Image: Hilary Scott and Milky Way in the Team Qualifier. Image: Michelle Terlato Photography
Inside Paris | Presented by International Horse Breeders
Australian coverage
Wrap up of the Team Qualifier
Well what a wonderful evening of top class showjumping form the Palace of Versailles. We built this up to be a fabulous evening of showjumping and it certainly did not disappoint. I mentioned in my preamble to watch the likes of Germany, Great Britain, Sweden and the USA, and indeed they have all gone through to the final. They are joined by Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, France, Israel, Mexico.
It was great to see Edwina Tops-Alexander finish the day with just a 4 fault round. You have to say that Thaisa and Hilary on debut really gave it all with positive riding. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be on this occasion, but experience will tell for these talented riders.
Going forth to the Teams Final, we look forward to joining you again from 10.00pm AEST tomorrow. I think Germany and the Swedish teams will be the ones to watch for.
60. BEL – Jerome Guery on Quel Homme De Hus (Bay/2006/Stallion/HOLST/QUITE CAPITO)
Interesting round, 4 faults, came home on the 6, and also went into the combination on the 6. Took a stride out which did in fact cost him a rail. A team total of 8 for Belgium, and they too will go forward into the final.
59. CAN – Amy Millar on Truman (Bay/2010/Gelding/SF/MYLORD CARTHAGO*H)
For Canada, the daughter of Captain Canada ian Miller, who wen to the games 10 times can you believe it. Unfortunately not Amy Miller’s day, just a little tight to her lines.
A total of 16.
Canadians finish on a total of 32, and unfortunately won’t be going through to the final.
58. AUS – Edwina Tops-Alexander on Fellow Castlefield (Bay/2016/Gelding/KWPN/TIME FLAMENCO)
Well done Edwina, a really fighting round. A little sticky at the start I have to say, they went the long way round and added to the water, finishing on a total of 4.
Australia on a total of 36, unfortunately it won’t be our day in terms of a team final, but Edwina setting herself up for the individual competition to follow.
57. KSA – Ramzy Al Duhami on Untouchable 32 (Chestnut/2013/Mare/HANN/VAN HELSING)
A withdrawal from Ramzy.
56. UAE – Abdullah Mohd Al Marri on McGregor (Grey/2012/Gelding/SH/CARDENTO 933)
Another one of those rounds which was better then the score. 16 in total, so unfortunately the UAE will not qualify for the team final.
Sweden and Israel are now through to the final.
55. BRA – Rodrigo Pessoa on Major Tom (Grey/2013/Gelding/BWP/VAGABOND DE LA POMME)
A withdrawal from Rodrigo.
54. NED – Harrie Smolders on Uricas VD Kattevennen (Bay/2012/Stallion/HOLST/URANO)
Now, one of the horse that all of Europe has been talking about, Uricas VD Kattevennen by the Holsteiner Urano.
Well, there is a surprise, because I really thought that was shaping up to be the round of the day. Then again, they got a little wayward in the treble with a little slide out to the left, to finish on 8.
Germany, USA, GB, the Netherlands, Ireland and France have all qualified for the final.
53. USA – McLain Ward on Ilex (Chestnut/2013/Gelding/KWPN/BALTIC VDL)
2 time faults and a rail for the master, he went 7 at the last line but I think meant it (I am not convinced Richard meant it). That will see the United States through to the team final.
USA team total: 6
52. ISR – Daniel Bluman on Ladrano Z (Bay/2006/Gelding/ZANG/LAVITTO)
Super round from this combination. Daniel leaves them all up. Team total of 20, it’s borderline for them at the moment.
51. GER – Richard Vogel on United Touch S (Bay/2012/Stallion/WESTF/UNTOUCHED)
Now, this is my horse of the moment. The man in form in the world at the moment, he is world number 1 in the making.
Richie, he’s got to get his eye back in. He had a little bit of a hiccup at Aachen when he had the last, he added on a horse that shouldn’t be adding. He got today a very deep 7 and should have gone 6 at the last line. Clear nonetheless, but Richie Vogel has got some thinking today.
Team Germany are the first to go through and qualify to the Team Final.
50. GBR – Scott Brash on Jefferson (Bay/2009/Gelding/BWP/COOPER VAN DE HEFFINCK)
Once again, I think Scott will be disappointed. He added to the third last line, yes he got the 7 curve into the treble combination but you wanted the 6 before. 7 is just a little sticky and he too paid the price inside the treble. A total of 8, I feel the British team will be through.
