LA – A stellar line-up of the best jumpers in the world assembles on Sunday at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Deodoro to begin competition for team and individual jumping medals at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Olympic multi-medallist Ludger BEERBAUM (GER), competing in his seventh Games at Rio 2016, sums it up best when it comes to picking a winner. “There are a dozen favourites and McLain WARD (USA) would not be a surprise, as well as my colleagues from the Netherlands or elsewhere,” he said.
“The number of very good riders is at an historic high. It all comes down to getting it right on the day.”
The 75-rider field is a star-studded “who’s who” of the sport. Riding the horse he partnered to individual glory at the London 2012 Olympic Games, defending gold champion Steve GUERDAT (SUI) aims to repeat his success on Nino des Buissonnets at Rio 2016.
The reigning world champion Jeroen DUBBELDAM (NED) brings his champion horseZenith to Brazil to lead the team of Maikel van der VLEUTEN (NED), Harrie SMOLDERS(NED) and Jur VRIELING (NED). After team silver at London 2012 the Dutch team won the world championship team title in 2014 in Caen, France.
No.1 in the world rankings, Christian AHLMANN (GER) leads the same German squad at Rio 2016 that won the jumping Nation’s Cup at Aachen, Germany, in July, which was the last big test of form for many of the 15 teams competing at Rio 2016.
Great Britain sends some of their golden squad from London 2012 with veteran Nick SKELTON (GBR), riding Big Star, and Ben MAHER (GBR) joined by brothers John WHITAKER (GBR) and Michael WHITAKER (GBR). All four have substantial Olympic experience to call on in their attempt to repeat the scenes from Greenwich Park at London 2012.
The first of three qualifiers on the way to the final on Friday 19 August calls for a clear round within the time, ranking all riders with the same amount of faults equally, without a jump-off.
The computerised automatic draw resulted in the start slot going to Brazil with Eduardo MENEZES (BRA) and Quintol to be the first pair on the course at 10:00.
The course has been built by Guilherme JORGE (BRA) and is open to the riders for walking from 08:30. Substitutions can be made until 08:00, but for medical or veterinary reasons only.
PROGRAM SHOWJUMPING in RIO
Friday, 12.08.2016
ab 07:30 Uhr (12:30 Uhr)
Vet Check
Saturday, 13.08.2016
ab 10:00 Uhr (15:00 Uhr)
Training
Sunday, 14.08.2016
ab 10:00 Uhr (15:00 Uhr)
1. TB Individual
Starts & Results »
Tuesday, 16.08.2016
ab 10:00 Uhr (15:00 Uhr)
2. TB Individual & 1. TB Team
Wednesday, 17.08.2016
ab 10:00 Uhr (15:00 Uhr)
3. TB Individual & Finale Team
Thursday, 18.08.2016
ab 16:00 Uhr (21:00 Uhr)
Vet Check
Friday, 19.08.2016
ab 10:00 Uhr (15:00 Uhr)
Final Individual
The timetable of the Olympic Games in Rio 2016 is here »
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www.rio2016.com