ALL three riders, and two horses, who won gold in Tokyo 2021 will ride on the Swedish Olympic show jumping team.

Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward (Edward 28 x Feo) – who are also the individual world champions – and Malin Baryard-Johnsson and Indiana (Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Animo’s Hallo) both jumped off for gold in Tokyo 2021. The final 2021 team member and individual silver medallist is Peder Fredricson on Olympic first-timer Catch Me Not S (Cardento 933 x Ramiro’s Son).

Rolf-Göran Bengtsson is the oldest team member, aged 62, and Paris will be his sixth Olympics. He rides the 12-year-old stallion Zuccero Hv (VDL Zirocco Blue x Caretino 2). Baryard-Johnsson has been named as the alternate on this occasion. The Games will be her sixth, Peder’s fifth and Henrik’s fourth. Sweden has won 11 Olympic show jumping medals, including team gold in Tokyo.

“We are incredibly charged,” said Swedish chef d’equipe, Henrik Ankacrona. “It is a long process towards an Olympics and it is exciting now that we are approaching the championship. We go there to perform and we always aim high. But we know that everyone has to be at their best to make it all the way.”

US Equestrian is also among the national governing bodies with on-form riders to announce show jumping teams recently, with chef d’equipe Robert Ridland saying they are “laser-focused” on the Games.

“We are very lucky to have three of the most experienced athletes in the sport, riding horses that are in top form, heading into the Games. Now that selection is complete, we are 100% laser-focused on Paris.”

The team selection is as follows: Kent Farrington and Greya (Colestus x Contessa); Laura Kraut and Baloutinue (Balou du Rouet x Utika); McLain Ward and Ilex, (Baltic VDL x Calendula) gelding. The alternate is Karl Cook with Caracole de la Roque.

Strong teams

The German Equestrian Federation has also announced its show jumping team.

“This time, we decided early on which pairs should take place in the Olympic Games, in order to give these riders security and to enable them to have an individual programme for further preparation,” said national coach Otto Becker.

The following horse-and-rider combinations will compete: Christian Kukuk and Checker 47; Richard Vogel and United Touch S; Philipp Weishaupt and Zineday. The alternate was named after Aachen and earning the slot was Jana Wargers with Dorette, owned by Irishman Enda Carroll of Ashford Farm.

To date, four German riders have won individual gold in show jumping: Hans Günter Winkler and Halla (Stockholm, 1956), Alwin Schockemöhle and Warwick Rex (Montreal, 1976), then back-to-back gold medals for Ludger Beerbaum with Classic Touch (Barcelona, 1992) and Ulrich Kirchoff and Jus de Pomme (Atlanta, 1996).

The French equestrian federation has also announced teams for all three Olympic disciplines, with eventing selector Thierry Touzaint making a confident medal prediction.

“Whatever happens, the goal is to win a medal. We have a squad that is capable of it,” he said.

The French show jumping team comprises Simon Delestre and I Amelusina R 51; Julien Epaillard and Dubai Du Cèdre; Olivier Perreau and GL Events Dorai d’Aiguilly and Kevin Staut and Viking d’la Rousserie.

Switzerland also announced its team recently and it comprises Martin Fuchs with Leone JEI; Steve Guerdat with Dynamix de Bélhème; Pius Schwizer with Vancouver de Lanlore and alternate Edouard Schmitz (Gamin van’t Naastveldhof).

The UAE team has also been announced, with the Irish Sport Horse BBS McGregor (Cardento x Mark Twain xx), bred by Marguerite Ryan and produced to 1.60m by her son Jack, selected with rider Abdulla Al Marri.