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American rider produces equestrian record
SYDNEY, Sept 20 (AFP) - An American rider who took a leaf from golfer Tiger Woods' book on Wednesday produced an Olympic equestrian record, scoring a 29 in the dressage to lead the individual three-day event. David O'Connor's performance on stylish black thoroughbred Custom Made surpassed triple gold medallist Andrew Hoy's world best 30.6 for dressage in a team three-day event. Olympic officials said it was the first time a competitor in eventing had scored penalties below 30. "It's a partnership. He felt good in his mind and his body. He's special when he's like that," said O'Conner of Custom Made. "He was beautiful to ride ... it's been coming for six months now he has gotten stronger and better. "But to break 30, I have never done that on any horse in my life, I have never seen it happen." O'Connor said he borrowed his success plan from golfing superstar Woods, hitting the gym before the Olympics. "I think more and more riders are doing the Tiger Woods type thing," he said. "He goes in there and lifts weights and all that type of thing, and this is an athletic deal, so I think it is becoming part of everybody's program. "Actually it has (also) improved my golf swing." Despite having only a sip of champagne to celebrate Australia's gold medal in the team event on Tuesday, Hoy couldn't match O'Connor. But he managed a solid 39.8 on Swizzle In to be well-placed in equal fifth place with Sweden's Sofia Andler. "I think I rode as well as I could in the arena...I am really happy," Hoy said. "I knew it would be exhausting and I had to do the same thing in Atlanta." Germany's Marine Kohncke is in second place on 34 penalty points, Greece's Heidi Antikatzidis is third on 37.40 and New Zealander Mark Todd, who retires from competition after the Games, fourth on 39. Watched by 13,500 spectators, some of the more fancied combinations, such as Britons Karen Dixon and Mary King, defending gold medallist Blyth Tait, as well as European champion Jean-Lou Bigot of France all had disappointing rides. The competition continues on Thrusday with the endurance section.
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