49. IRL – Cian O’Connor on Maurice (Bay/2010/Gelding/BWP/THUNDER VD ZUUTHOEVE)
A little sticky round for Cian O’Connor, he didn’t quite get the balance he wanted on the 7 strides into the final treble combination. Again, paid the price for 4 faults in the middle and a time fault. You would think that would still get the Irish home.
Irish team Penalties: 9
48. FRA – Julien Epailard on Dubai Du Cedre (Chestnut/2014/Gelding/SF/BALOU DU ROUET)
Julien Epailard, what a round, the crowd are ecstatic. An interesting round, he added to the first double, added to the water, and he added to the last. Clear an under time for a team French total of 12, which may just get them in the top ten.
47. POL – Maksymilian Wechta on Chepettano (Grey/2012/Stallion/HOLST/CHEPPETTO)
What a shame, the last line again causing issues. No distance at all to the last, for two down for this brave Polish combination.
Penalties: 9
Poland penalties: 53
As we hear a cheer go out across the grand stand as Julien Epailard enters the stadium.
46. JPN – Eiken Sato on Contargo-Blue (Bay/2012/Gelding/OS/CONTARGOS)
Unlucky, the score of the round doesn’t tell the story. 4 down, I would put that down to a little rush of blood, got down the lines a little early, but what an operator that horse is.
Penalties: 19
Japan penalties: 51
45. SWE – Peder Fredricson on Catch Me Not S (Grey/2006/Gelding/SWB/CARDENTO 933)
A big round for Sweden, 2 riders goine, 2 clears. In a former life, Peder rode at the Olympics as an eventer in 1992 in Barcelona.
Goodness me, that’s something you don’t see every day. The lovely 18 year old Catch Me Not S, there’s no way of sugar coating it, Peter missed him out of the turn, didn’t quite see his distance to the wall. He ends with a total of 17, getting a bit distracted after the wall for a further 4. If you hadn’t seen it, you wouldn’t have believed it.
Total Sweden Penalties: 17
44. SUI – Martin Fuchs on Leone Jei (Grey/2012/Gelding/KWPN/BALTIC VDL)
Unlucky from Martin Fuchs, he got a little flat into the last treble combination. 4 faults. However, the horse was looking very sharp for the individual. Unfortunately, I don’t think the Suisse are going to qualify on a total of 24.
43. MEX – Eugenio Garza Perez on Contago (Grey/2011/Gelding/OS/CORNET OBOLENSKY)
Well that now gives the Mexican team a total of 20, with the 12 faults, which was certainly not the plan. Now they will wait and watch to see if they can qualify.
42. AUT – Max Kuehner on Elektrik Blue P (Bay/2011/Gelding/DSP/RAELDORADO VD ZESHOEK)
When the super stylish Max Kuehner has a rail, world number 3, you know you are riding a proper course. So it should be, it is the Olympic Games. I believe this course has been built with great thought, the time is tight, it is moving.. it is just great sport!
41. ESP – Eduardo Alvarez Aznar on Rokfeller De Pleville (Bay/2006/Gelding/SF/L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE)
First out for the threes from Spain, it is unlucky for the grand old 19 year old Rockfeller De Pleville. He looks to have just got a little flat on the way home.
Total penalties: 8
Spain total team penalties: 21
40. BEL – Wilm Vermeir on IQ Van Het Steentje (Bay/2008/Gelding/BWP/TOULON)
How unlucky, looking to get a second clear for the Belgium riders. A little rush of blood, they still came home on the 6 but got a little flat to take the last for 4 faults.
We go now into a break.
39. CAN – Erynn Ballard on Nikka VD Bisschop (Bay/2013/Mare/BWP/EMERALD)
Unlucky Erynn out of the water, went the 6 not the 5, and the extra stride just paid the penalty. 4 faults from what is otherwise a tremendous round.
38. AUS – Thaisa Erwin on Hialita B (Chestnut/2010/Mare/KWPN/EMERALD)
An Olympic debut for Thaisa, she really has to pull something out of the bag here. The pressure of a) being at your first games, and b) knowing the importance of this round to get Australia through, is high pressure.
Unlucky for Thaisa, you really gave it a great shot. A little early on the first line in the 6 to claim her first fence, then a little fast into the treble home. At this level, there’s no margin for error. You would have to say that both girls have really come out and given it a good crack. Both girls are on debut, and I am sure we will see more of them at top competition.
