Scott Brash (GBR) riding Jefferson during the Show Jumping Team – Qualifier at the Chateau de Versailles for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Photo Credit: FEI/Benjamin Clark
What an electrifying finish to the jumping competition at the Paris Olympic Games! In a thrilling showdown, Great Britain have emerged victorious with a gold medal, the United States secured silver, and France clinched bronze.
Gold Medal: Great Britain
Great Britain’s team delivered a stellar performance, finishing with only 2 penalties.
It was Ben Maher on Dallas Vegas Batilly who once again started as the trailblazer for team GB, finishing with a strong clear round and a single time penalty.
26 year old Harry Charles on Romeo 88 maintained the team’s momentum with a faultless round, just three weeks after Harry fractured his wrist.
In a pressure-filled final round, showjumping legend Scott Brash on Jefferson brought it home for Team GB, with just 1 time fault. You could have heard a pin drop in the stadium. But the 2012 Team Gold Medallist did not let the pressure phase him, to secure the second Equestrian Team Gold Medal for GB at this Games.
The United States team of Laura Kraut and Baloutinue, Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque, and McLain Ward with Ilex executed their final with precision and strategic acumen, to a final of just 4 faults. The silver in Paris has backed up Team USA’s silver in Tokyo.
In what was an exciting finish, France, buoyed by the support of the home crowd, secured the bronze medal with a total of 7 penalties. Simon Delestre and I Amelusina R 51, Olivier Perreau and Dorai d’Aiguilly, and Julien Epaillard and Dubai du Cedre gave valiant efforts in their respective rounds.
Drawn with the Netherlands on 7 penalties, it was just half a second of time that delivered the bronze medal to the Games’ hosts.
You can read our rider by rider commentary: HERE.
The Individual Qualifier is set to start on Monday the 5th of August, and will feature each of the Australian team riders as they look to qualify for the Individual Final.
