Dressage team finish ninth

Competition has drawn to a close for Australia’s four-member dressage team after it placed ninth in the teams event and did not qualify for the Grand Prix Special.  

With team members Mary Hanna and Sue Hearn completing their Grand Prix tests on Wednesday, today it was the turn of cousins Lyndal and Kristy Oatley.

Rio is the third consecutive time the pair have teamed together after both represented Australia at the London 2012 Olympic Games and Normandy 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games.

Lyndal was on first and with her horse Sandro Boy. She achieved a score of 70.186 per cent, placing her 36th in the individual rankings, which was the best of the Aussies.

“I was super happy with him, he was focused on me and concentrated,” said Oatley.

“I was a little disappointed with the two last one tempi’s, but that was my fault. A lot of the stuff was really polished and I gave the test I was hoping for.”

Lyndal is married to her trainer, Swedish dressage team member Patrik Kittel.

“We’ll be debriefing for weeks. I’m looking forward to the conversation.

“I’m very driven and I always want to do the best for the team, Australia, myself and my horse. There are always things to improve.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have so much family and friends around me who are in the teams and supporting the teams.”

Australia’s final rider Kristy Oatley (Du Soleil) was a bit disappointed with her test, which was awarded a score of 68.900 per cent.

“I had too many mistakes in the canter work,” said Kristy.

“In the trot work he was really with me and then he just hit canter and got a little bit too energetic and wanted a little bit too much.

“It’s a positive thing in the end, you just have to learn how to control it.”

The 12-year-old Du Soleil is green at Grand Prix level and Kristy said her horse is still learning.

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