It was an exciting day here at Tryon International Equestrian Center as the eventers took center stage in the final phase of the FEI World Equestrian Games™.
The individual eventing medals were literally decided by the very last rail of the very last round today at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon. Overnight leaders Ingrid Klimke and SAP Hale Bob OLD sadly knocked the final fence on course, which dropped them to the bronze medal position. Both Padraig McCarthy of Ireland and Rosalind Canter of Great Britain produced double-clear rounds, which left Padraig with the silver medal and Rosalind with the gold.
Rosalind was understandably over the moon after her round with the 13-year-old KWPN stallion Allstar B: “It was quite a shock…I’ve shed a few tears! It’s the most incredible feeling. It’s just a surreal day for me. I’m so proud of myself, my horse and my country.”
The pair finished on their dressage score of 24.6, after having moved steadily up the leaderboard throughout the competition.
“I’ve dreamt about nothing else for the last six months,” said a delighted Padraig McCarthy after claiming his silver medal.
“He’s a very, very good jumper,” he said of his 13-year-old gelding Mr. Chunky. “In a previous life I was a show jumper, so that gave me confidence going in.”
When asked if it’s better to be an eventer now rather than a show jumper, he said with a laugh: “Absolutely!”
Ingrid was still proud of her long-time partner, even though they sadly had the last rail down. “If someone told me before we came here this week that I’d win the individual bronze medal, I’d be happy. [The rail today] was his only mistake all weekend. It was just a little bit of bad luck.”
Great Britain had a fantastic day earning both the individual title and team gold medal. Team members Rosalind Canter/Allstar B and Kristina Cook/Billy The Red had double-clear rounds, while Tom McEwan/Toledo de Kerser and Piggy French/Quarrycrest Echo each had a rail to leave them with a final score of 88.8.
Team Ireland were the runners-up for the silver medal and finished the day with a 93.0. Padraig McCarthy/Mr. Chunky and Sam Watson/Horseware Ardagh Highlight had clean rounds, while Sarah Ennis/Horseware Stellor Rebound and Cathal Daniels/Rioghan Rua both had a rail.
The French team scored a 99.8 and rounded out the podium with their bronze-medal winning group: Maxime Livio/Opium de Verrieres and Donatien Schauly Adj/Pivoine des Touches had clear rounds, while Thibaut Vallette Lt. Col/Qing du Briot ENE HN and Sidney Dufresne/Tresor Mail each had a rail.
Team USA
Sadly, Team USA did not have the performances they’d hoped for, finishing the team competition in 8th place with a score of 145.0.
Will Coleman and Tight Lines were the first of the day to go and picked up three rails. Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg were next and also had three rails as well. Phillip Dutton and Z put in a stellar double-clear performance to finish their weekend as the highest-placed Americans in 13th place. Lynn Symansky had a disappointing round with Donner, as three rails dropped them from 9th to 25th.
Fast Facts:
- 70 starters
- Time allowed was 89 seconds
- There were 16 jumping efforts
- Only 16 double-clear rounds
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