We’ve got loads of incredible photos captured by our own Tilly Berendt to share with you from the eventing competition at the Paris Olympics, so we’ll kick things off with a few of our favorite moments in time. Stay tuned for future editions as we continue to look back on an unforgettable weekend of sport.
Mélody Johner (SUI) and Toubleu de Rueire cross the pontoon in front of the Chateau de Versailles, one of the most epic ways to work with a piece of ground that was previously unused for horse sports. The construction of this pontoon came after months of ideating and testing of various ideas, including a version that would move with the water instead of staying fixed. While during testing, the movable pontoon didn’t seem to faze the horses, the noise of the infrastructure as it moved became the deciding factor to instead construct an unmoving platform for the final competition. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Now a 5-time Olympian, Yoshiaki Oiwa (JPN) celebrates his test en route to his best individual and team result to date, finishing 7th individually and in historic bronze as a team. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Liz Halliday (USA) and Nutcracker had the incredibly tough task of slotting in as the third team member following the withdrawal of Will Coleman and Diabolo. Liz went on to finish in the top 20 in her Olympic debut with Nutcracker. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Ronald Zabala Goetschel (ECU) and Forever Young Wundermaske didn’t quite have the weekend they wanted, parting ways late on cross country in Paris, but nonetheless showing us all that age is just a number. Ronald aims next at the Bolivarian Games in 2025 before hanging up his eventing boots for good. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Stephane Landois (FRA) and Chaman Dumontceau competed in honor of the late Thaïs Meheust (in fact, the horse usually competes under the moniker “Ride for Thaïs Chaman Dumontceau, only dropping the prefix to abide by Olympic commercial naming rules), who passed away in a riding accident five years ago. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Tom McEwen (GBR) and JL Dublin cross the finish line inside the optimum time of 9:02, emphatically securing gold position for the British, even with Ros Canter’s controversial 15 penalties for missing a flag late on course. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Nicolas Touzaint (FRA) and Diabolo Menthe secure a clear round as the anchor pair for the home team, which went on to finish in silver position. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Michael Jung (GER) experiences the emotions of achievement, winning a history third Olympic individual gold with Chipmunk FRH. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Ryuzo Kitajima leads the Japanese portion of the victory lap, quite enthusiastically, on foot after taking part in the competition but finding himself horseless in the final phase due to the withdrawal of Cekatinka in that morning’s horse inspection. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Chris Burton (AUS) completes the a full-circle journey back to eventing after focusing solely on show jumping in recent years. A “perfect plan” to borrow Ben Hobday’s ride, Shadow Man, for a bid at the Olympics paid off: Burton clinched his first individual Olympic silver medal. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
