For most riders, the thrill and examination provided by the cross-country is the main attraction in eventing, and Vittoria Panizzon is not alone in finding that the dressage element lacks the same excitement.

Ireland's Steven Smith, riding Mr. & Mrs. J Allwood’s Quality VH became the first Irish eventing rider to win an international competition in 2007, when he finished on a score of 56.8 penalties in the CIC Three Star class at Barroca D’Alva in Portugal yesterday.