The Olympic Games for the show jumpers began with the team qualification round. A knockout race in which the top ten teams earn a spot in the team final tomorrow. Ilex brought the American team to second place in this qualifier. The Netherlands, thanks in part to the excellent performance of Imagine and Kim Emmen, stands in fifth place. In total, four Dutch horses will compete in the team final for four different teams.

With two teammates already having ridden clear rounds, McLain Ward took to the course with Baltic VDL's son (out of Calendula ster IBOP-spr PROK by Chin Chin, breeder G. Maris from Berg en Dal) with the aim of riding a conservative round. “The team had already performed well, and I didn’t want to mess it up. The main goal for today was to qualify, which we should not take for granted. Tomorrow is another new round with new opportunities.”

Ermitage Kalone Impresses
Despite it being only his fifth international 1.60m course, the Catoki son Ermitage Kalone (out of Bellaventura Kalone by Kannan, breeder M. Dessalles) jumps as if he has been competing at the highest level for years. The Belgian Gilles Thomas guided the stallion effortlessly around the course, appearing untroubled throughout. The stallion consistently stands out with the ease with which he clears massive obstacles and technical lines. This performance brings the Belgian team to fourth place. Read Gilles Thomas' full response.

Smooth Ride
For the Netherlands, Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z posted a clear round, as did Kim Emmen with Imagine (Cassini Gold out of Nigel ster prest sport-spr by Lord Z, breeder C. Viscaal from Albergen), who was brought in as a last-minute reserve. “I have to admit, it’s never nice to take someone else’s spot. I have great respect for Willem for giving up his place for the team. I think I filled his place well,” said a modest Kim Emmen. She guided Imagine over the course with such control that it looked much easier than it was. “Honestly, I rode to the first fence, and it was just very easy. Really a very nice ride.” Read Kim Emmen's full response.

France Seventh with I Amelusina R 51
I Amelusina R 51 (Dexter R out of B.Amelusina R22 elite prest EPTM-spr PROK by Chin Chin, breeder Stal Roelofs from Den Ham) had two jumping faults under Simon Delestre, placing France seventh for the final. His rider is optimistic. “This is my horse’s first championship. He is a very sensitive horse. I expect him to jump better as the championship progresses, the more he gets into the ring, the better he will become. His greatest quality is that he is very careful.”

Galaxy HM for Israel to Team Final
The Israeli team, with the Galaxy HM (Quality Time out of Cleopatra stb prest PROK by Crawford, breeder H.R.J. Mentink from Zelhem) bred by Henk Mentink, took the ninth place and thus qualified for the team final.

No Team Final for Leone Jei
The Swiss team made too many mistakes, which means there will be no team final for Leone Jei and Martin Fuchs. The son of Baltic VDL (out of Dara ster prest IBOP-spr PROK by Corland, breeder G.M. van Mersbergen from Udenhout) made a jumping fault that Fuchs fully takes responsibility for. “I entered the ring with a lot of confidence. I thought we could easily ride a clear round and deliver. Maybe I had too much confidence.”

Australia Fifteenth
The Australian team made too many errors, which means Hialita B (Emerald van 't Ruytershof out of Dialita B ster PROK by Vaillant, breeder Manege Beukers from Oudkarspel) and Fellow Castlefield (Je T'aime Flamenco out of Bred by Liefhebber reg.A EPTM-spr D-OC by Twister, breeder M. Liefhebber from Hoornaar) will not be competing in the team final.

Polish Team
The same goes for the Polish team, in which Issem Issem (Quality Time out of Elle stb-ext by Clinton, breeder J. Saaltink from Laren) and Flash Blue B (Mr.Blue out of Perla ster prest sport-spr by Pionier, breeder Stal Burg from Hoogeloon) competed. For Saudi Arabia, Jaguar King WD (Zirocco Blue out of Eye Queen WD ster IBOP-spr PROK D-OC by Toulon, breeder Willem Dekker from Benningbroek) started.

View the results

Mediaguide Olympics

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