Showjumping horse and rider combinations to watch at the Olympics

TEXT: CHRISTIE WOLHUTER

This year's Olympic Showjumping in Tokyo is going to be an exciting spectacle of horse and rider partnerships. Here we take a look at some of the favourites for the medals, but as one knows with equestrian disciplines, a result is never guaranteed!

INDIVIDUAL MEDALS

Ben Maher (GBR) and Explosion W (Chacco-Blue x Baloubet du Rouet) showed they are a hot favourites by winning the CSI5* Rolex Grand Prix at the Royal Windsor Show on the 4th of July 2021. Maher, currently ranked 12th, had this to say about his horse, “I've said it before, but Explosion is just incredible. He helped me out a bit today, but he jumps better faster and he was fantastic.” Ben has also said about his phenomenal mount: “Every time I ride him, he makes me feel like I can do anything”.

Martin Fuchs (SUI) rounded up the podium with Bronze at the Windsor 5* on Clooney 51 (Cornet Obolensky x Ferragamo). He also won the FEI Jumping European Championships in Rotterdam in 2019. He is currently ranked number 2 in the FEI rankings.

Daniel Deusser (GER) and the phenomenal mare Killer Queen VDM (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x For Pleasure) will be another pair to watch, as Daniel is currently ranked number 1 in the FEI standings.

Scott Brash (GBR) recently won the CSI5* at the Tops Arena aboard his Olympic ride Hello Jefferson (Cooper vd Heffinck x Irco Mena). Scott had this to say about his win “I am delighted with the way Jefferson is jumping. He feels in great form and you couldn't have a better preparation for the Olympics”.

Nicolas Delmotte (FRA) and his Olympic ride Urvoso du Roch (Nervoso x Grand d’Escla) recently won the Rolex Grand Prix of Chantilly. He had this to say about his calculated round “As we leave for Tokyo in a few days, I didn't want to take the risk, but I still wanted to win. My choice was right in the end and I am very proud of my horse. He is in extraordinary shape”.

Darragh Kenny has also been in top form recently and managed to secure no less than three podium finishes in one afternoon at the 5* Global Champions Tour fixture in Spain in May this year on VDL Cartelo (Cartani x Lord).

Number 5 ranked Kent Farrington (USA) and his mare Gazelle (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Indoctro) can never be ruled out of the medals. They have an extraordinary number of wins between them, over many years.

TEAM MEDALS

In terms of team Gold, it is almost impossible to predict a favourite. Just about all of the dominant jumping nations have team members that are strong enough to cinch Gold.

Belgium won the European Championships at Rotterdam in 2019

Germany won the Nations Cup in Sopot in June this year. Here you can see Mumbai and Chakaria in action for Germany, part of the winning team.