Boekelo Final Horse Inspection: Two Significant Horses Held

Jennie Brannigan and Stella Artois. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

84 combinations will proceed to showjumping after this morning’s final horse inspection at Boekelo, which saw two holds and was slightly diminished by four overnight withdrawals.

Ireland’s Padraig McCarthy opted to withdraw Leonidas II, from whom he fell on cross-country yesterday, due to an overreach injury sustained on course. Great Britain’s Flora Harris also withdrew Bayano, Denmark’s Cecilie Eriksen did not present Calvin, and Germany’s Christoph Wahler, too, is saving Ignatz 22 for another day.

Viktoria Carlerbäck and Zlatan. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

There were two horses sent to the holding box throughout the morning, and both would have had significant implications if spun: Michael Jung‘s Creevagh Cooley sits in eighth place overnight, while Viktoria Carlerbäck‘s Zlatan is part of the Swedish team chasing a series victory here. Fortunately, both were accepted – and Sweden can breathe easily knowing that they can only lose the series victory if Great Britain finish first or second here.

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

All four of our US riders will showjump this afternoon – and if you’re wondering why Jennie Brannigan and Stella Artois can continue after Jennie’s unlucky fall yesterday, refresh your memory of the new Olympic format here. Catch up on all of yesterday’s action, plus the team standings and the status of that Olympic ticket with the full cross-country report.

This morning’s showjumping session features all the non-team riders, and begins shortly at 11.00 a.m. local time/10.00 a.m. BST/5.00 a.m. Eastern time. This afternoon, we’ll see all the teams come forward to battle for the Nations Cup, the series title, and the final Olympic ticket. You can find the starting order here.