Jumping for individual honors and a third Olympic title, Michael Jung and Chipmunk FRH.
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
*UPDATED TO INCLUDE FINAL SCORES. (Horses and riders shown in order of go.)
OK ENers, we’re back for another go in the ring for another round of show jumping. What’s this, you ask? More eventing? Yes, even more eventing, for at the Olympics we’re treated with two final phases, one to determine the team medals (which we’ve just done), which also serves the purpose of giving us the top-25 individuals, who then have to jump again to give us the final individual rankings. So sit tight ENers, the Olympic Champion is about to be crowned.
You’ll find below the information we shared earlier for combinations who have made it into the individual final, with the addition of each rider’s score across the competition thus far and what that means in terms of their position as they come into this round.
Don’t already know why our live blogs aren’t in fact live blogs and are instead companion guides? Here’s why:
For those of you who are avid followers of our live blogs (we salute you eventing nerds!), you’ll notice that things are a little different this time around. In order to adhere to the strict media rules for the Olympics, we’re not able to bring you live commentary. We can, however, keep you totally informed with regards to each of the horses and riders show jumping today, what their form is coming into the Games, their hobbies and favorite foods (amongst other, um, horseplay), and how they’re likely to perform in each phase based on the available data, so you’ll be securely in the know as you watch the live stream.
You can follow along with the live scores here.
In case you missed them earlier, here are some links of interest:
▶️ If you’ve yet to catch up on the dressage and cross country companion guides, you’ll find them right here – [Dressage] [Cross Country] [Show Jumping Round 1]
▶️ The substitute rule and scoring is, shall we say, a little complex at the Olympics, but never fear, EN is here with the clearest explanation we could manage of how things work.
▶️ Here’s everything you need to know about the show jumping phase of Olympic eventing. Click the link and all will be revealed.
▶️ For all things Olympics, check out EN’s Ultimate Guide to Eventing in Paris.
▶️ It has been a total blast bringing you the eventing from Paris. And there’s lots of it. We may be wrung out and kinda broken, with the inevitable eventing hangover already kicking in. but it’s all been worth it.
Maman mia, I’ve got deja vu, and here we go eventing again!
🥐🍾
#Paris2024: [Website] [Equestrian Schedule, Timing, Scoring] [Peacock for U.S. Viewers] [How to Watch Guide] [Ticket Resale Market] [Spectator Guides] [EN’s Coverage]
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🇨🇳 Alex Hua Tian and Jilsonne van Bareelhof
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Alex is very familiar with jumping in the final phase at a championships event, having contested three Olympics and three World Championships, as well as the Asian Games, which he won last year. He tumbled down the order after a flag penalty out on cross country, but scrambled into the top-25 after a clear round earlier for a spot in the individual final with this reliable show jumper.
Form, Facts & Stats:
Alex’s championships experience:
🔥 Tokyo 2020 (Team) – Rio 2016 (Ind.); 8th – Beijing 2008 (Ind.)
🗺️ Pratoni 2022 (Ind.) – Tryon 2018 (Ind.) – Caen 2014 (Ind.)
Form, Facts & Stats:
🔴 Alex enthusiastically represents China but has been based in the UK for many years.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 22
Cross Country Penalties – 20.6
Show Jumping Round 1 – 1.6
Show Jumping Round 2 – 0
Overall – 44.2 – 23rd
Show Jumping 📈 They’re on a streak of four clear rounds, all at short-format. The had two poles in their most recent long-format competition, the 4* in Montelibretti last year, and they don’t always make the time, but Alex will be focusing on those clears as he takes to the ring in Paris.
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🇸🇪 Louise Romeike and Caspian 15
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Caspian 15 is a bit of a triple threat when it comes to eventing. He’s consistently low-30s in the dressage, hasn’t had a cross country jumping penalty ever and is speedy to boot, and very, very rarely has a show jumping pole. Lucky Louise to be at the Olympics with such a talent.
Form, Facts & Stats:
Louise’s championships experience:
🔥 Tokyo 2020 (Team)
🗺️ Tryon 2018 (Team)
🔴 Caspian 15 is owned by Louise, her father-in-law, and Dutch eventer Madeleine Brugman, who’s grooming for Louise in Paris.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 37.7
Cross Country Penalties – 0.8
Show Jumping Round 1 – 5.6
Show Jumping Round 2 – 0.4
Overall – 44.5 – 24th
Show Jumping 📈 In 26 FEI competitions this guy has had show jumping penalties on just six occasions, all of them at short-format events. They were two seconds over the time in the 4*-L Nations Cup event in Boekelo last season, which isn’t unusual for them in this phase.
