The 52-year-old finished 23rd in the same event four years ago in London, with a previous career best of 13th at the 2004 Athens Games. They would need faults from those ahead of them to make it to the medal podium.
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The energy and excitement for the final day of the eventing competition washed over the Olympic Equestrian Center at Deodoro on Tuesday.
This isn’t Dutton’s first medal. Dutton earned two Olympic gold medals when competing as an Australian national before emigrating to the U.S. He announced he would become an American citizen in 2006 and first competed for the U.S.in the Olympics in 2008. He’s represented America for three straight Olympics and, per NBC, now resides near Philadelphia. By knocking down just one rail in that jumping portion, he finished third behind Germany’s Michael Jung and France’s Astier Nicolas.
“It’s been a great weekend for the horse. The guy who owned him, Bruce Duchossois, would be proud of him”, said Dutton. So we just had to get up and do our best today. “I was happy with fourth but ecstatic with third! I think I’ll have plenty of horse for tomorrow”.
Leading the charge as first out for the USA on cross-country was Martin on the Blackfoot Mystery Syndicate LLC’s Blackfoot Mystery. Despite the additional 8-faults, they still qualified for the individual final ranked in seventh place. “He’s had a few injuries here and there and he hasn’t quite been able to get to this worldwide stage in a really good place yet, so I am pleased with the horse”.
“It’s disappointing, but I have to say, this horse tried so hard this weekend”, expressed Martin. “He genuinely loves the sport”. “He just had nothing left in the last round”.
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Jung posted a near unbeatable score while riding Sam FBW, to win his second consecutive gold.
