The
USA Make It Their Day 18/08/2008
The USA
pipped Canada for team Jumping gold in a thrilling third-round jump-off
at Sha Tin Stadium in Hong Kong tonight (Monday). And Norway climbed all
the way up from overnight joint-sixth place to take bronze thanks to a spirited
team performance. The Swiss had to settle for fourth ahead of Germany
and The Netherlands in joint-fifth while Great Britain, down to
just three team-members due to the loss of John Whitaker and Peppermill, finished
sixth. As Swedish luck ran out, they plummeted from third to eighth while
the Australians slotted into ninth place; but, the Aussies, also with just
three in their side, fought a tremendous battle after pathfinder Peter McMahon
broke his collarbone in a fall in the practice ring. To take a medal
with just three riders, however, is a remarkable feat by any measure. Team  Canada's
day began with the news that Mac Cone's horse, Ole, would be withdrawn as he was
unsound; but nothing was going to kill their hunger for a share of those Olympic
medals. "The odds are that you have no chance with a team of just three;
but, you gotta try," said Canadian hero Ian Millar tonight, and try
they did, to the very end. (Ian Millar and In Style are pictured at the right.
Photo (c) Kit Houghton) TENSION There was huge tension
in the British camp right up to the start of the competition as they awaited the
Appeal Committee decision in relation to John Whitaker's participation.
Whitaker's 11-year old stallion was withdrawn yesterday because he was stiff and
uncomfortable; but, was considered fit for duty again today. And when the Ground
Jury met this morning (Monday) at 11am to consider a request from the British
team, it was agreed that the horse and rider could compete in tonight's second
round of the team event. However seven of the nine qualified teams then
lodged a protest following which the Ground Jury upheld its earlier decision,
but, when the teams formally launched an appeal to the Appeal Committee who met
at Sha Tin at 4pm local time today the objections were upheld and the British
rider was declared ineligible to jump. The rule which was applied was Article
264.4 from the FEI Rules for Jumping Events which states that "a full Nations
Cup team comprises four competitors each riding the same horse throughout the
competition. All members of each team must take part in the first round, except
as stated in paragraph 4.2 below and in paragraph 7.2". Paragraph 4.2. states
that "if a team, comprising four competitors, cannot improve its placing
in the first or second round after its third competitor has completed his course,
the fourth competitor may be withdrawn". A clear or four-fault round from
Whitaker yesterday would have improved the British result. A 13-fault
opening effort from Nick Skelton and Russel put the final nail in the British
coffin as the competition got underway tonight. THE TEST Another
track full of questions and surprises faced horses and riders once again - Leopoldo
Palacios and Steve Stephens presenting them with flair, colour and creativity.
A left-hand turn after the opening vertical led to the triple bar followed
by a dog-leg to the 1.50m white oxer at three and then a check of control and
positioning at the skinny, snaky planks at fence four. A left-hand bend to the
vertical at five was followed by another big question over the first of the three
doubles on the track - would horses be distracted by the liverpool water-trays
under both the opening oxer and the vertical second element? Now the pressure
was full-on with acceleration required on approach to the narrow open water -
4.10m wide - with just four good strides to the next double, vertical to vertical,
at fence eight. This would prove pivotal. A turn-back to the oxer at nine, a right
bend to the planks at 10 and a left-hand turn brought horses down the final line.
