Equestrianism: Hoy and Funnell shatter historic dressage barrier

Bettina Hoy put her name in the record books at the World Equestrian Games yesterday when she achieved a dressage score of just 20.80 penalties on the grey, Woodsides Ashby.

The 30-barrier had never before been broken in a championship and even to those who argue that the new dressage test cannot be compared with those of the past, it was clear that the German rider's score marked a degree of excellence that is without precedent.

For Pippa Funnell, who was next into the arena on Supreme Rock, it was always going to be a hard act to follow. But the British rider also finished in the twenties with a score of 28.60 penalties that was a personal best.

She was delighted to be lying in second place, ahead of Australia's overnight leader Phillip Dutton on House Doctor when the dressage phase was completed, all the more so since Britain held a narrow advantage over the United States, Germany and Australia as the 13 teams prepare to tackle today's cross-country.

Each movement in three-day event dressage is given a mark out of ten by the three judges, who also provide a set of scores at the end of the test that relate to the overall impression conveyed by horse and rider. Judges rarely allow their fingers to stray to the ten button but yesterday Bettina Hoy was awarded no less than eleven perfect scores by Christopher Hess of Germany, Jean Mitchell of Ireland and Cara Whitham of Canada.

"I think my horse's outline was better today and I know I risked more," Hoy said of her grey mount, who combines lovely springy paces with a flowing rhythm. She has been helped by Britain's Christopher Bartle, who trains the German three-day event team. "If you know what you're aiming for, you still need a critical eye on the ground," she added.

Funnell found that the charged atmosphere in the Annexe Stadium after Hoy's ride was a positive help with Supreme Rock. "Rocky gets a lift from it and I feel a bit taller," she said. Now she and Hoy face an entirely different challenge on today's cross-country course, where the first water complex (which is "more a lottery than a test of skill," according to Funnell) is causing much head-scratching.

Hoy will take the slow route there on Woodsides Ashby. Funnell, who would like to take the direct route even though it could involve an element of risk, will remain "open-minded".

WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES (Jerez de la Frontera, Spain): Standings after three-day event dressage: 1 Woodsides Ashby (B Hoy, Ger) 20.80 penalties; 2 Supreme Rock (P Funnell, GB) 28.60; 3 House Doctor (P Dutton, Aus) 33.60; 4= Giltedge (D O'Connor, US), Carrick (J Williams, US), Espoir de la Mare (J Teulière, Fr) 34.20; 7 Nufarm Alibi (K Lambie, NZ) 34.40; 8 Ypaja Karuso (P Pantsu, Fin) 35.00; 9 Moonfleet (A Hoy, Aus) 35.2; 10 All Love du Fenaud (S Harrison, Irl) 35.40; 11 Ava (S Tinney, Aus) 38.00. GB: 13 Tamarillo (W Fox-Pitt) 39.60; 23 Shear H20 (L Law) 42.40; 27 Over to You (J Brakewell) 45.20. Teams: 1 Great Britain 110.60 penalties; 2 United States 111.80; 3 Germany 112.60; 4 Australia 112.80; 5 France 116.20; 6 Ireland 137.60. Individual Dressage after Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special: 1 Farbenfroh (N Capellmann, 153.84pts; 2 Beauvalais (B Ferrer-Salat, Sp) 151.56; 3 Brentina (D McDonald, US) 150.76.