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Day 3 was just a fantastic days jumping! Once again the Aussies put up great performances.
Julia came out and blew us all away with a wonderful 4 fault round. Added to her scores from yesterday she finished on 13 faults which will put her into the final round. Both horse and rider from the first fence looked a very polished combination. Very scopy and many said one of the best rounds of the day. Well done to Julia and Vedor.
James and Lanosso did a super job, but were unlucky to have 12 faults to add to their previous days tally. Not sure if his total score will take him into the final, but we are told there is still a chance he may make the final if there are any combinations that don't pass the trot up. So maybe not out of the running yet.
Edwina and Itot as smooth and professional as ever. One rail down in the related line following the double, but even with four faults still one of the top individual performers. Edwina and little Itot are in the final.
After three days of jumping big courses the three horses will now have a well deserved rest day and come out that bit fresher for tomorrows Individual Final .All combinations will go into the final with a score of zero.
The Teams final was a nail biting event. Both the Brits and the Dutch finishing on a team score of 8 had to jump off for gold. The arena was electric. We were sat amongst a large contingent of the Dutch followers..... we knew that by their orange clothing. Clusters of orange supporters were dotted all around the arena and hopes were high.
I am sure everyone at home was glued to their seats watching the last riders go. The arena was quiet (for a change) and the pressure was on Peter Charles to secure the gold for UK with a clear round, which would mean the Dutch couldn't better their score.
The rest is history...what a fantastic ride by Peter Charles! It was a great result for Team Great Brittain and was a priviledge to see Nick Skelton, who has been at the top of Showumping for so many years be part of that Gold Medal Team.
Afterwards we went down to Ye Olde Rose and Crown where many were gathered. The Canadians, the French Team, the Aussies and many others. On the other corner pub the Dutch were celebrating their Silver Medal, everyone had spilled out onto the road (which was luckily closed off) and it became just one big party. Later in the evening the UK team down with their medals to celebrate with everyone. Wonderful atmosphere and great camerarderie between showjumpers and their supporters!!!
Tomorrow is the Showjumping Individual Finals day. Unfortunately I don't have a ticket to the venue, but I will be sitting out in the park, with thousands of others watching it on the Big Screen.
Well done Australia, two in the final again. Congratulations to Edwina and Julia and James, we wish them well.
Paul Williams reporting from Equestrian Life.
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