And here the brightly-coloured wall at 11 was followed by a double of oxers at
12 and then, on a curving line, the final vertical at 13. "It's a difficult
track - it was very technical yesterday and even more so today," said Belgium's
reigning World Champion Jos Lansink whose stallion Cumano is clearly really
enjoying his jumping again after a long lay-off due to injury. "The course
builder is using the water fences very cleverly," he pointed out after putting
in one of the earliest tours of the course, picking up just two time faults. "The
water is going to be a problem for a lot of riders," he added, and he was
quite correct. A GOOD START The first-day joint-leaders from
the USA made a good start when McLain Ward's only mistake with Sapphire
was at the water, and when Laura Kraut's Cedric put in a spectacular clear
they were looking very strong indeed. "Tonight he was completely relaxed,"
Kraut said afterwards. "We had a mix-up in the practice ring when
he thought a shadow was a groundline; but, things like that don't bother him,
it just made him more attentive, and he felt amazing in there. My biggest worry
was about the liverpool double; but, he soared over it. It's hard to believe how
much he has come on over the last year. In May 2007 we jumped in the Super League
in Rome and it was too much for him; but, he has decided to peak at the right
moment - I'm thrilled with him," she pointed out. The joint-leaders
from Switzerland, however, were in trouble right away. Pathfinder Christina
Liebherr had a nightmare ride with No Mercy who lived up to his name when
dragging her at break-neck speed around much of the track and, having hit the
oxer at three, put a foot in the water and lowered the oxer at nine she had to
pull up in front of the second element of 11 before circling to finish. "He
is either a genius or a crazy horse, and today he was a crazy, crazy horse,"
the rider said in resignation after putting 23 faults on the board. Team-mate
Pius Schwizer meanwhile made an amazing recovery when Nobless M threw in
an objection on the approach to the vertical at five, and did well to complete
with just five faults this time out. All eyes were on the Germans who, so
surprisingly, were trailing the field after yesterday's opening round; but, any
hope of a rapid climb up the order would be halted by 19 faults for Marco Kutscher
when, in an effort to take a sharp check after a strong ride to the water, he
stopped Cornet Obolensky in his tracks. Clearly unsettled, the handsome stallion
completed, dropping several fences on his way home. RISING The
Australians, however, were really rising to the challenge and Laurie Lever's
excellent four-fault effort with the brave Drossel Dan was followed by a fabulous
clear from Edwina Alexander and Itot du Chateau. If last man in, 23 year
old Matt Williams, could hold it together they would be challenging for
a medal at the end. Lying fourth overnight, the Norwegians were also making
good progress despite a 12-fault result from pathfinder Stein Endresen when
Morten Djupvik and Casino lowered only the second element of the double at fence
eight and Geir Gulliksen picked up just five with Cattani. The Dutch were
unable to make any real headway, eight faults for Angelique Hoorn and O'Brien
and a good five-fault round from Marc Houtzager and Opium followed by an
unhappy 27 from Vincent Voorn and Alpapillon-Armanie. And the Swedes, in
overnight third, were fading fast too, Peter Eriksson's good opening four-fault
result with Jaguar Mail followed by 20 from Lotta Schultz and Calibra and
17 for Helena Lundback and Erbblume - they couldn't claw their way back
from there. The Canadians, however, were blossoming under pressure - Jill
Henselwood paving the way with a superb clear, one of just five on the day,
from the aptly-named Special Ed and Eric Lamaze keeping them right in the
game with just a single mistake, at the second element of the penultimate double,
with the big-jumping Hickstead. And as it came down to the closing stages it was
clear that the weight of Canadian responsibility would fall on the mature shoulders
of nine-time Olympian Ian Millar. (In spite of eight prevoius Olympic Games
the 2008 Team Silver Medal is Millar's first Olympic Medal.) The line-up
was already taking shape, the Germans finally finished off when Ludger Beerbaum's
All Inclusive stopped when the partnership could not find the distance from
the water to the following double to complete with six faults while Australian
hopes were finally dashed by 17-fault round from Matt Williams. "I
did too much with my horse in the warm-up, and halfway around the course I paid
the price," the young man said philosophically. A GREAT DEAL The
Dutch just couldn't stay afloat despite just a single error for Gerco Schroder
and Monaco; but Norwegian anchorman Tony Andre Hansen produced another
fabulous round with Camiro. Hansen has been training with former Irish
rider Gerry Mullins for the last six years and he has honed his skills to great
effect over the past 12 months - his one time-fault the only addition to the Norwegian
scoreline. "I want to thank Gerry a lot," he said today, "he
pushed me and pushed me and here we are now - I owe him a great deal," he
added. It was clear that Norway would now take bronze; but it took a foot-perfect
round from Ian Millar to secure the Canadian position and, if Beezie
Madden could leave all the fences up when last to go with Authentic, then
the Americans would take gold ahead of them. But a foot on the tape at the bogey
water ensured a jump-off instead, both teams now sharing a total of 20 faults
apiece. You could cut the air with a knife as McLain Ward led the
way in the third and final round, throwing down the gauntlet with the coolest
clear from Sapphire over the new track which asked for a strong gallop to the
new final oxer, and when Henselwood hit the wall, now fence two, the Canadians
began to look vulnerable. Laura Kraut piled on the pressure with an amazing
ride with Cedric who also left the fences intact; but, Lamaze pulled it
back for Canada when producing the quickest time, 36.35 seconds, with Hickstead.
