Team Europe Clinch Gold

HRH Princess Haya congratulating winners

What a morning!  We are very exhausted from jumping over 40 rounds with the riders, which was definitely edge of seat stuff (can only imagine how tired the horses are, with having us all on their backs!).

After a damp start to the day, skies cleared slightly in time for the start of round 2 of the teams competition.  Three teams on equal scores of 4 penalties meant that we were in for some excitement, but the competition turned out to be even more thrilling than we could have imagined.

Wojciech Dahlke all smiles after his round

As the morning progressed, with marked improvement from Wednesday's competition evident for most riders, the teams were close and if the last rider, Team Europe's Nicola Phillipaerts (BEL), went clear they would clinch the gold.  Nicola cleared jump after jump in what was looking like another wonderful clear for Europe, when his horse Gippsland Girl, brought down a rail at the last fence. The expectant crowd gasped as one entity, as the rail fell .  This meant that three teams finished round 2 with a total of 8 penalties, which in turn required that these teams jump off against the clock over a shortened course, to determine medal placings.

Betty, from the Jamaican Federation, supporting the
Youth Olympic Riders

Both Europe and Australasia scored 4 faults in the completely rivetting jump off, however, Europe’s time was faster overall and they were rewarded with the gold, Australasia got silver and Africa bronze, to the elation of the riders and their supporters.

Throughout the competition there were some lyrical clear rounds, which were a pleasure to watch and had the lively crowd cheering in support of the young riders.  Once again, Caroline Chew (SIN), was loudly applauded and her harmonious clear on Gatineau was greeted with even more ecstatic applause.

Tom McDermott (AUS) playing up to the crowd

Samantha McIntosh (RSA) thrilled with the Team Africa's
Bronze Medal

Elated gold medallists, Team Europe, meet the press

 Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Carian Scudamore (GBR) both went clear to help Europe into the jump off and then Martin jumped a very smooth and tight clear on Midnight Mist for the fastest time in the jump off, with Wojciech Dahlke (POL) also jumping a nicely ridden clear in the jump off.  Other clears were spread throughout the teams and included Guilherme Foroni (BRA), Timur Patarov (KAZ), Jake Lambert (NZL), Mario Gamboa (COL), Dominique Shone (CAN), Sheikh Ali Abdulla M Alqassimi (UAE), Thomas Mc Dermott (AUS) and Samantha McIntosh (RSA).

Team Australasia proved that all team members are important when Jake Lambert (NZL) and Tom McDermott (AUS) both went clear in the two rounds, to ensure Australasia's spot in the jump off and then team members Jasmine Lai (HKG) and Zhengyang Xu (CHN) went clear over the shortened course, with Sultan Al Tooqi having a very consistent 4 faults each round and in the jump off.  All these riders' efforts helped secure the silver medal for Australasia and that's what team work is all about!

A great day's competition and FEI President, HRH Princess Haya, attending the event and medal ceremony, meant there were lots of young riders walking around with huge grins on there faces.  One of the riders was heard to say, "winning an Olympic medal and meeting Princess Haya, all in one day, is a dream come true!"

Congratulations to all the medal winners and competitors on a very entertaining and spectacular event and we are looking forward to round 1 of the Individual event on Sunday 22 August.  You all did the FEI Family and equestrian world proud today!