SIXTEEN teams will line out at the Paris Olympic Games in eventing, with a further 11 countries represented by individual riders bringing the total starters to 65.

Standing out as the favourite once again is Britain, who have been on a medal rampage and look to claim a fifth Olympic team gold. Since 2017, they have won every team gold medal at Europeans (2017, 2019, 2021, 2023), one World championship title (2018), as well as gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Two of that Tokyo team return here; Laura Collett (London 52), and silver medallist Tom McEwen (JL Dublin). Ros Canter was the alternate athlete in Tokyo, a role filled by Yasmin Ingham (Banzai du Loir) this time around.

Who is the biggest threat to Britain? Well, you can never look too far past the Germans. They missed out on a podium three years ago and both Michael Jung (Chipmunk) and Sandra Auffarth (Viamant du Matz) are back to have another shot, joined on the team of three by Christoph Wahler (Carjatan S). All three riders were part of the gold medal-winning team at Pratoni two years' ago.

Team USA pushed Britain all the way in Aachen recently and they won the team silver medal at the World Championships in Pratoni. They field a strong team featuring two Irish Sport Horses in Will Coleman’s Off The Record (VDL Arkansas x Ard Ohio, bred by Peter Brady) and Caroline Pamukcu’s HSH Blake (Tolan R x Kannan, bred by Justin Burke) who won individual gold at the Pan American Games last year. They are joined on the team by Boyd Martin (Fedarman B).

France won team gold in 2016 and bronze in Tokyo and, on home soil, they will be strong contenders, while Australia have another good shot at a team medal after silver three years ago, despite leaving eight-time Olympian Andrew Hoy at home. The Kiwis team so good that the 2024 Badminton winners, Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier (Cavalier Royale x Touchdown, bred by Michael Callery), are the alternates here.

It feels like Ireland have a live chance here at landing the first ever eventing Olympic medal. A team win in Millstreet, Austin O’Connor landing a first five-star in 58 years and a runner-up finish for Lucy Latta in Badminton has gotten the momentum going. O’Connor and his teammates, Susie Berry and Sarah Ennis could do something special in Paris (see their bios on 71).

Medal Predictions

Individual

Gold: Ros Canter (Lordships Graffalo)

Silver: Austin O’Connor (Colorado Blue)

Bronze: Laura Collett (London 52)

Team

Gold: Britain

Silver: Australia

Bronze: Ireland