If Will Simpson made a mistake then it would all fall back on Millar
again, but a powerful clear from Carlsson Vom Dach sealed the deal - it was all
over and the US held that precious gold while the Canadians had to do with silver.
That wasn't really a problem for them though, because they have waited a long,
long time for this. HISTORICAL It was an historic Canadian
moment because they have not held an Olympic medal since Tom Gayford, Jim Day
and Jim Elder took gold in Mexico City in 1968 - a full 40 years
ago. And at 61 years of age, the record-breaking Ian Millar was
very happy with tonight's result. "I've been riding on Canadian teams for
39 years" he said, "and there have been a lot of good days; but, the
Olympic Games have never gone my way so to be part of this is remarkable. I want
to say thanks to my great team and horses and to the team that have been behind
us all," he added. "When Mac's horse was out this morning
it didn't seem like we had any chance of a medal, and then Jill inspired
us all with her great ride. She left us no choice but to have a real go - she
set the standard and we had to follow" he explained. And, even though he
will be 65 when the next Olympic Games are held in 2012, he is looking forward
to it already. "I'm going to try again for London - I've picked out the horse
already!" he said. The Norwegians meanwhile were relishing their bronze,
a first-ever Jumping prize for their country which has not taken part in the equestrian
Olympic contest since 1992 (16 years). "When we qualified at the Europeans
last summer we didn't really believe we could go this far - you dream that it
might happen; but, this, to us, is as good as winning gold!" said Stein
Endresen. "Finally we have a team riding at the same level at the same
time - and the team spirit has been unbelievable" said Hansen while
team manager, Sylve Soderstrand, added with some satisfaction, "The
team have stuck to the plan we made two years ago, and that is why we are here
today." The Americans meanwhile were looking happy if a little stunned
and Laura Kraut admitted that the whole of the final sequence of events
had taken her by surprise. "I was a bit dazed and confused going into the
jump-off, we weren't really sure it was going to happen until the last minute
and our horses were already going back to the stables - there was no time to think
about it. I just knew, going in, that I needed to be clear and fast and it just
turned into our night - the Canadians made us work for it though!" she pointed
out. "I was sorry because I made my team jump in the jump-off - I
should have sealed it in the second round; but, I'm glad how it worked out"
said Beezie Madden. Team manager George Morris was looking pretty pleased
too, because it had worked out just fine. An American triumph, a Canadian
moment to remember and for Norway the reward of commitment and the willingness
to work together to make the impossible dream into a reality.
The
IOC President Jacques Rogge and FEI President HRH Princess Haya watching the final
Jumping team competition. Photo (c) Kit Houghton
Contact
Malina Gueorguiev
FEI Communication Department
Fédération
Equestre Internationale
malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
t +41 21 310 47 47
f
+41 21 310 47 60
www.fei.org FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2008
On
Top of the World; US Show Jumpers Win Team Gold at 2008 Olympic Games
By Joanie Morris 
(Photo
by Shannon Brinkman)
Hong
Kong, China – A Jump-off Between the United States and Canada Decided the
Team Gold Medal Tonight at Sha Tin.
Two
countries, tied on a score of 20, after two rounds. Under the
Olympic rules all team members return to the ring to jump-off. Canada began the
evening a horse down because Mac Cone withdrew Ole. This meant that they did not
get to drop a score. Every member of the team made a valuable contribution.
