After the first round it were 13 combinations that impressed over the big and technical course that was build at the Olympic Equestrian Centre. Among them three individual Olympic champions with Eric Lamaze, Jeroen Dubbeldam and current champion Steve Guerdat.
In the second round it was Nick Skelton that raised the bar with Big Star after producing a clear round in the course that was tough to beat as the jumps were high and it was not easy to get clear within the time.
Current European and World champion Jeroen Dubbeldam and Zenith were also victims of time when the crossed the finish just 0.02 seconds to late and finished on one time penalty having to miss out on the jump-off for the medals.
Joining Skelten in the jump-off were “outsider” Sheikh Ali Al Thani. USA's Kent Farrington, Peder Fredericson, Eric Lamaze and Steve Guerdat who had the chance to repeat his win from London 2012. Making a mix for a hot jump off to divide the gold, silver and bronze.
First in the ring to set the time was the British Skelton and the amazing jumping Big Star who set the time on 42.82. Putting the pressure on the rest of the field. Second to go Steve Guerdat and his Olympic Nino des Buissonnets were one of those combinations that could not maintain the clear and finished on 4 penalties in a time of 43.08 seconds. Just like Ali Al Thani and Farrington who both had two poles down.
Peder Fredericson and All In give the time of Skelton a good go, but lack some speed and finish in 43.35 seconds securing the silver medal. Last rider to go Eric Lamaze and Fine Ldy gave all they had and flew around the course in 42.09 seconds. But the rider from Canada had an unlucky pole down on the for last jump having to settle for the Bronze.
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Fredricson Peder, SWE, H&M All InOlympic Games Rio 2016
© Hippo Foto - Dirk Caremans
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