Latest News from the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

August 30, 2021

Horse Illustrated presents the latest information and daily updates from the Tokyo Olympics on equestrian sport for the three disciplines of dressage, eventing, and show jumping.

Schedule

Current Olympic and Paralympic Medal Count

Scroll down to each individual sport for Official Results.

Gold
Dressage Team: GERMANY
Dressage Individual: JESSICA VON BREDOW-WERNDL AND TSF DALERA BB (GER)
Eventing Team: GREAT BRITAIN
Eventing Individual: JULIA KRAJEWSKI AND AMANDE DE B’NEVILLE (GER)
Show Jumping Team: SWEDEN
Show Jumping Individual: BEN MAHER AND EXPLOSION W (GBR)
Grade I Para Dressage Individual: ROXANNE TRUNELL AND DOLTON (USA)
Grade II Para Dressage Individual: LEE PEARSON AND BREEZER (GBR)
Grade III Para Dressage Individual: TOBIAS THORNING JORGENSEN AND JOLENE HILL (DEN)
Grade IV Para Dressage Individual: SANNE VOETS AND DEMANTUR (NED)
Grade V Para Dressage Individual: MICHELE GEORGE AND BEST OF 8 (BEL)
Para Dressage Team Test to Music: GREAT BRITAIN
Grade I Para Dressage Individual Freestyle: ROXANNE TRUNELL AND DOLTON (USA)
Grade II Para Dressage Individual Freestyle: LEE PEARSON AND BREEZER (GBR)
Grade III Para Dressage Individual Freestyle: TOBIAS THORNING JORGENSEN AND JOLENE HILL (DEN)
Grade IV Para Dressage Individual Freestyle: SANNE VOETS AND DEMANTUR (NED)
Grade V Para Dressage Individual Freestyle: MICHELE GEORGE AND BEST OF 8 (BEL)

Silver
Dressage Team: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Dressage Individual: ISABELL WERTH AND BELLA ROSE (GER)
Eventing Team: AUSTRALIA
Eventing Individual: TOM MCEWEN AND TOLEDO DE KERSER (GBR)
Show Jumping Team: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Show Jumping Individual: PEDER FREDRICSON AND H&M ALL-IN (SWE)
Grade I Para Dressage Individual: RIHARDS SNIKUS AND KING OF THE DANCE (LAT)
Grade II Para Dressage Individual: PEPO PUCH AND SAILOR’S BLUE (AUT)
Grade III Para Dressage Individual: NATASHA BAKER AND KEYSTONE DAWN CHORUS (GBR)
Grade IV Para Dressage Individual: RODOLPHO RISKALLA AND DON HENRICO (BRA)
Grade V Para Dressage Individual: SOPHIE WELLS AND DON CARA .M (GBR)
Para Dressage Team Test to Music: THE NETHERLANDS
Grade I Para Dressage Individual Freestyle: RIHARDS SNIKUS AND KING OF THE DANCE (LAT)
Grade II Para Dressage Individual Freestyle: PEPO PUCH AND SAILOR’S BLUE (AUT)
Grade III Para Dressage Individual Freestyle: NATASHA BAKER AND KEYSTONE DAWN CHORUS (GBR)
Grade IV Para Dressage Individual Freestyle: LOUISE ETZNER JAKOBSSON AND B.J. GOLDSTRIKE (SWE)
Grade V Para Dressage Individual Freestyle: FRANK HOSMAR AND ALPHAVILLE (NED)

Bronze
Dressage Team: GREAT BRITAIN
Dressage Individual: CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN AND GIO (GBR)
Eventing Team: FRANCE
Eventing Individual: ANDREW HOY AND VASSILY DE LASSOS (AUS)
Show Jumping Team: BELGIUM
Show Jumping Individual: MAIKEL VAN DER VLEUTEN AND BEAUVILLE Z (NED)
Grade I Para Dressage Individual: SARA MORGANTI AND ROYAL DELIGHT (ITA)
Grade II Para Dressage Individual: GEORGIA WILSON AND SAKURA (GBR)
Grade III Para Dressage Individual: RIXT VAN DER HORST AND FINDSLEY (NED)
Grade IV Para Dressage Individual: MANON CLAEYS AND SAN DIOR 2 (BEL)
Grade V Para Dressage Individual: FRANK HOSMAR AND ALPHAVILLE (NED)
Para Dressage Team Test to Music: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Grade I Para Dressage Individual Freestyle: SARA MORGANTI AND ROYAL DELIGHT (ITA)
Grade II Para Dressage Individual Freestyle: GEORGIA WILSON AND SAKURA (GBR)
Grade III Para Dressage Individual Freestyle: ANN CATHRIN LUBBE AND LA COSTA MAJLUND (NOR)
Grade IV Para Dressage Individual Freestyle: MANON CLAEYS AND SAN DIOR 2 (BEL)
Grade V Para Dressage Individual Freestyle: REGINE MISPELKAMP AND HIGHLANDER DELIGHT’S (GER)

Horse Illustrated Daily Updates

For 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games updates, skip down to Latest News or to by discipline.

HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: USA Wins Silver, Sweden Gold in Show Jumping Team Final

**Team USA celebrates their silver medals on the Tokyo Olympic podium.** MacMillan Photography & Media Services

Ten national teams took to the arena to take their turn around Santiago Varela’s colorful course in the team jumping medal final to wrap the final day of equestrian competition in the Tokyo Olympics. The teams competing in the final were: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United States of America. Read More>>

Riding anchor for the USA, McLain Ward and Contagious have one rail down and 1 time penalty to keep the American team medal hopes alive. Pieter Devos and Claire Z jump clear with 1 time penalty to help secure Belgium’s second-place slot after the first round of team competition. MacMillan Photography & Media Services

HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: 10 Nations Qualify for Show Jumping Team Final

During the qualifier for the Olympic Team Jumping medals in Tokyo, the air was “so thick you could cut it with a knife,” as the old saying goes. Not only was the weather extremely hot and humid (the high was 92, with the temp down to 89 by the time the jumpers started, and still extremely humid), but the tension in the stadium was also palpable. Read More>>

Tokyo Show Jumping Individual Medalists — **(l-r) Peder Fredricson (silver) of Sweden, Ben Maher of Great Britain(gold), and Maikel van der Vleuten of The Netherlands (bronze).** Photo by MacMillan Photography and Media Services

HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Great Britain Earns Back-to-Back Individual Olympic Gold in Show Jumping

Five years ago in Rio de Janeiro, decorated British rider Nick Skelton stepped onto the podium and accepted an individual Olympic gold medal. He had earned bundles of other accolades in his long career, including team gold in London in 2012, but the individual medal had eluded him until that day when he and the stallion Big Star triumphed. Shortly after that, both Skelton and Big Star retired. But today at the Tokyo Olympics, it was Skelton’s countryman and former teammate Ben Maher’s turn at the individual medals in jumping. Maher piloted the powerful chestnut 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Explosion W around the jump-off course to capture his own individual gold medal. Read More>>

Kent Farrington and Gazelle - Show Jumping Individual Qualification Round Tokyo Olympics — **Kent Farrington and Gazelle.** Photo by MacMillan Photography and Media Services

HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Show Jumping Individual Competition Qualifies 30 Riders

