HONG KONG, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic dressage competition started Wednesday night at the Shatin Equestrian Venue and a close fight is expected between Germany and the Netherlands for the gold medal.

    Isabell Werth of Germany and Anky Van Grunsven of the Netherlands are the most favorites for both the team and individual competition. Van Grunsven is the two-time defending gold medallist while Werth is a multiple medallist.

    Denmark trainer Rudolf Zeilinger said that Germany and the Netherlands will fight it out for the gold. "There are four other countries who will try for bronze, the United States, Britain, Sweden and us", Zeilinger said.

    Meanwhile, Denmark team manager Kimi Nielsen said that good team spirit and a wealth of experience make Denmark's dressage riders formidable opponents in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

    The dressage discipline is composed of two separate competitions: The team competition comprises one test (Grand Prix). The individual competition comprises the Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle. A total of 50 rider/horse combinations are allowed to enter.

    On late Tuesday night, the Olympic eventing competition closed here with double golds for Germany as they finished with team and individual wins after a close battle with Australia.