Golden trio jumping for joy after ride of their life
GREAT Britain’s eventing team won gold and there was an individual silver for Tom McEwen after a dominant display at Tokyo Equestrian Park.
The trio of McEwen, Oliver Townend and Laura Collett triumphed by 13.9 penalties from silver medallists Australia and third-placed France.
It was GB’s first Olympic team gold in eventing since Munich 1972, when they were inspired by Richard Meade, who also won the individual title that year.
Gloucestershire-based Collett’s gold comes just eight years after she was left in a coma for a week after falling on cross-country during an event in Hampshire.
She suffered a punctured lung, lacerated liver, a fractured shoulder and two broken ribs, while she also lost the sight in one eye.
Together with world no.1 Townend, she also had a chance of an individual medal, but they both had eight faults and dropped down to ninth and fifthplace finishes respectively.
McEwen, whose yard is based on the Princess Royal’s Gatcombe estate, piloted Toledo De Kerser to second place. In doing so, the 30-year-old secured Britain’s highest individual eventing finish since Leslie Law won gold at Athens 2004.
The individual title went to Germany’s Julia Krajewski, who became the first woman in Olympic history to be crowned eventing champion, while Australia’s Andrew Hoy, 62, took bronze.
Collett said: ‘I could only have dreamt of being here, let alone stand here with a gold medal around my neck.
‘I was lucky to survive, and now I am lucky to win a gold medal. Roll on the next rollercoaster in my life!’
McEwen added: ‘It is not really hitting me at the moment. It has all been so special.
‘I have loved the pressure this week. It’s why I get up every morning, and I have loved it that there has been pressure on us.’
For 38-year-old Townend, he now adds an Olympic title to three European team golds.
‘I have never been as happy or comfortable on a team,’ he said. ‘We will find a way to celebrate – and it definitely won’t be with a cup of tea and a biscuit!’