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🇬🇧 Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
When you’ve got a horse who’s as good in each phase as ‘Walter’ is, you know you’re onto an eventing winner. He’s accurate and precise in the dressage ring, and an absolute machine cross country, in terms of both jumping and time, and well, in the final phase he more often than not leaves the poles in the cups. Wonderful Walter will have won over many hearts over the weekend, adding to his fan club every time he goes out there and does his thang. Oh yeah, Ros and Walter have just won a team gold medal!
Form, Facts & Stats:
Ros’ championships experience:
🔥 Team 🥇 Tokyo 2020 (as traveling reserve)
🗺️ Pratoni 2022 (Team); 4th individually – Team 🥇 & Individual 🥇 Tryon 2018
1️⃣ Ros is currently World No. 1
🔴 Ros has a little girl called Ziggy who can often be seen cheering for her mom at events.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 23.4
Cross Country Penalties – 15
Show Jumping Round 1 – 4
Show Jumping Round 2 – 0
Overall – 42.4 – 21st
Show Jumping 📈 If you were being threatened by something like, really threatening and absolutely had to pick out Walter’s ‘weak’ phase, you’d probably say this one. Although really, we’re pushing it here. In 22 FEI competitions he’s had a total of seven poles down. One of these came at the European Championships, but when your dressage score is 21.3 and you added nothing on cross country day, you can have a pole and still win. That’s the only time he’s had show jumping penalties at a long-format event; he even jumped clear ‘round Badminton last year on his way to the win, a feat that many found tricky given the ground conditions of the day before. They had a very unfortunate 15 penalties for a missed flag on yesterday’s cross country which dropped them right down the order, but wherever they end up today, the future’s certainly very bright for Ros and her buddy.
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🇦🇺 Shane Rose and Virgil
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Incredibly, Shane is in Paris completing at his fourth Olympic Games with his long-time pal, ‘Virg’. At nineteen, Virg knows a thing or two about this eventing lark, and it’s very cool to see these veterans of the sport turn out and look so damn good. All credit to the teams at home for the obviously excellent care and attention they pay to these horses and their, obviously totally on-point, training programs. Shane’s comeback from a serious injury just a couple of months ago is nothing short of amazing and wherever this pair end up today will be an enormous achievement and great testament to their relationship.
Form, Facts & Stats:
Shane’s championships experience:
🔥 Team 🥈 Tokyo 2020; 10th individually – Team 🥉 Rio 2016 – Beijing 2008 (Team)
🗺️ Pratoni 2022 (Team); 13th individually – Tryon 2018 (Team) – Caen 2014 (Team) – Aachen 2006 (Ind.) – Rome 1998 (Ind.)
🔴 Dare I mention mankini-gate? I do. Well, Shane said, on record, that should he win a gold medal in Paris, he will wear a gold-kini. Oo la la.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 34.6
Cross Country Penalties – 2.8
Show Jumping Round 1 – 4.4
Show Jumping Round 2 – 0
Overall – 41.8 – 20th
Show Jumping 📈 He had a pole at Pratoni and also had one in the first round at Tokyo, adding another in the second round. But there are many more clears on this gelding’s record than there are poles. He finished on his dressage when he won the Horse of the Year event in New Zealand this season and has jumped clear in the final phase in each of his five 5* appearances.
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🇮🇪 Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Austin and ‘Salty’ got their first Olympic call-up at the very last minute, when they were bumped into the Tokyo team due to the late withdrawal of Cathal Daniels. They stepped up to the plate and did Ireland proud then, and this time around there mustn’t have been any doubt about his place being firmly on the team, what with a third place at Badminton and a Maryland 5* win now on their record.
Form, Facts & Stats:
Austin’s championships experience:
🔥 Tokyo 2020 (Team); 13th individually – Beijing 2008 (Team) – Sydney 2000 (Ind.); 17th
🗺️ Pratoni 2022 (Team); 18th individually
Form, Facts & Stats:
🔴 Austin was the first Irish rider since 1965 to win a 5* when he took the Maryland crown last fall.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 31.7
Cross Country Penalties – 0
Show Jumping Round 1 – 8
Show Jumping Round 2 – 0
Overall – 39.7 – 17th
Show Jumping 📈 Previously, you wouldn’t have pegged Salty for a certain clear round in the final phase, but recently he proved that he can keep all the poles in the cups, at both long- and short- format, particularly when others can’t. That’s what earned him the win at Maryland 5*. Looking back to his championships appearances, he rolled two poles in Pratoni, and one in each round at Tokyo. But Austin’ll have his more recent form in mind and will be channeling his Maryland luck as he takes to the ring in Paris.
