- Team GB is currently at the top of the team eventing rankings as they approach the final discipline.
- The lead could be much larger if not for a 15-point penalty incurred.
- This contentious decision might prevent Great Britain from securing their first gold in Paris.
A contentious decision may cost Team GB their chance at a gold medal during the Paris Olympics.
Great Britain’s eventing squad enters the showjumping final on Monday with a narrow lead over France, following strong performances in the dressage and cross-country events in Paris.
However, the competition is tight, with Team GB, featuring world No. 1 Ros Canter, Tom McEwen, and Laura Collett, leading with a score of 82.5, while France trails closely behind at 87.2.
Team GB’s path to gold would be considerably clearer if not for the penalty incurred by Ros Canter during the cross-country phase for bypassing a flag at the 21D brush skinny.
In eventing, penalties are assigned for missing a gate if a flag is knocked down. Although her horse, Lordships Graffalo, successfully rode through the gate, Canter accidentally brushed the flag with her knee, resulting in a 15-point penalty.
A controversial ruling could see Team GB miss out on their first gold medal of the Olympics
Ros Canter received a penalty after missing a gate in the cross country – but Team GB appealed to claim that the jump was legal because she – not Lordships Graffalo – knocked over the flag
Canter waves to the crowd on Lordships Graffalo after competing in the dressage on Saturday
Following the cross-country phase, Team GB submitted an appeal asserting that since Canter herself brushed the flag and Lordships Graffalo passed the gate without disturbance, the jump should be deemed legal.
Sports organizers have denied the appeal, stating there’s insufficient conclusive evidence to support Team GB’s argument.
Consequently, Team GB risk losing out on their first gold medal of the 2024 Olympics, with the third phase set to commence at 10 am UK time on Monday.
After the cross country, Canter remarked: ‘I did touch a flag coming out of the triple brushes in the wood, but I would have never imagined I didn’t jump the jump – I didn’t come back and think I’d done anything but come back clear inside the time.’
Fans expressed disappointment on social media regarding the denied appeal, claiming Canter and Team GB should feel ‘aggrieved’ after the cross-country event.
One frustrated fan stated: ‘Why was Ros Canter given a penalty when you can clearly see the horse clears the fence and her knee knocks over the flag…. Disgusted!!!!!’
World No 1 Canter is joined by Tom McEwen (left) and Laura Collett (right) in team eventing
Another commented: ‘If this is the front view of Ros Canter taking the jump which caused her penalty, how on earth did the judges decide that she didn’t clear it? Because that looks pretty nailed on clear to me… I think Ros can feel very aggrieved, honestly.’
A third added: ‘So frustrated by this whole Ros Canter 15 penalties situation! Multiple pictures have surfaced of her clearly jumped the jump correctly, inside the flags, even fan videos taken from head on show it. The FEI rule 5 below states it should rule in competitors’ favor and they haven’t!’
