Bigwood '˜over the moon' after opening day Olympic success

Horsham's Fiona Bigwood was '˜over the moon' as her solid showing helped the dressage team close day one in a bronze medal position at the Rio Olympics.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Aug 2016, 10:38 BST
Updated 11th Aug 2016, 11:40 BST

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Fiona Bigwood and Atterupgaards Orthilia. Photo: Rui Godinho SUS-150708-104300001Fiona Bigwood and Atterupgaards Orthilia. Photo: Rui Godinho SUS-150708-104300001
Fiona Bigwood and Atterupgaards Orthilia. Photo: Rui Godinho SUS-150708-104300001

Bigwood and Spencer Wilton were the first two to compete over the three-day event as Team GB began the defence of their dressage team title.

Debutant Bigwood recorded a score of 77.157 per cent on Orthilia, while Wilton scored 72.686 per cent on Super Nova II.

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London 2012 gold medallists Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester will enter the fray on Thursday.

Bigwood said: “I am so over the moon. Going over that last centre line, they (Carl Hester and her husband Anders) all said afterwards that they were saying on the last extended trot ‘I bet she goes for it now’.

“And when I came around that corner I thought I’ve got nothing to lose and I just went for it. I love that horse, I was very emotional afterwards and had to go and give her a big hug because of how good she was.

“Carl [Hester] is just amazing, he’s been helping us all out out here and we’ve had really good preparation these last few days in particular, we knew we couldn’t have prepared any better for it, but it’s still going in there with seven judges and you don’t know how they’ll react in there, so I’m just so pleased.

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“My husband was competing this morning (Anders Dahl who rides for Denmark) so I’m glad that got out of the way because it’s difficult with nerves.”

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