H&H’s Olympic showjumping particular person medal favourites for Paris

It’s onerous to look past the all-conquering world champions Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward for particular person gold within the Olympic showjumping on the Paris Video games, however has a chink on this mighty pair’s armour surfaced at current occasions the place the Swedish rider has taken a few amassing ring tumbles? So long as that kind doesn’t infiltrate the competitors ring, they’ll be onerous to beat, however I count on the likes of defending champion Ben Maher (GBR), Laura Kraut (USA), Daniel Coyle (IRL), European champion Steve Guerdat and his Swiss team-mate Martin Fuchs to be amongst these battling it out on the ultimate day, too.

The Olympic showjumping particular person medal contenders

Max Kühner (AUT)

German-born Austrian consultant Max Kühner brings constant five-star performer Elektric Blue P (pictured, above). Paris would be the pair’s fourth championship, having received group bronze ultimately yr’s Europeans.

Maikel van der Vleuten (NED)

The Dutch rider is a veteran of the previous three Olympics, profitable particular person bronze in Tokyo with Beauville Z (under), whom he brings to Paris, and with whom he additionally received group silver and particular person world bronze in 2022.

Julien Epaillard (FRA)

This Frenchman is among the quickest riders on the circuit and whereas the 47-year-old solely made his senior championship debut as not too long ago as 2022,
that pure tempo helped him to particular person bronze in Milan final yr with Dubai Du Cedre (above), whom he brings to Paris. The world quantity 5 has an awesome shot on residence soil.

Henrik von Eckermann (SWE)

The Swedish world primary and 14-year-old megastar King Edward will probably be one of many red-hot favourites in Paris. Henrik reigns because the group world, European and Olympic gold medallist and particular person world champion, however that Olympic gold is the title he craves, and absolutely deserves.

Daniel Coyle (IRL)

Some of the profitable and constant mixtures in recent times. They’ve not solely received a string of five-star lessons, however this good duo have proved distinctive group gamers, serving to Eire obtain Nations Cup glory on the likes of Spruce Meadows and Florida. This would be the third championship collectively for the world quantity 12 rider and this tremendous mare.

Ben Maher (GBR)

The main British rider and defending Olympic champion should have an awesome probability to retain his crown. He made a last-minute horse-swap from the 10-year-old Level Break to the yr older mare Dallas Vegas Batilly, and he or she’s an thrilling inclusion with an incredible report over the large tracks.

Laura Kraut (USA)

One of many US’s most profitable riders of all time, this will probably be her fourth Olympic look. Laura (under left, using Tokyo and Paris journey Baloutine) received group gold on the 2008 Olympics and 2018 World Championships. On the age of 58, she might emulate companion Nick Skelton, who was topped Olympic champion in Rio in 2016 on the similar age.

Richard Vogel (GER)

A rising star of the game, the German 27-year-old has soared up the world rankings to quantity 10. He brings five-star grands prix winner United Contact S (above) for his debut championship.

Martin Fuchs (SUI)

The Swiss 32-year-old brings Windsor grand prix winner Leone Jei (under) to their fourth championships collectively, having received group gold and particular person silver on the Europeans in 2021.

Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE)

The Swedish professional made his Olympic debut at Atlanta in 1996 and has loved excellent longevity within the sport, together with being topped European champion in 2011. On the age of 62, he involves Paris because the oldest showjumping athlete and he and Zuccero HV (above) have been a part of the European gold medal-winning group final yr.

Steve Guerdat (SUI)

The reigning European champion and 2012 Olympic gold medallist thrives at championships, the place the Swiss rider’s medal tally over the previous 15 years has been excellent. The world quantity three brings the identical horse he triumphed on in Milan in 2023, Dynamix De Belheme.

H&H showjumping editor’s Olympic showjumping particular person medal podium

Horse & Hound’s 16-page Paris Olympic preview was printed within the Thursday 18 July journal, with the 19-page full Olympic kind information within the Thursday 25 July difficulty. Should you didn’t handle to select them up within the retailers, you possibly can order a single copy on-line for supply by submit.

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H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her function as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the globe reporting from reveals and interviewing riders, connections and people concerned behind the scenes. Since becoming a member of H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on each topic throughout the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to secure administration — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She additionally has first-hand expertise of working within the equestrian trade as a using teacher and yard supervisor.