Olympic Happy Hour: July 29

Throughout the Olympics, Horse Nation will be capping off each day with a pint-sized synopsis of the most recent Olympic equestrian sporting festivities. Here’s your Happy Hour report for Sunday, July 29.

There’s something so satisfying about a sporting shakeup, and that’s exactly what happened during day 2 of eventing dressage. If someone had told me last week that a Japanese rider would be leading after dressage, I would’ve responded with a skeptical “no way.” But, indeed, Japan’s Yoshiaki Oiwa is sitting pretty at the top of the scoreboard at the end of the day, trailed by Italy’s Stefano Brecciaroli in 2nd and New Zealand’s Mark Todd in 3rd. U.S. riders Phillip Dutton and Will Coleman both rode solid tests to secure 19th and 26th places respectively, making them our top two placed American riders. [Olympic Individual Dressage Results]

As for team competition, Germany, Australia and Great Britain retained their strongholds on the top three positions. The U.S. sits in 7th, with Canada in 11th. [Olympic Team Dressage Results]

Make no mistake, folks: This isn’t a dressage competition. By all accounts, the cross-country course isn’t huge, but it is technical, and the winding, hilly track should make time a serious factor. The action gets fired up at 7:30 ET Monday morning. [Full List of Start Times for XC] Consult our Equestrian Guide to the Olympics for viewing info, schedules and more.

"Yoshi" Yoshiaki Oiwa is your overnight Olympic dressage leader. Photo: EN

Go Olympic Eventing!