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TEAM SHOWJUMPING
For any of you wondering how this Olympic eventing/two rounds/show jumping caper works, let me explain… The Olympic committee thought it unfair that an athlete could win 2 medals for only one performance, so they invented a new show jumping system. All riders jump to decide team medals. The individuals who do not have a team go first, then the team riders jump in the order of the 5th best scoring team members from all countries, then the 4th best, & so on until the best scoring members. The final score from each rider is then carried forward, & the top 25 riders compete in second jumping round (over a changed course). Only three riders from each country may compete in the individual show jumping round, which sucks if you’re in the top 25 yet the fourth best placed in your team!
The show jumping course looks like a computer generated game from the aerial view, with beautifully themed fences you’d expect at an Olympics. It’s amazing to watch each horse jump, because what looked awful on day one, may be looking pretty talented by showjumping day! Time is usually always tight over tracks with such a big open arena, & we saw a mixed bag of results.
Statistically, penalties were spread across the board.
The standard of eventer’s showjump riding is also something to note, & has improved immensely. The scattered, pull/kick methods of days gone by have (mostly!) been replaced by a beautiful consistent rhythm & such a more classic rider position. Sooooo nice to see!!
It must be the first time William Fox-Pitt has been the discounted score for Great Britain, & he rides an amazing double clear round on the super jumper Lionheart. Another William, Coleman the 3rd from the USA, is a really classy rider, & land with an amazing softness over every fence. 3 time & clear jumping.
For the Aussies, Lucinda jumped first, & did a great job on the jumper Flying Finish. The horse looks naturally careful & with a few more runs under his belt, may really come to the party. Clear with 1 time penalty.
Zara Phiilips is the crowd favourite, with half her relatives in the crowd gaining lots of air time. She chokes down the line between fence 1 & 2, resulting in the deep spot and a rail down then gathers herself, adding only 3 time penalties for a score of 7 faults.
Germany’s Sandra Auffarth & her flashy flaxen tailed chestnut Opgun Luovo certainly win an award for the most effortless clear round, however they also get a yellow card for most untidy hair!
Whoever let her compete at the Olympics with bits of blonde scruff flapping out the sides of her helmet needs an appointment with Alex Perry, pronto. Must say that whilst I’m dishing out yellow cards, the Dutch orange coats can have one too!
Andrew Hoy’s Rutherglen is ever so beautiful, but his reputation for jumping clear isn’t great. He has a great rhythm & is very rideable, but just gets a little loose infront & toe taps 2 rails down. Here’s a prime example of the variables that make an eventer – how you arrive on your score at the end of the event may be a very different way to the next person! Do you start on a slightly average dressage score & add no further penalties, or do you blitz them on the flat & have to virtually lift the horse over the showjumps yourself? Either way, as long as you keep the score low, it’s all justifiable!
Andrew Nicholson is an amazing rider & produced a great clear to prime him for medal status. Pony Club pin-up boy Ludvig Svennerstal’s Shamwari is the classic example of the can-do-dressage-&-XC-not-careful-showjumper, & has 2 rails down & taps a few others. None the less, an amazing effort by the 21 year old rider!
Mary King does her typical super job to ride clear, managing the increasing adrenalin of Imperial Cavalier… the crowd errupts again!
The Overachiever’s Award for this year goes to Michael Jung. Not only is he the current World Champion, European Champion, jumps an enviable double clear, but its also his 30th birthday! I bet you he’s really nice too & donates to charity…
Unfortunately Mystery Whisper wasn’t enjoying his new American citizenship, & does some freestyle through the oxer at fence 4, then puts in a stop at the next. It looks like more time with Phillip is needed, & bearing in mind Mystery Whisper has been ridden by Heath for the entirity of his life, he too needs time to adjust to a new set of rules.
Chris Burton has a strong show jumping background in Australia, & looked poised without rustling a feather. He rode super lines & although Lani isn’t the strongest of showjumpers, she’s really learnt her trade, & just pulled one rail with a clear on time.
After saying it looking more like it should be in front of a cart, I altered my attitude as Sara Algotsson Ostholt rides Wega into the ring. Clearly an amazing jumper, bred AND brought on by Sara & her family, this combination are fantastic to watch! Clear & challenging individual gold!
Tina Cook is a favourite of mine, & she performs consistently well during all 3 phases. Just 1 time fault & the team comp is looking tight!
Ingrid Klimke’s Abraxxas has spent all his coin during the first two phases, & has a very ordinary reputation as a showjumper. What a pressure-cooker feeling, cantering into the arena, riding a potential pole-puncher, with the weight of your team AND the whole of Germany riding on you NOT to have more than 1 rail down…! Ingrid rides so incredibly well to manage only one rail, & clinch the gold for Germany! GB silver (‘Zara Zara Zara’…are there others in the team?!), & bronze for the ever tough kiwi’s.
There’s a break as the course is changed, & the top 25 prepare to jump for individual honours. In the meantime, Ingrid Klimke withdraws Abraxxas - his best intentions paramount, which is nice to see at this level.
Our Aussies finished down the order in 6th after such a great start. It's amazing how quickly things can change, and its another 4 years to have another try.. but we will keep soldiering on!!
Click here for all the final results
Click here for the photo galleries
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