'I can’t believe it!' - Showjumping drama as world No. 1 Henrik Von Eckermann thrown off, rider falls in water
Updated 06/08/2024 at 20:29 GMT+1
Mexico’s Andres Azcarraga and Sweden's world No. 1 Henrik von Eckermann were both involved in dramatic moments in the individual showjumping final at the Paris Olympics. Azcarraga had to grab the reins to avoid being thrown into a water hazard, while Von Eckermann was flung from his horse as they approached a side fence and was sent tumbling to the ground.
'I can’t believe it!' - Nightmare as favourite Eckermann flung from horse in showjumping final
Video credit: TNT Sports
There was high drama in the individual showjumping final as Mexico’s Andres Azcarraga had to cling on to his horse to avoid being completely thrown into the water, while world No. 1 Henrik von Eckermann was sent flying into an obstacle.
Azcarraga was 30 seconds into his ride on Contendros 2 when they approached a water hazard.
As they shaped to jump, Contendros 2 sharply turned to the side and sent Azcarraga flying from his saddle.
Azcarraga just managed to hold onto the reins, so only his feet swung into the water rather than his entire body splashing in forwards.
“Wow, that was as sudden a stop as I have seen for a while,” said Eurosport commentator Richard Vaughan as gasps were heard around the arena.
“It’s meant to be a test and it certainly was there.”
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Equestrian - Jumping Individual - Paris 2024 - Clip - Azcarraga falls
Image credit: TNT Sports
Eurosport's Sarah Rust added: “That’s a pretty nasty filler on the front of the water. Most of the time when you are coming to water it’s either open or the filler on the front is solid, but this one has a gap and the horses can see the water glinting. It’s not the nicest.”
The course was proving a test for several other riders, with Japan’s Takashi Haase Shibayama and Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa both retiring.
Sweden’s Von Eckermann, who has been world No. 1 for the last two years, also found it tough going.
Von Eckermann looked a little shaky on King Edward and couldn’t keep his line as he was thrown off in the direction of an obstacle near the side fence.
“I can’t believe it,” said Vaughan.
“Something was not right. He looked a bit odd yesterday, I thought they did very well to scramble round but it has all fallen apart.
“It was unravelling earlier on. They got over the big double then the water seemed OK but then after that the horse seemed to run away.”
GB were represented by Scott Brash and Ben Maher in the final after Harry Charles pulled out as horse Romeo 88 suffered a “small overreach”.
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'Wow' – Azcarraga clings to horse to avoid being dumped into water hazard
Video credit: TNT Sports
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