‘Drama unfolding with each spherical in Paris’

Graham Fletcher on strain, magnificence and the proper end result for Britain on the Paris Olympics

What an excellent achievement for Ben Maher, Harry Charles and Scott Brash to deliver residence the crew gold medal from Paris. When it comes to using and horsemanship, it was the perfect I’ve ever seen. All three have been 11 out of 10.

They didn’t begin as favourites – a serious bookmaker had Britain to win crew gold at 25/1 – which underlines simply what a tremendous feat this British crew pulled off.

I’ve at all times mentioned that the epitome of sophistication is making a tough job look simple, and no rider personifies that extra so than Ben; he’s a wonderful rider to look at. Harry Charles, displaying a maturity past his years, was excellent. In years to come back, he’ll experience rounds nearly as good as Friday’s – however he’ll by no means experience a greater one. And Scott, beneath the immense strain of getting to leap a giant and tough course understanding he should go clear for the gold, proved he actually is the “ice man”.

I like the Olympics. To me, it’s the best present on earth and the French have performed it masterfully with their undoubted aptitude. The equestrian setting at Versailles was completely gorgeous.

Complete strain

There was criticism of the scoring technique of all three to depend – changing the perfect three of 4. I do know plenty of prime riders don’t prefer it, and I can perceive why; it’s complete strain. As you could possibly inform from the tense and ashen faces of a few of the Paris Olympic showjumpers, it’s a bit like asking turkeys in the event that they’d vote for Christmas. And once you’ve competed all through your profession with the consolation blanket of a drop rating, it now turns into a complete new ball recreation.

Underneath the brand new all-three-to-count system, the margin for error has change into even smaller too. However there’s little doubt the format makes for riveting viewing and it could possibly be argued that it has put showjumping on a par with another profitable modern-day sports activities. I feel that beneath this format the pendulum additionally swings from which crew has the perfect 4 horses to which has the perfect three riders.

I assumed the Paris Olympics course-designers Santiago Varela and Grégory Bodo did a unbelievable job. Not simply the gorgeous aesthetics of some breathtaking fences, however the best way they have been constructed too.

The primary course was huge however primarily asking questions on carefulness; whereas you wanted extra scope to leap the second course, significantly in
the mixture.

Full credit score to them that from the begin to the end, not one crew didn’t get by way of due to an elimination on target.

For me, a very powerful facet of this crew competitors was that it was seen by legions of the general public – the individuals who used to get pleasure from showjumping solely to search out that it’s disappeared not solely from mainstream TV, however there’s additionally little or no on the satellite tv for pc channels both.

On Friday, nonetheless, they have been capable of watch an exhilarating competitors with an easy-to-understand formulation, unbelievable rigidity and drama unfolding with each spherical. Plus, in fact, the proper end result for the Brits.

It has been mentioned that equestrianism’s inclusion in future Olympic Video games hangs within the stability. However with sold-out, enthusiastic crowds of round 20,000 individuals at each Olympic efficiency in Paris and a few nice tv, I can’t imagine it gained’t be included.

● Do you factor the brand new Olympic format is best? Tell us at hhletters@futurenet.com, together with your identify, nearest city and nation, for the possibility in your letter to look in a forthcoming situation of the journal

You may additionally be interested by: