'Good enough for gold'

Japan play snakes and ladders, while Britain's trio get the job done to bring home the all-important team gold medal

RYUZO KITAJIMA withdrew Cekatinka from the holding box, which meant Japan had to substitute in Toshiyuki Tanaka (Jefferson). The 20 penalties added to their score pushed them from third to fifth place, with Switzerland moving into team bronze position.

Santiago Varela’s 13-fence track was deceptively tricky, requiring the ability to shorten and lengthen. For example, the double at 12ab was on a long single stride, after which riders had to compress for the short four strides to the last, which was topped by a delicate white plank. Many of the fences were in pale colours.

“The poles are beautiful to look at but they’re really hard to see! I think it all blends into the background quite a lot,” said Ros Canter, who just had the oxer at fence six down to get Britain off to a good start.

“I know Walter has a bit of a right drift, and I just didn’t manage it around that one corner. But I’m delighted with the rest.”

Nicolas Touzaint (Diabolo Menthe) had lowered the red upright at 10 and the last, so Britain’s initial single fence in hand increased to two. Also in this first rotation, Switzerland’s Mélody Johner had 8.8 faults on Toubleu De Rueire.

“When we heard the Japanese had to take 20 penalties we had the feeling everything was possible, but now with my ride it seems the possible is going far away,” she said dejectedly.