THERE are emotional stories all around us in equestrian sport, but two were to the fore in the eventing competition at the Paris Olympic Games in Versailles last weekend.

Both USA’s Boyd Martin and French team silver medallist Stephan Landois were riding horses that were previously campaigned by riders, who lost their life in accidents while doing the sport they love. Landois’ mount, the 12-year-old gelding Chaman Dumontceau was previously ridden by his friend, Thaïs Méheust, who was killed in a fall with this horse in 2019. She was a hugely talented rider and a medallist at every underage level. “Her dream was to reach the Olympics with this horse. I’m very proud, and I think Thaïs would have loved this day, and she would be happy to see her mum smiling,” Landois said afterwards.

For Boyd Martin, it was an emotional fourth Games when the Annie Goodwin Syndicate’s Fedarman B finished in 10th place individually. His previous rider, Annie Goodwin, tragically died after a fall while cross-country schooling the gelding in 2021.