The shocking news on the morning of day one was that Cornado NRW was injured, and was unable to compete on the German team so with a very short notice Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum had to step in.

Marcus Ehning showed what a sports man and team player he is being present at the course walk - here going through the details with Ludger Beerbaum.

Roger Yves Bost and Michel Robert.

Abdelkebir Ouaddar going through the course with his trainer Marcel Rozier.

The Ukraine team practicing the same pose: Cassio Rivetti, Rene Tebbel and Ferenc Szentirmai.

Peder Fredricson putting all the details on paper - as he always does. It worked as well; the Swedish rider was clear.

Martin Fuchs and Steve Guerdat for Switzerland.

Kara Chad - the Canadian reserve.

The Olympic couple - American reserve rider Laura Kraut and Nick Skelton that is a member of the British team.

Scott Keach and Stevie Macken, are you sure you are talking about the same fence?

'Gribouille du Lys is going to jump this high': Pilar Cordon getting help from Gilbert De Roock and Spanish trainer Eric van der Vleuten.

Always time for a smile from Luciana Diniz.

Harrie Smolders from the Netherlands.

Living legend Rodrigo Pessoa gives us a smile!

Really curious about what kind of music Emanuel Andrade is listening to, considering that his horse is named Hardrock Z.

Father and daughter Ian and Amy Millar.

Lucy Davis and her trainer Marcus Beerbaum. The Beerbaums are well represented at the Olympics - Marcus' brother Ludger and his wife Meredith are both on the German team.

Michael Whitaker (56) and Ben Maher (33): The two youngest members of the British team.

Eric Lamaze taking pictures of the fences.

Don't think that anyone walking the course could believe that this fence would cause so much problems: The 11b that send a lot of riders out of the Games.