While these events have ancient roots dating back to Greek time, modern Dressage involves a rider attempting to maneuver a horse through a set of predetermined movements, while Jumping as the name implies witnesses horses jump over obstacles, and Eventing is a combination of all of the previous disciplines. These events are both played individually and with teams.
U.S. Olympic Team Team Members:
As with most Olympic events, the US Equestrian team was decided upon long before the 2016 Olympics took place in March 2016. The Show Jumping was led Lucy Davis, Kent Farrington, Beezie Madden, McLain Ward while the Dressage team featured Steffen Peters, Laura Graves, Allison Brock, Kasey Perry-Glass and the Eventing team featured Boyd Martin, Phillip Dutton Clark Montgomery and Lauren Kieffer. Heading into the Olympics, Team USA was looking forward to making a place on the podium after returning home from the 2012 Olympic games in London empty handed.
Performance in Rio:
Jumping Team: Led by four-time Olympian, Beezie Madden, who was forced to withdraw the event after her horse sustained a tendon injury, the US. Jumping team performed well during the Jumping Event. After being tied for first place with the Netherlands, Brazil, and Germany, Team USA now down to three riders due to Madden's injury, needed a perfect race to proceed to the podium. What ended up happening was an aberration.
After a poor showing from Lucy Davis, another four-time Olympian McLain Ward saved the United States title hopes with a spectacular performance that earned the country a Silver Medal.
Dressage Team: Following their success in the Jumping event, the United States led by four-time Olympian, Steffen Peters defied expectations and earned their first title since the 2004 games in the team Dressage Event. Peters was at the heart of the United States success making 74.622% on her performance allowed the US to chase the Netherlands team and garner a Bronze medal.
Similarly, first-time rider Brock Loxahatchee followed in Peter's footsteps earning 73.235 percent for his first Olympic Dressage performance. Overall, the combination of solid performance from veteran team members and new talents not only provided the US with a Bronze medal but a bright future in the for next Olympics.
Eventing Team: Unlike its performance in the Jumping and Dressage Events, Team USA displayed its team's age and inexperience in the Eventing event. After falling to second last place in the final standings, the Eventing team, led by Phillip Dutton and Body Martin featured many poor performances. The dearth of success event is something that has plagued the US in recent years as it has failed to medal in the team event since it won bronze in the 2004 games in Athens.