On Tuesday, August 3, show jumpers from 34 nations took their turns around the first course of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games―the individual qualifying round. This year the Olympic rules have changed in several ways. Read More>>

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg - Tokyo Olympics Eventing Show Jumping — **Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg.** Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography and Media Services

HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Eventing Concludes As Jumpers Move In

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics eventing wrapped up yesterday with the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” one would expect from Olympic competition. The conclusion saw the rise of some new faces and the staying power of old hats, too. Read More>>

Team Gold Gallop - Tokyo Eventing Team Medals — Photo by MacMillan Photography and Media Services

HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Eventing Ends With Team and Individual Medals Awarded

Enjoy our eventing show jumping and medal ceremony photo gallery from the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 with team gold going to Great Britain, Silver to Australia, and Bronze to France. Meanwhile Julia Krajewski of Germany took individual gold, Great Britain’s Tom McEwen took individual silver, and the legendary Andrew Hoy of Australia took individual bronze. Read More>>

**Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class.** Photo by Kim MacMillan/MacMillan Photography and Media Services

HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Team USA Moves Up After Eventing Cross-Country Phase

Enjoy our eventing cross-country photo gallery from the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 with leading rider after cross-country Oliver Townend, and Team USA’s Boyd Martin, Phillip Dutton, and Doug Payne. Read More>>

Boyd Martin and Tseterleg - Tokyo Olympics — **Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg sit in 20th place after dressage for Team USA**. Photo by MacMillan Photography & Media Services

HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Eventing Dressage Concludes on Day 7

It was another hot, humid Olympic day in Tokyo, and it was time for Boyd Martin to show off his dressage skills for Team USA. But July 31 also happens to be German eventing star Michael Jung’s birthday. Today he celebrated his 39th by topping the leaderboard on the final day of eventing dressage. He also received a spontaneous serenade of “Happy Birthday to You” from the press corps as he stopped in the media interview zone after his ride. Read More>>

Phillip Dutton - Z - Eventing Dressage - Olympic Games — **Phillip Dutton and Z scored 30.50 in dressage to land in 12th for now.** Photo by MacMillan Photography

HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Eventing Dressage Begins on Day 6 of Tokyo Olympics Competition

Today in competition at the the Baji Koen Equestrian Park during the Tokyo Olympics, the host country of Japan hosted the first two sections of the dressage phase of eventing competition. One session was in the morning and another in the evening today. And then, a third and final session will be tomorrow morning. One horse/rider combination from each country fielding a team of three will compete per session, with riders competing as individuals interspersed into the three sections. Read More>>

Team USA Press Conference — **U.S. Eventing Team: Chef d’Equipe Erik Duvander, Tamra Smith, Doug Payne, Boyd Martin, Phillip Dutton.** Photo by Kim and Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Eventing First Horse Inspection

As the dressage contingent packs to leave for home, the eventing competition got under way today at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 with the first horse inspection. Seventy-six horses were presented to the eventing ground jury, including four from the U.S.A. and one from Canada. The reserve horses are also inspected and are included in that number. Read More>>

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB - Tokyo Olympics GP Freestyle Individual Medals — **Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB.** Photo by MacMillan Photography and Media Services

HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Grand Prix Freestyle Dancing In the Sand

A healthy breeze forced the flags to attention in the Baji Koen Equestrian Park last evening as the top 18 horse-and-rider pairs in the dressage competition at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 took their turns dancing in the sand in the freestyle. Perhaps leftover from the typhoon that made landfall about 100 miles away from Tokyo, it was actually a welcome respite from the high temperatures and humidity that have been the norm here in Tokyo. Read More>>

Adrienne Lyle and Salvino in the Grand Prix Special at the Tokyo Olympics. Team Silver medal — **Adrienne Lyle and Salvino.** Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: A Night of Olympic Dressage Talent, Teams and Typhoons

There’s a feeling you get when you are watching sports history unfold. It’s hard to describe since it is a mix of emotions— pride, awe, happiness and amazement—at what the athletes are able to accomplish. Tonight’s Olympic action in Tokyo in the FEI Grand Prix Special in dressage did not disappoint, especially for Team USA as they vied for a gold, silver, or bronze medal. There were stellar performances by veterans to personal bests by first-time Olympians. Read More>>

Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper, Grand Prix, Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 — **Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper during their Grand Prix test at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.** Photo by MacMillan Photography and Media Services

HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Day 2 of Grand Prix Dressage

After this evening’s action-packed FEI Grand Prix dressage at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the stage is now set for the upcoming dressage team final, which will be the FEI Grand Prix Special on Tuesday, July 27. Or at least we hope the competition happens, since Japan and Tokyo are now under a typhoon warning for that day! But which teams made it into the Grand Prix Special team competition? And which 18 individual riders made it into the Grand Prix Freestyle individual medal competition? Read More>>

**Tokyo Olympics Dressage Grand Prix with Sabine Schut-Kery and Sanceo.** Photo by MacMillan Photography

HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Arriving and Day 1 of Grand Prix Dressage

We have boots on the ground for Horse Illustrated in Tokyo for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (aka, Tokyo Olympics). The weather in Tokyo is sultry, bordering on oppressive, during the day―temps in the 90s with humidity to match and occasional rain showers that pop up seemingly out of nowhere. Despite reports of pandemic spikes and a fourth declaration of a state of emergency in the city, the streets are actually pretty packed! Read More>>

Latest News

Tokyo Paralympics Freestyle Medals Rebecca Trunnell — **Roxanne Trunnell and Dolton during the fight for a freestyle medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.** Photo by Liz Gregg/International Equestrian Federation

USA’s Roxanne Trunnell Breaks Paralympic Record in Stunning Night of Freestyle Displays

American Roxanne Trunnell broke the 9-year-old Grade I Paralympic Freestyle record today in Tokyo in a stunning Freestyle medal competition, which also saw Great Britain’s Sir Lee Pearson take his third gold of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

Grade I was the only Grade to have three athletes with a score of over 80% on the podium. Trunnell scored 86.927% on Dolton to break the previous record of 84.750% set by Sophie Christiansen (GBR) in London 2012. Read More>>

◆ USA’s Roxanne Trunnell Breaks Paralympic Record in Stunning Night of Freestyle Displays
◆ U.S. Para Dressage Team Earns First-Ever Team Medal with Bronze at 2020 Tokyo Paralympics
◆ And the Team Medal Chase is On at the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 in the Para Dressage Team Test to Music Grades I, II, and III
◆ Two New Paralympic Equestrian Champions Crowned in Para Dressage in Tokyo in Grades I and III
◆ Beatrice de Lavalette and Kate Shoemaker Have Good Showing for U.S. Para Dressage Team at 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games
◆ U.S. Para Dressage Team Passes First Horse Inspection Ahead of Competition at Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020
◆ U.S. Jumping Team Passes Second Horse Inspection in Preparation for Team Qualifier at Tokyo 2020
◆ U.S. Jumping Team Athletes Turn Focus to Team Qualifying Competition Following Individual Qualifier at Tokyo 2020
◆ U.S. Eventing Team Finishes in Sixth Place at Conclusion of Team Competition at Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 with All Three Combinations in the Top 25 Individually
◆ U.S. Eventing Team Delivers Three Strong Cross-Country Rounds to Improve Team Standing Ahead of Final Phase
◆ Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg Score a 31.1 to Round Out the Dressage Phase for U.S. Eventing Team at Tokyo 2020
◆ Doug Payne and Phillip Dutton Lay Foundation for U.S. Eventing Team on First Day of Dressage Competition at the Tokyo Olympics
◆ U.S. Dressage Team Concludes Final Day of Olympic Journey with Top Ten Finishes in FEI Grand Prix Freestyles for Individual Medals at Tokyo 2020
◆ Adrienne Lyle and Salvino Withdraw from Individual Medal Contention in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
◆ U.S. Dressage Team Earns Silver Medal in FEI Grand Prix Special for Team Medals at Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
◆ Complete Coverage of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

