The first team and individual qualifier at the FEI World Equestrian Games Bank of America Jumping Championships was full of thrills and spills, and here are some of them! First out Israel's Danielle Goldstein and Lizziemary over the opening fence of the fourteen fence track set by Allan Wade. All photos (c) Jenny Abrahamsson.
Canada's Eric Lamaze and Chacco Kid were very well under way with a great time that would have put them in the top ten had they stayed clear, but when the back rail on the last oxer fell to the ground they had to settle for the 27th place.
Japan's Karen Polle thanking her incredible With Wings after a fantastic round that eventually put them 11th.
Two riders had to leave the ring by foot. Here Israel's Ashlee Bond walking out of the arena after parting ways with Chela LS. Spain's Pilar Lucrecia Cordon suffered the same faith.
This optional fence, placed after the open water, gave the riders the choice between a long or a short way around the track and caused some real head ache with several getting into trouble.
One of them was Brazil's Yuri Mansur who ended up between the two oxers, as did Spain's Eduardo Alvarez Aznar and Belgium's Pieter Devos who also had refusal after misunderstandings while several other riders had to see the back pole fall.
Colombia's Juan Manuel Gallego thanking his Fee Des Sequoias Z with a treat after a clear round.
Sweden's Peder Fredricson and H&M Christian K speeding through the finish line to sit 18th overall.
Belgium's Jos Verlooy almost parted ways with Igor after some problems at the open water, but managed to stay on and finish the course.
The wall was another fence that gave some riders huge problems. Poland's Krzysztof Ludwiczak got two refusals and had to leave the ring.
A happy Laura Kraut leaving the arena with Zeremonie after a clear round for USA that now sit 4th for the teams ahead of the second qualifier.
Italy's Luca Marziani's Tokyo du Soleil was still very fresh after crossing the finish line.
Brazil's Pedro Junqueira Muylaert's Prince Royal Z MFS was another horse that couldn't keep the hoofs on the ground.
Simone Blum and DSP Alice were first to go for Germany and delivered a great clear round.
France's Kevin Staut had the fastest round of the day riding the veteran Reveur de Hurtebise HDC, but after having the back rail on the last oxer down and coming close to losing his balance over the finish line he had to settle for 12th place.
The biggest stars of the first day were without question Switzerland's Steve Guerdat and Bianca!
Then