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🇫🇷 Nicolas Touzaint and Diabolo Menthe
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Despite only being 44, Nicolas has the experience of five Olympics, two World Championships and nine Europeans in his arsenal – he sure knows how to pack a whole lot into a career. And on top of all that, he’s just won team silver at his home games!
Form, Facts & Stats:
Nicolas’ championships experience:
🔥 Team 🥉 Tokyo 2020; 6th individually – London 2012 (Team); 17th individually – Beijing 2008 (Ind.) – Team 🥇 Athens 2004 (Ind.) 8th – Sydney 2000 (Ind.)
🗺️ Pratoni 2022 (Team) – Aachen 2006 (Team)
🔴 Eventing’s in Nicolas’ genes – his dad and uncle are both eventing Olympians, with his uncle going on to coach the French team.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 27.2
Cross Country Penalties – 3.2
Show Jumping Round 1 – 8
Show Jumping Round 2 – 8
Overall – 46.4 – 25th
Show Jumping 📈 This gelding is a one or none kind of guy; across his career thus far it’s around a 50% clear jumping rate, but more recently he’s been clear more often. However, at long-format it’s exactly 50:50. He was clear inside the time on his way to winning the 4*-L Nations Cup event at Boekelo last season but had a pole in his season opener this year at short-format. Only time will tell how he copes with the two-round format of the Olympics, but one thing is for sure, based on his form thus far in his career, this horse has a sparkling future ahead of him.
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🇮🇹 Evelina Bertoli and Fidjy des Melezes
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
This pair have had a bit of a tricky time of it in the final round at championships thus far in their career. Will they put that right in Paris?
Form, Facts & Stats:
Evelina’s championships experience:
🗺️ Pratoni 2022 (Ind.) – Caen 2014 (Team)
Form, Facts & Stats:
🔴 Evelina took over the ride on ‘Fidjy’ in 2020.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 26.6
Cross Country Penalties – 6.4
Show Jumping Round 1 – 5.2
Show Jumping Round 2 – 4.4
Overall – 34.6 – 22nd
Show Jumping 📈 This is the phase where this combination may fall down a little, with faults usually coming in the form of two poles, as happened in their most recent run in the 4*-S Nations Cup event in Avenches. They also had eight show jumping penalties as well as 1.2 time at the European Championships last season, a long-format competition. It was a similar story at the World Championships in Pratoni, but there they pulled a third pole and added 1.2 time. There are clear rounds on their score sheet, but they’ve mostly come at short-format.
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🇧🇪 Karin Donckers and Liepheimer Van’t Verahof
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Surely one of the most experienced riders in the field, Karin knows what it takes to complete at an Olympics, she’s a six-time Olympian after all. She’s been a huge part of Team Belgium over the years and has very much been a part of the nation’s growing success and upward trajectory – they finished top of the standings of the Nations Cup series last year. She’s here with a relatively inexperienced ride, proving that the future is very bright for Belgian eventing.
Form, Facts & Stats:
Karin’s championships experience:
🔥 Rio 2016 (Ind.) – London 2012 (Team); 15th individually – Beijing 2008 (Ind.); 9th – Athens 2004 (Team); 16th individually – Sydney 2000 (Team); 9th individually – Barcelona 1992 (Team); 8th individually
🗺️ Pratoni 2022 (Team) – Tryon 2018 (Team); 17th individually – Caen 2014 (Team); 5th individually – Lexington 2010 (Team); 4th individually – Aachen 2006 (Team); 13th individually – Jerez de la Frontera 2002 (Ind.); 19th – Rome 1998 (Ind.) – Den Haag 1994 (Ind.)
🔴 This combination haven’t finished outside the top-20 in an FEI competition since mid-2021.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 26.6
Cross Country Penalties – 7.2
Show Jumping Round 1 – 4
Show Jumping Round 2 – 0.4
Overall – 38.2 – 16th
Show Jumping 📈 They were clear inside the time in the 4*-L at Boekelo last season, the last FEI long-format competition on their record. They’re on a run of four clear rounds, matching the highest number of clears they’ve had consecutively. There are a smattering of one pole rounds throughout their 29 FEI competitions, a couple of 8 penalties and one 12.