Tokyo Olympic Games Equestrian Previews from Horse Illustrated

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg - Eventing — **Boyd Martin was initially named to the U.S. Eventing Team for Tokyo with Luke 140 and had two direct reserve horses, Tsetserleg (shown here) and On Cue. But then Luke 140 was replaced with Tsetserleg.** Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

Tokyo Olympic Reboot: Final Preview for the Tokyo Olympic Games

Just 16 months ago, the sports world came to a standstill, and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 were no exception. Tokyo 2020 was put on hold until this year—although it is still called “Tokyo 2020”—and will go down in history as the Games stalled by a worldwide pandemic. As this issue of Horse Illustrated hits newsstands, athletes, officials, volunteers and the media will be arriving in Japan. Opening Ceremonies will be on July 23 and Closing Ceremonies on August 8, with the Paralympics following suit Aug. 24-Sept. 5. Here is our final preview before the Tokyo Olympic Games. Read More>>

Main Arena for Equestrian Events in Tokyo Olympics — **The main arena at Baji Koen Equestrian Park seats 9,300 spectators (shown here at the August 2019 test event).** Courtesy of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI)

Totally Tokyo: Previewing the Equestrian Events of the Tokyo Olympics (Now in 2021)

A beehive of activity has been stirring in Japan since Tokyo was selected in September 2013 to host the Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games later this year. Equestrian sports fans will notice a flurry of excitement on the home front as well, since observation of horses and riders as potential team candidates is under way. The teams chosen to represent each country should be announced no later than late June or early July. Read More>>

Coverage by Discipline

Dressage

Dressage Results – Grand Prix Qualifier

Dressage Results – Grand Prix Special (Team Medals)

Dressage Results – Grand Prix Freestyle (Individual Medals)

◆ HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Grand Prix Freestyle Dancing In the Sand
◆ U.S. Dressage Team Concludes Final Day of Olympic Journey with Top Ten Finishes in FEI Grand Prix Freestyles for Individual Medals at Tokyo 2020
◆ Adrienne Lyle and Salvino Withdraw from Individual Medal Contention in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
◆ U.S. Dressage Team Earns Silver Medal in FEI Grand Prix Special for Team Medals at Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
◆ HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: A Night of Olympic Dressage Talent, Teams and Typhoons
◆ HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Day 2 of Grand Prix Dressage
◆ U.S. Dressage Team Qualifies for Team Competition Following Performances from Adrienne Lyle and Steffen Peters on Second Day of FEI Grand Prix at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
◆ HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Arriving and Day 1 of Grand Prix Dressage
◆ Sabine Schut-Kery and Sanceo Lead Off U.S. Dressage Team on First Day of FEI Grand Prix Competition in Tokyo
◆ U.S. Dressage Team Combinations Pass First Horse Inspection at Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
◆ Nick Wagman and Don John Out of Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 as Traveling Reserve for U.S. Dressage Team
◆ Podcast Interview with Five-Time Olympic Dressage Rider Steffen Peters
◆ U.S. Equestrian Announces U.S. Dressage Olympic Team Ahead of Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

Eventing

Eventing Results – Dressage Phase – Individuals

Eventing Results – Dressage Phase – Team

Eventing Results – Cross-Country Phase – Individual

Eventing Results – Cross-Country Phase – Team

Eventing Results – Show Jumping Phase – Team Medals

Eventing Results – Show Jumping Phase – Individual Medals

◆ HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Eventing Concludes As Jumpers Move In
◆ HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Eventing Ends With Team and Individual Medals Awarded
◆ U.S. Eventing Team Finishes in Sixth Place at Conclusion of Team Competition at Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 with All Three Combinations in the Top 25 Individually
◆ Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Team USA Moves Up After Eventing Cross-Country Phase
◆ U.S. Eventing Team Delivers Three Strong Cross-Country Rounds to Improve Team Standing Ahead of Final Phase
◆ HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Eventing Dressage Concludes on Day 7
◆ Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg Score a 31.1 to Round Out the Dressage Phase for U.S. Eventing Team at Tokyo 2020
◆ HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update:: Eventing Dressage Begins on Day 6 of Tokyo Olympics Competition
◆ Doug Payne and Phillip Dutton Lay Foundation for U.S. Eventing Team on First Day of Dressage Competition at the Tokyo Olympics
◆ HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Eventing First Horse Inspection
◆ U.S. Equestrian Announces Horse-and-Rider Substitution for U.S. Eventing Olympic Team
◆ U.S. Eventing Team Concludes Mandatory Outing with Strong Showing of Show Jumping Skills
◆ U.S. Eventing Olympic Team for Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 Announced by U.S. Equestrian

Show Jumping

Show Jumping – Individual Qualifier

Show Jumping – Individual Medals

Show Jumping – Team Qualifier

Show Jumping – Team Medals

◆ HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: USA Wins Silver, Sweden Gold in Show Jumping Team Final
◆ HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: 10 Nations Qualify for Show Jumping Team Final
◆ U.S. Jumping Team Passes Second Horse Inspection in Preparation for Team Qualifier at Tokyo 2020
◆ HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Great Britain Earns Back-to-Back Individual Olympic Gold in Show Jumping
◆ HI Tokyo Olympics Daily Update: Show Jumping Individual Competition Qualifies 30 Riders
◆ U.S. Jumping Team Athletes Turn Focus to Team Qualifying Competition Following Individual Qualifier at Tokyo 2020
◆ U.S. Show Jumping Team Passes First Horse Inspection
◆ U.S. Equestrian Announces U.S. Jumping Team for Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

Para Dressage

Para Dressage Results

About the Disciplines

Before the Olympics

Further Content on Equestrian Sports for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

◆ Tokyo Takeaways #2: U.S. Dressage Takes Team Silver, Dujardin Makes Olympic History, First Look At The Cross-Country Course, How Heat Is Affecting The Horses
◆ Tokyo Takeaways: Equestrian Team Selection Surprises, Impact of Format Changes, Drastically Different Dressage Days
◆ FEI Horse of the Month: Suppenkasper
◆ Returning Olympians Adrienne Lyle, Steffen Peters Highlight U.S. Dressage Team
◆ Phillip Dutton, Headed to 7th Games, Highlights U.S. Eventing Team

USA’s Roxanne Trunnell Breaks Paralympic Record in Stunning Night of Freestyle Displays

Horse Illustrated

August 30, 2021

The Highest-Scoring Podium

“I just wanted a nice test. It felt good with the music the whole time,” Trunnell said. “It’s been really nice. Everyone is so happy and friendly, it makes everyone in the barn happy. It’s just fun. Everyone will be excited when we get home.”

