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Jumping Final Round B, 27th
August 2004 at 8.30 PM
Pictures and Report by Berni Saunders
Forty five horses were
scheduled to start for round A of the Jumping final on Friday the 27th
at 2.30 pm. However the start number was increased to 46 due to an
equal 45th place. The previous day 60 horses passed the veterinary
examination which represented all of the horses which were eligible to
start, but each nation was only able to put forward three combinations
and many of the better ranked riders did not have the chance to
take part. A notable casualty of the Olympic ruling was Christian
Ahlmann from Germany who has a current world rider ranking of 19 -
but rules are rules!
The showjumping stadium
of the Markopolou Olympic Equestrian Centre was an awesome sight,
fully lit with a capacity crowd and all of the colour and spectacle that
goes with the final of the most important jumping competition in the
world. The atmosphere was electric and like many people watching
the last minute preparations being made and rails raised to test the
talent of these superb and find a fitting gold medalist, I truly
wondered how they would ever get over the huge obstacles.
The jumps were 1.60
meters high and the spreads were 1.40 meters. There were a number
of very tricky jumps that were not necessarily of the greatest height,
but were unusual in shape and colour and caused quite a few hesitations
and a loss of flow and momentum.
The course designer was
respected German Olaf Peterson and he designed a testing and
technical course that tested athletic ability, obedience, training and
bravery. Most of the horses in the final round looked to be
capable of doing a very nice dressage test. Their flat work was
balanced, light round and completely in front of the rider's legs.
They were a joy to watch.
The Olympic rings etched
into the grass made the importance of
this event very obvious and of course looked great in photos.
There were 18
combinations that finished round A with 2 rails down and 8 jumping
faults and 11 combinations to better this score. While the round
was only intended to have a start number of 25 the equal placings saw
four more acceptances to bring the start list to 29.
Today's final saw the
cumulative scores from the previous qualifying competitions wiped from
the slate and the 46 starters today began with a zero score. I
really felt for reigning world No. 4 Breezie Madden from the USA and her
wonderful horse, Authentic. They had had a fault free competition
up until today and three rails down in round A has put them out of the
competition.
Breezie Madden and
Authentic - the hard luck story of the Olympics ...
Breezie won Team Gold
earlier in the week and was tipped for individual gold, based in her
impeccable performance. So Breezie was not part of the evening
session and will have to ponder the 'what ifs' of a missed step that
because such a costly error.
First to go at 8.30 is
Korean rider Jung-Hyan Joo who is ranked
359, and his wonderful Selle Francais
stallion by Jacisco B - Epsom Gesmeray.
This combination took
part in the world
championships in 2002, WEG-S Jerez de
la Frontera, C.Chap, Ind. rank: 68, Team rank: 21,
and also 1998, Asian Games NC, Starlight 31, Ind. rank: 2, Team
rank: 2
Many of the expert
watchers commented on the way the Korean riders have made enormous
progress and are tapping on the door. Jung-Hyan is a student of
the legendary Paul Schokemoehle and the style his student attests the
value of good training.
This horse is wonderfully
athletic and a bold clean jumper. They had some hesitant moments
and a couple of refusals which ended in elimination in this round.
Jung-Hyan Joo and Epsom
Gesmeray from Korea - Eliminated
Second to go was Japanese
rider Taizo Sugitani and Lamalushi, an 11 yo Dutch warmblood
gelding by Colando, bred in the USA. Taizo was born on 27th June,
1976 in Osaka, Japan and have an international ranking of 185. He took
part in the Sydney Olympic
Games
2000, Sydney, - , Mania Jolly, Ind. rank: 25, Team rank: 11.
1996, Atlanta, - , Countryman, Ind. rank: 64, Team rank: 15.
World Championships
2002, WEG-S Jerez de la Frontera, Lamalushi, Ind. rank: 21, Team rank:
20
1998, Italy, Rome, - , Mania Jolly, Ind. rank: 39, Team rank: 14.
He has done a great job to make it to the
final round and confirms his talent as a great rider and trainer.
They had 3 rails down in this round which was disappointing and they add
12 penalties to those from the first qualifier so complete the
competition on 20 and in 16 place.
Taizo Sugitani and
Lamalushi from Japan 16th Place.
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Page 1 |
Authentic / Epsom Gesmeray / Lamalushi |
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Page 2 |
Delfi Platiere / Promise Me / Countdown 23 |
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Page 3 |
Furka De Village / C Chap / Mr. Springfield |
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Page 4 |
Clinton / Sapphire / No Mercy |
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Page 5 |
Baloubet De Rouet / Magic Bengtsson
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Page 6
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Cento / Albin lll |
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Page 7 |
Carling King / Mac Kinley |
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Page 8 |
Goldfever / Landknecht |
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Page 9 |
Waterford Crystal |
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Page 10 |
Parco / Montreal |
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Page 11 |
Carnute /
Royal Kaliber |
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Page 12 |
Montender / Diagonal |
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Page 13 |
Castle Forbes Maike / Arko lll |
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Page 14 |
Baloubet Dr Rouet / Royal Kaliber
Jump off for Silver |
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Page 15 |
The Medal Ceremony |
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