Main image: Julien Epaillard and Dubai du Cedre of France were the top performers in the Individual Qualifier on Monday, image by FEI/Benjamin Clark.
Inside Paris | Presented by International Horse Breeders
Live commentary with Martin Gostelow from 6pm AEST
As the competition moves towards the Individual Final, the intensity promises to escalate. The top 30 riders will start with a clean slate, raising the stakes even higher. With the world’s best set to compete, the final is poised to deliver unforgettable moments and potentially new champions.
You can tune in here for live commentary from 6pm AEST Tuesday, 6 August.
Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden riding King Edward during the Individual Jumping Qualifier. Image by FEI/Benjamin Clark.
The Gold Medal Olympic Individual Show Jumper: Christian Kukuk and Checker 47 (Germany)
Kukuk is the gold medalist! The German rider Kukuk and Checker 47 jumped a marvelous clear round, in 38.34. What great show jumping we’ve seen in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games at the Palace of Versailles.
Jump-Off Order of Go at 7.53pm AEST
Christian Kukuk and Checker 47 (Germany)
(Grey/2010/Gelding/WESTF/COMME IL FAUT 5)
Jumps a beautiful clear! Stops the clock at 38.34. The pressure is on!
Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z (Netherlands)
(Bay/2010/Gelding/ZANG/BUSTIQUE)
Elbows going at the gallop, Maikel unfortunately misread the oxer, going in at place and ending their Olympic individual final with 4 faults. The one rail but what do you do when you’re chasing a great time!
Steve Guerdat and Dynamix De Belheme (Switzerland)
(Bay/2013/Mare/SF/SNAIKE DE BLONDEL)
The pressure was massive equally costly for Steve Guerdat.
End Of First Round
Well what an extraordinary Olympic Games we’ve had for the show jumping. Here, in the final of the Individual Jumping, you could not script it. Three medals on offer with 3 phenomenal combinations jumping clear in the first round. The course builders have done such a great job, Santiago and Gregory have provided such great entertainment. We’ve had highs, lows and incredible characters on display both in the equine and human form.
30. Julien Epaillard and Dubai Du Cedre (France)
(Chestnut/2013/Mare/SF/BALOUBET DU ROUET)
This mare is extraordinary, she is a born fighter. A roar of despair through the crowd. 4 faults is really not fair, this mare so deserved to go clear. She just tried and tried and tried, Dubai Du Cedre, do not forget her name, she is amazing. Julien will finish in 4th as 3 horses will go forward for the gold medal position.
29. Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz (Ireland)
(Grey/2013/Gelding/ISH/KANNAN)
Unlucky, 12 faults total for yesterday’s second best clear round.
28. Daniel Coyle and Legacy (Ireland)
(Bay/2010/Mare/ZANG/CHIPPENDALE Z)
It’s hard to be critical when it was such a good round, but all of a sudden Daniels comes around the bend to the triple bar and sees a flyer, keeping in mind he was clear before this. 4 fences from home he misjudges and retires after the line. Again the pressure of getting close to home catches up, unfortunately you just can’t stand off a 1.90m wide triple bar.
Comment from Australian Level 3 Course Designer David Sheppard:
“As expected the Individual final is big ,careful , and a long way around . No secrets there.
Again technical, a variety of decisions to be made. He’d be hoping for a little more than a handful clear.
The standard is high so maybe more”
27. Harrie Smolders and Uricas V/D Kattevennen
(Netherlands) (Bay/2012/Stallion/HOLST/URIKO)
Dear me, Harrie was too quiet I felt early in the piece and you can see it reflected in the time faults. 4 faults and 2 time for 6.
26. Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei (Switzerland)
(Grey/2012/Gelding/KWPN/BALTIC VDL)
Without a stirrup through the treble, you can see Martin looking down and trying to get it back as the audience holds their breath.
Again the problems started at the second part of the double at the huge oxer, and to go all the way to the last without a stirrup, and then take the last one for 4… agony for the Swisse.
