HORSE DEALS COVERAGE 2008 Beijing Olympics, Hong Kong

Italian Team member, Susanna Bordone produced a good dressage test with the ex Stuart Tinney ride, 'Ava'. The mare by Aachen was bred at Belcam Stud in Queensland.

German World Championship Team member, Ingrid Klimke produced a super test with her attractive Hanoverian gelding, 'Abraxxas' by HeraldikXX.. They scored 33.50 to head to the cross-country phase tomorrow in third place, with the German Team in second place after the dressage phase.

Experienced USA Team member, Karen O'Connor was delighted with the performance of the Irish Sport Horse, 'Mandiba' by Master. They produced a 41.90 test to be in 16th place going into the cross country phase tomorrow. The USA Team are in provisional third place.

Sonja Johnson produced a really solid and accurate test from her wonderful Australian Stock Horse,' Ringwould Jaguar'. With quite a few horses behaving badly in the rather spooky, atmospheric arena, 'Jag' was his composed self. They earned 45.20 penalties to be in 23rd place going to the cross-country tomorrow.

Another "spot the Aussie shot". Looking very serious indeed, the Australian heirachy watch Sonja and 'Jag' in the ring.

Alena Tseliapushkina and the Trakehner gelding 'Passat' represent Belarus as individuals.

The unmistakable orange collar of the Dutch. Tim Lips with his Dutch bred gelding, 'Oncarlos' by Faram. The earned 52.60 for 41st place after the dressage phase.

Swiss Individual, Tiziana Realini with her impressive Swiss Warmblood gelding,, 'Gamour' by Gervantus 2. They produced a 48.90 to be in 28th place after the dressage phase.

New Zealand Team member, Caroline Powell and 'Lenamore', an Irish Sport Horse by Sea Crest, complete with Silver Fern quarter mark, produced a good test for 48 and 26th place.

Canadian Team member, Mike Winter with yet another Irish Sport Horse, 'King Pin' by Furisto. They produced a 48.90 for provisional 28th place.

Former Australian Gold Medalist and now American citizen, Phillip Dutton with the lovely Irish Sport Horse and Kentucky 2008 winner,, 'Connaught' by Bally Simon. They earned 40.60 to be in provisional 14th place.

Last to go to for Australia, popular combination, Shane Rose and 'All Luck' look to be putting their best foot forward. Sadly 'Lucky' demonstrated considerable resistance in the trot work, which stymied their chances of an anticipated good dressage score. They received 53.30 to be in 46th place after the dressage phase. It was a disappointing end to what had been a great dressage opening for the Australian Team which is in the lead on 102, eight penalties ahead of Germany and 13 ahead of the United States. Great Britain is "poised to strike" in fourth place on 121, followed by Italy, 127 and New Zealand, 136.

An Irish sun hat.

Outstanding British Team veteran, Mary King did her utmost to keep their Team hopes alive. Riding the good moving, 'Call Again Cavalier', the third Irish Sport Horse by Cavalier Royale in this competition, Mary produced a good 38.10 for provisional ninth place; the best of the Brits.

Jean Adde and 'Haston D'Elpegere' were the last to go for the unlucky French. Luck was not on Jean;s side either, with some resistance from the Anglo Arabian gelding for a score of 56.90 and 53rd place