U.S.A wins show jumping team gold in Beijing Olympic

posted by   karan (112)   4 months ago (olympicgamesbeijing-2008.blogspot.com)

From Yahoo sports news-The United States snatched the equestrian team show jumping gold from Canada in a breathtaking jump-off at the Olympics on Monday. Canada took silver and Norway bronze.

The United States and Canada had tied for first place in the show jumping final with total penalties of 20 each. Both teams went into a jump-off, where riders tackle a shortened course against the clock.

This marked the second consecutive U.S. victory in Olympic team show jumping.

“I’m shocked, so thrilled with the way we did. So exciting,” said American rider Laura Kraut. “We wanted that gold medal really bad.”

When asked if he was disappointed to see Canada miss their first gold in the category since the 1968 Mexico City Games, rider Eric Lamaze said: “What we did was already amazing, so we’re already very happy.”

Thirty-five riders out of the 50 who rode on Monday will also go through to the individual show jumping final on Thursday. The top-ranking individual rider was Norway’s Tony Andre Hansen with a total of 3 cumulative penalties.

“For the team to get a bronze medal is fantastic. It’s really a team spirit and we helped each other,” he said after his round.

The United States won the team show jumping gold at the Athens Games in 2004 and in Los Angeles in 1984.