McLain Ward led it off again for the US on Sapphire. He jumped a
masterful clear. Canadian Jill Henselwood had one down with
Special Ed. Laura Kraut on a horse that even she thought
might not be here because he was so inexperienced, repeated Ward’s
effort with Cedric and slowly the misfortune of Team USA over the last two weeks
began to lift. As expected the next Canadian, Eric Lamaze,
jumped clear with Hickstead. The pressure was on Will Simpson…
and he delivered with Carlsson vom Dach. Three clear for the US
meant that Canadian Ian Miller and anchor rider for the US, Beezie Madden,
didn’t have to jump as they couldn’t be beaten. “I
can’t believe it,” said Kraut after they won. “The Canadians
really made us work for it.” The Norwegians won bronze for
their very consistent effort. The night got started off with
Ward having four faults with 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, Sapphire,
owned by Blue Chip Bloodstock, Ward and Tom Grossman. She is consistently
brilliant. The mare’s score is four after three rounds. The 2004 Team Gold
medalists from Athens jumped a brilliant first round, just putting a foot in the
water on the landing side in the first round. “She jumped phenomenal,”
said Ward after the first round. “The water caused a lot of trouble
and she just put a foot on the tape. I was a little slow to it and didn’t
have enough momentum. I was a little slow, it was my fault. You can’t fault
her.” Kraut and 10-year-old Cedric were next in the
ring for the USA and the grey Dutch gelding seems to be thoroughly enjoying his
first Olympic experience. At only 15.2 hands, Cedric (owned by Happy Hill Farm)
jumped clear in the first round after having the very last fence down last night.
“Each night he’s been more relaxed, and I’ve been
more relaxed,” said Kraut. Tonight, the pair was incredible.
The least experienced horse on the team delivered big time. “He
couldn’t have been better,” said Kraut. “I was worried about
the Liverpool line and I actually didn’t ride that very well. I stood way
off it. Once I got through that I knew I just had to not make a mistake. He’s
an amazing animal. I’m so excited.” Olympic rookie Will
Simpson rode El Campeon Farm’s Carlsson vom Dach to an eight fault performance.
The 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding faulted at the water again; but barely touched
the tape. They also had the last fence down, getting down the line on eight strides
instead of seven. “I didn’t know I’d had the water,”
said Simpson. “The horse didn’t know. I’m disappointed because
he put in a great effort. He’s such a smart horse. He was jumping so well.”
Simpson, from Thousand Oaks, CA, is making an impression in his
Olympic debut, putting in dependable performances over the first three rounds.
The top three riders from each team will move forward into the final round to
determine the individual medals on Thursday. Simpson finished on 16, one more
than Beezie Madden. Anchor rider Madden bounced back
from an uncharacteristic performance with Abigail Wexner’s Authentic in yesterday’s
first team round. The 13-year-old KWPN gelding had something bothering his head
as he approached the triple and never saw the first element, running right by
it. They came into tonight’s competition with 11 penalties which is very
unlike him. Tonight he was back to normal, just barely touching
the tape at the water. It was these four faults that forced the jump off with
Canada; but, Madden didn’t have to jump again. Madden has been
the anchor rider for countless Nations Cup; but, this time it didn’t come
down to her score in the jump-off. “I was relieved (I didn’t
have to jump-off). I was just sorry I made these guys have to jump-off.”
said Madden. “I wish I had sealed it for them; but, it was a great
feeling to have won the gold medal.” Madden, from Cazenovia,
NY, was also Ward’s teammate on the 2004 gold medal winning team.
51 horses returned to jump in the Sha Tin arena to decide the Team
medals. Nine teams (the top eight scores – Germany and Australia were tied)
jumped over a different course designed by Leopoldo Palacios and Steve
Stephens. The Olympic Games is the only time when two different courses are
used in the Nations Cup.
15 horses and riders were jumping as individuals
as this class also served as the third Individual Qualifier.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Decision
of the Appeal Committee as to the Eligibility of John Whitaker to Jump in the
Second Round of the Team Competition 18/08/2008 Following a
meeting of the Appeal Committee – Jumping held at Sha Tin at 4pm on 18 August
2008, the Appeal Committee has upheld the objections of seven national teams as
to the eligibility of John Whitaker to jump in the second round of the
Team Competition – Jumping. The Chef de Mission of the Great Britain Team
has been informed that John Whitaker is not eligible to compete in the
second round, and also therefore in the final. The sequence of events was
as follows: John Whitaker (GBR) withdrew from the first round of the team
competition - Jumping held on Sunday, 17 August 2008.
