The American horses were the first to jog, and not one took a bad step in the horse inspection for dressage at the World Equestrian Games on Monday, Aug. 21.  Debbie McDonald led the team with Brentina, and the chestnut mare acted like a true lady as she strutted down the jogway.

She was followed by Leslie Morse with Tip Top, Steffen Peters with Floriano and Guenter Seidel with Aragon.

Nineteen teams and 17 individuals will be competing for medals in dressage in Aachen, Germany. 

Many of the talented dressage horses were quite difficult in the brisk weather.  Some had to be presented numerous times because they were cantering and jumping around instead of jogging.  Alexandra Korelova of Russia lost control of her stallion, Balagur, and was lucky when one of the ground jury managed to catch him.

Top medal contenders Germany and The Netherlands had no difficulties at the jog-up, but the same can’t be said for all of the teams.  Canda withdrew two horses (Jacqueline Brooks with Gran Gesto and Cynthia Ishoy with Proton) before the jog even started, leaving just Ashley Holzer with Gambol and Evi Strasser with Quantum Tyme to ride as individuals.

Kristian van Krusenstierna, was the reserve rider for Sweden, but when Patrick Kittel’s Dall-Mayer came up lame at the last minute he was chosen to replace him.  Unfortunately for van Krusenstierna, he had to present his horse Wilson twice, and the veterinarians were still not convinced.

Van Krusenstierna will try one last time at 7 a.m. on Tuesday morning, the first day of dressage competition.  Other riders who will have to jog again in the morning include Japan’s Calambo, ridden by Hiroshi Hoketsu; Kazakhstan’s Volan, ridden by Sergey Buikevich; Russia’s Wat A Feeling, ridden by Tatiana Miloserdova and Russia’s Zorro, ridden by Inessa Poturaeva.