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🇧🇪 Lara de Liederkerke-Meier and Origi
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
It was an emotional day all round when Lara won Luhmühlen this season, the first Belgian to win a 5*. Lara didn’t even watch the rounds of those who went after her, she was just pleased with her performance and didn’t think anything more of it. And then her husband, Belgian team trainer, Kai Steffen Meier came into the collecting ring and informed her that she was a 5* winner. That’s eventing magic right there, my friends.
Form, Facts & Stats:
Lara’s championships experience:
🔥 Tokyo 2020 (Ind.)
🗺️ Pratoni 2022 (Team) – Tryon 2018 – Caen 2014; 18th Individually – Lexington 2010
4️⃣ Lara is currently World No. 4
🔴 Lara’s one smart cookie 🎓 As well as being a 5* winning eventer, she’s also got a Master’s degree in Commerce.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 30
Cross Country Penalties – 1.2
Show Jumping Round 1 – 4.4
Show Jumping Round 2 – 0
Overall – 35.6 – 13th
Show Jumping 📈 In 25 FEI competitions, this combination have had show jumping faults on just four occasions, each time just a single pole. Two of those times came in long-format competitions, of which they’ve done three. They occasionally add a smidge of time but far more often than not they add nothing at all in this phase.
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🇳🇿 Clarke Johnstone and Menlo Park
Photo by Eventing Nation.
This pair were on a streak of five clear rounds and hadn’t had a pole this season, until earlier today. Will they be back on their clear round form as they come forward in the individual final? Only time will tell.
Form, Facts & Stats:
Clarke’s championships experience:
🔥 Rio 2016 (Team); 6th individually
🗺️ Team 🥉Pratoni 2022 – Lexington 2020 (Team)
🔴 Clarke has won all of the major eventing titles in his native New Zealand.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 25.7
Cross Country Penalties – 4.8
Show Jumping Round 1 – 4.4
Show Jumping Round 2 – 4.8
Overall – 39.7 – 18th
Show Jumping 📈 They had a pole at the World Championships in Pratoni, as well as being two seconds over the time.
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🇺🇸 Elisabeth Halliday and Nutcracker
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Liz is making her Olympic debut after a few weeks of thinking she would have to watch from the sidelines as traveling reserve. She’s been part of a successful Team US before, winning the team silver at the Pan-Ams in Santiago last year. Nutcracker’s an exciting young talent and will be gaining so much valuable experience to take forward as he struts his stuff on the world stage.
Form, Facts & Stats:
🔴 In the barn, Nutcracker’s known as ‘Bali’.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 28
Cross Country Penalties – 6
Show Jumping Round 1 – 0.8
Show Jumping Round 2 – 5.2
Overall – 40 – 19th
Show Jumping 📈 This combination do roll a pole, on occasion, having one down in the Kentucky 5* in the spring, where they finished eighth on the gelding’s debut at the top-level. They jumped clear in the 4*-L at Galway Downs last season, which they won, and again in the 4*-L at Tryon, which they also won. They do have the odd pole, but they’re almost always at short-format.
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“Obviously it’s not the [team] result we wanted … but I think for all of us it was still a wonderful experience to be here. We’re very grateful, very lucky, to be in this position. I think it’s just made us hungrier for the future.”
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🇫🇷 Karim Laghouag and Triton Fontaine
Photo by Eventing Nation.
This pair got caught out by the two-round format in Tokyo but they’ll be buoyed up by the home crowd this time around, and, despite Karim’s happy-go-lucky nature, there’s no doubt that he’s the fiercest of competitors. He’ll be buoyed up by the fact he’s just won team silver at his home Games, that’s for sure!
Form, Facts & Stats:
Karim’s championships experience:
🔥 Team 🥉 Tokyo 2020; 12th individually – Team 🥇 Rio 2016
🗺️ Lexington 2010 (Ind.) – Aachen 2006 (Ind.) 10th
🔴 Karim is known for his epic sense of humor, arguably one of the most important traits in eventing.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 29.6
Cross Country Penalties – 0
Show Jumping Round 1 – 4
Show Jumping Round 2 – 4
Overall – 37.6 – 15th
Show Jumping 📈 They were on a streak of eight clear rounds until their most recent run in the 4*-S at Marbach, where they had a pole, and that includes long- and short-format competitions and Pau 5*, where they added just 0.4 show jumping time to their dressage score across the entire event and were runners-up. The last time they had jumping penalties in the show jumping ring was Tokyo, where they had one pole in the first round and two poles and 0.8 time in the second round. That must have been disappointing as this horse really is a great jumper, who very much more often than not leaves the poles in the cups.
