U.S. Show Jumping Team Wins WEG Gold

The Americans edged ahead in a dramatic jump-off; U.S. driving team leads the way.

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Read more about how the U.S. Show Jumping Team wins gold at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, NC and other events such as driving.

Devin Ryan and Eddie Blue of the United States 2018 WEG
Devin Ryan and Eddie Blue of the United States

In a competition where scores were calculated down to a thousandth of a point, a tie seems unlikely. But that’s exactly what happened today in the team jumping final at the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018 Tryon.

The top ten nations returned today for the last round of team competition. The Swiss team was the overnight leader, but after one of their riders was eliminated due to two refusals on course and the remaining three racked up 17 penalties, they opened the door for new medal contenders.

Adrienne Sternlicht and Christalline of the United States
Adrienne Sternlicht and Christalline of the United States

With two clear rounds and only four faults in the remaining counted score (each team’s lowest score is dropped), Germany moved into bronze medal position. Sweden had a near-perfect day, with no faults in its three counted scores, while the U.S. had a total of eight faults added to its total, creating a tie between the two nations at 2018 WEG.

Laura Kraut and Zeremonie of the U.S. 2018 WEG
Laura Kraut and Zeremonie of the U.S.

All four riders from each team returned for a shortened version of the original course for a jump-off. In those four rounds, both teams had a single rail each. The tie breaker came down to which team had the fastest total time in the jump-off at 2018 WEG.

It was the U.S., by 2.06 seconds.

McLain Ward and Clinta of the U.S.
McLain Ward and Clinta of the U.S.

2018 marks the first time the U.S. has won team gold in a World Equestrian Games show jumping competition. Team members Laura Kraut and McLain Ward have both been part of WEG teams in the past while Devin Ryan and Adrienne Sternlicht both made their debut in Tryon. Three of the four U.S. horses are mares (Ryan’s Eddie Blue is a gelding.) All four riders are expected to return to the ring on Sunday for the final round of individual show jumping competition at 2018 WEG.

U.S. Show Jumping Team 2018 WEG

Driving Begins

The last of the eight WEG disciplines to take place is combined driving, which started today with the dressage phase. Nineteen drivers are competing at Tryon in this four-in-hand competition.

Boyd Exell of Australia
Boyd Exell of Australia

Australia’s Boyd Exell has long been the dominant competitor at the top level of this sport, and he showed why again today, earning the top score of 31.68 penalties. His American counterpart, Chester Weber, is close behind in second place with 35.10 at 2018 WEG.

Chester Weber of the U.S.
Chester Weber of the U.S.

The U.S. team is off to a strong start. Misdee Wrigley Miller currently sits in fourth place while James Fairclough is 11th. Overall, the team is in first place ahead of the second-placed Dutch team. France is currently in third.

Misdee Wrigley Miller of the U.S. 2018 WEG
Misdee Wrigley Miller of the U.S.
James Fairclough of the U.S.
James Fairclough of the U.S.

Driving will continue tomorrow with the marathon phase. Be sure to check out the results here: 2018 WEG U.S. Driving Results

Tryon 2018 WEG Moment of the Day

Your WEG Moment of the Day for Friday Sept. 21: Pui Ting Natasha Tse of Hong Kong rides out of the arena on Baxo after successfully completing their Grade I Para-Dressage test. With them is Baxo’s equine friend. FEI rules allow for a companion to accompany para-equestrian horses to the stadium for moral support if needed to keep the horse calm and working at his best in the sometimes electrifying atmosphere of competition.

Pui Ting Natasha Tse and Baxo of Hong Kong 2018 WEG

 

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