Team GB has secured its inaugural gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, with Ros Canter, Tom McEwen, and Laura Collett crowned team eventing champions at the picturesque Chateau de Versailles.
Entering the showjumping final on Monday, the eventing team held a narrow lead over the host nation, France.
With strong performances in both the dressage and cross-country segments, Team GB topped the leaderboard with a score of 82.5, while France trailed at 87.2.
The team’s lead could have been more significant, had organizers not disallowed a jump from the cross-country phase after a controversial penalty was awarded to Canter for clipping a flag while clearing a gate.
Canter was the first to compete in the showjumping round, incurring just four penalties on her horse, Lordships Graffalo.
Next, McEwen brought Team GB to the brink of gold with a flawless round on JL Dublin.
Collett was the final rider, taking to her horse London 52 to finish the task.
Despite receiving four penalties, Collett’s performance was sufficient to secure the team title.
This victory has lifted a cloud lingering over British equestrian sports since the scandal surrounding Charlotte Dujardin’s horse-whipping came to light last Tuesday, marking the first time Team GB has defended their Olympic team eventing title since 1972.
France claimed the silver medal, while Japan rounded out the podium with bronze.
Team GB concluded with a winning score of 91.30, finishing well ahead of France, who ended with 103.60.
Collett celebrated with her teammates after her round, although her hopes for the individual event were dampened after clipping the last fence.
