Jumping horses prepare to step under the Versailles spotlight

It’s time for the Jumping horses to shine at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and early this morning 80 of the best in the world - including reserves/alternates - trotted up before members of the Ground Jury and Veterinary Panel at the first Jumping Horse Inspection in Versailles (FRA).

Two were held over for re-inspection this afternoon, but neither Contendros 2 ridden by Mexico’s Andres Azcarraga nor French horse Viking d’la Rousserie ridden by Kevin Staut were passed.

That brings Olivier Perreau and Dorai D’Aiguilly into the French team alongside Simon Delestre/I Amelusina R 51 and Julien Epaillard/Dubai du Cedre, while Federico Fernandez and Romeo will join Eugenio Garza Perez/Contago and Hank Guerreiro/Porthos Maestro WHZ in the Mexican side when tomorrow’s first Jumping Qualifier gets underway at 11.00.

All-female

Australia is the only nation to field an all-female Jumping team at the Paris Games, and it is 24 years since the last all-female teams lined out at Sydney in 2000 when the American side of Margie Goldstein-Engle, Lauren Hough, Laura Kraut and Nona Garson finished sixth and Sweden’s Maria Gretzer, Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Helena Lundback and Lisen Fredricson finished seventh.

A total of 30 countries will be represented in Jumping, 20 by teams of three and 15 by individuals, and the best 10 teams in tomorrow’s competition, including those tied for 10th place, will qualify for Friday’s Team Final when they will jump in reverse order of merit.

The first Individual competition will take place next Monday, 5 August, and the top 30 will qualify for the following day’s Individual Final when all combinations will start on a zero score and will compete in reverse order of merit based on their placing in the Qualifier.