Merveldt plays down prospect of medal

“I would have to put wings on him,” said dressage rider Anna Merveldt yesterday of her horse Coryolano, as she mulled the flight of fancy that would be winning a medal.

Merveldt and her gelding begin their Olympic quest today at 1.25pm and, despite setting an Irish record score last November, she was taking a pragmatic approach and refusing to be drawn on what she considers the unattainable.

“I, realistically, do not think I am in with a chance of a medal. Absolutely not. I would have to put wings on him,” said the relaxed Canadian-born woman, who was raised in Naas, Co Kildare, spent 25 years in Germany, but now calls Milan, Italy, her home.

Twenty-five of the 50 competitors will start today’s grand prix, with the second tranche tomorrow and Merveldt is hoping her form will ensure she can make next Tuesday’s semi-final grand prix special of 32 riders.

The top 18 riders, and those tied for 18th place, will then qualify for Thursday’s freestyle final to music and, for Merveldt, she would be more than satisfied if, at least, she could replicate the 11th she achieved in her last Olympics, 20 years ago in Barcelona.

“My Irish record of 75.25% came in Vienna and, in Aachen, we got one of our best scores from one judge against stiff competition and the standard would have been very high. Obviously, we’ll do our best this week and the personal best was not a surprise, the horse was going very well and we deserved it. If we can repeat that, I feel we would get into the grand prix special,” said Merveldt.

She said her preparations had been “all good”.

“I’ve had Coryolano since 2005 and we know each other inside out,” said the 49-year-old.

Meanwhile, Billy Twomey’s Tinka’s Serenade and Cian O’Connor’s Blue Loyd will be among the horses presented for the first horse inspection at 5pm today.