Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Germany's Christian Kukuk takes gold in chaotic individual jumping final as Team GB miss out
Published 06/08/2024 at 11:42 GMT+1
Team GB riders Ben Maher and Scott Brash failed to reach the jump-off as much of the field failed to progress in the final of equestrian’s individual jumping event, which was won by Germany's Christian Kukuk and Checker 47. Switzerland took silver, while the Netherlands came third. A number of teams retired during their run on a challenging course, with two riders thrown from their horses.
Watch golden moment Brash completes team jumping gold for Britain
Video credit: TNT Sports
Germany won gold in a chaotic final of equestrian’s individual jumping final – where a number of riders were thrown off by their horses.
Christian Kukuk topped the podium with his horse Checker 47 after winning the jump-off, which was only contested by three out of the thirty competing teams.
London 2012 champion Steve Guerdat of Switzerland took silver aboard Dynamix De Belheme, while Dutchman Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z finished with bronze.
British medal hopes took a blow before the action even got underway after Harry Charles and his horse, Romeo, withdrew from the competition.
On social media, Charles wrote: “Unfortunately Romeo and I will not start the individual final today in Paris. After a small overreach yesterday he is not quite the 110% that he has been the whole Games, so we are not taking any risks.”
Alongside Ben Maher and Scott Brash, Charles won the team jumping event in Paris but hopes of adding to their equestrian glory were quickly extinguished at Chateau de Versailles.
Defending champion Maher was the first Brit to take to the course aboard Dallas Vegas Batilly but hitting the top of a fence resulted in four penalty points.
It was exactly the same story for Brash – and his horse Jefferson – later in the competition with both riders failing to progress.
In an error-filled competition, only three teams managed to go clear and qualify for the jump-off.
Three riders – including Ireland’s Daniel Coyle with Legacy – retired after accumulating multiple penalties in the early stages of their runs.
Meanwhile, Mexico’s Andres Azcarraga had to cling on to his horse Contendros 2 to avoid being dumped into a water hazard, while world No. 1 Henrik von Eckermann was thrown off by King Edward.
Von Eckerman went sprawling into an obstacle, but both he and King Edward escaped uninjured.
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With just three riders making it through to medal contention, Kukuk, Guerdat and van der Vleuten were all guaranteed a place on the podium.
Germany’s Kukuk and Checker 47 went first and set a high bar as he navigated an amended course in 38.34 with no penalties.
Van Der Vleuten and Beauville Z were next up, but as they pushed to better the time of the German team, they finished with four penalties in a time of 39.12.
Going for his second Olympic gold, Guerdat had to settle for silver as he picked up four penalties after moving through the course in 38.38 on Dynamix De Belheme.
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