TOKYO, Japan--Sabine Schut-Kery of Napa, Calif., rode Sanceo, a 15-year-old Hanoverian stallion owned by Alice Womble,to score a personal best of 78.416, giving herself an automatic berth in the individual final and giving the U.S. team a great start towards a medal in the Olympics in Tokyo.
Sabine Schut-Kery on Sanceo (Photo by U.S. Equestrian)Germany has a virtually unbeatable trio and is almost a lock on getting the gold medal, but the silver and gold are up for grabs wit the U.S., Great Britain and the Netherlands among the top contenders,
Schut-Kery was the first U.S. rider to compete Equestrian Park, completing their FEI Grand Prix Test as part of Group C on the first day of competition, that saw, in groups of 10, A, B and C, with D, E and F competing tomorrow.
Schut-Kery and Sanceo automatically qualified for the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle for Individual Medals on Wednesday, July 28, as they secured second place in Group C behind Germany's Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera, who led the day with an 84.379 percent.
SCHUT-KERY finished ahead of the second to compete for the Netherlands, Hans Peter Minderhoud, who scored a 76.817, but Edward Gal on Total U.S., in group B, scored a 78. 649.
Sabine Schut Kery on Sanceo schooling prior to goinginto the ring in the Olympics (Photo by U.S. Equestrian)Fourteen teams are vying to finish in the top eight at the conclusion of tomorrow’s competition in order to qualify for the FEI Grand Prix Special for Team Medals on Tuesday, July 27.
“He's always just so with me. It really feels like a partnership, absolutely. You go in there and he gives you that feeling like ‘I’ve got it,’ and then he also likes going into that venue. He definitely puffed up a little bit,” said Schut-Kery. “The highlights to me, and it always feels amazing, was the piaffe and passage.”
"For me, in June the most important thing was to make it here and get my spot on the team," said Schut-Kery. “Coming here, I think, you know, when you come as a team, you don’t ride for yourself anymore, so for me it was really important that I ride for my teammates and ride for my country, and that means all of you, for Christine, for Debbie, and for friends and fans.”
"This was super, super special," she said. I remember getting him in Germany when he had just been under saddle 10 times. Then when you train a horse, it wasn't as though he was hidden and just taken out for this. He did qualify as a 5-year-old and then a 6-year-old for the Pan American Games.
Sabine Schut Kery on Sanceo 2 salutes (Photo by U.S> Equestrian)This is the pair’s first Olympic Games, though they have competed in a championship environment before as part of the gold-medal winning team at the Pan American Games Toronto 2015.
"To finish the Olympic Games is so special," said Schut-Kery. "I take pride in managing him and keeping him healthy through all these years."
The pair received strong marks from the Ground Jury, as Sanceo excels in his piaffe and passage movements, which were rewarded by the judging panel.
Chef d’Equipe Debbie McDonald was pleased with the test, which provided the team with a positive start with the two remaining pairs to come tomorrow.
This is McDonald’s first Olympic Games as Chef d’Equipe, though she is familiar with the intensity of the Olympic Games having competed as an athlete in 2004 and 2008 and serving as the personal coach for athletes in previous years.
“I could not be happier or prouder of Sabine and Sanceo,” said McDonald. “It was certainly a great way for our team to start this competition and it was truly just a beautiful test from both Sabine and Sanceo.”
The second day FEI Grand Prix competition continues tomorrow with the remaining two American combinations competing at Equestrian Park, with Adrienne Lyle and Salvino competing as part of Group D and scheduled for 6:21 p.m. JST / 5:21 a.m. EDT, and Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper in Group F rounding out the competition with the second to last ride of the day at 9:42 p.m. JST / 8:42 a.m. EDT.
Coverage will be live streamed on NBC Coverage: https://stream.nbcolympics.com/equestrian-dressage-team-individual and on television on NBC Sports Network at some time during the day,, times not available now.