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🇸🇪 Frida Andersén and Box Leo
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Frida didn’t get the chance to show jump at her other Olympic appearance in Rio, after withdrawing before the final horse inspection. She’ll be relishing her chance of an Olympic completion as she takes to the ring in Paris.
Form, Facts & Stats:
Frida’s championships experience:
🔥 Rio (Team)
🗺️ Pratoni 2022 (Team)
🔴 Frida’s a bit of a smart cookie, with degrees in dental hygiene and sport and business 🍪
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 33.3
Cross Country Penalties – 0
Show Jumping Round 1 – 0
Show Jumping Round 2 – 0
Overall – 33.3 – 12th
Show Jumping 📈 This pair have a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to form in the final phase. They had two poles at the European Championships last season, and one at the World Championships in Pratoni. They generally have a pole at long-format events, but that second one at the Europeans was unlucky, they’re mostly a one or none kind of combination.
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FRIDA FINISHED ON HER DRESSAGE SCORE!
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“It was just amazing. I went here with a goal to stay on my dressage. You always go with that goal, but it almost never happens.To make it at this time – today – in this atmosphere, it’s just amazing.”
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🇺🇸 Boyd Martin and Fedarman B
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Boyd rides regularly with Olympic show jumper Peter Wylde, so he’s well-placed for a good go at the final phase in Paris. And Bruno is a clear round kinda guy. Hold your breath Team USA fans…
Form, Facts & Stats:
Boyd’s championships experience:
🔥 Tokyo 2020 (Team); 20th individually – Rio 2016 (Team); 16th individually – London 2012 (Team)
🗺️ Team 🥈 Pratoni 2022 – Tryon 2018 (Team) – Caen 2014 (Team); 7th individually – Lexington 2010 (Team); 10th individually
6️⃣ Boyd is currently World No. 6
🔴 Boyd’s mom and dad both competed at the Winter Olympics.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 30.5
Cross Country Penalties – 1.6
Show Jumping Round 1 – 0
Show Jumping Round 2 – 0
Overall – 32.1 – 10th
Show Jumping 📈 Since this pair started competing together, they’ve had one single pole, which came at Luhmühlen last season and dropped him down a couple of places to eighth. But he was clear at Pau, where he was also eighth, and has kept the poles in the cups at five long-format events with Boyd. We’re looking for a double clear for this pair in the two-round format, but as we know, always with horses, we’ll have to watch this space.
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“It’s just a true honor and privilege to get Annie’s horse here to the Olympics and finish her work … I just felt like she was cheering us on from above the whole event and I just feel privileged.”
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🇩🇪 Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
A clear round is in no way a dead cert for this pair, so Julia will be holding her breath and hoping that all of the poles stay in the cups as she takes to the Olympic ring.
Form, Facts & Stats:
Julia’s championships experience:
🔥 Individual 🥇 Tokyo 2020 – Team 🥈 Rio 2016
🗺️ Team 🥇 & Individual 🥈 Pratoni 2022 – Tryon 2018 (Team)
🔴 Julia originally won’t have thought she had a seat on the flight to Paris, having been allocated to Block 3 on the German longlist. Then she won Aachen and was named as traveling reserve. Then Sandra Auffarth withdrew, meaning that yes, in fact, the reigning Olympic Champion is in situ to try and defend her title.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 26.9
Cross Country Penalties – 4.8
Show Jumping Round 1 – 0.4
Show Jumping Round 2 – 0
Overall – 32.1 – 11th
Show Jumping 📈 Nickel 21 jumped clear at Aachen on his way to the win a couple of weeks ago, but had a pole at the two competitions leading up to that. He hasn’t done a lot of long-format events, and he had a pole in the 4*-L at Montelibretti last season, where he finished second. Before that we’re going back to a 3*-L in 2022, where, incidentally, he did jump clear. He’s a one or none kind of guy – which will it be?
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🇳🇱 Janneke Boonzaaijer and Champ de Tailleur
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
This long-term partnership have been together since 2018 and Janneke has brought the gelding up from 2*. They’ve got plenty of Nations Cup experience under their cinch, as well as two European Championships and the Tokyo Games.
Form, Facts & Stats:
Janneke’s championships experience:
🔥 Tokyo 2010 (Ind.)
