PEQUIM 2008: Lucinda Fredericks provisional leader

Belgium's Karin Donckers threatened the first-session lead established by Australia's Lucinda Fredericks as the second tranche of eventing riders took their turn in the dressage arena at Sha Tin in Hong Kong tonight.

However, despite a brilliant performance from Gazelle de la Brasserie, Donckers had to settle for second place as the Australians took an even firmer grip on the team leaderboard when Megan Jones and Irish Jester charmed the Ground Jury to slot into third.

Germany's Ingrid Kiimke produced a sparkling test with Abraxxas to squeeze into third place as the final session of Olympic dressage took place at Sha Tin this morning, but it is the Australian riders who hold the whip hand going into tomorrow's cross-country phase with a firm hold at the top of both the individual and team leaderboards.

Klimke's fabulous 11 year old gelding really rose to the occasion and attacked his test with enthusiasm. “I was pleased he was so forward” the rider said after her score of 33.50 left her trailing overnight runner-up Karin Donckers from Belgium by just over one point and leader, Lucinda Fredericks, by just over three points. “He can be a very spooky horse but he is always wanting to try for me”.

Today, after the end of Dressage and before they tackle the technical Cross Country, the Eventing horses were transported to Beas River, located some 40 minutes away from the core Olympic equestrian venue at Sha Tin. This was done in a fantastic blitz operation during which the loading, transport and unloading took just over one hour. Attired in their best travel boots to protect them from injuries during transportation, the 68 horses travelled in 11 lorries escorted by 13 support vehicles. The unusual convoy was escorted by the police who ensured a clear road to avoid that these Very Very Important Passengers be held in any way. The horses were unloaded from the lorries within seven minutes after their arrival on site and were immediately installed in temporary climatised stables to spend a comfortable night before Cross Country