France’s show jumpers have won the Olympic gold medal in the equestrian team event today at the National Equestrian Center in Deodoro Park in Rio de Janeiro.
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Rozier, 53, was called in after team mate Simon Delestre, the sport’s No. 2 ranked rider, withdrew his horse due to an injured hock four days before competition began.
In the nervy decider, Yann Candele was Canada’s lead rider aboard First Choice 15 and posted four faults but German Christian Ahlmann, the world number one, was clean aboard Taloubet Z. “We also played with time allowed”. Tiffany Foster jumped clear on the British-bred Tripple X III, but when two of the Canadian riders had a fence down, it dropped them off the medal podium. Final rider Penelope Leprevost – who is out of the individual competition after a fall caused by her horse stumbling in the opening round – didn’t even have to jump.
“We do hope it will give more impetus to people in local and global competitions”, rider Kevin Staut said of France’s win.
France has marked a triumphant return to the top of equestrian sports in Rio, claiming gold in eventing last week as well as individual eventing silver.
The U.S. finished the two-round competition on five faults, behind gold victor France, but and ahead of Germany who won the bronze.
France produced a series of stunning performances, however, scoring just three team penalties throughout the competition to finish in first place.
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Germany’s seven-time Olympic veteran Ludger Beerbaum said the drama and uncertainty of the day’s competition showed a proposed rule change that would require teams of three rather than four riders was a bad idea.