25. Steve Guerdat and Dynamix De Belheme (Switzerland)
(Bay/2013/Mare/SF/SNAIKE DE BLONDEL)
This horse is fighting for a clear, they go to the last fence… there is your clear! What a mare, she was not going to have a rail today!
24. Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward (Sweden)
(Chestnut/2010/Gelding/BWP/EDWARD 28)
Well, I mentioned in my preamble it wasn’t their tournament. What an extraordinary dismount, if you had not seen it you would not believe. There was no fence near by and we lost Henrick out the side door.
23. Emanuele Camilli and Odense Odeveld (Italy)
(Bay/2014/Gelding/BWP/DIAMANT DE SEMILLY)
Certainly no disgrace, but this combination end with 12 faults / 3 rails.
22. Kim Emmen and Imagine (Netherlands)
(Grey/2013/Gelding/KWPN/CASSINI GOLD)
Kim, a late call in, has jumped clear across the three days before today.
And the pressure just boils over, for the first fence. Once again the size of the horse just did not allow time to come back on his hocks, as he jumps a massive triple bar to land in the double. They finish on a total of 12, and doesn’t that just show what these riders are facing, a horse that hasn’t has a rail this Championships comes away with 3. Absolutely no disgrace, Kim has well and truly put herself on the showjumping map.
21. Abdulrahman Alrajhi and Ventago (Saudi Arabia)
(Bay/2013/Gelding/HANN/VAN HELSING)
Big rangy horse who has just jumped the house down, he couldn’t quite get him back after the triple bar. 2 time faults and 1 rail down, but what an outstanding effort.
20. Scott Brash and Jefferson (Great Britain)
(Bay/2009/Gelding/BWP/COOPER VAN DE HEFFINCK)
I somehow think if he had his time again he would ride a little more forward into the double. However, into 4th spot with the one rail down.
19. Stephan Bartha and Primavera (Brazil)
(Bay/2011/Mare/BH/CALVARO F.C.)
What an outstanding mare she is! Frankly Primavera wasn’t given the easiest ride and possibly where she should have had rails, she fought her way out of trouble. Finishing on 4, Primavera you’ve earnt your oats for tonight!
18. Victoria Gulliksen and Mistral Van De Vogelzang (Norway)
(Bay/2012/Gelding/BWP/ELVIS TER PUTTE)
Not the biggest horse in the competition and there is clearly some intimidation felt towards these looming oxers. These riders are standing a mile away from the double on the far-side (clearly the bogey fence!). We’ve had two back rails, 8 faults.
17. Gilles Thomas and Ermitage Kalone (Belgium)
(Chestnut/2014/Stallion/SF/CATOKI)
That was bizzare, despite looking the part and so world class, 2 rails went down for Ermitage Kalone! Quiet to the water but then ends up going on the six, not the seven, comes out on the five and has the rail.
16. Karl Cook and Caracole De La Roque (USA)
(Bay/2012/Mare/SF/ZANDOR)
Karl was a mile (a mile!) off the double and the mare produced a massive jump over the second part of the oxer. Horse was jumping the house down, a clear round was in the lens until a change of mind came to be at the triple bar. Karl walks away with 8 faults and overcome with emotion.
15. Rodrigo Pessoa and Major Tom (Brazil)
(Chestnut/2013/Gelding/BWP/VAGABOND DE LA POMME)
Rodrigo saw his distance, committed to the distance and the horse drifted, moving to the side. With two early rails Rodrigo acknowledges that things aren’t going to plan and retires.
14. Andres Azcarraga and Contendros 2 (Mexico)
(Dark Bay/2007/Stallion/HANN/CONTENDRO I)
Unfortunately 8 fault at the double, then coming through to the water, slightly cut his turn. The line wasn’t great and there was just no way that Contendros was going to jump that water and unfortunately off spilt Andres. The team seem absolutely fine and they exist the arena with the applause of condolences from the audience.
13. Ramzy Al Duhami and Untouchable 32 (Saudi Arabia)
(Chestnut/2013/Mare/HANN/VAN HELSING)
Another horse to stand off at that double, Ben Maher had the same back rail of the oxer coming out. A real horse for the future, a proper honest disposition, just the one rail.
