Copyright (C) WOSJ / Jenny Abrahamsson
From start to finish, the individual show jumping final of the Paris Olympic Games lived up to all its promises this Tuesday in Versailles. At the end of the day, it crowned Christian Kukuk and Checker, who signed the only double clear round of the day to claim the Holy Grail! After a three-way jump-off (the dream number for an Olympic final!), silver went to Steve Guerdat and Dynamix de Bélhème, bronze to Maikel van der Vleuten on Beauville Z.
With the exception of double gold medallist Pierre Jonquères d'Oriola, no-one did better than Steve Guerdat at the Olympic Games in individual show jumping: gold and silver. The Jura native is therefore rejoicing wholeheartedly. Here's a selection.
Picture gallery
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Copyright (C) WOSJ / Jenny Abrahamsson
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Copyright (C) WOSJ / Jenny Abrahamsson
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Copyright (C) WOSJ / Jenny Abrahamsson
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Copyright (C) WOSJ / Jenny Abrahamsson
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Copyright (C) WOSJ / Jenny Abrahamsson
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Copyright (C) WOSJ / Jenny Abrahamsson
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Copyright (C) WOSJ / Jenny Abrahamsson
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Copyright (C) WOSJ / Jenny Abrahamsson
Steve's reactions for the Cavalier Romand newspaper:
I'm delighted to have won another individual podium at the Games, even if my mare and my team deserved gold. This morning, I was desperate to avoid a bar on the initial course, which would have prevented me from sleeping well for the next four years! I was able to make the jump-off and I hold the silver medal, I'm happy and very proud.
I wasn't sufficiently happy and aware of my good fortune after the London Games, when I was still young. Today, I've matured, I realize the sacrifices I'm making and my team with me. I've also started a little family, and I think this silver medal will make me even happier than the gold in 2012.
You have to keep your feet on the ground, there are a lot of extraordinary riders out there, and many of us are dreaming of medals. I'm a championship rider, passionate about the history of my sport, so I'll be trying to do even better.
Dynamix de Bélhème was extraordinary, and it was once again a real pleasure to ride her.
The course was very difficult, very long and technical, but I was worried, for example, that there might be a special obstacle that might worry or frighten the horses, but not at all, it was very "horse". A very complicated round of 19 efforts, but correct and it avoided an overcrowded jump-off. It was very well seen.
These Games have been magnificent, for show jumping as well as for eventing and dressage. Our sport can be proud to have had such a showcase, and will be able to develop even further thanks to this success. Everything was perfect here. This is a horse country, and we saw that.
