‘Riders, let the judges do their job'

Carl Hester reflects on the judging in Tokyo and those behind the medals

- Polly Bryan

THE new format for the dressage event in Tokyo meant that the grand prix test, instead of contributing to the team medals, determined the starting order for the grand prix special and qualification for the individual final. Combined with there being only three riders and no drop score, the competition was “game on” from the get-go.

The excitement of the buildup for the special was palpable, you could feel it in the air. My only problem with it was, had there been a stadium full of spectators, would they have been able to sit there in the heat and humidity for an hour while the intermediate team placings and the starting order for the final group were worked out? A loo-break is fine, but…

The pressure on riders was immense in the special, and it was good for viewers. That is sport. It was amazing to see a couple of top combinations bubbling over past boiling point, which affected Cathrine Dufour and Bohemian.

The US riders, however, rose to the challenge after a shaky grand prix. Shooting star Sabine Schut-Kery gave a classical display of horsemanship appreciated by all.