Maikel van der Vleuten wins second Olympic showjumping bronze medal

The Netherlands’ Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z have retained the person bronze medal they gained in Tokyo, within the Paris Olympic showjumping remaining.

Having been one in all solely three clears within the first spherical, the mixture, who additionally gained world particular person bronze and staff silver in 2022, had been leaping beautifully within the jump-off, flying to the oxer at new fence 16, earlier than clearing the Eiffel Tower vertical. Then at 10b, the primary a part of what was a double within the jump-off, each rails of the massive oxer got here down. This noticed them end equal on faults with Swiss silver medallists Steve Guerdat and Dynamix De Belheme, however behind on time, on 39.12 in comparison with 38.38 seconds. Germany’s Christian Kukuk and Checker 47 secured gold with the one jump-off clear.

“It’s one thing to be unbelievably happy with,” Maikel mentioned. “The extent is so excessive as of late and naturally in the event you’re so shut and previously you will have already gained a bronze medal, you goal for extra and I took that threat.

“I obtained the unfortunate fence down within the jump-off. However nonetheless, this medal. It’s unbelievable for the third time in an enormous championships to be within the high three as a person.”

Maikel paid tribute to his Dutch team-mates Harrie Smolders and Uricas V/D Kattevennen and Kim Emmen with Think about, who collectively completed fourth within the staff remaining, and who made it to the person remaining however not the jump-off.

“Additionally they deserve this medal,” he mentioned. “Sadly we had been simply out of the highest three within the staff class, however additionally they did a improbable job and likewise, [Willem Greve with Grandorado, who were originally picked for the team but were the alternate combination].”

Maikel mentioned he thought the course was like none he had seen earlier than.

“It was large, the jumps had been troublesome, it was technical,” he mentioned. “It was very lengthy, 15 fences together with a triple mixture and two doubles, and once I got here via this end I believed the way in which my horse did his spherical was unbelievable. He’s a world-class horse and he deserved greater than each horse this medal.”

Maikel additionally paid tribute to his mother and father, his grandparents, spouse, youngsters and his staff at house

“It’s simply improbable that I may give this again to them,” he mentioned. “For the people who find themselves standing day and evening for me, prepared. It offers a improbable feeling.”

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Keen about equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all facets of the business, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of alternative is showjumping, during which she competes her personal horses, and she or he additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits via to worldwide championships.