consistent and clean without mistakes; of course, mistakes can happen to anyone and that couldn’t drastically affect marks. Bluetooth did make some mistakes at CHIO Aachen recently, so it can happen. Zepter is honest, beautifully balanced, and cleverly ridden in even movement by Nanna. Patrik always comes to light in the big competitions, and he will be not holding back. Fame shows some extravagant movement, but sometimes this extravagance shows some degree of excitability that can be viewed as tension. One of the up-and-coming to be watched, who has always shown good talent and tenacity and has nerves of steel at big competitions, is Daniel Bachmann Andersen. We will see what transpires!
And of course, there is Jayden!
Jayden Brown is a cool competitor. Quincy can be a little spooky, and if the arena and that atmosphere is a little overwhelming him, minor mistakes may creep in. Having not really seen him in this atmosphere, it could also work to his favour, where he will look to Jayden for security and could well produce a very beautiful test. I think this horse’s frame and contact, as it has been in the last few tests, is up with the best. His canter pirouettes are a must-watch and capable of very big marks! Once has to congratulation Terry Snow in having the belief to support this journey all the way through to this moment. This would be one of the few horses trained from the very beginning through to the Games by their rider: a gold medal performance in its own right. Go Jayden!
