Britain ended Germany’s decades-long domination of equestrian team dressage by winning the Olympic gold medal at Greenwich Park in London on Tuesday, adding to the squad’s first team show jumping gold in 60 years a day earlier.
Germany took the silver and the Netherlands bronze.
It was Britain’s first dressage medal ever and it capped an equestrian competition that saw the home team medal in every team discipline — gold in the dressage and show jumping, and silver in eventing.
“I hope it doesn’t end here. I hope it’s the start of the team evolving,” said Britain’s Laura Belchtolsheimer, who rode Mistral Hojris.
In dressage, the horse performs a carefully choreographed routine of movements that showcase the animal’s training — prancing trots, extended strides, twirling pirouettes and a move called the flying change, which looks like the horse is skipping.
The competition received unusual attention in London because the US team featured Rafalca, a horse co-owned by the wife of Republican US presidential candidate Mitt Romney. The US finished sixth and Rafalca, ridden by Jan Ebeling, ended in 28th place and out of contention for the individual medal competition.
Ann Romney was in the VIP stands on Tuesday, as was Princess Anne, whose daughter Zara Phillips was part of the silver-winning British equestrian eventing team.
Germany has won every Olympic team gold in dressage since 1976, with the exception of the boycott year in 1980, and Britain has never won a dressage medal, period.
In perhaps a first for any dressage event, which are usually rather staid affairs, the crowd in the stands went through several rounds of the Mexican Wave after it became clear Britain had won.
The final team totals were Britain with 79.979 percent, Germany with 78.216 percent and the Netherlands with 77.124 percent.
It was a back-to-back win for Britain, who won their first team show jumping medal in 60 years in the same arena on Monday. Led by Nick Skelton, who returned to the sport after breaking his neck in a 2000 competition fall, the British team rode clear rounds in a jump-off to give the hosts victory over the Netherlands. Saudi Arabia, a relative newcomer to the sport, were a surprising third.
The 18 highest scoring individuals in the team dressage competition advance to perform a freestyle test today, with movements and music of the rider’s own choosing, similar to freestyle ice skating or the floor exercise in gymnastics.
Going into the freestyle event, Germany and Britain both have their three riders in the top eight, which also includes current world leader Adelinde Cornelissen of the Netherlands riding Parzival and top US rider Steffen Peters on Ravel.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely