Great Britain for gold?
AFTER a six-decade long barren spell, British showjumping supporters have been treated to a gold rush at recent Olympics, first with the team’s success in London 2012 followed by the emotional scenes of Nick Skelton being crowned individual champion on Big Star in Rio five years ago. So could the medal celebrations continue in Tokyo?
Well, Great Britain certainly seems to be fielding one of the strongest squads we’ve ever seen, with three of the world’s leading riders matched with a heavyweight artillery of horsepower that has become the envy of the world.
This new Olympic three-man team format where there is no drop score adds a whole new dimension to the sport, making reliability, experience and the ability to keep a cool head under pressure the prerequisites to claiming a medal. There could also be some tactical advantages playing out, with the team medals being decided after the individual honours for the first time. So who will that favour?
Nations such as the US, who are the reigning world champions, Belgium, the recent European gold medallists, and the mighty Germans have the strength in depth to be able to field a trio of top-ranked riders, even though some leading names have been ruled out of this year’s Games.
Ireland heads to Tokyo full of fighting spirit and
