Eventing team claim Team GB's first gold of Paris 2024

Equestrian Eventing 29 Jul 24

The eventing team delivered Team GB’s first gold of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Equestrians Rosalind Canter, Laura Collett and Tom McEwen claimed top spot in Versailles to defend the title the latter two won at Tokyo 2020.

Collett, riding London 52, was the last of the trio to go in the final show jumping round and knew that she could afford to knock down four fences and still take gold ahead of France.

In the end, the Cheltenham native only knocked down one fence to see Great Britain claim the medal with a winning score of 91.30, 12.30 ahead of silver.

She said: “I’m on top of the world. I’ve never, ever ridden into an atmosphere like that.

“Luckily London is one trusty partner. So are my teammates as well, we brought it home."

Canter on Lordships Graffalo, McEwen riding JL Dublin, and Collett had combined brilliantly to see Team GB lead after the opening dressage round, with Collett setting an Olympic record score.

In the cross-country, the trio again powered around a tricky course to take a slender lead into Monday’s final event.

In the blaring sun just outside the French capital, Team GB delivered, finishing ahead of France, who took the silver, with Japan in bronze.

All three have qualified for the individual final later on Monday, with Collett in third and McEwen, the reigning silver medallist, in fourth, Canter sits in 23rd after a penalty in the cross-country.

McEwen said: “It was alright actually [watching Collett]. She jumped amazingly, I thought I would be more nervous, I much prefer doing it myself to be honest.

“But it was a class round from Laura, and it was poetry in motion.

“To get another gold for Team GB and British eventing and the sport of eventing. And first gold of the Games for GB!"

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