🔴 Janneke was part of the team at the Europeans last season which secured the Netherlands’ spot at the Olympics.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 31.9
Cross Country Penalties – 0
Show Jumping Round 1 – 0
Show Jumping Round 2 – 0
Overall – 31.9 – 9th
Show Jumping 📈 Every now and then this gelding will have a rail, but more often than not he jumps clear, really. He left the poles in the cups at the European Championships last season, a long-format competition, although it cost them two seconds over the time allowed. He had a pole in his last run, but that was short-format.
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JANNEKE FINISHED ON HER DRESSAGE SCORE!
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“It’s a dream come true, actually at the end. You know that a fault is made so quickly so… I hoped it, I dreamed it. I was okay with a little fault, but this is even better.”
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🇫🇷 Stéphane Landois and Chaman Dumontceau
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
It can’t be easy for Stéphane to ride in his friend’s honor as he does, but honestly, he does it with such grace and humility, reminding us all that the gelding is Thaïs’ in the stylized prefix he usually adds to the horse’s name – ‘Ride for Thaïs’. It’s one of the most poignant stories of eventing – Chaman Dumontceau’s rider was involved in a fatal fall and her friend took it upon himself to ride for her. And now all three are representing France at their home Olympics and have just won a team silver medal, which must be just so, so special.
Form, Facts & Stats:
🔴 As well as her horse continuing in Thaïs’ name, her family continue her legacy with a foundation which raises money for safety devices in the sport.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 24.4
Cross Country Penalties – 2.8
Show Jumping Round 1 – 4.4
Show Jumping Round 2 – 4
Overall – 35.6 – 14th
Show Jumping 📈 This is a one or none kind of guy, more often one. He’s had a pole in each of his last three FEI competitions, jumped clear in the 4*-S at Chatsworth last season (which he won), and then had a pole at each of his three events before that. He was on a streak of three clears up to that point. I think that gives a bit of a picture of how things tend to go in the show jumping ring for this combination. They’re generally inside the time, but can add a little here and there.
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🇳🇿 Tim Price and Falco
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Tim and Falco spent some time pure show jumping on the Sunshine Tour in Spain this season, so they’ll be well primed for the two-round Olympic format. Eyes on this pair to deliver another clear round 👀
Form, Facts & Stats:
Tim’s championships experience:
🔥 Tokyo 2020 (Team) – Rio 2016 (Team)
🗺️ Team 🥉 & Individual 🥉 Pratoni 2022 – Tryon 2018 (Team); 8th individually – Caen 2014 (Team)
9️⃣ Tim is currently World No. 9
🔴 Tim has won four of the seven 5*s, been on the podium two of the three he hasn’t (already) won and top-10 at the other.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 26.5
Cross Country Penalties – 2
Show Jumping Round 1 – 0
Show Jumping Round 2 – 0
Overall – 28.5 – 6th
Show Jumping 📈 This pair haven’t had a pole since 2021 and you have to go way, way, way back to 2017 to find another one on their record. That’s two poles in 27 FEI competitions. They were a second over the time when they jumped for victory at Pau 5* in 2021, but Tim’s produced a streak of seven clears without going over the clock since then.
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“He jumped awesome in the second round. It encouraged good jumping, that course — it was a good course. I was hoping it might be a bit tougher. He was really, really nice — very happy with me, relaxed a bit more, and just jumped better.”
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🇯🇵 Kazuma Tomoto and Vinci de la Vigne
Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Kazuma began his equestrian career in the show jumping ring, so he’s well-used to the pressure of the two-round format we see at the Olympics. In Tokyo, he actually jumped better in the second round, having had a pole in the first, so he’ll be hoping for two clears – and potentially another medal (he’s just won team bronze!) – this time around.
Form, Facts & Stats:
Kazuma’s championships experience:
🔥 Tokyo 2020 (Team); 4th individually
🗺️ Pratoni 2022 (Team); 8th individually – Tryon 2018 (Team)
🔴 Vinci de la Vigne is known as ‘Vince’ at home.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 27.4
Cross Country Penalties – 0
Show Jumping Round 1 – 0
Show Jumping Round 2 – 0
Overall – 27.4 – 5th
Show Jumping 📈 This pair are on a streak of seven clears inside the time after their super round earlier. They had a pole at the World Championships in Pratoni, and one in the first round in Tokyo, and the horse had one at the World Championships before that, when he was being campaigned for France by Astier Nicolas. He’s currently enjoying his best ever show jumping form though, so Kazuma will be keeping everything crossed that it continues at least a little longer.
