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Bechtolsheimer: tough Olympic baptism
We had to go for it but I'm probably just lacking that bit of experience.
Laura Bechtolsheimer
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Great Britain missed out on a medal in the team dressage at the Beijing Olympics due to a disappointing performance on Thursday.
They started the second day in silver medal position after Jane Gregory and Emma Hindle rode on Wednesday.
But debutant Laura Bechtolsheimer's score of 65.917 percent aboard Mistral Hojris meant they finished with a team score of 66.805 percent, which was only good enough for sixth.
Germany claimed gold for the second successive Olympics with an overall score of 72.916 percent, while Holland (71.750) took silver and Denmark (68.875) the bronze.
"It was one of those days when you are on the very fine line of absolutely amazing and it just being too much to control," said Bechtolsheimer.
Hands full
"We were borderline of what I could manage, so I had my hands full and lost my bearings.
"He offered me everything tonight but I couldn't quite hold it together.
"We had to go for it but I'm probably just lacking that bit of experience.
"I was very chilled out before I entered the arena but when we got in there he just got too big and extravagant that it was a bit too much.
"Unfortunately he was more on the ball than I was. He (Mistral Hojris) was ready to win gold which was a little bit too much for me."
The top 25 riders go through to the individual dressage grand prix special and both Hindle and Bechtolsheimer qualified after they finished fourth and 24th respectively.