The ever-brilliant Rihards Snikus (LAT) took his second silver in Tokyo on King of the Dance with 82.087%, doubtless prompting more demands for his DJing skills when he gets back home. For Snikus, these two medals more than make up for his disappointment at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. And third place went to Sara Morganti (ITA) on Royal Delight with 81.100%.

Sir Pearson Makes It a Golden 14

Pearson became the most successful athlete in the entire competition by taking his third gold medal of Tokyo 2020, the 14th of his Paralympic career, in the Grade II Freestyle.

His relatively inexperienced and home-bred partner, Breezer, took him to a massive 82.447% to take the title ahead of Pepo Puch (AUT), who rode Sailor’s Blue to a score of 81.007%. Meanwhile Pearson’s young teammate, Georgia Wilson (GBR), added another brilliant bronze to her collection on Sakura with 76.754%, which is not a bad result for the reserve rider who was called to Tokyo as a last-minute replacement for Sophie Christiansen.

“Number 14, not that we’re counting,” laughed Pearson. “I’m twice over the moon. I actually didn’t care if I medalled. That horse gave me his heart in there. He was so much braver than the team and individual test a few days ago. He was still nervous, and we had a tiny little spook when we entered, but I said, ‘Come on, we can do this.’”

Pearson came to Tokyo with Breezer having had to retire from their selection event. “I’ve not managed to ride this Freestyle in a competition, so I’ve been nervous for days. He’s brilliant. I’m taking the best horse home. I didn’t think I could love him any more than I did before, but he’s beautiful, amazing.”

Voets’ Haevnly Gold

Sanne Voets (NED) stormed to victory in the Grade IV Freestyle with a massive personal best score of 82.085% to win her class. Riding Demantur N.O.P. to the stirring music of Dutch artists HAEVN, she finished comfortably ahead of silver medalist Louise Etzner Jakobbson (SWE) who scored 75.935% on Goldstrike B.J. Manon Claeys (BEL) took bronze on San Dior 2 with 75.680%.

Jakobbson’s silver was even more remarkable given that she broke her leg falling off her bike just a couple of months ago, and only got back on a horse to ride two weeks ago during the horses’ quarantine in Aachen, Germany.

“I’m not sure I can find the right words,” said Voets after her ride. “I was really focused, and normally when I first enter a test, I try to make eye contact with the judge. I never did that here. It was just me and my horse and the music. It was a bit like hypnosis. It felt powerful and soft and relaxed and confident. Sometimes when you ride a test, you’re thinking, ‘What do I do now?’ But it was like it just happened to me. It felt like we found that true harmony, and it was the two of us and no one else.”

George’s Golden Double

Michele George (BEL) was dominant again in the Grade V Freestyle, defending her 2012 London and 2016 Rio titles with aplomb. She scored 80.590% on Best of 8 to pip Frank Hosmar (NED) to the title by just 0.350 of a point. Hosmar, riding Alphaville N.O.P. scored 80.240 to take the silver, while Regine Mispelkamp (GER) took bronze with 76.820 on Highlander Delight’s.

“I’m really blown away,” said George. “The mare is just fantastic. What can I say, I’m a bit speechless because coming over here with a young horse and showing the world what she’s capable of is just genius. I knew she could, but I thought maybe it was a bit early to show everyone, because at home she can work like a queen, but at home is at home.”

George went into the arena just after Hosmar had posted his great score. “Once you’re riding into the arena you don’t look at that,” she said. “I know he had a high score, but I thought the mare feels good, so I came into the arena and tried to make something even better. That’s the spirit.”

Tokyo Paralympics Freestyle Medals Tobias Thorning Jorgensen — **Tobias Thorning Jorgensen and Jolene HIll of Denmark.** Photo by Liz Gregg/International Equestrian Federation

Jorgensen’s Double Delight

In the second highest-winning score of the night in the fight for freestyle medals, Tobias Thorning Jorgensen (DEN) rode Jolene Hill to his second gold of the Tokyo Paralympics in the Grade III Freestyle. Together they scored a massive 84.347% to take the title ahead of Natasha Baker (GBR), who scored 77.614% on Keystone Dawn Chorus. Anne Katrin Lubbe (NOR) took the bronze on La Costa Majlund with 76.477%.

“I feel great,” said Jorgensen, clearly delighted afer his ride. “I left my head out here this time, because I wanted to show I can do this. I just rode to the edge of being too much, and I was probably closer to some mistakes today than I was yesterday, but I took the chance. I always had the dream of double gold, but I knew it would be hard. I would be happy if it was a silver or bronze, just to get two medals at my first Paralympics, but two golds is amazing.”

At the end of five days of stunning para dressage competition, the horses and athletes of Tokyo 2020 will now start their journeys home. They will remember a record-breaking week of drama ending with Roxanne Trunnell’s freestyle medal record and fierce competition that saw new champions crowned and titles re-won or defended at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Great Britain topped the para dressage table, with three golds, three silvers and two bronzes, ahead of The Netherlands’ two golds, two silvers and two bronzes. Belgium take the third spot with two golds and two bronzes, followed by the USA in fourth position with two golds and a bronze.

The world’s best para dressage athletes will gather again in August 2022 at the FEI World Championships in Herning (DEN). Until then, the memories of this competition in Tokyo will be slow to fade. It’s been a dazzling, brilliant Paralympic Games.

Results here.

Complete Tokyo Olympics Coverage

U.S. Para Dressage Team Earns First-Ever Team Medal with Bronze at 2020 Tokyo Paralympics

Horse Illustrated

August 29, 2021

Team USA with their team bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. Photo Courtesy U.S. Equestrian — **Team USA with their team bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.** Photo Courtesy U.S. Equestrian

The United States Para Dressage Team finished with the bronze medal at the conclusion of team competition at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40 were the final combination to record a score for the team, earning a 71.825 percent from the ground jury in the FEI Grade IV Team Test to Music to help the team finish on a final total of 224.352. This is the best team finish for the U.S. Para Dressage Team at a Paralympic Games in the history of the program.

Three U.S. combinations have qualified for the FEI Individual Freestyle to Music tomorrow, which will conclude equestrian competition at Equestrian Park for these Paralympic Games.

Shoemaker, of Wellington, Fla., and Solitaer 40, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Deena, Craig, and Kate Shoemaker, anchored the team as the only ride on the second day of competition to round out team scoring with a 71.825 precent in their Grade IV Team Test to Music. Shoemaker’s test with Solitaer 40 was improved from their individual test in Grade IV, and Shoemaker commented on the change in warm-up preparation heading into the test.

“I think that was one of the best tests we’ve done, so I’m really happy,” she said. “There were a few bobbles here and there, but the overall way of going I was incredibly happy with, and I’m super pleased,” said Shoemaker. “It was a night-and-day difference from the first night. We tried for an elastic, forward moving way, and it wasn’t well-received by the judges, so we went for collection, balance, and correctness today, and we showed the potential we have.”

