Teams Competition Kicks off In Style!

chool child running to watch the jumping - showing such enthusiasm -
could he be Singapore's equestrian athlete in 8 years?

18 August dawned and the first day of Youth Olympic Games jumping had finally arrived!

There was tense expectation and plenty of excitement in the air as the riders, who made up the six continental teams, walked the course earlier this morning.  As kick off time approached and the riders left the arena to focus on warming up their horses, the stands began to fill with exuberant school children and other spectators, many of whom had never seen a horse in the flesh, let alone witnessed a jumping competition of this standard.

The crowd went wild!

"I can't believe I'm at an Olympic Games!" exclaimed one of the school children, "I've never seen a horse this close and I really want to start riding - I hope my mum agrees!"

The crowd were not disappointed.  They were treated to a wonderful morning of jumping and their 'oohs!' and 'aahs' echoed around the custom built arena - surely a good omen for this beautiful new facility's first competitive event.  The most difficult aspect of managing the spectators was preventing them from applauding loudly after each jump!  They nearly took the roof of when local hero, Caroline Chew (SIN) entered the arena on her beautiful mount, Gatineau.

Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Midnight Mist, following
their very classy clear round

One of the most rewarding aspects of a teams event for the riders, is the opportunity to bond with competitors from other countries.  During the morning, riders from various teams could be found walking the course and sitting in the riders' stands together, encouraging and helping each other before and after their rounds. 

Team building - countries from continental teams
walked the course together

Thomas McDermott (AUS) also completed
a perfect clear round with his horse, Hugo

Prior to his round, when asked how he felt about the first day of competition at the Youth Olympic Games, Thomas McDermott (AUS) - riding Hugo as part of team Australasia - commented that he was getting on fine with his horse who was jumping well, adding “hopefully everything will come together in the ring today, which I’m sure it will!” Later,  Tom’s confidence was certainly justified when he exited the arena, to thunderous applause, after a beautiful clear round.

Tom was not alone, there were several faultless rounds performed by riders from various teams including Jake Lambert (NZL) Australasia, Abdalla Mohamed (EGY) Africa, Samantha McIntosh (RSA) Africa, Martin Fuchs (SUI) Europe, Carian Scudamore (GBR) Europe and Marcelo Chirico (URU) South America.  The other riders have all shown vast improvement with their jumping and most were on only 4 or 8 faults - an excellent result for their first day of competition.

The best three scores were used for each team and after Round 1, Australasia, Africa and Europe were tied on 4 faults, with Asia and South America on 12 faults and North and Central America and Caribbean Islands on 16 faults. 

With three teams on 4 faults, the medal positions are very open going into Round 2, which will be held at 9.30am on Friday 20 August.

Sulatn Al Tooqi (OMA) deep in thought before competing with his horse,
 JF Damiro.  The partnership finished with a very credible 4 faults, whiched
contributed to team Australasia placing equal first after Round 1.