Penalties for Thaisa: 16
We now await for team captain Edwina Tops-Alexander.
37. KSA – Khaled Almobty on Jaguar King WD (Bay/2014/Gelding/KWPN/VDL ZIROCCO BLUE)
Everything was going so well until the wall, and then unfortunately the wheels fell off as he ducked off to the right.
Penalties: 20
36. UAE – Ali Hamad Al Kirbi on Jarlib De Torres (Grey/2011/Gelding/CDE/JARNAC)
A pressure round for the UAE, 12 in the first, if they have major faults here that may be the end of their qualifying chance.
Very brave round but not their day. We will see this pair in competitions going forward. Disappointment for the UAE.
Penalties: 28
35. BRA – Stephen de Freitas on Primavera (Bay/2011/Mare/BH/CALVARO F.C.)
Lovely round for Stephen from Brazil, it’s hard to say it, but they should have gone clear. They just got a little untidy in the last 7 into the treble, and the middle part came down. That’s showjumping.
34. NED – Kimm Emmen & Imagine
Wow, what a round. Big striding horse, that needs lot’s of balance. Boy did Kim give that horse the ride of the day.
Penalties: 0
33. USA – Kent Farrington on Grey4 (Grey/2014/Mare/OS/COLESTUS)
Wow – America, 2 from 2. He had his own way of doing things. This young man, Karl Cook, a studier of the game, you cannot take away from the fact he rode a beautiful clear round. America will be getting excited.
32. ISR – Robin Muhr on Galaxy HM (Black/2011/Gelding/KWPN/QUALITY TIME TN)
This young rider may have just got a bit affected by the environment, it is the Olympic Games after all. He will come back better in the future, but just lacking a little bit of finesse today.
Penalties: 16
31. GER – Philipp Weishaupt on Zineday (Bay/2014/Gelding/WESTF/ZINEDINE)
Phillip Weishaupt, that will make Team Germany very very happy. Another masterclass from this German jockey, stunning horsepower. Germany, two clears from two riders.
30. GBR – Harry Charles on Romeo 88 (Bay/2009/Gelding/ZANG/CONTACT VAN DE HEFFINCK)
Harry Charles, caught in two minds with Romeo. On the curving line in the 6 that everyone has been riding he went 7, landed, went 7 again and then a little rushed in the treble. I think he will be kicking himself.
Penalties: 4
29. IRL – Daniel Coyle on Legacy (Bay/2010/Mare/ZANG/HIPPDAL Z)
They’ve got their own way of going, Daniel Coyle and Legacy, but what a well thought out and executed round. That was thoroughly deserving of a clear.
That starts to make the Irish team contenders.
28. FRA – Olivier Perreau on Dora l’Aiguilly (Bay/2013/Mare/SF/KANNAN)
Disappointing for Olivier for France, when he had his first rail you would almost think he would have a second, but he didn’t. The horse is a little untidy in the bridle, all up you have to say it was well fought by Olivier to bring that home.
Penalties: 4
27. POL – Dawid Kubiak on Flash Blue B (Bay/2010/Gelding/KWPN/MR BLUE)
Unlucky for Poland, but unfortunately their accumulative score after just two riders is not looking promising.
Penalties: 16
26. JPN – Takashi Haase Shinya on Karamell M&M (Bay/2014/Gelding/HANN/KANNAN)
12 jumping faults for Takashi, but you know it was a better round than that. In other words, I think on another day he won’t have those penalties. There’s lots to like about that round, it’s one of those showjumping rounds where you haven’t jumped clear, but you can still see there is a big future.
25. SWE – Rolf-Goran Bengtsson on Zuccero HV (Grey/2012/Stallion/HOLST/VD. ZIROCCO BLUE)
Rolf-Goran Bengsten, you are a superstar. 65 years of age, the diminutive rider on the diminutive stallion, was just class on top of class. Rolf-Goran, take a bow. Sweden, 2 clears.
24. SUI – Pius Schwizer on Vancouver De Lanlore (Dark Bay/2009/Stallion/SF/TOULON)
3 rails for the veteran Pius Schwizer, the horse looking a little green at this level. Probably only Pius Schwizer could have gotten that horse around, but interestingly the Swisse struggling so far at this Olympics.