12. Takashi Haase Shibayama and Karamell M & M (Japan)
(Bay/2014/Gelding/HANN/KANNAN)
A Japanese rider based permanently in Europe. With 4 rails down for 16 penalties, I applaud the sentiment from Takashi as he pats the horse on the neck and says this is not going to be our day, let’s look forward to the next event.
11. Oaa Al Marzooqi and Enjoy De La Mure (UAE)
(Bay/2014/Stallion/SF/VIGO CECE)
Unlucky, time was good, just lost some altitude and his shape over the triple combination, two parts down a total of 8.
10. Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z (Netherlands)
(Bay/2010/Gelding/ZANG/BUSTIQUE)
Maikel rode with such adjustability and that horse listened to Maikel every stride of every line; what a delight to watch. He’s now in a jump off for gold!
9. Gregory Wathelet and Bond Jamesbond De Hay (Belgium
(Bay/2011/Stallion/SF/DIAMANT DE SEMILLY)
For a champion rider like Gregory to have 4 faults at the water and a total of 8, you know that Santiago is playing with the riders minds.
8. Christian Kukuk and Checker 47 (Germany)
(Grey/2010/Gelding/WESTF/COMME IL FAUT 5)
Christian you absolute superstar, ridden to perfection! When the very best in the world are struggling to make a clear round, you appreciate just what has happened.
7. Simon Delestre and I Amelusina R 51 (France)
(Chestnut/2013/Stallion/KWPN/DEXTER R)
A really handy partnership and when they go round for 8, you know there’s an ask out there today. We knew this course was going to be strong. A clear round here tonight will be so well earned.
6. Max Kuehner and Elektric Blue P (Austria)
(Bay/2011/Gelding/DSPBRA/ELDORADO VD ZESHOEK)
Maxy Kuehner, you rode the house down but again, the pressure of the Olympic games was just enough to rattle him over the last fence to end on 4. So unfortunate, there was a clear round staring him in the face! This sport is as much psychological as it is physical.
5. Laura Kraut and Baloutinue (USA)
(Bay/2010/Gelding/HANN/BALOU DU ROUET)
Everything was going to plan, with a split-second change of mind at the final fence. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Laura ride better; she was amazing, so accurate! 4 faults but she rode unbelievably!
4. Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly (Great Britain)
(Bay/2013/Mare/SF/CAP KENNEDY)
Such a great round but the 170cm oxer proved to be 10cm too wide for Ben Maher and this beautiful mare – a total of 4 penalties! There’s not going to be a lot of clear rounds tonight – I think the bigger striding horses will come into their own.
3. Jose Maria Larocca (jr) and Finn Lente (Argentina)
(Bay/2010/Gelding/KWPN/GAILLARD DE LA POMME)
You know a strong enough round on any other day bar the Olympics Individual Final for a total of 20. What about the triple bar where you open your horse and then a short double. Talk about having to have the agility and schooling in your horse. Not many clears tonight!
2. Philipp Weishaupt and Zineday (Germany)
(Bay/2014/Gelding/WESTF/ZINEDINE)
I didn’t put them in my medal area based on their form last night, although I know the TV commentators have said they were on their list. They started to lose their rhythm unfortunately for a rail and 1 fault.
1. Mario Deslauriers & Emerson (Canada)
Mario found out he would be riding this morning after the withdrawal of Harry Charles.
An incredible course of huge dimensions, Mario stands off a 1.75m wide oxer to have it down and then another rail later in course for 8. My gosh, he had to kick down some of these lines, gosh this is huge
Introduction – 5.55pm
Welcome everybody to the very last night of jumping in Paris. What a great spectacle it has been in the ground of Versailles, and you can rest assured tonight will be a spectacular evening of showjumping. Expect maximum height, maximum width and maximum entertainment.
Hold on to your seats for a 6pm AEST start, and please be sure to leave your comments on our facebook.