The Ground Jury met
this morning (Monday 18 August 2008) at 11am and further to a request by the GBR
team, decided in favour of allowing John Whitaker to compete in the second round.
All
teams were immediately informed of the Ground Jury’s decision.
Subsequently
and within the allowed timescale, seven of the nine teams competing lodged a protest
to the Ground Jury.
The Ground Jury considered the protest and upheld its
earlier decision at 3 pm this afternoon.
In accordance with the rules and following
due process, the seven teams formally launched an appeal to the Appeal Committee.
The
Appeal Committee met and their decision is given above.
Article 264.4 of the
FEI Rules for Jumping Events (Nations Cup) is set out below: 4.1. A full
Nations Cup team comprises four competitors each riding the same horse throughout
the competition. All members of each team must take part in the first round, except
as stated in paragraph 4.2 below and in paragraph 7.2. 4.2. If a team,
comprising four competitors, cannot improve its placing in the first or second
round after its third competitor has completed his course, the fourth competitor
may be withdrawn.
Contact
Malina Gueorguiev
FEI
Communication Department
Fédération Equestre Internationale
malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
t
+41 21 310 47 47
f +41 21 310 47 60 www.fei.org
Contact: Jennifer
Ward
Starting Gate Communications
On-site cell: (852) 6719 5760 August
18, 2008
For Immediate Release
Silver
Medal for Canadian Show Jumping Team
Hong Kong, China –
The Canadian Show Jumping Team claimed the Silver Medal on Monday, August 18,
at the Olympic Games. Equestrian events are being held at the Sha Tin equestrian
venue in Hong Kong, China.
Forty years after it last won a team medal,
gold at the 1968 Olympic Games in  Mexico
City, the Canadian Show Jumping Team once again stood on the podium. Mac
Cone of King City, ON, Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, ON, Eric
Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, and Ian Millar of Perth, ON, completed the
Team Final with a total score of 20 faults, as did the United States, to force
a jump-off for the Gold Medal.
(The Canadian Show Jumping Team won the Olympic
Silver Medal. From left to right: Mac Cone, Ian Millar, Eric Lamaze and Jill Henselwood.
Photo Credit - Cealy Tetley, www.tetleyphoto.com ) In the jump-off,
all three American riders posted clear rounds while Canada had to count a four
fault score from Henselwood, giving the United States the Team Gold and
Canada the Team Silver. Norway earned the Team Bronze with a score of 27 faults.
Canada came into the second round of the Team Final on Monday tied for
fourth place with 16 faults. Unfortunately, Cone’s horse, Ole, was
not fit to compete, meaning that Canada had to count all three scores from Henselwood,
Lamaze and Millar. Henselwood, 45, and Special Ed, a 14-year-old
Oldenburg gelding owned by Juniper Farms, opened strong for Canada by delivering
a clear round. “He gives an extraordinary amount of effort,”
said Henselwood, who is making her Olympic debut. “We had the pressure
of a three-man squad and also of wearing the flag; but, we also had all the support
from our Canadian fans as well.” Lamaze, 40, was the next Canadian
into the stadium and had an uncharacteristic four faults with Hickstead, a 12-year-old
Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Torrey Pines Stables and Ashland Stables. However,
Millar kept the Canadian score to a minimum when he delivered a clear round
riding In Style, a 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Susan Grange of Lothlorien
Farm. His performance guaranteed a Team Medal for Canada. “I’ve
been riding on the team for 39 years and a lot of good things have happened, but
the Olympics have never quite gone my way,” recounted Millar, 61,
who is making a record-tying ninth Olympic appearance. “This is remarkable
for me. I can’t say enough about our great team and horses, and our chef
d’equipe Torchy Millar, and all the people in Canada who are behind
us. We had great synergy.” The top 35 riders in the individual rankings
move forward to Thursday’s Individual Final. Lamaze, Millar and Henselwood
all made the cut. Lamaze was tied for second place with four faults, Millar was
tied for eighth with eight faults and Henselwood was ranked 26th with 19
faults. All riders start from zero in the Individual Final. Following the first
round of competition, the top 20 riders move forward to the second round, and
any ties are then broken by a jump-off before Individual Medals are awarded.
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