Hopes for medals for GB in the FEI World Singles Driving Championships
Saturday, September 23, 2006
After the Dressage and Marathon phases of the event being held at Pratoni del Vivaro, near Rome, the British team lay in 2nd place behind Sweden at the top of the field of 19 countries. In the Individual standings, Paul Sidwell was in Silver, David Matthews in Bronze and Ian Bertram just behind in 4th.
Paul, a farrier who lives in Bray in Berkshire and his 16 year-old hackney, Weirbank John, won the National Championship at Lowther in August, but due to a rather questionable selection procedure (competitors were given points for their placings in 4 specified Trials, one of which was in 2005, with their best 3 results to count and the top 3 drivers going into the team) are only competing as an individual.
Qualification had been Paul's goal for the season (he was non-travelling reserve in 2004) and his hopes were dashed even as his Lowther win was being celebrated, as he had just missed out on his team place. Shortly afterwards, further celebrations were in order as the organisers decided to invite some extra individual competitors - originally there were only to be individuals from countries not able to field teams - though he then needed to do some fund-raising for the journey. In the Dressage he proved to be the most successful of the British, his score of 42.8 giving him 6th place. David was 8th on 45.8, Ian 17th on 48.6 and Di Hayes 36th of the 73 starters, on 56.4.
The leader was Cecilia Qvarnstrom on 33 and though only 25th in the Marathon her 80.14 penalties were good enough for her to maintain 1st place in the standings. The 2nd and 4th placed drivers were eliminated on the Marathon, so Paul's 7th placed drive (73.84), David's 2nd place (72.5) and Ian's 3rd (72.85) moved them up. Di, who finished 6th in the 2004 Championship when the British team was placed 5th, had another disappointing day finishing only 39th on 85.1.
With points extremely close, a nail-biting final phase, the Cones, is assured. All three previous championships having been won by Sweden, their drivers will not want to lose their unblemished record. Their score is 233.98 with GB on 238.95, who won the Marathon phase having overtaken the 2nd after Dressage, Germany on 250.24, Finland, France and Italy are all very close behind so the leaderboard could change dramatically.