Following Shoemaker’s ride, the team waited for the final rides of the remaining countries to see how the scoreboard would shake out. With tight competition from Denmark and Belgium, it was a nerve-wracking finish, with the United States ultimately contributing high-enough scores from each of the three combinations to earn the team bronze medal at the Tokyo Paralympics. Rebecca Hart, of Wellington, Fla., in her fourth Paralympic Games appearance, this time aboard El Corona Texel, a 12-year-old KWPN owned by Rowan O’Riley, reflected on the work and progress the team has made over the past sixteen years, as she beamed at her first-ever Paralympic medal.

“This was such an amazing competition. It was so close, and it was a nail-biter until the absolute end. I’m so incredibly blessed and proud to be standing here with these two incredible riders. This was a complete and total team effort. For all the people and our support, our grooms, and everyone behind the scenes that make all of this happen, to be able to finally, after all these years, get to stand on that podium representing our country is so fulfilling. It’s a lifelong dream that has just come true.”

Roxanne Trunnell, of Wellington, Fla., and Dolton, a nine-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Flintewood Farms, LLC, and Karin Flint, led the team’s efforts, breaking the 80 percent mark for the second time this week in her Grade I Team Test to Music yesterday evening. Trunnell noted that you have to accept and move on from the pressure of waiting, because once you deliver for your team, what happens will happen.

“For me, there wasn’t pressure because what happens, happens you know,” said Trunnell. Hart laughed and chimed in that Trunnell is the rock of the team because the rest of the team was on the edge of their seats throughout the evening’s competition.

Michel Assouline, who is managing his first championship as chef d’equipe for the U.S. Para Dressage Team was thrilled with the outcome and the performances of his three team combinations. With the team securing their first Paralympic team medal, Assouline is ready to build on this momentum looking ahead to the short quadrennial ahead of the Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

“I came with a mission to lead these wonderful athletes to the Paralympic podium,” said Assouline. “I just didn’t know it would happen in a relatively short spell, but with such amazing overall support and talent, the dream became true. We will continue to deliver our best tomorrow on the final day of competition here and will immediately start looking ahead to the World Championships next year and Paris 2024, so we can continue to deliver success for this program and team.”

Beatrice de Lavalette, of Lake Worth Beach, Fla., and Clarc, Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40, and Roxanne Trunnell and Dolton will all return tomorrow to contest the FEI Individual Freestyle to Music on the final day of equestrian Paralympic competition. The Second Horse Inspection will take place at 9:00 a.m. JST/8:00 p.m. EST, with Grade IV Freestyle competition leading off the evening at 4:00 p.m. JST/3:00 a.m. EST. Grade II competition will begin at 7:45 p.m. JST/6:45 a.m. EST, while Grade I competition will conclude the night, starting at 9:00 p.m. JST/8:00 a.m. EST.

All results here and here.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOPC, and USEF sponsors and members.

Stay up to date with the U.S. Para Dressage Team by following USA Para Dressage on Facebook and USA Dressage on Instagram. Follow US Equestrian on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Use #USAParaDressage.

Complete Tokyo Olympics Coverage

And the Team Medal Chase is On at the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 in the Para Dressage Team Test to Music Grades I, II, and III

Horse Illustrated

August 28, 2021

Tokyo Paralympics Roxanne Trunnell Grade I Team Medals competition — **Roxanne Trunnell and Dolton in the Grade I Team medals competition.** Photo by Liz Gregg/Courtesy International Equestrian Federation

With day one of the para dressage team competition complete, the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics team medal winners remain impossible to call.

On current standings, any combination of The Netherlands, Great Britain, USA, Belgium and Denmark could take a place on the podium, and in any order.

All team riders from Canada and Singapore have now competed, leaving Canada at the top of the leaderboard with a combined score of 211.699, ahead of Singapore with 200.792.

How It Works

There are three athletes per team. Each grade competes separately in its own team test, with each horse-and-athlete combination performing a series of pre-determined movements, which differ by grade. Today, it was the turn for the athletes in Grades I, II and III to execute the team test, and tomorrow Grades IV and V will be in the arena to seal the deal. The combined results of each of the teams’ three athletes will determine the overall score, and the team with the most points wins gold.

Great Britain’s Best Start

Tokyo Paralympics Team Medals Lee Pearson Grade II — **Lee Pearson on Breezer in the Grade II Team medal competition.** Photo by Liz Gregg/Courtesy International Equestrian Federation

The day started well for Sir Lee Pearson (GBR) who won the Grade II Team Test on Breezer with 77.636%.

“I am over the moon with that lovely score,” she said. “Breezer doesn’t like the Olympic arena, and he was quite frightened in there. He’s a sensitive soul, but I’m so proud of him because I held his hand, and he trusted me, and I could be sitting here with a different story. He’s sensitive, but that sensitivity when it’s on side, makes him fabulous.”

Pepo Puch (AUT) came second in the test on Sailor’s Blue with 74.909%, while Katrine Kristensen (DEN) earned her team a valuable 72.515% on Welldone Dallas.

Trunnell Throws Down an 80-Plus Challenge

Roxanne Trunnell (USA) lay down the day’s only 80-plus score in the Grade I Team Test riding Dolton to 80.321%. The noise of fire engines attending a nearby incident added pressure during her test, but the pair rose above it to perform calmly and brilliantly.

Second place went to Sara Morganti (ITA) with an impressive 79.286% on Royal Delight, ahead of Michael Murphy (IRL) on Cleverboy, with 75.179%. That last result was especially pleasing for the young Irish rider the day after he suffered an equipment failure in the Grade I Individual Test, which left him in last place.

“He felt brilliant again,” Trunnell said after her test. “He was a little tense but we worked through it.”

She referenced the disturbance outside the venue. “That’s what made him tense up a little,” she explained. “I don’t think you can prepare. It just happens and you go with it. It means a lot to ride for the USA after such a weird year. Everyone is going to remember this Paralympics.”

Baker Builds as Thorning Jorgensen Leads

Tobias Thorning Jorgensen (DEN) gave his country a real shot at a medal with a stunning 79.559% in the Grade III Team Test on Jolene Hill.

But also building her team’s score was Natasha Baker (GBR) who posted 76.618% on Keystone Dawn Chorus, just ahead of Rixt van der Horst (NED) on Findsley N.O.P. with 76.235%.

“It was intense today,” said Jorgensen. “I’ve done something today, so I have a little bit of pain, so that was just Jolene carrying me around. I’m very grateful to her. She went even better than yesterday. This is a great start, and I hope we can be a medal contender or at least be there so if anyone makes a mistake, we can take it. I just love the team competition, because we go down here as a family and be there for each other.”

How Things Stand and What’s Next

Based on the scores at this halfway point in the competition, the gold medal is still up for grabs between the USA, Great Britain, and The Netherlands. However, strong performances from the two Danish riders today, and with Belgium’s two remaining riders still to go, mean those two countries could still snatch a medal.

It all comes down to tomorrow’s Grade IV and V Tests. As the Grade V athletes go first, all eyes will be on Kate Shoemaker (USA) who will determine her team’s final score as well as on Frank Hosmar (NED), who will want to build on his teammate Van Der Horst’s performance today.

Individual Grade IV bronze medallist Manon Claeys (BEL) and Grade V Individual Test gold medallist Michele George (BEL) will complete Belgium’s competition, while Grade V Individual Test silver medallist Sophie Wells (GBR) could produce her country’s winning score.

