With Roberto Carlos

Successful start to the Olympics for Stefan Lehfellner

Stefan Lehfellner with his horse Roberto Carlos

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

Stefan Lehfellner opened the Olympic dressage competitions in Versailles with his horse Roberto Carlos, but as expected he finished at the back of the field! With starting number 1 in the Grand Prix, the Upper Austrian only came 21st in the intermediate ranking after the first 30 of 60 participants with 68.183 points and therefore has no chance of reaching the final. Florian Bacher with Fidertraum and Victoria Max-Theurer with Abegglen will be competing on Wednesday.

Lehfellner made his first Olympic appearance as a substitute rider for Christian Schumach, whose horse Te Quiero was not fit. The 41-year-old came second last in his group of ten, but that was no reason for him to mope. "It wasn't realistic for me to qualify as an individual in this group with the expected number of scores required to get into the freestyle anyway," he said.

"Basically, I'm super happy!"
His goal was "to ride a round with few faults so that the team has a solid chance of qualifying for the special tomorrow. Thank goodness I managed that. Basically, I'm super happy," explained Lehfellner. There were a few small things that Roberto Carlos could have done better, "but essentially, if we look at the whole year, he delivered his best Grand Prix today".

Out of 15 teams, the best ten will go through to the final (Grand Prix Special) on Saturday. "Hopefully we'll manage that - I'm in good spirits," said Lehfellner, who is keeping his fingers crossed for Bacher and Max-Theurer on Wednesday. The Austrian team is currently in 13th place. 18 of the 60 participants will advance in the individual rankings, with the competition for the individual medals taking place on Sunday.

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

"Thank God I have techniques to calm him down!"
The fact that he was allowed to compete in the opening event in the equestrian arena "was just cool. Opening the Olympic Games is a special thing - as you saw with Roberto Carlos at the beginning, he also felt it was very special," said Lehfeller, referring to a moment of shock when he was riding in, when his horse was apparently confused by all the people. "Thank goodness I have my techniques to calm him down - and as you saw in the arena, he delivered," he said.