Brits rule at the Palace of Versailles
Horse & Hound|August 01, 2024
The Olympics open with a magnificent eventing showdown, in which the favourites, Britain, take team gold - led by individual bronze medallist Laura Collett - over a fascinating three days of surprises, stories and superb sport
PIPPA ROOME
Brits rule at the Palace of Versailles

Paris Olympics, France

“TOM MCEWEN and I were lucky to get that feeling of standing on a podium with a gold medal around our necks in Tokyo, and we sure want to do it again. Yes, there are a lot of expectations, but pressure is a privilege,” said Laura Collett after her Olympic dressage test in Versailles.

Two days later, she, Tom and Ros Canter luxuriated in that sensation when they won Britain’s first gold medal of this Olympics. To cap it, Laura claimed individual bronze with her “horse of a lifetime”, London 52.

Tokyo was an extraordinary Games, with medals won on sultry evenings under lights in an empty stadium. Paris could not have been more different with huge, enthusiastic crowds. Again and again, riders compared it to London 2012.

“Tokyo was the most surreal experience and to have the opportunity to come to another Olympics and witness these crowds – I could never have dreamt of it,” said Laura. “Luckily we Brits are all sat on horses who enjoy people cheering for them.”

London 52, owned by Karen Bartlett, Keith Scott and Laura, was the only horse from Britain’s last Olympic team to make Paris and, now 15, his programme has been geared around this ever since Tokyo. On the way, he’s won his second and third five-star titles and this individual medal was overdue after various glitches have kept him off championship podiums.

“He’s not a natural brave cross-country horse and I know how much he’s had to trust me so he now goes around a course like that on railway tracks,” she said after cross-country. “It just shows what a partnership you can build up. I have full faith in him now and then you can go and enjoy yourself out there.”

Britain started as favourites, with a 40% win chance according to data analytics company EquiRatings, but the three-to-a-team format with all scores to count offers massive opportunities for everything to unravel in a millisecond.

Denne historien er fra August 01, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra August 01, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA HORSE & HOUNDSe alt
Super Sonic steps up
Horse & Hound

Super Sonic steps up

Oakley Nash lands a 128cm double with \"wild\" project pony and a determined 138cm rider is in flying form

time-read
2 mins  |
March 06, 2025
Townend takes two
Horse & Hound

Townend takes two

A familiar face and a potential future star triumph for Oliver Townend, as the eventing season gets under way

time-read
4 mins  |
March 06, 2025
Last-minute dash ends in triumph
Horse & Hound

Last-minute dash ends in triumph

A change of plan leads to victory and a home-bred star proves that talent runs in the family

time-read
1 min  |
March 06, 2025
William's the Lad
Horse & Hound

William's the Lad

It's back-to-back victories in the hunt race he sponsors for a delighted – and generous – William Fox Grant

time-read
3 mins  |
March 06, 2025
Saving Britain's in-hand show tradition
Horse & Hound

Saving Britain's in-hand show tradition

Kim Wilson investigates how Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain is tackling the decline of in-hand classes and working to secure the future of youngstock

time-read
4 mins  |
March 06, 2025
'This unspoilt hunting heaven
Horse & Hound

'This unspoilt hunting heaven

A visit by the RS Surtees Society to Northumberland provides a showcase for the Percy hounds and their hunting country

time-read
6 mins  |
March 06, 2025
Local hero is all heart
Horse & Hound

Local hero is all heart

A Borders team lifts Scotland's richest hurdle for the second year with a gutsy six-year-old and a £1,000 purchase richly rewards a patient owner

time-read
2 mins  |
March 06, 2025
Access all areas Gavin Cromwell
Horse & Hound

Access all areas Gavin Cromwell

The former farrier is sending his strongest team of Cheltenham Festival runners yet. Jennifer Donald meets the team behind a remarkable success story

time-read
7 mins  |
March 06, 2025
Saffron Cresswell
Horse & Hound

Saffron Cresswell

The young event rider, who suffered a serious spinal injury in a fall last year, talks to Pippa Roome about her journey so far and what the future holds

time-read
8 mins  |
March 06, 2025
Daphne
Horse & Hound

Daphne

This contrary mare may spin like a top and be uncatchable in the summer, but she's \"terrifyingly brave\" and absolutely brilliant in the hunting field

time-read
2 mins  |
March 06, 2025