But in a dramatic finish, Grade IV Individual Test gold medallist Sanne Voets (NED) could find herself riding to seal victory for her country. As the last of the likely winners to ride, she will have a good idea of the score needed to get the gold. Adding to the pressure, is her chance of becoming only the third para dressage athlete to secure the triple, triple of consecutive European, World and Paralympic gold medals.

Sanne insists that she doesn’t play the numbers game, but her fans and followers of para dressage will know that this will be one of the highest stakes ride she will ever perform.

Results here.

Complete Tokyo Olympics Coverage

Two New Paralympic Equestrian Champions Crowned in Para Dressage in Tokyo in Grades I and III

Horse Illustrated

August 27, 2021

Grade I Roxanne Trunnell Gold 2020 Tokyo Paralympics — Individual Grade I medal ceremony at Equestrian Park, Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. (l-r) Rihards Snikus, who rode King of the Dance (LAT) to silver; Roxanne Trunnel, who rode Dolton (USA) to gold; and Sara Morganti, who rode Royal Delight (ITA) to bronze. Photo by Liz Gregg/Courtesy International Equestrian Federation

The second day of para dressage competition in Tokyo saw the remaining two Grades, I and III, battle for the individual test titles and the important qualification slots for the upcoming Freestyle To Music test, and it saw Roxanne Trunnell capturing a gold for the United States at the Tokyo Paralympics.

A twist of fate would have it that both victors were new to the top spot of the Paralympic podium, a feat which is easier said than done, given the longevity of some para equestrian careers and the experienced athletes they faced in the impressive Baji Koen arena today.

Roxanne Trunnell Rocks in Tokyo Paralympics

An imperious performance from American Roxanne Trunnell secured her first ever para dressage global title at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Currently World No. 1 across all five grades, Trunnell won the Grade I individual test with a massive score of 81.464% with her mount, Dolton.

The silver medal went to Rihards Snikus (LAT), a keen DJ known as DJ Richy Rich to his friends, who was first into the arena and laid down a challenging score of 80.179% on King of the Dance. Reigning FEI World Equestrian Games champion Sara Morganti (ITA), took bronze on Royal Delight with 76.964%. It is a medal that is especially sweet for her, as her horse failed the vet inspection at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.

“Dolton felt like he was really with me and was really a good boy,” said Trunnell after her test and medal ceremony. “He surprised me with how calm he has been. It’s been wonderful at the Games. Everyone is so nice and helpful.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg for Dolton,” she continued. “He’s so young, and he’ll be able to do so much more. It means a lot to me as well. It was very nice up there. We had our own little group of people that looked happy.”

As the World No. 1, Roxanne Trunnell holds two world records, although not at the Tokyo Paralympics, for the highest scores in a freestyle test (89.522%) and in a Grade I team test (84.702%). She came to these Games with huge expectations placed on her shoulders. She remained, however, unfazed. “I don’t think about pressure—that’s all just noise to me,” she added. “It’s just me and Dolton doing our own thing. He is loving all the attention, it’s fun. He’s a goofy young horse, he’s temperamental but also easy to get along with.”

Tobias Has Golden Debut

As debut Games go, it’s fair to say that Tobias Thorning Jorgensen (DEN) is having a good one. In his first ever ride in a Paralympic Games arena, he won the Grade III individual test with a score of 78.971%, on Jolene Hill.

In doing so, he dethroned two-time Grade III Paralympic Champion, Natasha Baker (GBR), who came second on Keystone Dawn Chorus, with 76.265%. Bronze went to current World Champion Rixt van der Horst (NED) on Findsley N.O.P. with 75.765%.

“It was amazing, it really was,” Jorgensen said, as he beamed after his test. “I was so focused all the ride, but on the last turn, I just had this feeling it was great. I was so happy I just smiled. I knew that Rixt and Natasha would be my biggest opponents and are always coming to take the medals, but I also knew that, if I find my best, I could take the medal. I knew I had to do that.

“Jolene is a mare,” he continued. “In my warm-up, I ask her ‘Is this OK?’ and then in the arena she is there for me. If I ask her correctly, she will go through fire for me.”

Dream Teams and Teams of Dreams Up Next

Tomorrow sees the start of the team competition—run over two days—and is likely to be one of the closest in the history of para dressage at the Paralympic Games. As first in the world, the United States will want the gold to seal their meteoric rise, while Great Britain and The Netherlands will be working hard to deny them that.

Following the second day of competition and the completion of the individual test, Great Britain still tops the leaderboard, adding a silver to their tally today with one gold, two silver, and a bronze, followed by the Netherlands, Belgium, USA and Denmark, who have picked up a gold medal over the past two days.

All results here and here.

Join the conversation and follow the FEI channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, FEI-YouTube using the hashtags #paradressage #Equestrian #Tokyo2020 #paralympics #WeThe15.

About the International Equestrian Federation (Fédération Equestre Internationale, FEI)

The FEI is the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was founded in 1921. Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since the 1912 Games in Stockholm.

The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in the Olympic sports of jumping, dressage and eventing, as well as driving, endurance, vaulting and reining.

The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to govern and regulate global para sport alongside its seven able-bodied disciplines when para dressage joined its ranks in 2006. The FEI now governs all international competitions for para dressage and para driving. For more information, please visit www.fei.org.

Complete Tokyo Olympics Coverage

Beatrice de Lavalette and Kate Shoemaker Have Good Showing for U.S. Para Dressage Team at 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games

Young Rider

August 26, 2021

Beatrice de Lavalette and Clarc - Para Dressage Grand Prix at the Tokyo Paralympic Games — Beatrice de Lavalette and Clarc. Photo Courtesy U.S. Equestrian

The U.S. Para Dressage Team saw its first two combinations head down the center line at Equestrian Park in Tokyo, Japan, opening the first day of equestrian competition at the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. Beatrice de Lavalette and Clarc were the first combination to contest the Grade II Individual Test in the main stadium, earning a 70.265 percent, while Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40 closed out the evening of competition with a 70.854 percent as the last combination in the Grade IV Individual Test. Both combinations qualified for their Grade’s FEI Individual Freestyle to Music on Monday, August 31.

De Lavalette and Clarc, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Elizabeth and Nicholas de Lavalette, made their first Paralympic debut, completed a solid test to open Grade II competition. The pair earned a 70.265 percent from the ground jury to put them into fifth place in Grade II competition. They are also the first U.S. combination to break the 70 percent mark in a Paralympic Games, setting an early tone for the team rides ahead.

“It was a very enjoyable ride,” said de Lavalette of her ride with Clarc. “I went through my test about a thousand times. I wasn’t really nervous, but just excited. The excitement took over, and I knew my test, I knew my horse was right, and we were together and in sync, so I couldn’t be happier with the ride.”

De Lavalette, of Lake Worth Beach, Fla., has said that competing at the Paralympic Games and representing her country is one of the main motivating factors in her incredible recovery and return to sport following the 2016 Brussels Airport bombings. Riding her recently acquired mount, Clarc, de Lavalette commented on the meaningfulness of the Paralympic journey and what it felt like to make her international championship debut.

