On my list of things I find to be riveting I usually would not rank watching dressage among the top, but in the last two days I have really gotten into it. I found myself glued to the monitors that had the live feed playing all day yesterday, watching intently and calculating scores trying to determine what teams were in medal contention.

Over the two days of the team competition, it seemed as though each rider that went down centerline set a new standard of excellence. In any sporting event it is always thrilling to see each competitor or team consistently perform at their best and set the bar higher and higher.
Nearly all the 66 riders that went over the two days performed in this manner.

I have to say one of the biggest thrills of the day was watching Laura Bechtolsheimer’s test on Mistral Hojiris. She left absolutely nothing on the table and rode an immaculate test to score an 82.511% earning second place for herself and a silver medal to Team GBR. This was the first World Equestrian Games medal that British won in the Team Dressage competition.

Not only was Laura’s test fabulous but she is also one of the nicest people you will ever meet. She has been in the International Supporters Pavilion a lot and always has a smile on her face and is genuinely enthusiastic about representing her country.

Her family also hosted all of the British riders, grooms, owners, officials and supporters to an impromptu champagne reception in the ISP to celebrate the team medal.

You also can’t miss Laura’s brothers as they are decked out head-to-toe in Union Jacks.

I was able to sneak out to the main ring a few times to watch some of the tests in person. I was among the masses that flooded to the Main Arena to watch Totilas in person. I’m not sure that many 9s and 10s have been awarded in that ring before. But it was certainly special to watch.

I also watched Steffen and Ravel, who were the last pair of the day. Like everyone else I was on tender hooks anxiously watching the test and the score board to see what percentage he was carrying and whether it would be enough to nudge the Germans out of the bronze medal position. Unfortunately, they weren’t quite able to secure a medal for the home team.

But a score over 78% and an individual third place finish is still a very strong result.

Well, I’m going to turn my attention back to the Special now as Matthias Alexander Rath of Germany looks primed to put in a good test.