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KAZUMA FINISHED ON HIS DRESSAGE SCORE!
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🇨🇭 Felix Vogg and Dao de l’Ocean
Photo by Eventing Nation.
Felix is no stranger to the final round of a championships and he’s sitting on a very, very good jumper. The gelding’s untested over a two-round format, but his penchant for clear rounds sure does stand him in good stead.
Form, Facts & Stats:
Felix’s championships experience:
🔥 Tokyo 2020 (Team); 19th individually – Rio 2016 (Ind.)
🗺️ Pratoni 2022 (Team); 14th individually – Tryon 2018 (Team) – Caen 2014 (Team)
🔴 Felix’s grandad competed in eventing at the 1956 Olympics in Stockholm.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 22.1
Cross Country Penalties – 0
Show Jumping Round 1 – 4
Show Jumping Round 2 – 4.4
Overall – 30.5 – 8th
Show Jumping 📈 This pair jump a lot of clear rounds, but they’re not infallible. They had a pole in the 4*-L Nations Cup event at Boekelo last season, which tumbled them down the order to ninth place. They’ve jumped clear at each of the four competitions they’ve done this season, all short-format events. We’ll have to wait and see how ‘Dao’ finds the format at Paris, but this guy’s got a very exciting future ahead of him no matter how things ultimately play out.
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🇯🇵 Yoshiaki Oiwa and MGH Grafton Street
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
In 2017, Yoshi became the first Japanese rider to win a 4* outside Japan and is, now, based with Pippa Funnell in the UK, after a condition of the sale of MGH Grafton Street was that he stay at her home. And now, Yoshi and ‘Squirrel’ have just won team bronze, the first eventing medal ever for Japan! Please someone get all the nuts for Squirrel.
Form, Facts & Stats:
Yoshi’s championships experience:
🔥 Tokyo 2020 (Team) – Rio 2016 (Ind.); 20th – London 2012 (Team) – Beijing 2008 (Ind.)
🗺️ Pratoni 2022 (Team) – Tryon 2018 (Team); 20th individually – Lexington 2010 (Team) – Aachen 2006 (Ind.); 18th
🔴 This gelding delivered Pippa Funnell a superb Burghley win in 2019.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 25.5
Cross Country Penalties – 0
Show Jumping Round 1 – 0.4
Show Jumping Round 2 – 4.4
Overall – 30.3 – 7th
Show Jumping 📈 In their four FEI runs together, they have a 50:50 jumping clear rate, with two poles over two competitions and two clears. Historically, this gelding can be a little tricky in the show jumping phase, with more faults than clears across his many events, but it looks like he’s going well for Yoshi thus far. How will they do in the Olympic ring today?
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🇬🇧 Tom McEwen and JL Dublin
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
‘Dubs’ is very much a one or none kind of guy in this phase, happily more often none than one. But he’s not infallible, and the two-round format caught out a couple of the Brits in Tokyo, not Tom though, who took home the individual silver medal with Toledo de Kerser. He now has another team gold to add to his collection! It would be a fairytale should ‘Dubs’ find himself up there after all’s said and done today, and we know that anything’s possible in eventing.
Form, Facts & Stats:
Tom’s championships experience:
🔥 Team 🥇 & Individual 🥈 Tokyo 2020
🗺️ Team 🥇 Tryon 2018; 12th individually
3️⃣ Tom is currently World No. 3
🔴 Tom keeps fit by running and can often be seen at events undertaking his course walk rather more speedily than the rest of the competition.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 25.8
Cross Country Penalties – 0
Show Jumping Round 1 – 0
Show Jumping Round 2 – 0
Overall – 25.8 – 4th
Show Jumping 📈 In long-format competitions with Tom, Dubs has 50:50 form – one or none. He had a pole and added 1.2 time penalties on his way to second place at Kentucky 5* in the spring, expensive penalties considering he would have won the thing without them. He also had a pole at Pau 5*, where he was third. He was clear at Kentucky last year though, where he was second, and finished on his dressage in the 4*-L Nations Cup event at Boekelo in 2022, where he was also second. There’s a lot of bridesmaid-ing going on for this pair, but it’s surely only a matter of time before they take a win.
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TOM FINISHED ON HIS DRESSAGE SCORE!
