Eventing horse and rider combinations to watch at the Olympics

TEXT: CHRISTIE WOLHUTER

It was previously thought that you couldn't breed an eventer; they had to be acquired and tested to suit the sport. However, a few breeders around the world have proven this fact is not entirely true, with certain bloodlines frequently showing up in horses representing their countries at the Tokyo Games.

It is generally agreed that Thoroughbred blood is essential to a good eventing pedigree, even though there has been a rise in the Warmblood (particularly Holsteiner and Selle Francais) influence in recent years. In South Africa, at an adult and star level, we see a wonderful mix of off the track Thoroughbreds, cross-breds and horses from many different warmblood studs.

FAVOURITES

Now in terms of the favourites, it is always trickty, but some riders have had consistent success, while others seem to be in fine form lately.

Laura Collett’s and her Holsteiner gelding London 52 won the CCI5* at Les 5 Etoiles de Pau in 2020. It was his 5* Debut. London 52 is by Landos S (Lord x Calypso I x Ladykiller xx) with Quidam de Revel and Cassini I on his dam line.

Two time Olympic individual Gold Medalist Michael Jung will be riding the famous Hannoverian Chipmunk FRH, who was previously campaigned by Julia Krajewski. Chipmunk is by Contendro I out of a mare by Heraldik. Contendro I is the number 4 ranked stallion on the eventing WBFSH. Michael and Chipmunk have had a string of wins at 3* and 4* recently, and with their experience combined, they will be a big threat for Gold.

Julia Krajewski won the Samur CCI4*-L in June 2021 on Amande De B’Neville, putting her in a strong position for this Games.

Tim Price will be competing alongside his wife Jonelle. The pair have, between them, been on the podiums of the Northern Hemisphere’s top 5* events, including Badminton, Burghley, Kentucky, Pau and Luhmuhlen. It is their second consecutive Olympic Games together. Jonelle will be competing on the Irish Sport horse Grovine de Reve, who is a combination of Selle Francais and Irish Sport Horse. Tim’s mount is the Holsteiner Vitali, by the Holsteiner Contender out of the Thoroughbred famous in eventing, Heraldik.

Number 1 ranked eventer Oliver Townend is another to watch with previous wins at Badminton, Burghley (twice) and Kentucky (twice). Oliver and the Irish Sport horse Ballaghmor Class have had 6 wins together since 2016.

Tom McEwen has had 1 win at 5* with his Selle Francais gelding Toledo de Kerser (Diamant de Semilly x Papillon Rouge)

Boyd Martin and the 14-year-old Trakehner gelding, Tsetserleg, certainly boast a wealth of experience and success on their resume. He and Boyd collected the individual gold medal in 2019 at the Pan American Games in Lima, and the gelding also finished second in the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2019, earning the title of USEF National Champion. Boyd has this to say about his ride "On these big, long, gruelling courses, at about eight or nine minutes of an 11-minute course, he's got grunt. You give him a little spur or a cluck and he gets a second wind. That's something you can't train into them."

Andrew Hoy (AUS) will be riding his much loved Anglo Arab partner registered Vassily De Lassos (Jaguar Mail SF x Jalienny AA). They came third in the recent Luhmuhlen 4*-S. It will be Andrew Hoy’s 8th Olympic games.

Tinka's Boy is the sire of Victoria Scott-Legendre's Valtho and also the sire of Jonathan Clarke's Data Sciences Enouche RK.

IT’S TOO CLOSE TO CALL!

All in all, the eventing at Tokyo promises to be a nail-biter, and have us on the edges of our seats!