Rio Olympics 2016: Equestrians take eventing bronze
Sam Griffiths riding Paulank Brockagh during the eventing team jumping final. Photo: Getty/ Sean M. Haffey
Australia’s equestrian team has won the eventing bronze medal in a dramatic finish that came down to the final rider.
Chris Burton, Sam Griffiths, Shane Rose and Stuart Tinney finished third behind France and Germany.
BRONZE Medallists – Australian Eventing Team – Chris Burton, Sam Griffiths, Shane Rose & Stuart Tinney #OneTeam pic.twitter.com/xpDdEAaY5w
— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) August 9, 2016
Australia had led the team competition after the cross–country leg, but with the elimination of Shane Rose, the team had to count all three rounds in the jumping final.
Stuart Tinney had 17 penalties on Pluto Mio, which put Australia out of first place. Sam Griffiths then went clear on his horse Paulank Brockagh to put Australia back in the race for gold.
It set up a frantic finish, where a clear round from German world number one Michael Jung put his team in the gold medal position, only for France to take over with a clear from Nicolas Astier on Piaf de b’Neville.
Australia later fell short in the individual event, riders finishing fourth and fifth.
