Story by Wong Hong Yong/Red Sports. Photos by Low Sze Sen/Red Sports

YOG equestrian

Caroline happy with her performance in the individual equestrian event despite the morning heat. (Photo 1 © Low Sze Sen/Red Sports)

Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre, Sunday, August 22, 2010 — Singapore’s Caroline Chew finished her individual Jumping Round A in joint-16th place. She finished in a time of 77.62 seconds, and chalked up eight penalty points in the process.

Nine riders finished the round in joint-first place with no penalty points. They are Guilherme Foroni (Brazil), Marcelo Chirico (Uruguay), Thomas McDermott (Australia), Mohamed Abdalla (Egypt), Timur Patarov (Kazakhstan), Dominique Shone (Canada), Samantha McIntosh (South Africa), Wojciech Dahlke (Poland) and Mario Gamboa (Colombia).

Caroline started off her run rather smoothly as she cleared the first six obstacles with ease. However, just when there was the possibility that she would be able to replicate her flawless showing at the team Jumping event with Team Asia, Gautineau could not clear the seventh when his back hoof hit the obstacle.

It was then all clear for Caroline until obstacle 12, the final hurdle before the finish. A similar situation occurred, and cost her another four-point penalty.

She ended the day in joint-16th place. When asked how the condition of the horse was, and how she felt about her jumps, Caroline said, “The weather was a little too hot and he (Gautineau) was struggling a bit during the warm ups. This was just an average run and I could do better.”

When asked what caused the hitting of the obstacles, she explained, “I was going too fast for number seven, and I didn’t pull him back in time. As for number 12, I was just unlucky.”

The displays were not far off from each other, and this promises an exciting finale on Tuesday’s Individual Jump round B.

YOG equestrian

Caroline and ‘Gatineau’ rising to the occasion before packed stands of local supporters. (Photo 2 © Low Sze Sen/Red Sports)

YOG equestrian

Flying safely over the 11th and penultimate fence, beautifully decorated with swallowtail butterfly wings. (Photo 3 © Low Sze Sen/Red Sports)

YOG equestrian

Singapore and Caroline Chew’s Olympic hopes ride high with her and thoroughbred gelding, Gatineau. (Photo 4 © Low Sze Sen/Red Sports)

YOG equestrian

Rising over and clearing the second fence with Merly and Lyo, Singapore’s YOG mascots, standing guard. (Photo 5 © Low Sze Sen/Red Sports)

YOG equestrian

Horse and rider poised to sail over the third of twelve fences. (Photo 6 © Low Sze Sen/Red Sports)

YOG equestrian

Gelding ‘Gatineau’ showing the crowd his verve as he clears the fence with much room to spare. (Photo 7 © Low Sze Sen/Red Sports)

YOG equestrian

A closer view of horse and rider working as one in a demonstration of grace, agility and speed. (Photo 8 © Low Sze Sen/Red Sports)

YOG equestrian

A moment’s pause between fences before turning into the final stretch of the routine. (Photo 9 © Low Sze Sen/Red Sports)

YOG equestrian

Although not totally pleased with her performance having incurred eight penalty points, Caroline Chew has done Singapore proud with a masterfully executed routine at the YOG equestrian event. (Photo 10 © Low Sze Sen/Red Sports)