Team GB Secure Olympic Showjumping Team Final Place
Team GB secure their Olympic Showjumping Team Final place after a nail biting qualifier round.
Having passed the trot up, Team GB had a last minute switch-up heading into the team’s qualifier. Replacing Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson, the reshuffle saw Holly Smith and Denver take up their spot on the competing team. Harry Charles with Romeo 88 and individual gold medalist, Ben Maher and Explosion W took to the Tokyo Olympic stage for their second qualifier of the Games.
The British trio raced around the course, picking up zero time faults. However, speed came at a cost with the tricky course seeing all three riders knock at least one pole. Holly Smith and Ben Maher incurred 4 faults. Meanwhile, Harry Charles collected 12 faults.
However, the level of this Olympic course also saw many other combinations trip in it’s difficulty. Doing just enough to stay in the competition, the team managed to land themselves in 7th among the top 10 qualifiers.
Team Sweden were the only team to pick up no jumping penalties or time faults, as they qualified at the head of the pack. Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, USA, Brazil, The Netherlands, and Argentina will also be heading to the Team Final.
Meanwhile, France who finished just ahead of Britain in the qualifying standings, will be making an unexpected substitution. France’s Nicolas Delmotte has withdrawn from competition after his ride, Urvoso du Roch, suffered from a bout of colic on Thursday (5 August) evening. They will be replaced by Mathieu Billot and Quel Filou who also jumped in individual qualifier.
Olympic Showjumping Team Final
The format for the Olympic showjumping team final means that also score will be set back to zero.
The qualifying performance served to act as the decider on which teams will compete in the final, compromising of the top ten. They will also decide the order to jump.
With 20 penalties and standing in 7th, this means Team GB will be the fourth nation to compete in tomorrow’s final.
For the full viewing schedule and how to watch the Olympic Showjumping, click here.
Header Image; Ben Maher and Explosion W in the Tokyo 2020 Individual Final (FEI/Christophe Taniere)
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