23. MEX – Federico Fernandez on Romeo (Grey/2011/Stallion/SF/LANDO)
What a fighter, Federico recovered from a major plane accident and required huge plastic surgery. Now here he is at the Olympics, for just a 4 fault round, what an outstanding person.
22. AUT – Gerfried Puck on Naxcel V (Chestnut/2013/Stallion/BWP/BALOU DU ROUET)
This is another horse by the super sire Balou Du Rouet.
I think Gerfried may have just been a little bit out of depth around this course, for 8 penalties. Naxcel V was really trying today.
21. ESP – Sergio Alvarez Moya on Puma HS (Grey/2013/Gelding/DWB/UNTOUCHABLE 27)
Unlucky for Sergio, just the one rail. But again, there are faults coming all around over this course.
20. BEL – Gilles Thomas on Ermitage Kalone (Chestnut/2014/Stallion/SF/CATOKI)
What a way to end the first group of riders. Gilles Thomas and this wonderful stallion, that was an absolute joy to watch and they are poetry together. One of the best up and coming riders in the world, and so is the horse. They are absolutely on point.
19. CAN – Mario Deslauriers on Emerson (Bay/2012/Gelding/BWP/ELDORADO VD ZESHOEK)
Great flowing round from the veteran, 59 year old Mario Deslauriers. The time is fair but tight, and the riders are clearly having to move.
Penalties: 12
This next horse is an absolute superstar, by Kannan on the dam side. The reigning gold medal national champion of Belgium, this next horse is a delight to watch.
18. AUS – Hilary Scott on Milky Way (Grey/2007/Mare/AHHA/CLEARWAY)
Fantastic effort from Hilary Scott, who got all of her lines. A little add to the last, the mare got a little buzzy in the first part of the course. Really solid riding, unfortunately a few rails. By no means at all was that anything other than a really ambitious round, ridden just like this course needs to be jumped in.
Penalties: 16
17. KSA – Abdulrahman Alrajhi on Ventago (Bay/2013/Gelding/HANN/VAN HELSING)
Big rangey horse, Ventago just got a little disjointed coming home.
Penalties: 8
And now the big gun as far as Australia is concerned, Hilary Scot and Milky Way.
16. UAE – Ojaa Al Marzooqi on Enjoy De La Mure (Bay/2014/Stallion/SF/VIGO CECE)
Unlucky round for the 21 year old Ojaa from the UAE. He did in fact add into the water for 8, coming out in the 5 and getting a little rushed at the end. Unfortunately that paid the penalty, ending with 12.
15. BRA – Pedro Veniss on Nimrod De Muze (Chestnut/2011/Gelding/ZANG/BABOU DE REVEL)
Great ride from Pedro Veniss, added to the last and went 7, still inside the time. Great job Brazil.
Penalties: 0
14. NED – Maikel van der Vleuten on Beauville Z (Bay/2010/Gelding/BWP/ELDORADO V D ZESHOEK)
Maikel’s father is very much responsible for the training of our own, Thaisa Erwin. Maikel and Thaisa are very good friends, originating from the same stable in Holland.
Just inside the time allowed, timed to perfection for a clean round.
13. USA – Laura Kraut on Baloutinue (Bay/2010/Gelding/HANN/BALOU DU ROUET)
Laura Kraut, just sensational. using all of her skills and complete and utter experience. Of course, Laura’s partner Nick Skelton, they would have nailed that track down to the cm. Again she went the 7 and the 5, and a beautiful curving 7 to the last treble, and 6 out of the combination. Just brilliant.
12. ISR – Ashlee Bond on Donatello 141 (Bay/2011/Gelding/WESTF/DIARADO)
3 clears, with Henrick, Ben and Christian so far. Very good effort, just finding her feet at this level, but another great rider for the future.
Penalties: 4
11. GER – Christian Kukuk on Checker 47 (Grey/2010/Gelding/WESTF/COMME IL FAUT 5)
An important ride for the Germans, I expect them to do well and go strong as a team, they certainly have historically.
The German number Christiann Kukuk, that was a masterclass. If you don’t go 7 strides to the water, you are likely to have time faults. 7 to the water, 5 on the out, fantastic riding by Christian.
10. GBR – Ben Maher on Dallas Vegas Batilly (Bay/2013/Mare/SF/CAP KENNEDY)
One of the most beautifully crafted, technically correct rounds at an Olympic event. Wow, the defending gold medalist, that was poetry. No faults.
