Ben Maher and Explosion W fly to Olympic gold

Today’s individual jumping finale must have been one of the most thrilling, yet heart-stopping competitions we’ve seen thus far in these 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Just six combinations stayed clear in the first manche, Daisuke Fukushima for Japan, Ben Maher for Great-Britain, Maikel van der Vleuten for The Netherlands and… Von Eckermann, Fredricson and Baryard-Johnsson for Sweden!

It was the brilliant Explosion W and his rider from Great-Britain Ben Maher who took gold after an incredibly tense jump-off. Silver went to Peder Fredricson and All In and Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z take bronze.

First round

Especially the middle and last part of the course was proven to be challenging. The bright red Shinkyo Bridge (fence 6) was proven to be tricky double to clear, as were the grey-striped poles of the Himeji Castle-jump (fence 7). Quite a few combinations made faults in the colourful Kabuki triple combination (fence 8).

Greatly respected riders by the likes such as Bertram Allen, Martin Fuchs, Daniel Deusser and Darragh Kenny all ended up with 8 penalties. Luciana Diniz, Gregory Wathelet, Ashlee Bond, Nicolas Delmotte and Jerome Guery all ended up with 4 our 5 penalties, as the tight time allowed of 88 seconds, turned out to be a distinguishing factor too.

To everyones surprise Niels Bruynseels (BEL) was totally caught out, with Delux van T&L strongly refusing to go anywhere near the pastel green poles of fence 4, the Nihonbashi Bridge. He wasn’t the only top rider to be eliminated though: Harry Charles (GBR), Geir Gulliksen (SUI) and Beat Mandli (SUI) all raised their hands after seeing no point in continuing their course any further. Daniel Meech (NZL) and Cinca 3 did finish with 14 penalties, but were later eliminated. We’re not sure as to the reasons why, but it could possibly be due to an official’s decision.

Jump-off

Just six combinations qualified themselves for the jump-off. With 85,31 seconds., Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) and Beauville Z were the quickest combination in the first round. Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) and King Edward followed closely behind with a time of 85,48 seconds. He was closely followed by all two of his other team mates: Peder Fredricson with All In and Malin Baryard-Johnsson with Indiana, with only Ben Maher and Explosion W to stand in between. A surprise to some (although not to everyone who has had their eye on the recent results of some big European competitions, were he has been doing brilliantly) was the qualification of Japanse rider Daisuke Fukushima and Chanyon (v. Chacco-Blue).

The Japanse rider was the first to go in and immediately set the tone with a wonderfully clear round in a competitive time of 43,76 seconds.

Up next are Malin Baryard-Johnsson and Indiana (v. Kashmir van Schuttershof) for Sweden. With a great big jump she flew over the Kanto Matsuri-triple, keeping up the pace all the way throughout her round. Her lovely bay mare Indiana truly jumped her heart out, crushing Daisuke’s time with 40,76 and taking the lead.

Up next was Fredricson. With all the ease of the world and such great agility he jumps his barefooted All In (v. Kashmir van Schuttershof) to 38,02 seconds, taking over the lead.

Ben Maher’s Explosion W (v. Chacco-Blue) had to truly put in everything he has to be able to go past Fredricson’s time… and he did. The amazing, all-winning chestnut seemed a little slower then Fredricson in the first half, but crushed it in the second. The combination from Great-Britain jumps to 37,85 seconds, putting one hoof on the gold medal.

Henrik von Eckermann put in an amazing effort, but couldn’t get close to Maher or Fredricson, ending on 39,71 seconds with his young and talented BWP-gelding King Edward (v. Edward 28).

Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z (v. Bustique) are the combination that will make the final decision: who’s going to go home with bronze, silver and gold? The Dutchman is right on time of Maher… takes some of the sharpest turns imaginable… folds over the last fence… stays clear… and takes bronze with a time of 38,90 seconds! And with that, Ben Maher wins gold and Peder Fredricson takes silver.

Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward end in fourth, fifth is for Malin Baryard-Johnsson and Daisuke Fukushima ends in place six. The brilliant results of the Swedes surely makes us excited going into Friday and Saturday’s team competition!

Source: DigiShots News
Photos: Dirk Caremans – Hippo Foto