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🇬🇧 Laura Collett and London 52
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
One third of the team who took the gold in Tokyo – and now team gold medalists in Paris! – Laura and London 52 are surely here for redemption after an expensive second show jumping round saw them drop down the Olympic order last time around. Laura must’ve been cursing the two-round format at the Games, but I’m willing to bet that she’s been practicing for it since, well 2021.
Form, Facts & Stats:
Laura’s championships experience:
🔥 Team 🥇 Tokyo 2020
🗺️ Pratoni 2022 (Team)
🔴 There’s no prizes for guessing who Laura’s eventing idol is. Of course, it’s British eventing hero Pippa Funnell.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 17.5
Cross Country Penalties – 0.8
Show Jumping Round 1 – 4.8
Shoe Jumping Round 2 – 0
Overall – 23.1 – 3rd
Show Jumping 📈 So yes, Laura and London 52 jumped clear in the first round in Tokyo, but then had two poles in the second round. At that point, this horse had only ever had eight faults in a show jumping round once before, way, way back in 2018 (he’s since had two poles in a 4*-S competition in 2022). He did go through a spate of rolling a pole, around the time of Tokyo to the World Championships in Pratoni (where he had a pole), but once he came out of the other side of that, it’s been clear all the way.
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BRONZE FOR LAURA COLLETT AND LONDON 52!!!
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Laura’s taking two medals home from Paris to add to her Tokyo team gold – another team gold and individual bronze.
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🇦🇺 Christopher Burton and Shadow Man
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Chris has, handily, spent the last two seasons on the pure show jumping scene, so he’ll be well-prepared for the two round format, something we only see in eventing at the Olympics.
Form, Facts & Stats:
Chris’ championships experience:
🔥 Team 🥉 Rio 2016; 5th individually – London 2012 (Team)
🗺️ Tryon 2018 (Team) – Caen 2014 (Team) – Lexington 2010 (Ind.)
🔴 Chris was part of the team that helped Australia qualify for the show jumping at Paris, and had horses qualified for both eventing and show jumping at the Games.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 22
Cross Country Penalties – 0
Show Jumping Round 1 – 0.4
Show Jumping Round – 0
Overall – 22.4 – 2nd
Show Jumping 📈 This gelding jumps clear more often than not. He was on a streak of seven clear rounds until he lowered two poles in the 4*-L at Strzegom, Poland, in April (spanning both Chris and his previous rider, Ben Hobday). He kept them in the cups in his most recent run though, when he finished on his dressage score. He was a second over the time in the 4*-S in Kronenberg this spring, but there’s only been one other occasion that he hasn’t been inside in this phase.
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SILVER FOR CHRIS BURTON AND SHADOW MAN!
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🇩🇪 Michael Jung and Chipmunk FRH
Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The curse of the last fence must still hang over Michi and haunt his dreams to this day. It cost him and ‘Chip’ the title at the World Championships in Pratoni, and it’s not the only time an unlucky rub has scuppered his chance of a win. Is it their turn to convert their bridesmaid status to bride?
Form, Facts & Stats:
Michael’s championships experience:
🔥 Tokyo 2020 (Team); 8th individually – Team 🥈 & Individual 🥇 Rio 2016 – Team 🥇 & Individual 🥇 London 2012
🗺️ Team 🥇 & Individual 🥈 Caen 2014 – Individual 🥇 Lexington 2010
🔴 Michi’s won Badminton, Burghley, Luhmühlen and Kentucky, some of them multiple times.
▶️ Score coming into this phase:
Dressage – 17.8
Cross Country Penalties – 0
Show Jumping Round 1 – 4
Show Jumping Round 2 – 0
Overall – 21.8 – 1st
Show Jumping 📈 It’s a similar story for this combination’s show jumping form as it is for their cross country form. They don’t have poles often, but when they do, they really count. In 33 FEI competitions together, they’ve had poles on nine occasions, including one in the second round of jumping in Tokyo. They were on track to win the World Championships in Pratoni, with a fence in hand, but when one went and everyone held their breath, no one could have predicted that the last would go as well, dropping them down to fifth place. They’d jumped clear since then, until the 4*-S at Luhmühlen this season when they had one pole, dropping them from first to third. They did jump clear for the win at Kentucky 5* in 2022, and we all know that Michi will be absolutely determined not to let the mistakes of the past haunt his present-day hunt for another Olympic title.
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GOLD FOR MICHAEL JUNG AND CHIPMUNK FRH!!!
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MICHAEL HAS BECOME THE FIRST PERSON EVER TO WIN THREE OLYMPIC INDIVIDUAL TITLES IN EVENTING!
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