Dressage Individual and Team Olympic Games Athens 2004

The team gold medal was almost decided before the competition started, especially as Germany's main rivals, Holland, lost the services of Edward Gal and Gestion Lingh shortly before the Games. However, the final scores were much closer, as Spain and the USA edged Holland out of the team medals. Ulla Salzgeber (GER) was odds-on to take the individual gold after the Grand Prix but reigning Olympic Champion Anky van Grunsven (NED), third after the team competition, first clawed back most of the deficit in the Grand Prix Special, then produced a brilliant performance in the Freestyle, to become the first dressage rider to retain the individual title riding two different horses. This time she was partnering the 10 year old, Salinero. "Salinero was truly brilliant today, particularly in the passage and his pirouettes" said the judge at H, Stephan Clarke. All the top tests are shown in full with extensive highlights from the supporting cast.