The Spanish team was one of the traditional dressage powers, with a team silver at the Athens Games. Beatriz Ferrer-Salat, 42, was one of the Spanish team members at Athens, and had an Olympic individual bronze there. She also appeared at Sydney.

Ferrer-Salat, on her horse Faberge, was No. 18 on the latest FEI dressage rankings. She was joined by the 36th ranking Juan Manuel Munoz, on Fuego XII, and the 35th ranking Jordi Domingo, riding Pestige in the team dressage competitions.

The United States team is regarded as a rising power in team dressage, with FEI 194th ranking Debbie McDonald riding 17-year-old Brentina. The 54-year-old rider was on the team dressage bronze squad at the Athens Games and finished 4th individually.

Her teammate Steffen Peters, 44, riding 10-year-old Ravel, won team bronzes at both the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 2006 Aachen World Equestrian Games. He was joined by McDonald and 31-year-old Courtney King, who was riding a 14-year-old horse named Mythilus. Analysts have previously said the U.S. team had a medal chance.

The Danish team was competing in the team dressage event, with deputy chief Jens-erik Majlund saying earlier that they were hoping for a gold medal.

Anne van Olst, 47, riding Clearwater, was No. 49 on the latest FEI dressage rankings. She was a member of the Danish squad that finished 4th in team dressage at the Sydney Olympics. Van Olst was joined by FEI 19th ranking Princess Nathalie Zu Sayn Wittgenstein, riding Digby, and 203th ranking Andreas Helgstrand, riding Don Schufro. Helgstrand had a much better FEI ranking at 16th on a different horse.

The Swedish team had FEI 8th ranking Jan Brink, a 48-year-old rider who led his national team to finish 6th at the Athens Games and 9th at the Sydney Games. He was joined by 41-year-old Tinne Silfven on Solos Carex, FEI dressage ranking No. 17, and Patrik Kittel on Floresco, who was No. 50 on the latest FEI dressage rankings.

Canada has FEI 10th ranking Ashley Holzer on Pop Art, one of the best riders in North America. She also took part in the Athens Games and finished 42 individually. Holzer will be joined by her teammates Leslie Reid on Orion, who ranked 75th on the latest FEI dressage rankings, and FEI 55th ranking Jacquline Brooks on Gran Gesto.

The United Kingdom had a more balanced team, with FEI 12th ranking Laura Bechtolsheimer on Hojris, 20th ranking Emma Hindle on Lancet, and FEI dressage rankings No. 44 Jane Gregory, who will be riding a 16-year-old Lucky Star.

France, Australia and Portugal will also be fielding teams in the team dressage competitions. Brazil was taking part in the team dressage, with 16-year-old rider Luiza Almeida on Samba. Almeida was the youngest rider at the Beijing Olympics. The performance of 27-year-old rider Rogerio Clementino was also drawing attention.

Japan was also having a try, with Hiroshi Hoketsu in the lead. Born on March 28, 1941, and having appeared at the Olympics as a rider as early as 1964, Hoketsu was among the oldest competing at the Beijing Olympics.

Russia also had a team of three led by FEI 21st ranking Alexandra Korelova, who finished 23rd at the individual dressage competitions of the Athens Games.

(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2008)