Equestrian

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Italian rider Emiliano Portale has been eliminated from the Olympics after his horse was found to be bleeding from the mouth following the eventing dressage qualifiers.

A statement from the FEI read: “The horse, Future, ridden by athlete Emiliano Portale of Italy, was eliminated during the Eventing Dressage test after blood was found in the horse’s mouth during the post-competition check.

"Elimination under this rule does not imply there was any intention to hurt or harm the horse, but the FEI discipline rules have been put in place to ensure that horse welfare is protected at all times.”

It comes at a time when equestrian events at the Olympics are under intense scrutiny due to a number of controversies concerning animal welfare.

Brazilian rider Carlos Parro was given a warning by the FEI after animal charity Peta complained he was creating unnecessary discomfort to his horse Safira.

The horse had a hyperflexion of his neck and sometimes in that situation oxygen can be restricted.

Before the Games, former Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin was forced to withdraw from Paris 2024 after a video emerged of her mistreating a horse.

Harry Poole
BBC Sport journalist in Paris

Image source, Getty Images

Laura Collett set an Olympic record on London 52 to help Great Britain top the standings after the dressage phase of the eventing competition.

Collett and London 52, who the 34-year-old has described as "the horse of a lifetime”, smashed the record for lowest dressage score with 17.5 penalties in a superb performance to move into gold medal position.

The record had been held by American David O'Connor, who scored 19.3 at Sydney 2000.

British team-mates Ros Canter and Tom McEwan placed sixth and 11th respectively to leave Team GB top of the team competition with a combined 66.70 penalties, which is also an Olympic record.

Germany ended the opening day second, with 74.10 penalties, ahead of New Zealand on 83.00.

Canter, on Lordships Graffalo, received 23.40 penalties while McEwan topped the early leaderboard with 25.80 penalties.

Cross-country, the second of the three disciplines in eventing, takes place on Saturday at Versailles, where the equestrian competition is taking place against the spectacular backdrop of the palace.

Collett, who nearly died in a fall in 2013, helped the British team win its first eventing team gold in 49 years at Tokyo 2020 alongside McEwen and Oliver Townend - doing so on London 52.