Aussies pay price for clipped fences as gold slips from Australia’s grasp in the eventing team’s event
AUSTRALIA’s equestrian team completed one mission but fell short in another when gold turned to bronze in a minute of pure pain today.
AUSTRALIA’s equestrian team completed one mission but fell short in another when gold turned to bronze in a minute of pure pain today.
Two fallen fences in the final ride of the competition saw Australia slip from first to third in a thrilling equestrian eventing team showdown at Deodoro.
Debonair star Chris Burton, the final rider for Australia, needed to have a flawless last round in the jumping event for his team to take gold but his young horse Santano II clipped two fences and that relegated Australia from first to third.
France won gold and Germany a fast finishing silver.
“I am disappointed — I can say that,’’ said Burton, the Queensland farm boy who used to jump logs with his brother as they rode far and wide on the family property after school.
“We have had a great time in Rio — I led the Olympic showjumping coming into the last day and that won’t be something I will forget in a hurry.’’
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Like a batsman getting a thin edge Burton sensed the “thud of death’’ behind him and knew the gold was gone midway through his round.
“It is pretty hard to miss the oohs noise the crowd make in a stadium like this. The horse is still learning but I am not disappointed in him. He is a little superstar.’’
The Australian team were disappointed that their unofficial captain Shane Rose had been ruled out of the event due to his horse having three refusals in the cross country. They promised him a medal but lamented it was not a different colour.
“It was a great buzz. I am relieved we at least got my teammate Shane Rose on the podium. He’s been great. He is basically the captain of our team.’’
The indestructible Rose was in a coma last year after being kicked in the face by a horse and the Sydney horse breaker has broken both arms, both legs, multiple ribs plus a string of other injuries.
Australia started the day in front and the lead changed four times in an intense four-way jostle featuring New Zealand, France and Germany.
The pressure was immense and even Kiwi legend Sir Mark Todd — judged the rider of the 20th century — struck four fences in his final ride as the Kiwis drifted out of the medals.
Australia struggled early when veteran Stuart Tinney a Sydney Olympic gold medallist, clipped two early fences and brought down four overall on his 18-year-old Pluto Mio who seemed distracted by the noise.
Spirits were revived when Sam Griffiths had a clear round but the French collected only eight penalty points for the day.
Originally published as Aussies pay price for clipped fences as gold slips from Australia’s grasp in the eventing team’s event