9. IRL – Shane Sweetnam on James Kann Cruz (Grey/2013/Gelding/SH/KANNAN)
Super round by Shane Sweetnam, really sweet rhythm and unlucky just the 1 rail.
8. FRA – Simon Delestre on I Amelusina R 51 (Chestnut/2013/Mare/SF/KANNAN)
8 faults for Simon Delestre, I am a fan of the course designer Santiago Varela, and enjoyed his courses in Tokyo. There’s nothing wrong with today’s course, it is an Olympic Games, it needs a bit of jumping, time is tight, but I really like it. So here are some of the best riders in the world having to ride like the best riders in the world, or they are going to find a fault or two, no doubt about it.
7. POL – Adam Grzegorzewski on Issem (Chestnut/2013/Gelding/KWPN/QUALITY TIME TN)
A very brave horse, with Issem getting to the finish flags. Unfortunately Adam was just a little bit out of his depth, but I am sure he will be back to International competition going forward.
Total Penalties: 28
And now the first of the French!
6. JPN – Taizo Sugitani on Quincy V94 (Bay/2011/Gelding/HANN/FRH QUAID)
A little slow from Taizo at his seventh games, he will probably get time faults for this. He is adding into the water and out of the water. Taizo made the time, but he did have to push at the back end of the course which ushed him out of balance. Unfortunately 20 penalties, but what a rider.
5. SWE – Henrik von Eckermann on King Edward (Chestnut/2010/Gelding/BWP/EDWARD 28)
I thought Eckermann wasn’t quite on his game. The world number 1 just didn’t give him the best ride to the first 6 fences, but what a fighter this horse is, and he just fought to the end. Generating a clear round and undertime, although when Henrick looks back on that, I think Henrick may be a little down on himself that Henrick didn’t give the horse an Olympic ride. What a horse.
4. SUI – Steve Guerdat on Dynamix De Belheme (Bay/2013/Mare/SF/SNAIKE DE BLONDEL)
So the former Olympic Champion from London sees Carlos go on the 5 strides after the water, and also decides to do the same. Unfortunately his smaller striding horse just struggled to get there and once again the treble combination coming home is the difference between a great round and not. A great round, Guerdat using all of his skillset. Just a smaller horse with a smaller stride finding some limitation.
Penalties: 8
3. MEX – Carlos Hank Guerreiro on Porthos Maestro WH Z (Bay/2014/Gelding/ZANG/PICASSO Z)
A beautiful ride into the water on the 7, it really worked well at the gallop, but the 7 strides on the curve coming to the last line, the treble, is proving to be the line that is sorting out these early horses.
Penalties: 4
2. AUT – Katharina Rhomberg on Colestus Cambridge (Grey/2015/Gelding/WESTF/COLESTUS)
Katharina Rhomberg and Colestus Cambridge just showed that last line coming home the curving 7 into the combination is going to take some jumping. Time, just about right, tight, but just about right.
Total Faults: 16
1. ESP – Ismael Garcia Roque on Tirano (Grey/2013/Gelding/CDE/CHACCO-BLUE)
Unbelievably beautiful course set by Santiago Varela who also built in Tokyo, and ably assisted by the Frenchman Gregory Bodo, as you would expect lots of related lines and curved lines. Hugely technical and very fair track, but goodness me it will take some jumping.
This combination finish with 9 penalties.
Opening Comments – 6.57pm AEST
Join Martin Gostelow live from 7pm AEST on Thursday 1st of August as he talks through the Jumping Team Qualifier as it happens. Martin is no stranger to top sport, and brings forth his years of commentary experience, including the official Olympic commentary for Channel 7 TV coverage of the Rio Olympic games.
A big welcome to everyone who is joining us live tonight on Equestrian Life. The big stories before we start tonight are Olivier Perreau and Dorai D’Aiguilly have joined the French Team following Viking d’la Rousserie ridden by Kevin Staut not passing the trot up yesterday, and Federico Fernandez and Romeo now join the Mexican team following the withdrawal of Contendros 2 ridden by Mexico’s Andres Azcarraga.
The breaking story is from team USA, where Kent Farrington and Greya will be replaced by Karl Cook and Caracole de la Roque for today’s Team Qualifier competition.
Our first Aussie rider out will be Hilary Scott and Milky Way at number 18. Looking forward to a great evening!
