LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC SHOW JUMPING - SAUDI EQUESTRIAN THE SECOND DAY OF COMPETITION
By Rod Kohler for SAUDI EQUESTRIAN
After a superb display of jumping on the second day of competition at London 2012, the Saudi Equestrian team are currently leading the table in the team competition and HRH Prince Abdullah bin Miteb Al Saud is in first place in the individual standings.
The day started well with HRH Prince Abdullah recording his second clear round of the Games on a course which all the riders thought was considerably more challenging than on the first day. Davos was in superb form and although the combination jumped in a heavy rain shower, they went clear to the delight of the Saudi supporters amongst the 23,000 sold-out crowd.
"We were a little unlucky to jump in the rain but I am delighted to have made my team proud," said HRH Prince Abdullah after his clear round.
Second to go was Kamal Bahamdan and Noblesse des Tess, who after a fine display of horsemanship, joined his team mate in going clear but, as in the first round on Saturday, incurred one time penalty. "The course was definitely more difficult than yesterday," said Kamal after his round, "We jumped the water well, but getting Tess back on track was a challenge - I relied on her 100% and she did not let me down."
Ramzy Al Duhami and Bayard van de Villa Theresia then went one better and jumped clear within the 88 second time limit set by course designer Bob Ellis. "Bayard really wanted to jump today and I am so pleased with how she went round the course" he said after his round.
Last up to jump was Abdullah Al Sharbatly on Sultan, and the combination was very unlucky to have one fence down, and incur four faults.
Commenting on the team's overnight lead, Saudi Equestrian team trainer Stanny van Paesschen said, "We are naturally delighted with the way the team jumped today, and it is great to be in the lead, but we still have another day to go, and it is important that we stick to the same routine that we have throughout the Games.
The Olympic Jumping Individual Round 3 and Final Team Round starts at 14:00 UK time on Sunday 5th August.
For further information please contact:
Rod Kohler
Tel: +44 7770 647662
E: rod@revolutionsports.co.uk
For copyright free pictures of the riders competing in Greenwich, the complete results from the first day, and to download a press pack about the Saudi Equestrian team, click on the following links:
http://tinyurl.com/ckc4yhf • http://tinyurl.com/cunop5q • http://tinyurl.com/c6od9rm