“It is such a great honor to be here representing the U.S. at this competition and being able to have fun with my horse out there after five years of fighting for my life,” she said. “It was really very emotional for me at the end. Setting the goal of being here five years ago when I was in the ICU was a dream, and being here today is a dream realized, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m very proud of myself and my team, because without them I wouldn’t be here.”

Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Deena, Craig, and Kate Shoemaker are also making their Paralympic debut after contesting their first major international championship with the U.S. Para Dressage Team at the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018. The pair earned a 70.854 percent from the judging panel in an extremely competitive first day of Grade IV competition, placing them seventh out of 15 competitors.

“I’m really pleased with my horse, though a little bit disappointed with the score of course, since we had hoped to be in the medals, and I felt our ride today was quite good, but all I can do is be happy with my performance in the ring, and I absolutely love my horse to pieces,” said Shoemaker after her test. “The energy in there was phenomenal. It just gives you a sense of power and the horses can feel it, and it’s just so much fun.”

Shoemaker, of Wellington, Fla., and Solitaer 40 have been partnered together for the entirety of both of their international careers and achieving this selection to the U.S. Para Dressage Team for the Tokyo Paralympic Games is the highlight for Shoemaker and her team. Working through the 2020 and 2021 seasons to continually improve their marks in both the individual and team tests, the pair have become a consistent combination for the team.

“We’ve been showing together for a while now, and this is the end of our seventh year together,” said Shoemaker. “It’s a partnership that’s been a long time coming. He loves championships, and when you add that little bit of energy, he really turns into something special, and it’s a feeling like none other.”

Competition will continue tomorrow at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in para dressage with FEI Individual Tests for Grade I and Grade III. Roxanne Trunnell, of Wellington, Fla., and Dolton will be the first combination to lead off the Grade I Individual Test at 4:24 p.m. JST/3:24 a.m. EST, while Paralympic veteran Rebecca Hart, of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., and her mount, El Corona Texel, will compete in the Individual Test for Grade III competition at 9:26 p.m. JST/8:26 a.m. EST.

The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOPC, and USEF sponsors and members.

Schedule
Results

Complete Tokyo Olympics Coverage

U.S. Para Dressage Team Passes First Horse Inspection Ahead of Competition at Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020

Horse Illustrated

August 25, 2021

US Para Dressage Team at Tokyo Paralympics First Horse Inspection — The U.S. Para Dressage Team at Tokyo Paralympics First Horse Inspection. Photo Courtesy U.S. Equestrian

The U.S. Para Dressage Team presented their horses for the First Horse Inspection of the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 before the Ground Jury of Anne Praine (FRA), Sarah Leitch (GBR), Katherine Lucheschi (ITA), Sue Cunningham (AUS), Kjell Myhre (NOR), Jeannette Wolfs (NED), Marc Urban (BEL), and President Marco Orsini (GER) at Equestrian Park in Tokyo, Japan. All four horses passed the Tokyo Paralympics first inspection as the team looks ahead to their first day of competition tomorrow, Thursday, August 26, which will feature the Grade II, IV, and V Individual Tests.

The team is comprised of:

◆ Rebecca Hart, of Wellington, Fla., and El Corona Texel, a 12-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Rowan O’Riley
◆ Beatrice de Lavalette, of Lake Worth, Fla., and Clarc, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Elizabeth and Nicholas de Lavalette
◆ Kate Shoemaker, of Wellington, Fla., and Solitaer 40, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Kate, Craig, & Deena Shoemaker
◆ Roxanne Trunnell, of Wellington, Fla., and Dolton, a nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Flintewoode Farms LLC and Karin Flint

The team is led by Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline and Team Leader Laureen Johnson.

Now that the first inspection at the Tokyo Paralympics, competition for Grade II will begin at 4:00 p.m. JST/3:00 a.m. EST, followed by Grade IV competition at 5:50 p.m. JST/4:50 a.m. EST, and Grade V at 8:30 p.m. JST/7:30 a.m. EST.

Schedule
Results

Complete Tokyo Olympics Coverage

Podcast Episode #4: Flying Horses Domestically, Buck Davidson, and Use of Equine Photography

Horse Illustrated

August 24, 2021

In this fourth episode of The Horse Illustrated Episode of Horses in the Morning, sponsored by Title Sponsor Straight Arrow Products, hosts Glenn the Geek and Sarah Evers Conrad talk to Greg Otteson from Tex Sutton Equine Air Transport about flying horses domestically. We also talk to international eventing superstar Buck Davidson. And author and attorney Milt Toby talks about copyright law and the use of equine photography within the horse industry.

Hosts: Sarah Conrad, Digital Content Editor of Horse Illustrated & Young Rider and Glenn the Geek, host of Horses in the Morning

Title Sponsor: Straight Arrow Ultimate Gloss

There’s an App for that! Check out the new Horse Radio Network app for iPhone and Android. Follow Horse Radio Network on Twitter or follow Horses In The Morning on Facebook.

Flying Horses, Buck Davidson on Eventing, and Equine Photography Copyright with Milt Toby

Podcast 4 - Flying Horses, Buck Davidson eventing, equine photography copyright — Photo Courtesy Tex Sutton Equine Air Transport

Greg Otteson is the Sales Manager at Tex Sutton Equine Air Transport. Tex Sutton is a leader in North America in the field of safe, efficient and timely travel of both race and show horses to all major venues. Before he got in the field of flying horses, Greg got his start in the horse industry in the Quarter Horse racing industry in Colorado as a youth and then after college in California. Later, he shifted his attention to Thoroughbred racing. He worked as an assistant trainer to several local trainers as well as training a string of horses himself. He has since been sales manager for a well-known transportation company as well as being the North American representative for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Greg started with Tex Sutton in 2003 and quickly worked his way up to the position of sales manager, where he helps people fly horses safely wherever they need to go.

Links:

Official Website: www.texsutton.com

Buck Davidson eventing — Photo by Shannon Brinkman/Courtesy Buck Davidson

Bruce “Buck” Davidson, Jr. has focused on following in the footsteps of his father, Bruce, an Olympic medalist and the only person to ever win back-to-back World Championships. Buck won the Markham Trophy as the highest-placed young rider in a U.S. Equestrian Team Championship three times, and was the 1996 Young Rider of the Year. In 1999, he made his U.S. team debut at the Pan American Games with Pajama Game. And in 2011, aboard Absolute Liberty, he won Pan American team gold and individual bronze medals. With Ballynoe Castle, he competed in the 2010 and 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. He is also a three-time USEF CCI5* Eventing National Champion with Mystic Mike in 2003, My Boy Bobby in 2009, and Ballynoe Castle in 2013. In recent years, Buck and Carlevo finished 4th in 2019 at Bromont and 9th at Tryon at the 4-star level. Buck placed 3rd and 5th in the 2021 Stable View CCI4* short format with Erroll Gobey and Jak My Style, respectively. Buck and his wife, Andrea, run BDJ Equestrian and have two daughters, Aubrey and Ellie.

