Our colleague and British based photographer Risto Aaltonen was sitting in the stands on the long side during the Grand Prix at the 2012 Olympic Games at Greenwich Park. We made a quick selection of a few of his photos to share. Australian freelancer Sarah Warne caught up with Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz, Jose Daniel Martin Dockx and Lyndal Oatley.
Top of the Spaniards, Juan Manuel Muñoz Diaz, claimed 10th place in London today with a score of 75.608 %, and is pleased with his performance.
"I am very happy to help get my team off to such a great start with my PRE stallion Fuego!" With the first one out of the way, Juan is "very satisfied with his work", but knows that there is still more left in Fuego!
"My horse reacted fantastically to the atmosphere in London. And the test was generally very good. I expected some more points, as it was smooth and clean, but I was very satisfied. In this sport everything can always be improved!"
And the thing that will stay with Juan from his first ride in London. "I will always remember that I did a good test, and the feeling of being number 10."
The leading Aussie rider Lyndal Oatley, was also delighted with her 69.377, and says this is just the beginning.
"I was very happy with my little man. This was only his 7th ever Grand Prix and whilst I can not yet ride everything to 100% of his ability yet, I was happy he went through the test with confidence and focus. This is the highest team average Australia has ever achieved at an Olympics, and this with two young horses, and me as an Olympic debutant, I think is a great achievement!"
What was the best part about your test? With the canter being far more solid than in previous Grand Prix tests, Lyndal says Sandro Boy is growing more confident all the time, and hopes to soon crack the 70%!
"Sandro is the baby of the group in many respects so to have him feel so with me was great. I would have of course loved to have cracked over 70 and made the Special but this was not meant to be, but in good company with so many good combinations on similar scores, you have to be happy with that."
With many things still to be improved on, Lyndal has a few major focus points, but knows at least she is on the right track.
"Many things are still to come. I am riding only to encourage confidence right now.. I can have the frame more consistent, more engaged in the piaffe and passage - everything that comes with time, more strength and experience. I had the last centre line a little more hectic, but this was a good thing as I wanted him to push until the centre line and he learnt this here at the Olympics...so proud of this!"
In 16th position after day one of the Grand Prix dressage, Jose Manuel Martin Dockx and his PRE stallion Grandioso, ended their test with a tidy score of 69.043, and Martin is "super happy! For me it's amazing to be here at the Olympics. I'm super pleased to be the first rider, to complete a clean test, and to have a good score!"
Spanish team opener, Martin himself was surprised by Grandioso's performance, but knows, of course, that there is room for him to achieve an even greater result.
"I think today the piaffe and passage were very good, and all the canter movements. But I do think I need to improve my half passes in trot. It is the most difficult thing for me at the moment. The horse can do it very nicely, but I still cannot always achieve this in the test yet."
With his Olympic debut Martin will of course never forget his London centreline and given his horses character he is sure there will be many more big ones to come.
"I will remember everything from today, but what impressed me most was riding in the full arena, with so many people watching on. And my horse reacted very well to the huge atmosphere. He has a super attitude, and he never felt even the slightest bit scared or tense. For me it was easy to ride."
With day one out of the way, Martin can now take off his riding helmet, and just enjoy being part of London.
"I feel very happy, and now very relaxed. I am just hoping the rest of the team does super job!"
Photos © Risto Aaltonen
Text by Sarah Warne
Related Link
Eurodressage On the Scene at the 2012 Olympic Games