Aachen, August 24th

Hinrich Romeike: "Everyone will give his best"

"Difficult, but fair and rideable" - is how many of the eventers are describing the cross-country course at the FEI World Equestrian Games. After an initial inspection of the course, the German participants are also optimistically looking forward to the cross-country competition on Saturday (starting 10 a.m.). Hinrich Romeike (43), from Nübbel, North Germany, hit the nail on the head with his summary of the German strategy: "Everyone will give his best. Nobody will want to say afterwards, they perhaps could have done better." The course designed by the German course builder, Rüdiger Schwarz, which encompasses over 6,400 m and 31 natural obstacles, presents the riders with clearly recognisable tasks, according to Romeike. The National Coach, Hans Melzer, added: "This is a fair World Championship course and it is also one of the best I have ever seen."

Australia assumes the lead, Dibowski best rider of the day

Andreas Dibowski of the German team achieved the best result of the day in the dressage competition of the eventing. He was awarded 40.9 (minus) points with his 12-year-old Hanoverian mare, FRH Serve Well and is followed by the Australian rider Megan Jones with the 13-year-old gelding, Kriby Parker Irish Jester, (44.1). The rider from New Zealand, Donna Smith, currently ranks third with the 11-year-old thoroughbred gelding, Call Me Clifton (45.4).
After the first day of the eventing dressage, the Australian team assumed the lead (98.6) ahead of Germany (99.6), the USA (101.1), France (108.7), New Zealand (116.1) and Great Britain (116.2). However, this ranking is not that significant, since many of the best eventers are not competing until tomorrow.

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