Olympic Games in Rio: Steve barely missed the podium

Friday 19 August 2016

The defending Olympic champion had the dream to win again the title or a medal with Nino des Buissonnets. Unfortunately, Steve finished in only the 4th place and with the thankless so called leather medal. After two magnificent clear rounds, he had to enter as second the jump-off with six participants. Unfortunately the Olympic pair had a fault already on the first fence what made it impossible to win again.

Steve & Nino des Buissonnets - Rio de Janeiro - Day (4)

I dreamed for the last four years about defending my title with Nino, and I have done everything to make that possible and to offer him a cracking finish of his sports career. He jumped so wonderful in the two rounds, this exceptional horse did not deserve this little fault in the jump-off and the 4th place," said the rider from the Jura.

And he added: "So is the sport: Nick (Skelton) had bad luck in London then, and here he wins so absolutely well-deserved. We have to accept it and look forward. If things go well, you have to be grateful for it, because winning is not simply given. But I regret especially for Nino, who will have no chance to participate in Olympic Games again, and also for its owner Urs Schwarzenbach, who is also here in Rio. "

Especially painful when you know that you did everything right, from the long preparation (the horse was particularly spared for a long period) until this big competition with two rounds – or even three for the six riders, that qualified for the jump-off!

Texte : Le Cavalier Romand