What an incredible start to Eventing at Paris 2024! With so much to relive from today, here are a few of our favourite highlights.
Team GB is in dreamland as Ros Canter Eventing, Laura Collett Eventing, and Tom McEwen shattered the Olympic Team record with a combined score of 66.6 penalties. Laura also set a new Olympic Individual record with an astonishing 17.5, on board the formidable London 52.
Karin Donckers (BEL) made her SEVENTH Olympic appearance (1992, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
Chris Burton (AUS) danced back into the eventing spotlight, partnering Shadow Man. Produced by Ben Hobday, Fidgy and Burto are definitely ones to watch!
A debutante ball, Parisienne style! Our Olympic first-timers; Tine Magnus (BEL), Karl Slezak (CAN), Carlos Diaz Fernandez and Esteban Benitez Valle (ESP), Sanna Siltakorpi and Veera Manninen (FIN), Stephane Landois (FRA), Balázs Kaizinger (HUN), Susie Berry (IRL), Evelina Bertoli and Giovanni Ugolotti (ITA); Giovanni was reserve rider at Rio 2016. Raf Kooremans and Sanne de Jong (NED), Malgorzada Korycka and Robert Powala (POL), Manuel Grave (POR), Sofia Sjöborg (SWE), Caroline Pamukcu and Liz Halliday (USA). Liz was set to compete at Tokyo 2020 but withdrew less than a month before the Games due to her horse’s injury. Liz received a late call-up, following the withdrawal of Will Coleman.
The veterans: At ages 57 and 21 respectively, Zabala-Goetschel (ECU) and Forever Young Wundermaske are the most senior combination in eventing in Paris this summer. Proving age is just a number, these two looked to be having the time of their lives.
Boyd Martin (USA) campaigning the late Annie Goodwin’s gelding, Fedarman B. We won’t lie, we have a soft spot for this impeccable duo.
Noor Slaoui (MOR) became the first Moroccan rider to compete internationally in eventing and the first Arab woman or North African equestrian to compete in eventing at the Olympics.
Julia Krajewski (GER) will get to defend her Olympic Gold, after her squad call-up with Nickel 21.
Michael Jung (GER) just doing, well, Michi Jung things! The man is just a force of nature. A 17.8 with Chipmunk FRH puts him right into contention.. again!
Finally, we are petitioning for Spencer Sturmey to be recognised in the King’s Honours for services to our sport. A talented equestrian in his own right, Spencer has become a voice synonymous with our sport. His commentary is eloquent, insightful and knowledgeable and we are lucky to have him.
IMAGE: © British Equestrian/Jon Stroud Media
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