Links:

Official Website: www.bdjequestrian.com

Milt Toby is an attorney, photographer, and award-winning author who has been writing about Thoroughbred racing since 1972. His nine books include Dancer’s Image: The Forgotten Story of the 1968 Kentucky Derby, which won the Dr. Tony Ryan Award and an editorial award from American Horse Publications; Noor: A Champion Thoroughbred’s Unlikely Journey from California to Kentucky, a second American Horse Publications book award winner; and EQUUS Film & Arts Fest book award winner Taking Shergar: Thoroughbred Racing’s Most Famous Cold Case. Milt has also photographed more than 125 covers for Blood-Horse magazine. Based in Central Kentucky, Milt is past president of the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

Links:

Official Website: www.miltonctoby.com

Title Sponsor

We want to thank our Title Sponsor, the Straight Arrow Family of Brands, makers of Mane ‘n Tail, Cowboy Magic & Exhibitor’s, with over 100 years of grooming excellence. For more information about your favorite products, please visit www.straightarrowinc.com and www.ultimategloss.com and find Straight Arrow Products at a tack shop near you!

My Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Frankie and Stella — August 24, 2021

Horse Illustrated

August 23, 2021

Adoptable Horse of the Week - Frankie and Stella — Courtesy Hickory Hill Farm

Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the My Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with The Right Horse. Frankie and Stella are this week’s adoptable horses. Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your #righthorse.

Horses: Frankie, an 8-year-old 10-hand chestnut Miniature Horse gelding, and Stella, a 7-year-old gray Miniature Horse mare in Mt. Juliet, Tenn.
Organization: Hickory Hill Farm

Frankie and Stella are a special pair. Both Minis are rideable and gentle. They are very patient and enjoy attention. Frankie is approximately 8 years old and Stella is around 7 years old. Stella is blind in one eye. The eye is still there and not causing her issues; however, she does need to wear a fly mask during the day, as it can be sensitive. She is very calm on either side, and the loss of her sight on the side does not seem to affect her. As with most all Minis, these two will require very limited pasture/dry lot and a low-carb/low-sweets diet. Staff at Hickory Hill Farm would prefer these two be adopted together as they are great buds. Their adoption fee is $650. Could they be your #righthorse?

Click here for questions about Frankie and Stella, the My Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week

My Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.therighthorse.org.

Clicks and Flicks: How to Take Great Photos and Videos at Horse Shows

Daniel Johnson

August 19, 2021

Taking photos and videos at a horse show — Photo by Opolja/Shutterstock

At small horse shows without professional photographers on site, it’s usually up to friends and family members to take all the photos and record the classes on video. These photos and videos preserve wonderful memories for the future, but they’re also useful in the present for riders wishing to analyze their classes and strive for improvement. For anyone whose camera skills are a little rusty, here are some tips for taking better horse show photos and videos.

Photo Tips

1. USE THE RIGHT CAMERA FOR THE RIGHT JOB

Your phone can perform nicely for certain situations, like portraits after the class or overviews of the show scene. But for the best results, a DSLR camera is faster and generally does a much better job on action and equine portraits.

2. USE THE RIGHT LENS

If you take a DSLR, which has removable lenses, to the show, you can choose the right lens for the task. Generally, horses look their best when photographed with longer lenses, such as 150mm. A long lens will also help you get closer to the action during the class. The zoom features on mobile devices aren’t nearly as sharp as a long DSLR lens, and the results from mobile devices are often more pixelated.

3. SHOOT OUTSIDE IF YOU CAN

Outdoor arenas are ideal for photography. Things are a little more challenging if the class takes place in an indoor arena. Your camera might have trouble focusing and freezing the motion indoors. But you can always compromise and take some photos of your rider warming up outside in better light.

4. USE A HIGH SHUTTER SPEED

Do a little research ahead of time to learn how to adjust the shutter speed of your particular camera. Try to use at least 1/500th of a second to keep the action sharp!

5. DON’T FLASH

Flashes are best disabled at a horse show, just in case the light spooks any horses. Flashes can be useful outdoors for filling in shadows, but it’s not typically worth the risk. Indoors, raise the camera’s light sensitivity (“ISO”) to a higher level to compensate for the dim light.

Video Tips

6. SHOOT HORIZONTAL VIDEO

Your phone may be easier to hold in a vertical orientation, but that doesn’t mean you should shoot horse show videos that way! Videos in general look better and are easier to watch when they’re shot horizontally, and the setting and action of a horse show is much more suited to that orientation.

7. PAY ATTENTION

Sometimes people attempt to shoot show videos without really paying attention to the camera. They have the camera on and are recording, but they’re watching the class and not the camera. The shaky results are often worse than nothing. Stay focused and don’t multitask. If you’re going to shoot video, give it your full attention. Ideally, you would use a video tripod to keep things very steady; you can even find tripods for mobile devices or get a mobile phone attachment for a standard tripod.

8. KEEP THE CLIPS SHORT

Try not to film video clips that are too long; it will be almost impossible to find the part you want later. Filming short clips keeps things much more manageable.

Dressage Rider — **Pay close attention to lighting and background in order to get the best shot.** Photo by SKumer/Shutterstock

LIGHTING TIPS

9. BEAT THE LIGHT

Sunny midsummer days are a real challenge for taking photos and shooting videos, especially at a horse show. High mid-day sun makes a strong contrast between the light and shadows, and the shadows usually end up very dark and unappealing in the photo. But the next tips offer solutions for this issue.

10. SHOOT WITH THE SUN BEHIND YOU

This is called “front lighting.” It usually isn’t the best for human portraits (too much squinting, along with shadows under the eyes and nose), but it works pretty well for horses. Front lighting also works well for photos of the class itself.

11. OR, SHOOT INTO THE SUN

This is called “back lighting.” Depending on the conditions, this can be a very nice way to beat the shadows, but you have to watch out for lens flares from the sun. Also, you might run into trouble with very low contrast on dark horses.

12. DON’T SHOOT SIDE-LIGHTING

Between front lighting and back lighting is side-lighting, where half the subject is lit and half is in shadow. This is challenging to do well at midday, so try to avoid it.

13. EMBRACE THE CLOUDS

If you’re lucky enough to get some clouds, use them! Clouds reduce or eliminate the tough shadows, making your photos automatically come out more appealing. Clouds also boost the saturation of your colors. Obviously, you can’t control the weather, but you can be ready to shoot even more on the cloudy days.

Ribbon — **Think of details and candid moments to shoot. This may end up your most treasured memories.** Photo by Daniel Johnson

General Tips

14. UNDERSTAND THE CLASS

Know what you’re recording. Take a minute to learn the course/pattern to better anticipate the action.

15. FIND A GOOD BACKGROUND

Watch what is happening behind your subject. There is probably a lot of visual chaos: tents, barns, trucks, tractors … and the dreaded porta potties. Try to find a place where you can shoot at least part of the class with a clean background. For after-the-class portraits, you can choose a nice location to photograph the horse and competitor.

16. TRY DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS

Don’t always photograph or shoot video from a standing position. Try getting down lower and shooting from a sitting position or look for a higher (yet safe) vantage point if possible. Variety keeps your work interesting.

17. SHOOT MOMENTS

Everyone is looking at the arena. Take a few moments to look the other way—at the grandparents setting up the shade tent, the pony being groomed for the next class, and the husband holding the dog’s leash plus his wife’s other horse. You’ll find a million tiny moments just waiting to become treasured photos.

These tips on taking better photos and videos at a horse show appeared in the June 2020 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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