Tension was on the rise during the individual final of the Olympics, where Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward (Edward) appeared as favorites to start. What should have been a triumphant ride ended unexpectedly in a dramatic moment.
During the ride of the world number one and number one on the WBFSH, an unfortunate twist occurred after the open water. Although the combination continued without error over obstacles seven and eight, things began to go wrong on the approach to the next obstacle. Von Eckermann had to work unusually hard on the reins to maintain control, but eventually lost it.
King Edward suddenly deviated to the edge of the arena, causing von Eckermann to lose his balance and fall out of the saddle. To the relief of spectators and fans, both rider and horse remained unharmed and the duo left the course side by side.
Afterwards, von Eckermann explained the incident: "He jumped fantastic on the first line until the combination. Maybe it was a little tight on the water, so I didn't make the six canter jumps to the next obstacle the way I wanted to. That's where I got out of rhythm. I had so much forward momentum that on landing I wanted to follow him to the right to go into the turn. For a millisecond he does something to the left, and because I am right with my balance, which is not the intention, I lose my balance to the right, and presumably that throws him off track. He goes more to the left, I try to get him back, but then those blocks in front of the starting line get in the way."
A fall unfortunately meant exclusion for von Eckermann and the King Edward bred by Wim Impens. Not only for them was the exclusion recorded because of a fall. Andres Azcarraga (MEX) also came loose from his saddle just before the open water and had to leave the arena alongside the Contendro I son Contendros 2.
During the ride of the world number one and number one on the WBFSH, an unfortunate twist occurred after the open water. Although the combination continued without error over obstacles seven and eight, things began to go wrong on the approach to the next obstacle. Von Eckermann had to work unusually hard on the reins to maintain control, but eventually lost it.
King Edward suddenly deviated to the edge of the arena, causing von Eckermann to lose his balance and fall out of the saddle. To the relief of spectators and fans, both rider and horse remained unharmed and the duo left the course side by side.
Afterwards, von Eckermann explained the incident: "He jumped fantastic on the first line until the combination. Maybe it was a little tight on the water, so I didn't make the six canter jumps to the next obstacle the way I wanted to. That's where I got out of rhythm. I had so much forward momentum that on landing I wanted to follow him to the right to go into the turn. For a millisecond he does something to the left, and because I am right with my balance, which is not the intention, I lose my balance to the right, and presumably that throws him off track. He goes more to the left, I try to get him back, but then those blocks in front of the starting line get in the way."
A fall unfortunately meant exclusion for von Eckermann and the King Edward bred by Wim Impens. Not only for them was the exclusion recorded because of a fall. Andres Azcarraga (MEX) also came loose from his saddle just before the open water and had to leave the arena alongside the Contendro I son Contendros 2.