Dressage is the key to superior riding. As Irish judge Mary Cannon says "it is about the harmony between horse and rider." Dressage also appears to be the favourite discipline of many of the riders competing in the Equestrian events at Kill. Day three of the competition in the Kathleen Flannelly Memorial arena saw some impressive riding.
While the Equitation classes finished in the morning, the afternoon marked the beginning of the dressage events. Twenty-four A level riders brought their horses through the dressage tests. The judges were watching each rider's ability to control their respective horse, to bring it through its paces.
Also assessed was impulsion, the horse's willingness to move forward. Of particular interest to the judges is the horse's acceptance of the rider's instruction. And of course attention is directed at the rider's position and seat. Mary Cannon and her fellow Irish judge Clare Fitzsimons agree the standard is high.
The first dressage gold went to Tera Alessia Gaona of Belgium, with silver and bronze going to Kerry Boise and Jessica Luna, both of Team USA. They set the standard for what was to follow.
Francesca Prada of Italy entered the arena. A small, petite figure, she is a graceful, calm rider and was brilliantly paired with Chuckie, an alert pony who was utterly engaged with the task ahead. Both produced a collected, efficient performance. Prada's coach, Roberto Lambruschi, appeared far more nervous. Afterwards he agreed she rode well, "but she can do better. She is a good rider."
A pretty girl from a village outside Milan, she is 19 and has been riding for six years. Our interview is four way with interpreter April Hansen providing the missing links. "Francesca loves horses, but she also loves to compete," says Roberto. She has four lessons a week and rides most days. She has her own horse, but uses other horses for technical work such as this."
About 20 minutes later, the results are announced, she has won a gold medal to add to her silver in the Equitation. Roberto is ecstatic, Francesca remains calm.
Far less calm was Michelle Hardy from Southern California. Her daughter Stephanie (31) had already won a gold medal in the trail riding and judging by her performance in the dressage ring was on target for another.
"Stephanie has been riding since 1987. She has had her own horse for the past four years but the lead up to the games has been hard for her."
Her grandfather died in April and she has been very upset. "She misses him so much." Stephanie went on to score the highest marks of the days, 332 points.
Sitting in the sun outside watching horses being exercised is British rider, 16-year-old Jennifer Moug, from Perth in Scotland, who has won two gold medals. She began riding at 9 and has one wish. "I'd like my own horse."
Meanwhile away from the excitement at the arena are the grooms busily caring for and exercising the horses between events.
Also unsung are the volunteers looking after the tack sheds. Colette Croke, her daughter Elaine and Anna Craig are on duty. Groom Claire De Feu arrives looking for Black Jack Boy's tack. He's an imposing, black 10-year-old heavy hunter, about 16.2 hands and has already won gold and bronze with his Russian rider Sergey Yuzva.
Checking the results board is Ireland's John Deevy. It looks like he has won division six ahead of his team mate Kevin Connor. Deevy is congratulated by a woman standing beside him. He's happy enough, shrugs and asks, "What's on next?"